Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty began the trade on a positive note on Friday but later pared gains to quote lower amid a muted trend in global markets and selling in IT stocks.

Market analysts said investors are awaiting cues from the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole Symposium.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened 37.32 points or 0.05 per cent higher at 81,090.51 points. The NSE Nifty gained 18.25 points to 24,829.75.

Later, both the benchmark indices pared their early gains and were trading in the negative territory. The BSE benchmark quoted 117.82 points or 0.15 per cent lower at 80,935.37 and the Nifty traded at 24,776.95, down by 34.55 points.

From the Sensex pack, Infosys, Titan, Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, ITC, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra and Asian Paints were the laggards.

On the contrary, Tata Motors, Reliance Industries, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank were among the gainers.

“Globally the market’s focus on Friday will be on US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole on the economy and the possible rate cut trend. Powell is likely to sound dovish indicating a rate cut in September,” V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.

In Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai were trading higher, while Hong Kong and Seoul were quoting in the red territory on Friday.

The US markets were closed lower on Thursday.