The benchmark Sensex on Friday closed flat as buying by domestic institutional investors and retailers saved the day amid a strengthening rupee. Much of investors' worries on fiscal deficit receded as a top official laid out the Centre's borrowing plan for the second half of 2017-18, reiterating the government's commitment to meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.2 per cent of GDP.

The beginning of the October futures and options (F&O) series and domestic funds playing ball averted any damage, traders said. As for market triggers, participants are looking forward to the upcoming RBI policy review slated for October 3-4. The 30-share index closed marginally higher by 1.24 points at 31,283.72 after some late selling. It had gained 122.67 points in the previous session.

 Also, the NSE Nifty ended up 19.65 points, or 0.20 per cent, at 9,788.60 after shuttling between 9,854 and 9,775.35 during the day. Both the Sensex and the Nifty suffered weekly losses for the third time this month, down 638.72 points, or 2 per cent, and 175.80 points, or 1.76 per cent, respectively. The rupee appreciation continued against the dollar.

‘Market started with a positive note supported by the government's unchanged stance on budgeted borrowing plan and expectation of additional capital spending by PSUs. But volatility emerged towards close as investors started profit booking due to the extended weekend which pared the gains and the market settled on a flat note,’ said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

Participants are set for a long weekend as stock exchanges will remain closed on Monday, that is October 2, on account of Gandhi Jayanti. Domestic institutional investors net pulled in shares worth Rs 5,196.60 crore Thursday. But foreign investors chose to stay in the exit lane, offloading shares of Rs 5,328.46 crore yesterday, provisional data showed.