Mumbai, Aug. 13 -- Key benchmark indices ended largely flat in a volatile session on Thursday, with the Nifty closing near the 24,400 level. Buying at lower levels helped the index recover from an intraday low of 24,311.40. Trading remained volatile amid the weekly expiry of BSE derivatives contracts. Selling in metal, private bank and financial stocks was offset by gains in FMCG, IT and chemical shares. Broader market outperformed, with both Midcap and Smallcap indices ending higher. Technically, 24,450 is seen as immediate resistance for the Nifty, while 24,300 remains a crucial support level.

The S&P BSE Sensex advanced 113.61 points or 0.15% to 78,079.96. The Nifty 50 index lost 40.10 points or 0.16% to 24,395.85.

Larsen & Toubro (u...