Mumbai, Sep 17 - A key index of Indian equities markets, which soared in early trade Thursday on strong cues from Asian bourses, could not hold on to its gains as investors turned to profit booking, and ended only 34 points in the green.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened higher at 16,686.38 points, rose 0.2 percent or 34.07 points to close at 16,711.11 points.

The index that hit a high of 16,820.02 points in the morning session shed most of its gains by noon and slipped to an intra-day low of 16,636.55 points.

The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also ended marginally in the green at 4,965.55 points, up 0.14 percent.

Broader market indices also made gains, with the BSE midcap index ending 0.2 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index up 0.13 percent.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,574 stocks declining, 1,223 advancing and 91 remaining unchanged.

Among the top gainers are ACC Ltd, up 3.65 percent; Hindalco, up 3.62 percent; Jaiprakash Associates, up 3.28 percent; and Bharti Airtel 3.13 percent.

The top losers are Reliance Industries, down 4.