Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (up 1.48%) and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (up 0.81%), edged higher.

Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services had outperformed the market over the past one month till 16 December 2013, rising 3.60% compared with the Sensex's 1.28% rise. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 18.21% as against Sensex's 4.65% rise.

Shares of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise had underperformed the market over the past one month till 16 December 2013, sliding 5.94% compared with the Sensex's 1.28% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, falling 3.14% as against Sensex's 4.65% rise.

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) said it will include Apollo Hospitals Enterprise and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services in the futures and options (F&O) segment of NSE from 27 December 2013.

Typically, stocks that enter the F&O segment gain ground due to absence of circuit filters and increase in institutional participation due to improved liquidity.