Indian equity benchmark indices opened higher on Wednesday amid positive global cues after gains across Wall Street and Asian markets.
Sensex opened at 77,192.76, up more than 100 points or 0.18 per cent, while Nifty started the session at 24,085.85, gaining 33.80 points or 0.14 per cent.
Sector-wise, financial and banking stocks led the gains in early trade, while information technology shares remained under pressure.
Nifty Financial Services Ex-Bank emerged as the top gainer, rising around 1 per cent, followed by Nifty Chemicals, which advanced 0.71 per cent. Nifty Private Bank gained 0.58 per cent, while Nifty PSU Bank traded 0.53 per cent higher.
On the downside, Nifty IT was the worst-performing sector, declining 1.38 per cent, followed by Nifty MidSmall IT &Telecom, which slipped 0.43 per cent.
Meanwhile, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hindalco Industries and ONGC were among the top losers on the Nifty.
On the commodities front, international benchmark Brent crude jumped about 2 per cent to trade above $85 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1.57 per cent to $80.59 a barrel.
In Asia, major indices traded in the green, with the Nikkei, Hang Seng and KOSPI posting gains in early trade.
Overnight, Wall Street ended higher, with the S&P 500 rising 0.38 per cent and the Nasdaq advancing 0.90 per cent.
-IANS
