Domestic equity markets opened marginally higher on Thursday, tracking positive cues from global markets and overnight gains on Wall Street, as concerns over AI-led disruptions eased and investor sentiment improved.
The benchmark Nifty 50 index opened at 25,560.40, up 77.90 points or 0.31 per cent, while the BSE Sensex began the session at 82,534.15, gaining 258.08 points or 0.31 per cent.
Market participants attributed the positive opening to supportive global trends and continued inflows from domestic institutional investors, which have helped sustain investor confidence.
Market experts said the overall sentiment remains stable in the absence of major global or domestic triggers. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said Indian markets are expected to trade on a steady note, supported by overnight gains on Wall Street and a constructive tone across Asian markets. He added that sustained domestic institutional investor inflows are supporting selective buying in sectors such as banking, metals, power, FMCG and automobiles.
In the broader markets, mixed trends were observed. On the National Stock Exchange, the Nifty 100 index rose 0.06 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.19 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100, however, declined 0.15 per cent.
Sectoral indices also showed a mixed performance. Nifty IT emerged as the top gainer, rising 0.77 per cent. Nifty PSU Bank climbed 0.84 per cent, while Nifty Pharma advanced 0.39 per cent and Nifty Oil and Gas gained 0.18 per cent.
On the other hand, Nifty Realty slipped 0.57 per cent, Nifty FMCG fell 0.25 per cent, Nifty Consumer Durables declined 0.19 per cent, Nifty Media lost 0.16 per cent, Nifty Private Bank eased 0.13 per cent, and Nifty Metal slipped 0.11 per cent.
Institutional buying remained strong in the previous session, with foreign portfolio investors purchasing equities worth Rs 2,991 crore, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 5,118 crore.
Meanwhile, precious metal prices edged lower in early trade. Gold prices declined 0.3 per cent to Rs 1,60,700 per 10 grams for 24-carat gold, while silver prices fell over one per cent to Rs 2,65,526 per kilogram.
Asian markets were mixed in early trade. Japan and South Korea registered gains, while markets in Hong Kong and Singapore traded lower. US equities ended higher overnight, providing support to global market sentiment.
-ANI
