New Delhi, 14 January (H.S.): Indian benchmark indices opened lower on Wednesday, oscillating between gains and losses in the first hour of trading as bulls and bears vied for control, with Sensex and Nifty both posting declines by 10:15 AM.

The BSE Sensex commenced trading 269.15 points weaker at 83,358.54, swinging to a high of 83,715.93 on buying support before dipping to 83,288.13 under selling pressure. After one hour of volatile session on Wednesday, it traded 140.50 points or 0.17 percent down at 83,487.19.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty opened 83.75 points lower at 25,648.55, peaking at 25,761.50 in green territory before sliding to 25,638.35 amid profit-taking, settling 33.05 points or 0.13 percent lower at 25,699.25 by 10:15 AM Wednesday.

Among Sensex heavyweights, Coal India, ONGC, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, and NTPC advanced between 0.82 percent and 2.69 percent, while Kotak Mahindra, Eicher Motors, TCS, Cipla, and Asian Paints declined from 0.54 percent to 1.39 percent. Of 2,584 active stocks, 1,374 traded in positive territory and 1,210 in the red; Sensex's 30 components split evenly with 15 each in green and red, while Nifty's 50 stocks showed 23 gainers against 27 decliners.

Tuesday's prior session saw Sensex close 250.48 points or 0.30 percent lower at 83,627.69, with Nifty ending 57.95 points or 0.22 percent down at 25,732.30, setting a cautious tone for Wednesday's proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar