New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): Indian equities staged a robust recovery in early trade after an initial dip, with the BSE Sensex climbing 38.93 points or 0.05 percent to 74,602.85 and the NSE Nifty advancing 39.20 points or 0.17 percent to 23,190.30 by 10 AM.

Trading commenced sluggishly, as the Sensex opened 148.13 points lower at 74,415.79 before slumping further to 74,384.61 amid selling pressure, only for buyers to swiftly intervene and propel it into positive territory. Similarly, Nifty shed 35 points at the outset to 23,116.10, dipping to 23,098 shortly after, but rebounded within 15 minutes on sustained purchases.

Among Sensex heavyweights, Grasim Industries, JSW Steel, Hindalco Industries, InterGlobe Aviation, and Tata Steel posted gains ranging from 1.38 to 2.47 percent, while Shriram Finance, Coal India, ONGC, Max Healthcare, and Dr Reddy's Laboratories declined between 0.24 and 1.63 percent.

Of 2,045 active stocks, 882 traded higher against 1,163 laggards; Sensex's 30 components saw 20 in the green versus 10 red, and Nifty's 50 had 32 advances over 18 declines.

This uptick follows Friday's sharp reversal, when Sensex plunged 1,470.50 points or 1.93 percent to close at 74,563.92, and Nifty tumbled 488.05 points or 2.06 percent to 23,151.10.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar