New Delhi, 12 June (H.S.): Profit booking was visible in the domestic equity markets during early trading on Friday. The session had begun on a strong note, and sustained buying initially pushed both the Sensex and Nifty higher after the opening bell. However, the emergence of profit-taking led both benchmark indices to retreat from their intraday highs. Despite the selling pressure, both indices continued to trade firmly in positive territory. After the first hour of trading, the Sensex was up 0.94 percent, while the Nifty was trading 0.78 percent higher.

Among the heavyweight stocks, InterGlobe Aviation was trading 3.16 percent higher after the first hour of trading. It was followed by Eternal, up 2.59 percent, Shriram Finance, up 1.97 percent, Larsen & Toubro, up 1.94 percent, and HDFC Bank, which gained 1.90 percent.

On the downside, ONGC declined 1.58 percent. Bajaj Auto fell 1.23 percent, Tech Mahindra slipped 1.08 percent, Coal India was down 0.81 percent, and HCL Technologies weakened 0.73 percent.

So far, active trading was witnessed in 2,745 stocks across the market. Of these, 2,356 stocks were trading in positive territory with gains, while 389 stocks were in the red. Among the 30 Sensex constituents, 25 stocks remained in the green on the back of buying support, while five traded lower under selling pressure. Similarly, among the 50 Nifty constituents, 38 stocks were trading higher and 12 were trading lower.

The BSE Sensex opened with a gain of 876.72 points at 74,709.27. Supported by strong buying immediately after the opening, the index climbed to an intraday high of 74,859.16. Thereafter, profit booking emerged, causing the benchmark to retreat from higher levels. Amid continuous buying and selling activity, the Sensex was trading at 74,524.10 at 10:15 a.m., up 691.55 points from the previous close.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty opened 250.95 points higher at 23,412.55. Strong buying interest after the opening pushed the index to an intraday high of 23,455.95. However, profit-taking triggered selling pressure, leading the index to pare some of its gains. Amid ongoing market activity, the Nifty was trading at 23,343.35 at 10:15 a.m., up 181.75 points.

In the previous trading session on Thursday, the Sensex had closed 150.63 points, or 0.20 percent, lower at 73,832.55. The Nifty also ended the session with a loss of 53.35 points, or 0.23 percent, settling at 23,161.60.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar