New Delhi, 17 June (H.S.): Indian benchmark equity indices traded higher during early trading on Wednesday, supported by sustained buying interest despite an initial bout of profit booking. Both the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty opened in positive territory but briefly slipped into the red soon after the opening bell as investors booked profits. However, renewed buying helped both indices recover and regain positive momentum.
As of 10:30 a.m., the Sensex was trading 280.08 points, or 0.36 per cent, higher at 77,088.56, while the Nifty had gained 81.15 points, or 0.34 per cent, to trade at 24,070.30.
Among the frontline stocks, Trent Limited, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Nestlé India and HDFC Life Insurance Company emerged as the top gainers, rising between 1.02 per cent and 3.30 per cent.
On the other hand, TVS Motor Company, ONGC, Cipla, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Axis Bank were among the major losers, declining between 0.56 per cent and 1.52 per cent.
A total of 2,794 stocks were actively traded on the exchanges by 10:30 a.m. Of these, 1,782 stocks advanced, while 1,012 declined.
Among the 30 constituent stocks of the BSE Sensex, 22 were trading in positive territory, supported by buying interest, while eight stocks remained under selling pressure.
Similarly, on the NSE Nifty, 35 of the 50 constituent stocks were trading with gains, while the remaining 15 were in the red.
The BSE Sensex opened 271.61 points higher at 77,080.09, crossing the 77,000-mark at the opening. However, early profit booking dragged the index to an intraday low of 76,768.49 before buyers stepped in, helping the benchmark recover and move back into positive territory.
Likewise, the NSE Nifty began the session 55.40 points higher at 24,044.55. Selling pressure in the initial minutes pushed the index down to an intraday low of 23,969.70. It later rebounded on the back of fresh buying and remained firmly in positive territory through the morning session.
In the previous trading session on Monday, the Sensex had closed 544.15 points, or 0.71 per cent, higher at 76,808.48. The Nifty had ended the session with a gain of 135.25 points, or 0.57 per cent, to settle at 23,989.15.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
