New Delhi, 16 July (H.S.): India's domestic equity benchmarks traded in positive territory during early trading on Thursday despite witnessing sharp fluctuations. Both the Sensex and the Nifty opened higher before experiencing volatile movements as buyers and sellers competed for dominance in the market. After the first hour of trading, the Sensex was up 0.26 per cent, while the Nifty had gained 0.22 per cent.

Among the frontline stocks, HCL Technologies, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Maruti Suzuki emerged as the top gainers, advancing between 1.41 per cent and 2.38 per cent during the first hour of trade.

On the other hand, SBI Life Insurance, HDFC Life, Bajaj Finserv, Jio Financial Services and Axis Bank were among the major losers, declining between 0.43 per cent and 2.57 per cent.

A total of 2,731 stocks were actively traded during the session. Of these, 1,409 advanced and traded in the green, while 1,322 declined and remained in negative territory.

Among the 30 constituent stocks of the BSE Sensex, 21 traded higher on sustained buying support, while nine stocks remained under selling pressure. Similarly, 31 of the 50 Nifty constituents were trading in positive territory, while the remaining 19 were in the red.

The BSE Sensex opened 202.99 points, or 0.26 per cent, higher at 77,388.42. Soon after the opening bell, the benchmark witnessed volatile trading as bulls and bears battled for control. Supported by buying, the index climbed to an intraday high of 77,514.30 before slipping to a low of 77,276.52 amid profit booking. Despite the fluctuations, the Sensex remained in positive territory throughout the session. At 10:15 a.m., after the first hour of trading, the index was up 201.32 points at 77,386.75.

The NSE Nifty also began the day on a firm note, opening 63.60 points, or 0.26 per cent, higher at 24,142.10. The benchmark subsequently witnessed intraday volatility, touching a high of 24,167.40 before falling to a low of 24,097.05 as selling pressure briefly intensified. Nevertheless, the index continued to trade in the green. At 10:15 a.m., the Nifty was trading 53.90 points higher at 24,132.40.

In the previous trading session on Wednesday, the Sensex had closed 130.49 points, or 0.17 per cent, higher at 77,185.43, while the Nifty ended the day with a gain of 26.45 points, or 0.11 per cent, to settle at 24,078.50.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar