New Delhi, 17 July (H.S.): The domestic stock market traded firmly in positive territory during early trading on Friday, with both benchmark indices extending their gains after opening on a strong note. Although the market witnessed an initial bout of selling immediately after the opening bell, buying interest soon gathered momentum, pushing both the Sensex and the Nifty higher. By 10 a.m., the Sensex was up 0.76 per cent, while the Nifty had gained 0.62 per cent.

Among the market heavyweights, shares of Jio Financial Services, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, HCL Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) were trading higher by between 1.62 per cent and 3.73 per cent. On the other hand, Wipro, Cipla, Hindalco Industries, Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries were trading lower, declining between 0.33 per cent and 1.59 per cent.

By 10 a.m., active trading was witnessed in 2,685 stocks across the market. Of these, 917 stocks were trading in the green with gains, while 1,768 stocks were in the red. Among the 30 Sensex constituents, 19 stocks were trading higher, while 11 were under selling pressure. Similarly, 33 of the 50 Nifty constituents were trading in positive territory, while 17 were trading with losses.

The BSE Sensex opened 183.90 points, or 0.24 per cent, higher at 77,370.77. Selling pressure in the opening minute briefly dragged the index down by more than 60 points to 77,308. However, buyers quickly regained control, triggering a strong recovery. Amid continued buying and selling activity, the Sensex was trading 583.51 points higher at 77,770.38 by 10 a.m.

The NSE Nifty also opened on a positive note, rising 54.85 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 24,127.60. Early selling pressure briefly pulled the index down to 24,099.05, but sustained buying soon lifted it higher. By 10 a.m., the Nifty had advanced 149.45 points to trade at 24,222.20.

In the previous trading session on Thursday, the Sensex had ended virtually unchanged, closing 1.44 points, or 0.0018 per cent, higher at 77,186.87. The Nifty, meanwhile, had slipped 5.75 points, or 0.02 per cent, to settle at 24,072.75.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar