New Delhi, 20 August (HS): Domestic equity markets were trading higher during early trade on Thursday, supported by positive global cues. The market opened on a firm note, although selling pressure emerged immediately after the opening, pulling both the Sensex and Nifty lower. Buyers soon regained control, triggering fresh buying and helping both benchmark indices recover. By 10 a.m., the Sensex was trading 0.71 per cent higher, while the Nifty had gained 0.53 per cent.

The BSE Sensex opened at 77,468.45 points, gaining 558.77 points, or 0.73 per cent. Profit-booking emerged immediately after the opening, dragging the index nearly 100 points from its opening level to 77,375.75 points within the first 15 minutes. Buyers then stepped in, resulting in a renewed upward trend. Amid continued buying and selling activity, the Sensex was trading at 77,453.22 points by 10 a.m., up 543.54 points, or 0.71 per cent.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty opened at 24,225.45 points, gaining 147.15 points, or 0.61 per cent. Selling triggered by profit-booking after the market opened pulled the index nearly 40 points lower to 24,184.55 points. Subsequently, renewed buying helped the index recover. By 10 a.m., the Nifty was trading at 24,205.65 points, up 127.35 points, or 0.53 per cent, amid continued buying and selling activity.

A total of 2,797 stocks were actively traded in the market by 10 a.m. Of these, 2,132 stocks were trading in positive territory, while 665 were in the red. Among the 30 Sensex constituents, 27 were trading higher on the back of buying support, while three were under selling pressure. On the Nifty, 37 of the 50 constituent stocks were trading in positive territory, while 13 were trading lower.

Among major market constituents, shares of Shriram Finance, Eternal, Infosys, Axis Bank and Bajaj Finance were trading higher, with gains ranging from 2.37 per cent to 1.32 per cent by 10 a.m. On the other hand, shares of Hindalco Industries, ONGC, Asian Paints, Coal India and NTPC were trading lower, with declines ranging from 2.13 per cent to 0.53 per cent.

In the previous trading session on Wednesday, the Sensex had closed 325.78 points, or 0.42 per cent, lower at 76,909.68 points. The Nifty had ended the session at 24,078.30 points, down 76.60 points, or 0.32 per cent.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar