Key equity markets up during afternoon session on supportive IT stocks

The key Indian equity indices traded marginally higher on Thursday afternoon ahead of the release of key macro-economic data later in the day, supported by healthy buying in IT and TECK (technology, media and entertainment) stocks.

However, selling pressure on metal and oil and gas stocks limited the gains.

Later in the day, the government will release the industrial production data for February, along with the consumer price index for March.

At 1.24 p.m., the wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded higher by 35.30 points or 0.34 per cent at 10,452.45 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensex of the BSE, which opened at 33,987.55 points, traded at 34,108.85 points -- up 168.41 points or 0.50 per cent from its previous session's close.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 34,110.31 points and a low of 33,924.88 during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was, however, bearish with 1,321 declines and 1,173 advances.

On Wednesday, after tepid trade throughout the session the markets settled on a flat-to-positive note.

The Nifty50 ended the day's trade at 10,417.15 points, up 14.90 points or 0.14 per cent from the previous close, while the Sensex settled at 33,940.44 points, up 60.19 points or 0.18 per cent from its previous session's close.

So far, TCS, Infosys, Tata Motors, ICIC Bank and Tata Motors (DVR) have been the top gainers on the BSE. Top losers were Dr. Reddy's, Sun Pharma, Adani Ports, Yes Bank and ITC.

On the NSE, Vedanta, TCS, HCL Technologies and Infosys led the gainers, while BPCL, Hindustan Petroleum and Dr. Reddy's were among the top losers.

--IANS

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