Key Indian equity indices open higher after six-day fall

After a fall for six consecutive days, key Indian equity indices unexpectedly opened higher on Thursday, as investors looked for fresh positions.

Analysys had expected the market to again open lower on account of developments both within the country and outside.

Against the previous close at 25,036.05 points, the sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 25,136.71 points. Within minutes into trading, the key index was ruling at 25,132.43 points, with a gain of 96.38 points, or 0.38 percent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), too, the broader 50-share Nifty opened on the positive note and was ruling at 7,644.20 points with a gain of 31.70 points, or 0.42 percent, over the previous close at 7,612.50 points.

The underlying sentiments, however, is one of caution as investors are concerned over the delays in the passage of some key economic legislations in parliament, such as the one to introduce a pan-Indian goods and services tax regime, anslysts said before the markets opened for trading.

The mood will also remain affected by mixed signals from the Chinese economy and falling commodity prices.

On Wednesday the two key Indian indices had ended in the red. While the 30-share Sensex ended with a loss of 274.28 points or 1.08 percent, Nifty fell 89.20 points or 1.16 percent.

Continuing net sales by foreign funds, ahead of a likely US rate hike, further depressing investors.

"After an early move in the Wednesday's trading session, the US stocks failed to sustain the upside move and closed in the negative territory. The positive movement was mainly fueled by slight rebound in oil prices," Angel Broking said in an analysys, ahead of the opening bell in India.

"The European markets also continued to slide and closed on a negative note. The encouraging economic data from Japan and China failed to boost investor sentiment amidst lower crude and commodity prices," the brokerage said.

In the Asia-Pacific markets, the sentiments appeared to be mixed. Japan's Nikkei and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 were down, but Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite were up after paring some early losses on Thursday morning. South Korean Kopsi was flat.

--Indo-Asian NewsService

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