Key Indian equity market indices open higher

Mumbai, April 20 : Taking a cue from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 29,336.57 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 29,358.59 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 29,369.55 points, up by 32.98 points, or 0.11 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 9,103.50 points, was quoting at 9,108.10 points, up by 4.60 points or 0.05 per cent.

Prolonged outflow of foreign funds and heavy selling pressure in banking stocks pushed the Indian equity markets to close on a flat-to-negative note on Wednesday.

Besides, investors' sentiments were cautious following weak global cues and concern over the ongoing fourth quarter results season.

The Sensex was up by 17.47 points or 0.06 per cent at the Wednesday's closing.

In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 29,388.25 points and a low of 29,241.48 points. The Nifty was down by 1.65 points or 0.02 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were mostly showing a positive trend. Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in green, up by 0.23 per cent, Hang Seng up by 0.34 per cent while South Korea's Kospi was up by 0.38 per cent.

China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in red, down by 0.16 per cent.

Overnight Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.23 per cent while FTSE 100 was in red, down by 0.47 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.