Stock markets update: On the second day in a row, the equity benchmark indices opened in positive on Friday. In the early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 308.91 points to 72,156.48. Meanwhile, the Nifty also gained 91 points to 21,749.60 points.
Among the Sensex firms, Wipro, NTPC, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies were the major gainers. Nestle India, IndusInd Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Asian Paints were the laggards.
Asian and US markets
In Asian markets, Tokyo traded in the positive territory while Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong quoted lower. The US markets ended mostly lower on Thursday. Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.39 per cent to USD 77.89 a barrel. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 1,513.41 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.
Rupee against dollar
Meanwhile, the rupee gained 5 paise to 83.19 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by positive domestic equities and foreign fund inflows. However, forex traders said the Indian currency remained under pressure amid a strong American currency and rising crude oil prices.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic currency opened at 83.23 and touched 83.19 against the greenback in initial trade, registering a rise of 5 paise from its previous close.
(With PTI inputs)
ALSO READ: Stock market declines for third consecutive day; IT shares lead losses
