Equity benchmark indices climbed in early trade on Thursday amid positive global cues. The 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 182.62 points to 66,205.86 in early trade, extending its previous day's gain. The Nifty climbed 54.35 points to 19,866.20.
Among the Sensex firms, Wipro, Asian Paints, Nestle, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, IndusInd Bank and ITC were the major gainers.
UltraTech Cement and Hindustan Unilever were the laggards. In Asian markets, Shanghai traded in the green while Seoul and Hong Kong quoted lower. The US markets ended with gains on Wednesday. Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 1.33 per cent to USD 80.87 a barrel.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 306.56 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
Rupee gains against dollar
The rupee edged up by 2 paise to 83.30 against the US dollar in opening trade on Thursday amid a correction in crude oil prices and gains in local equities.
The US currency also weakened against its major global rivals which supported the rupee sentiment despite FII outflows, forex dealers said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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