Markets open in green, Sensex up over 100 points; Nifty above 10,600

NEW DELHI: Markets on Monday started on a positive note with the benchmark BSE Sensex gaining over 100 points ahead of the retail inflation and factory output data. The 30-share BSE index surged 126 points or 0.36 per cent to 35,284, while the broader NSE Nifty stood 44 points or 0.42 per cent up at 10,630.

Bharti Airtel, Kotal Mahindra Bank, Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank and Infosys were among the major gainers on the BSE platform, up as much as 1.52 per cent. On NSE, sub-indices Nifty IT and Pharma were among the top gainers, up as much as 1.27 per cent.

With quarterly earnings season almost over, focus of the equity markets this week would shift to macroeconomic data announcements, global factors and state polls, say experts.

"In the short-term, we are expecting some relief in the market given a big correction in the last two months and rebound due to technical factors. For the week ahead, CPI inflation, WPI and IIP are key events," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

Industrial production and retail inflation figures will be announced on Monday, while WPI inflation data is scheduled for Wednesday.

Trend in crude oil prices and movement of rupee would also be tracked by market participants.

Meanwhile, the rupee weakened by 26 paise to 72.76 against the US dollar on Monday, owing to increased demand for the American currency from importers amid increasing global crude oil prices.

The international benchmark, Brent crude again breached the $71 a barrel mark by surging 1.21 per cent.

(With inputs from PTI)