Domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty turned cautious on Thursday amid lack of directional cues from global markets.

After opening 150.33 points higher, the BSE Sensex pared most gains to trade 21 points or 0.06 per cent higher at 39,107.12; while the NSE Nifty was up 13.80 points or 0.12 per cent at 11,548.80.

According to traders, domestic indices rallied initially on positive sentiment in US markets overnight

US stocks rose yesterday mainly led by stronger US economic data and the prospect of additional stimulus and hopes of faster recovery.

The BSE benchmark index Sensex opened at 39,165.80, touched an high of 39,236.36, and at 1 pm, the Sensex was quoted at 39,107.12, up by 21.09 points.

Similarly, On the NSE, the Nifty 50 too was up by 10.30 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 11,545.40.

Prominent gainers that drove the markets higher were Titan, TechM, Maruti, Asian Paint, TCS, which rose up to 5 per cent.

However, a few notable losers were Bharti Airtel, ONGC, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, PowerGrid and Reliance stocks which fell up to 1.80 per cent on moderate sell-off in those counters.