New Delhi: As counting for the US Presidential elections is underway, the Indian markets on Thursday made a firm start. Equity benchmark Sensex rallied 513.84 points to 41,129.98 in the opening session while Nifty surged 143.20 points to 12,051.70, the highest in over 8 months.
The 30-share BSE index was trading 513.84 points or 1.27 per cent higher at 41,129.98.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty climbed 143.20 points or 1.20 per cent to 12,051.70.
SBI was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, surging over 5 per cent, followed by HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Asian Paints, Infosys, Tata Steel, TCS and Reliance Industries.
On the other hand, ONGC and Titan were the laggards.
In the previous session, Sensex ended 355.01 points or 0.88 per cent higher at 40,616.14, while Nifty climbed 95 points or 0.80 per cent to 11,908.50.
Further, the rupee appreciated 47 paise to 74.29 against the US dollar in opening trade, as investor sentiments strengthened amid expectation of Joe Biden’s victory in the US Presidential elections.
Traders said positive domestic equities and weak American currency also supported the local unit.
At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 74.35 against the US dollar, then gained further ground and touched 74.29, registering a rise of 47 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee had plunged by 35 paise to close at its weakest level in over 10 weeks at 74.76 against the US dollar.
(With agency inputs)