Sensex, Nifty open higher amid mixed global cues; midcap, smallcap stocks decline
Indian stock markets opened in the green today as heavyweight stocks continued to lift the market sentiment amid mixed global cues. At 9:20 am, Sensex was up 178 points or 0.24 per cent at 76,203, and the Nifty was up 29 points or 0.13 per cent at 23,195.
In early trading hours, selling was seen in the midcap and smallcap stocks. The Nifty midcap 100 index was down 278 points or 0.54 per cent at 50,951, and the Nifty smallcap 100 index was down 158 points or 0.99 per cent at 15,824.
On the sectoral front, Auto, IT, financial services, realty and private banks were major gainers. FMCG, metal energy and infra were major losers.
Asian markets were trading amid mixed cues. Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong markets were in red, while Shanghai and Bangkok markets were in green.
US markets also witnessed mixed trading last night. There was a slight decline in the Dow exchange. On the other hand, Nasdaq, an index of technology companies, closed 0.87 per cent higher.
The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling for the second consecutive session on April 1 as they sold equities worth 5,901 crore rupees. On the other hand, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued their buying on the third consecutive day as they bought equities of 4,322 crore rupees on the same day.
