Key Indian equity indices open higher

Mumbai, Sep 7 (IANS) Taking a cue from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 31,661.97 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 31,738.74 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 31,758.54 points, up by 96.57 points, or 0.31 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 9,916.20 points, was quoting at 9,946.10 points, up by 29.90 points or 0.30 per cent.

According to market observers, negative global cues, coupled with heavy selling pressure in index heavyweights like Sun Pharma and ITC and substantial outflow of foreign funds, pulled key Indian equity indices lower on Wednesday.

Sector-wise, the S&P BSE healthcare, FMCG and capital goods indices, among others, slipped into the negative zone.

The Sensex was down by 147.58 points or 0.46 per cent at the Wednesday's closing.

On Thursday, Asian indices were mostly showing a positive trend.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in green, up by 0.34 per cent. Hang Seng was up by 0.32 per cent while South Korea's Kospi was also up by 1.07 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in red, down by 0.14 per cent.

Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.28 per cent while FTSE 100 was down 0.26 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.