Equity benchmark Sensex climbed over 135 points in opening trade on January 18, tracking gains in index-majors ITC, Tech Mahindra and Bajaj Finserv amid a largely positive trend in the global markets.
Starting on a positive note, the BSE gauge was trading 138.57 points or 0.23% higher at 61,447.48 in early trade. Likewise, the Nifty advanced 35.50 points or 0.19% to 18,343.60.
Sun Pharma was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 1.49%, followed by ITC, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, PowerGrid and Axis Bank.
On the other hand, UltraTech Cement, Maruti, Tata Steel, Asian Paints and HDFC were among the laggards.
In the previous session, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 85.88 points or 0.14% higher at 61,308.91. The broader NSE Nifty rose by 52.35 points or 0.29% to 18,308.10.
Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo were trading with gains in mid-session deals, while Seoul was in the red.
Stock exchanges in the U.S. ended on a mixed note in the overnight session.
Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude rose 1.20% to USD 87.52 per barrel.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market, as they sold shares worth ₹855.47 crore on January 17, according to stock exchange data.
