Equity benchmark Sensex jumped over 300 points in early trade on March 23, tracking gains in index majors Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank amid a mixed trend in global markets.
The 30-share BSE index was trading 301.17 points or 0.61% higher at 50,072.46, and the broader NSE Nifty advanced 94.40 points or 0.64% to 14,830.80.
IndusInd Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising around 2%, followed by Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement and Maruti.
On the other hand, PowerGrid, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra and NTPC were among the laggards.
In the previous session, Sensex ended 86.95 points or 0.17% lower at 49,771.29, and Nifty dipped 7.60 points or 0.05% to 14,736.40.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market on March 22 as they offloaded shares worth ₹786.98 crore, as per exchange data.
Domestic equities look to be modestly good at the moment, said Binod Modi, Head Strategy at Reliance Securities.
“A resurgence of COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country and resultant restrictions have clearly made investors jittery. This could continue to restrict market performance in the near term unless the virus spread is controlled. However, recent drop in crude prices and resilient INR against dollar offer comfort. We further believe that 10-Year USA treasury yield is unlikely to move beyond a limit given rising yields factor in better prospects of economic recovery,” he said.
U.S. markets finished higher yesterday mainly led by a sharp rebound in technology stocks, Mr. Modi said, adding that investors also got comfort after AstraZeneca cited that its COVID-19 vaccine was safe and 79% effective in preventing the virus.
Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul were trading on a negative note in mid-session deals.
Meanwhile, the global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.91% lower at $64.03 per barrel.
