Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex climbed over 170 points in early trade on Wednesday, tracking gains in index heavyweights like Infosys, HCL Tech and L&T amid a mixed trend in global markets. "The advancement was supported by a strong rupee against the US dollar and continued foreign capital inflows in the domestic markets," said traders. The 30-share BSE index was trading at 173.62 points or 0.28 percent higher at 61,358.77 in initial deals. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 56.70 points or 0.31 per cent to 18,259.50. Domestic equity markets were closed on November 8 on account of Gurunanak Jayanti. The rupee gained 42 paise to 81.50 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the Indian capital market on November 7, as they bought shares worth Rs 1,948.51 crore, as per exchange data. In the previous session on November 7, Sensex ended 234.79 points or 0.39 per cent higher at 61,185.15. The NSE Nifty rose by 85.65 points or 0.47 per cent to end at 18,202.80 points.
Dr Reddy's was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 1.53 percent, followed by Nestle India, HCL Tech, Infosys, IndusInd Bank, L&T and ITC.
On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, HDFC twins, Bajaj Finance, HUL and PowerGrid were the losers.
International oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.14 percent lower at USD 95.23 per barrel.
Asian markets in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong were in the red, while Seoul was trading with gains.
Equities on Wall Street ended significantly higher in the previous session on November 8.
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