Indian Markets Surge as Crude Oil Prices Dip Below $70

Indian stock markets opened higher on Thursday as crude oil prices eased towards the $70-per-barrel mark. The Sensex began the session 400 points higher, or 0.52 per cent, at 77,391.07.

The Nifty opened at 24,125.85, up more than 100 points or 0.43 per cent. Broad-based buying was seen across most sectoral indices, with Nifty Realty and Nifty Auto leading the gains, rising up to 1 per cent.

Other sectors trading in the green included Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty IT, Nifty Pharma, Nifty Oil & Gas, Nifty FMCG and Nifty Private Bank. The only major sectoral laggard was Nifty Metal, slipping 0.56 per cent in early trade.