First Trade: Sensex opens over 100 pts higher, Nifty below 22,500

Indian equities in a holiday-shortened week opened higher in Thursday's session. At the start, Sensex opened higher by 109.05 points at 22,491.5, while the NSE's Nifty50 was up 0.09 per cent or 21 points at 22,491.5.

Meanwhile, the broader markets traded with minor gains- continuing with their choppy moves.

Sectorally, FMCG, Realty, Pharma and Consumer Durables stocks traded with minor losses, while PSU Bank, IT and metal pack led the gains.

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities said, The markets in 2025 have had a rough start, with key challenges like investor sentiment dampened by Trump's tariffs and a 26% drop in net equity inflows. On the positive side, India's retail inflation eased to 3.61 per cent, and industrial production hit an eight-month high of 5 per cent.

US inflation cooled to 2.8%, and aluminum prices rose amid reduced supply. WTI oil prices remain stable, and India VIX hovers around 13.69, he added.

Asian markets

Most Asian stocks rebounded in Thursday's session as there was seen recovery in the US tech stocks. Also the sentiment has improved after inflation in the US has cooled- which could have a bearing on the US Federal Reserve's future policy decisions.

At the last count, the key MSCI Asia ex Japan index was down 0.36 per cent.