FIRST TRADE (October 28): Equity indices open higher; Sensex up 339 pts, Nifty at 24,255

Indian equities after the continuous sell-off for the past five sessions opened in the green. At the start, the BSE Sensex climbed 0.43 per cent or 339.17 points to 79,741.46, while the NSE Nifty gained 0.31 per cent or 74.35 points to 24,255.15. Meanwhile, broader markets outperformed the frontline indices, with Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.61 per cent. 

Bank Nifty index also showed strength gaining support from heavyweights including ICICI Bank, SBI, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank among others.

Sectorally, in a mixed session, banks, financial services, metal and IT indices traded in the green, while all others including FMCG, Realty, oil & gas, auto and pharma indices traded in the red. 

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities said, In the past week, the Nifty closed 2.7 per cent lower, poised for its worst monthly performance since March 2020, while Bank Nifty slid 2.51 per cent. This week, volatility is expected to dominate, with key factors including the U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls, the upcoming U.S. presidential election, continued FII outflows exceeding Rs 1,00,242 crore in October, escalating Middle East tensions, and rising WTI oil prices above $71.75. 

Stocks in action

Interglobe Aviation shares are in focus after the air carrier posted loss in the July-September period of Rs 987 crore.

Similarly, shares of ICICI Bank will draw focus after it reported strong Q2 show. Ahead of its results, the stock in the previous session ended mildly higher at Rs 1,255.5 per share.

Other major stocks due to release their Q2 results today are Sun Pharma, Bharti Airtel, Ambuja Cement and Adani Power among others. 

Asian markets 

In early trade, Asian markets traded on a positive note as concerns over the Israel-Iran tensions eased amid a less severe than feared attack by Israel. At the last count, the key MSCI Asia ex Japan index meanwhile trade flat with a negative bias.