Mumbai, Aug 5 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities was trading in the positive terrain Thursday after slipping from opening highs.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,234.85 points, was at 18,251.18 points, 33.74 points or 0.19 percent up from its previous close at 18,217.44 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.11 percent up at 5,474.1 points.
Broader markets indices were also in the green with the BSE midcap index 0.51 percent up and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.68 percent higher.
Realty, IT, and auto scrips were on the rise, while oil and power stocks saw some selling.
The market breadth was positive, with 1,758 scrips advancing, compared to 1,055 stocks declining, and 94 remaining unchanged.
Other Asian bourses opened on a firm note, tracking gains at Wall Street Wednesday. Better-than-expected data on US manufacturing in July coupled with stronger signs of recovery in the Euro zone boosted sentiments.
But some markets pared the early gains as trade progressed.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 1.73 percent up at 9,653.92 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was almost unchanged.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was down, trading 0.5 percent lower at 2,624.04 points. The South Korean Kospi closed 0.3 percent lower at 1,783.86 points.
