Key Indian Equity Indices opens higher despite mute trends in Asian market

The key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher despite a muted trend in Asian markets and rate hike by the US Federal Reserve.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 36,542.27 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 36,691.93 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 36,565.54 points, up by 23.27 points, or 0.06 percent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 11,053.80 points on Wednesday, was quoting at 11,062.20 points, up by 8.40 points or 0.08 percent.

Fears over a rise in US interest rates along with profit booking ahead of the September Futures and Options (F&O) expiry subdued the Indian equity markets on Wednesday.

According to market observers, high crude oil prices and caution over a likely default by some of the major players in the non-banking financial sector eroded investors' risk-taking appetite.

The Sensex was down by 109.79 points or 0.30 percent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 36,938.74 points and a low of 36,357.93 points. The Nifty was down by 13.65 points or 0.12 percent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were mostly showing a negative trend. Japan's Nikkei 225 was quoting in red, down by 0.37 percent while Hang Seng was down by 0.34 percent, South Korea's Kospi was, however, up by 0.49 percent while China's Shanghai Composite index was trading in red, down by 0.35 percent.

Overnight, Nasdaq closed in red, down by 0.21 percent while FTSE 100 was up by 0.05 percent at the closing on Wednesday.