Markets open higher, indices add further gain

MidCap rises 0.27%, while SmallCap falls 0.6%

MUMBAI: Benchmarks Nifty50 and Sensex opened higher on Wednesday.

The BSE Sensex started the day nearly 200 points, or 0.24 per cent, up at 81,655.90, while the Nifty50 climbed 29 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 24,886.70.

On the BSE, Maruti Suzuki and NTPC were the top gainers, whereas Axis Bank and Power Grid lagged.

On the NSE, Asian Paints and Hindalco led the gains, while Power Grid and Tata Consumer were the top laggards.

The broader markets showed mixed performance. The Nifty SmallCap index fell by 0.33%, while the MidCap index rose by 0.27 per cent.

Sector-wise, the Nifty Consumer Durables and Pharma indices led with gains of over 0.6 per cent each, while FMCG increased by 0.5 percent.