Opening Bell: Sensex gains over 100 points, Nifty near 11,900

Markets on Thursday started on a higher note tracking gains in Asian peers amid easing of concerns about the US-China trade conflict. The S&P BSE Sensex index rose as much as 125.5 points to touch 39,717.58 in early trade and the NSE Nifty benchmark moved to 11,886.75, up 39.2 points from the previous close. Advances in banking and automobile stocks led the up move however losses in pharmaceutical shares kept the upside in check. 

Sensex ended 157 points higher on Wednesday, driven by gains in metal, power and financial stocks ahead of June derivatives expiry.

Extending its gains for the second session, the 30-share index settled 157.14 points, or 0.40 per cent, higher at 39,592.08. The index hit an intra-day high of 39,674.22 and a low of 39,319.64.

The broader NSE Nifty too rose 51.10 points, or 0.43 per cent, to finish at 11,847.55. During the day, the index touched a high of 11,871.85 and a low of 11,757.55.

Vedanta was the biggest gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 4.40 per cent. PowerGrid, Sun Pharma, Yes Bank, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Auto too ended up to 4.12 per cent higher.

On the other hand, Infosys, IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Maruti, TCS and HDFC were among the top losers, shedding up to 1.12 per cent.