Business: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rose in early trade on Thursday due to the rise in global markets and buying in blue-chip stocks. In early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 376.89 points to 83,836.04. The 50-share NSE Nifty rose 81.5 points to 25,679.15. The rupee rose 8 paise to 88.62 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday amid weakening of the US currency and fall in crude oil prices abroad.

Condition of Sensex companies
Among Sensex companies, Asian Paints gained more than 4.50 percent. Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, Adani Ports, Trent and Larsen & Toubro were also among the gainers. Power Grid, Eternal, Bajaj Finance and HDFC Bank were among the laggards.

Growth seen in Asian markets
In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index were trading in the positive zone. American markets closed with gains on Wednesday.

Discussion continues on trade agreement with America
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that India and the US are in continuous discussions for a proposed bilateral trade agreement.

According to exchange data, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth Rs 1,067.01 crore on Tuesday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,202.90 crore. Stock markets remained closed on Wednesday on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. On Tuesday, the Sensex closed 519.34 points or 0.62 per cent lower at 83,459.15. Nifty fell 165.70 points or 0.64 percent and closed at 25,597.65.