First Trade: Sensex rises over 300 pts, Nifty nears 24,600 on strong global cues

Market opening bell: Indian equity benchmarks opened higher on Tuesday, August 13, tracking strong global cues and easing inflation data back home.

The Sensex rose 312.92 points, or 0.39%, to 80,548.51, while the Nifty50 climbed 108.80 points, or 0.44%, to 24,596.20.

Market breadth was firmly positive, with 1,554 stocks advancing, 689 declining, and 148 remaining unchanged on the BSE.

On the Nifty, Apollo Hospitals, Hindalco, ONGC, Tata Motors, and NTPC led the gains. Tech Mahindra and Axis Bank were the top laggards in early trade.