Stock Market Updates: Markets Open Higher: Sensex Up 200 Points, Nifty Above 26,250

Indian equity benchmarks edged higher on Friday despite a muted start and mixed signals from global markets, as investors awaited the release of India’s Q2 FY26 GDP numbers scheduled for later in the day.

By 11:00 AM, the BSE Sensex had climbed 202.88 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 85,923.26. The NSE Nifty50 gained 40.8 points, or 0.16 per cent, to trade at 26,256.35. The modest uptick came a day after both indices hit fresh record highs, with the Sensex briefly crossing 86,000 and the Nifty topping 26,300 for the first time.

Broader markets, however, remained under pressure. The Nifty MidCap index slipped 0.18 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index fell 0.23 per cent, signalling continued profit booking outside frontline stocks.

Global Market Overview

Asian markets were mixed as US equity futures traded flat following the Thanksgiving break. Tokyo inflation data drew investor attention, with headline inflation easing to 2.7 per cent in October, marginally down from 2.8 per cent in September. Core inflation ticked up to 2.8 per cent, slightly above economists’ expectations.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened 0.15 per cent lower, while the Topix was steady. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.61 per cent, whereas Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 saw marginal gains. US futures showed little movement, with Dow Jones futures adding just 10 points and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 hovering around the flatline. Major US indices are poised to end November on a weaker note amid renewed concerns over earnings prospects for AI-linked technology companies.