Sensex, Nifty off to a positive start as IT stocks spark surge

Market Performance - Sensex rose 143 points to open at 82,418.78, while Nifty 50 index gained around 74 points to 25,556.30 [1][7] - Indian stock markets extended gains for the second consecutive session, led by tech stocks [7] Sector Performance - IT stocks, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Technologies, were among the top gainers, rising up to 2% [2][7] - ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the top losers, trading in the red with marginal losses [7] Global Market Influence - US stock markets ended higher, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining around 1.3%, driven by Nvidia's record results [7] - Asian markets recorded gains, with Japan's Nikkei 225 up 0.47% and South Korea's Kospi jumping more than 2% [5][6] Investor Activity - Foreign investors were net buyers of Indian equities, purchasing shares worth Rs 2,991.64 crore, while domestic institutional investors net bought equities worth Rs 5,118.57 crore [7][8] Oil Prices - Oil prices extended gains due to rising concerns about potential military conflict between the US and Iran, with Brent crude futures up 15 cents at $71 per barrel and WTI Crude up 9 cents at $65.51 per barrel [8]