Stock market Live Updates: BSE Sensex jumps over 150 points, Nifty50 climbs above 24,100 in early trade

Benchmark equity index BSE Sensex traded higher in early trade on Wednesday, rising 190.59 points, or 0.25%, to 77,376.02 as of 9:50 am.

Asian markets traded lower as investors turned cautious ahead of key earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), while rising oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on sentiment.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.7%, led by a sharp sell-off in South Korea. The Kospi tumbled 6.3% as Samsung Electronics dropped 8% and SK Hynix slumped 11%. Japan's Nikkei fell 3%, while Taiwan's benchmark index slipped 0.5%. In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.2%.

Oil prices continued to climb as the conflict between the US and Iran intensified. Brent crude rose 0.6% to $85.45 a barrel, extending its weekly gain to 12%, after Washington continued strikes on Iran following the reimposition of a naval blockade, while Tehran warned of an "existential war" with the US.

Separately, South Korea's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.75%, the first hike in three-and-a-half years, in a widely expected move aimed at supporting the weakening won and curbing persistent inflation.

Benchmark equity indices opened on a firm note on Thursday, with the BSE Sensex rising 306.48 points, or 0.40%, to 77,491.91 as of 9:20 am, while the NSE Nifty50 gained 60.30 points, or 0.25%, to 24,138.80 at 9:22 am.

The Nifty opened at 24,142.10, extending early gains as buying in frontline stocks lifted investor sentiment.

Indian equity markets are expected to open on a steady note on Wednesday, with Gift Nifty trading around 24,085, up 43 points, indicating a mildly positive start for benchmark indices.

While global market cues remain mixed, investors will continue to monitor crude oil prices and geopolitical developments in West Asia. According to Sachin Gupta, VP – Research, Technical Research, Choice Broking, the broader market bias remains sideways to bullish, with domestic institutional buying expected to cushion downside risks.The Nifty50 ended Tuesday's session marginally higher at 24,078.50, gaining 26.45 points (0.11%), after giving up most of its early gains. The index briefly crossed the 24,200 mark before profit-booking erased much of the advance.

Technically, the formation of a small-bodied candlestick suggests indecision at higher levels. India VIX declined 3.49% to 13.27, signalling easing volatility. Immediate support is seen at 23,900–23,850, while resistance is placed around 24,200–24,250.

The Bank Nifty outperformed, ending 295.55 points (0.51%) higher at 57,757.85, driven by buying in both PSU and private banking stocks. Although the index retreated from its intraday high near 58,148, the recovery points to improving near-term sentiment.

Choice Broking expects immediate support in the 57,300–57,500 zone, while 58,200–58,500 remains the key resistance area.

According to Gupta, the steady Gift Nifty trend, easing volatility and sustained DII inflows suggest a sideways-to-bullish opening. The Nifty50 is expected to trade in the 23,850–24,250 range, while the Bank Nifty is likely to remain between 57,300 and 58,500. A decisive breakout above immediate resistance levels could revive near-term buying momentum.

Stock market live: Oil prices extend gain for fourth day, stay beyond $85 amid Middle East chaos

Crude oil prices continued to inch higher for the fourth day straight, staying beyond the $85 per barrel mark, on Thursday. The hike comes as investors react to a fresh escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran, with concerns mounting over the security of major global energy shipping routes.