Indian equity markets opened higher on Wednesday, August 26, with the Sensex gaining more than 200 points to trade around 77,900, while the Nifty remained close to the 24,300 mark. Buying was led by banking and real estate stocks as investors tracked mixed signals from Asian markets.

The domestic market's positive opening followed gains in the previous session. On Tuesday, the Sensex climbed 287 points to close at 77,656, while the Nifty advanced 116 points to end at 24,335.

Banking, Realty Stocks Lead Gains

Banking and realty shares were among the sectors supporting the market's early gains on Wednesday. The movement comes as investors continue to assess domestic buying activity and global market trends.

The broader market sentiment was also supported by continued purchases from domestic institutional investors. According to the data provided, DIIs have invested ₹8,386 crore over the past seven trading days, taking their 30-day net investment to ₹40,152 crore.

Foreign institutional investors and foreign portfolio investors were also shown as net buyers, with purchases of ₹1,649 crore over the previous seven days and ₹12,928 crore over the past 30 days.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed

Asian markets were trading with a positive bias in the data available on Wednesday.

South Korea's KOSPI was at 6,860, up 99 points or 1.57%. Japan's Nikkei stood at 66,228, gaining 371 points or 0.56%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was at 25,712, up 201 points or 0.63%.

The mixed regional trend is being closely watched by Indian investors for cues on foreign fund flows and market sentiment.

US Markets End Higher

US markets also closed higher in the previous session on August 25, according to the figures provided.

The Dow Jones gained 160 points, or 0.30%, to 53,577. The Nasdaq advanced 171 points, or 0.66%, to 26,151, while the S&P 500 rose 24 points, or 0.32%, to 7,677.

The performance of Wall Street remains an important global cue for Indian markets, particularly for technology, financial and other globally linked stocks.

Sensex, Nifty Gained on Tuesday

Indian benchmarks finished Tuesday's session in positive territory.

The Sensex closed at 77,656, gaining 287 points or 0.37%, while the Nifty ended at 24,335, up 116 points or 0.48%.

Among the Nifty's notable gainers, Adani Enterprises rose ₹111.40, or 3.72%, to ₹3,110. Max Healthcare gained ₹25.50, or 2.57%, to ₹1,016, while Apollo Hospitals advanced ₹187, or 2.15%, to ₹8,889.

HDFC Life, SBI Life Among Losers

Not all stocks participated in Tuesday's rally. HDFC Life declined ₹6.25, or 1.13%, to ₹547. SBI Life fell ₹15.90, or 1.11%, to ₹1,422, while ONGC slipped ₹2.55, or 1.08%, to ₹234.

Investors will continue to track sector-specific movements and institutional flows during Wednesday's session as the benchmarks attempt to sustain their recent gains.

ESDS Software IPO Opens August 28

Meanwhile, investors will also be watching the upcoming ESDS Software Solution IPO, which is scheduled to open on August 28.

The company plans to raise ₹720 crore through the initial public offering. The price band has been fixed at ₹408–₹429 per share. The minimum bid is 34 shares, with one lot costing ₹14,586 at the upper end of the price band.

The issue is scheduled to close on September 1.