The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 27,140.41 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 27,171.66 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 27,206.76 points, up by 66.35 points, or 0.24 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 8,380.65 points, was quoting at 8,389.95 points, up by 9.30 points or 0.11 per cent.

Positive global cues, coupled with healthy third quarter (Q3) results pushed the Indian equities markets higher on Wednesday.

Besides, higher global crude oil prices and anticipation of sops to be announced during the Union Budget enhanced investors' risk-taking appetite.

The Sensex was up by 240.85 points or 0.90 per cent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 27,174.87 points and a low of 26,978.44 points.

The Nifty, was up by 92.05 points or 1.11 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were showing a mixed trend after US President-elect Donald Trump held a press conference without giving economic policy details.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in red, down 1.13 per cent, Hang Seng down by 0.19 per cent while South Korea's Kospi was also up by 0.12 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in green, up by 0.19 per cent.

On a positive note, Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.21 per cent and FTSE 100 was also up by 0.21 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.