The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,405 level, a premium of nearly 140 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

Indian benchmark indices rose for a third straight session on Thursday, driven by gains in financial heavyweights and Reliance Industries. Eased U.S. inflation in December boosted hopes of further rate cuts by the U.

The market is expected to be under intense pressure with strong headwinds. Brent crude is above $81 per barrel, while sharper than expected surge in US jobs data coupled with consistent FIIs selling and Q3 earnings have taken a toll on the market.

Indian benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex ended on Tuesday with modest gains, breaking a four-day losing streak, as a strong rally in banking, metal, and energy stocks lifted sentiment. However, a selloff in IT and FMCG stocks kept investors cautious.

In an attempt to regain control, Bulls pushed the Sensex up by 169.62 points, or 0.22%, to 76,499.63. Likewise, Nifty 50 jumped 90.10 points, or 0.39%, to settle at 23,176.05.

The Nifty 50 ended the session with a gain of 0.35% at 23,167, while the Sensex closed at 76,500 marking a 0.22% increase from the previous close. Likewise, the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose by 1.97% and the Nifty Midcap 100 index concluded the day with a gain of 2.