Mumbai, Apr 21 (IANS): The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) on Thursday opened on a higher note during the morning session of the trade.

The Sensex of the BSE after opening at 25979.68 points touched a high of high of 26080.07 points and a low of 25965.14 points.

On Wednesday the sensex closed at 25,844.18 points.

The Sensex is trading at 26,040.43 points up by 198.25 points or 0.77 percent.

Ont the other hand the broader 50-scrip Nifty at National Stock Exchange NSE) opened at 7,953.65 points after closing at 7,914.75 points.

The Nifty is trading at 7,966.30 points in the morning.

On Wednesday, after a strong start, benchmark Indian indices came under pressure due to profit taking. The Sensex rose just 27.82 points, or 0.11 percent, while the Nifty ended totally flat over the previous close. The markets were shut on Tuesday due to a government holiday.

Ahead of the start of trading session in India on Thursday, Asian markets moved up higher on account of a surge in global crude oil prices. Most benchmark indices in the Asia-Pacific region were ruling higher, even though the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite were shaky.

"US markets closed higher on Wednesday but off from day's high as oil futures and upbeat housing data acted as a support," said Angek Broking in an analysis ahead of the opening bell in India. US data said weekly domestic oil output fell for a six straight week, hardening the prices.

"European indexes had also closed higher, with Germany's DAX closing up 70 points and the French CAC ending 25 points up. Speculation over further easing of monetary policy by the European Central Bank also lifted the indices," the brokerage said.