Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS): Hopes of a monetary policy easing, coupled with broadly positive global cues, along with rupee appreciation lifted the Indian equity markets during the early morning trade session on Tuesday.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) inched-up by 23.25 points or 0.29 per cent to 8,152 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 26,403.62 points, traded at 26,409.90 points (at 9.30 a.m.) -- up 60.80 points or 0.23 per cent from the previous close at 26,349.10 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 26,481.78 points and a low of 26,393.99 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was skewed in favour of the bears -- with 1,099 advances and 365 declines.

On Monday, the Indian equity markets ended on a higher note, as investors' sentiments were buoyed on hopes of a monetary policy easing and positive global cues.

The barometer index gained by 118.44 points or 0.45 per cent to 26,349.10 points, while the NSE Nifty edged higher by 41.95 points or 0.52 per cent to 8,128.75 points.