Mumbai, Jun 22 (IANS): Taking cue from global markets the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 31,283.64 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 31,351.53 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 31,370.11 points, up by 86.47 points, or 0.28 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 9,633.60 points, was quoting at 9,653.30 points, up by 19.70 points or 0.20 per cent.

After a volatile day of trade, the Indian equity markets on Wednesday closed on a flat-to-negative note as negative global cues, outflow of funds and heavy selling pressure in automobile, metal and oil and gas stocks subdued investors' sentiments.

The Sensex was down by 13.89 points or 0.04 per cent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 31,336.44 points and a low of 31,193.61 points. The Nifty too was down by 19.90 points or 0.21 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were showing a positive trend. Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in green, up by 0.22 per cent, the Hang Seng was up by 0.55 per cent while South Korea's Kospi was also up by 0.31 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in green, up by 0.62 per cent.

Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.74 per cent while FTSE 100 was down by 0.33 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.