Mumbai, Jul 13 (IANS): Taking a 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 31,804.82 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 31,896.23 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 31,981.16 points, up by 176.34 points, or 0.55 per cent from Wednesday's closing.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 9,816.10 points, was quoting at 9,861.65 points, up by 45.55 points or 0.46 per cent.

Expectations of robust quarterly results, along with healthy buying in energy sector stocks pushed the Indian equity markets higher on Wednesday.

According to market observers, gains were capped due to investors' reluctance to further invest in expensive market conditions and caution over the upcoming macro-economic inflation and industrial production data points.

The Sensex was up by 57.73 points or 0.18 per cent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 31,865.69 points and a low of 31,731.43 points.

The Nifty too, was up by 30.05 points or 0.31 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were mostly showing a positive trend. Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in red, down by 0.05 per cent, Hang Seng was up by 1.10 per cent, while South Korea's Kospi was also up by 1.11 per cent.

China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in green, up by 0.34 per cent.

Nasdaq closed in green, up by 1.08 per cent while FTSE 100 was also up by 1.18 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.