Indian Stocks Rise on US-Iran Hopes; Crude at $103 in Focus

Indian stock markets opened higher on Wednesday, with the Nifty gaining over 60 points to 23,742.25 and the Sensex rising over 250 points to 76,853.11, as investors hoped for a US-Iran settlement and tracked easing crude oil prices. Brent crude traded at $103 per barrel, easing for a second session amid expectations of diplomatic progress between the US and Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies since late February. The Indian rupee opened stronger at 94.56 to the dollar, while sectoral indices traded mixed in early trade. The previous session saw Sensex and Nifty rise nearly 2 percent for a fourth straight day, driven by crude correction and foreign fund inflows. Analysts noted Brent's fall from last week's high, supported by Qatar-mediated communications, could improve India's macro outlook if prices stay lower.