Sensex up 100 points, Nifty comfortably above 9,100; GAIL up 4%

YES Bank fell nearly 3% even after it reported a 30.2% rise in PAT in March-quarter results

Benchmark indices were trading higher in the noon trade as investors remain stock-specific in the March quarter earnings season. Nine companies including Crisil, MindTree, Hindustan Zinc will report their earnings today. Globally, a flat Wall Street and declining oil prices capped the gains.
                                
At 12:07 am, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 29,427 up 91 points, while the broader Nifty50 was ruling at 9,134 up 30 points.
 
In the broader market, BSE Midcap gained 0.54% while BSE Smallcap was up 0.52%. 

"Though negativity persisted yesterday, inability to push much beyond 9,100 suggests that bargain hunting is strong enough. Potential for such a turnaround was previously estimated to be at 9,040 a horizontal as well as breakout pivot. Such an upside attempt could force a relief a rally, if 9,170 gives away," said Geojit Financial Services in a technical note.       

 
Meanwhile, Crude Oil prices fell to a two-week low, down nearly 4%, after a surprising jump US gasoline inventories and a rise in domestic crude output. US crude futures fell 3.8% to $50.44, the biggest one-day decline since March 8 while Brent crude was down 3.6% or $1.96 a barrel, to $52.93.
 
On Wednesday, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 673.38 crore, while Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 525.52 crore, provisional data available with BSE showed.

Sectors and Stocks

Wipro, HDFC Bank, RIL, Adani Ports gained the most on BSE Sensex while ICICI Bank was the biggest laggard followed by Axis Bank and Hero Moto Corp.

YES Bank fell nearly 3% even after it reported a 30.2% rise in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 914.1 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.The private lender had reported a net profit of Rs 702.10 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year. 
 
BSE, NSE add 16 stocks to F&P segment
 
Leading bourses BSE and NSE will introduce futures and options (F&O) contracts in 16 companies to the futures and options segment with effect from 28 April. Currently, 188 stocks have been allowed to trade in the NSE F&O segment.
 
The firms are - Fortis Healthcare, Mahanagar Gas, Multi Commodity Exchange of India, NBCC India, Berger Paints, Can Fin Homes, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals, Nestle India, Godfrey Phillips India, Bajaj Finserv, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, Balrampur Chini Mills, Raymond, Balkrishna Industries and V- Guard Industries.

 
Global Markets
 
Asian stocks were trading flat for a second consecutive day on Thursday as a weak Wall Street and declining commodity prices, especially for oil, prompted investors to trim their exposure to risky assets.
 
Asian peers Hang Seng, Nikkei and Shanhgai gained 0.3%, 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, in morning trade.
 
With the outcome of the French presidential elections due at the weekend, markets are set to trade in well worn trading ranges, barring any major data surprises in Asia.
 
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.5% in early trades after declining nearly 1% on Wednesday.

 
Wall Street was also mixed in overnight trade. Dow Jones and S&P500 index fell 0.6% and 0.2% respectively while Nasdaq advanced 0.2%.