Indian equity benchmark Sensex rose over 200 pts in early trade on Wednesday as daily Covid fatalities remained below 1,000 for the third consecutive day. Market tracked gains in index majors Infosys, Reliance Industries, and Maruti amid a positive trend in global cues.

The 30-share BSE index was trading 200.35 points or 0.38 per cent higher at 52,750.01 in initial deals. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty inched 60.15 points or 0.38 per cent up to 15,808.60.

Maruti was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising over 1 per cent, followed by Titan, Infosys, Tata Steel, M&M, Asian Paints, and Nestle India. On the other hand, PowerGrid, NTPC, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and HUL were among the laggards.

Sensex ended 185.93 points or 0.35 per cent lower at 52,549.66, and Nifty tumbled 66.25 points or 0.42 per cent to 15,748.45, on Tuesday.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased shares worth Rs 116.63 crore on Tuesday, as per provisional exchange data.

"Market mood is changing fast. The major positives for the market now are the steadily declining fresh Covid cases (around 37,000 on Tuesday) and fast-rising vaccinations, which will facilitate further easing of restrictions and rebound in economic activity," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

The fact that FIIs have ceased selling and the DIIs have turned aggressive buyers is a strong positive. Therefore, the market may again favour the bulls and the 'buy on dips strategy' may resume, he stated.

Asia stocks opened on a positive note led by optimism on economic recuperation. Bourses in Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo were trading with gains in mid-session deals, while Hong Kong was in the red.

Equities on Wall Street too ended on a positive note in the overnight session.

Meanwhile, the international oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.43 per cent higher at $74.60 per barrel.