Mumbai, Nov 12: The Indian benchmark indices opened in green zone on Wednesday, amid reports of an imminent India-US trade deal and exit polls in Bihar predicting decisive majority for NDA.

As of 9.25 am, Sensex advanced 496 points, or 0.59 per cent at 84,367 and Nifty inched up 147 points, or 0.58 per cent to 25,842.

The broadcap indices performed in line with the benchmarks, with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.55 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 adding 0.61 per cent.

Max Healthcare and Tech Mahindra were among the major gainers in the Nifty Pack, while losers included Maruti Suzuki and Trent.

All sectoral indices were trading in green except Nifty FMCG. mixed with most of them trading with mild negative bias. Nifty IT and Nifty Oil and Gas were the standout gainers — up 1.26 per cent and 0.95 per cent.

“With reports of an imminent India-US trade deal and exit polls showing the NDA winning Bihar, sentiments have improved. This will strengthen bulls but not enough to give markets a decisive breakout and sustained rally,” said market watchers.

Based on current trends, FIIs may sell again at higher levels till the AI trade continues, they added.

From the fundamental perspective, there is room for optimism since GDP growth is robust and earnings growth for FY27 appears bright. Financials, consumption and defence stocks have the potential to lead the next leg of the rally.

Most of the Asia-Pacific markets rose in early trading sessions after Wall Street traded mixed on hopes that the US government shutdown could be nearing an end, even as AI stocks struggled.

The US markets ended mixed overnight, as Nasdaq slipped 0.3 per cent, the S&P 500 added 0.18 per cent, and the Dow inched up 1.2 per cent.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index dipped 0.23 per cent, and Shenzhen dipped 1 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei dipped 0.21 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.56 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 0.84 per cent.

On Monday, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 803 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 2,188 crore.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up on Wednesday to clear skies veiled with a thin layer of smog, as cold morning breezes mixed with a dense haze to blur the city’s skyline. From the western suburbs to South Mumbai, a greyish tint hung low over the horizon, marking a sharp decline in air quality after a brief period of improvement last week.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city will continue to experience clear skies throughout the day. However, visibility during the early hours was notably reduced due to the smog blanket. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 34°C, while the minimum is likely to drop to 21°C, lending a slight winter-like chill to the morning air.

The fresh rise in pollution levels comes just days after heavy rainfall had temporarily cleared the atmosphere. The showers had majorly reduced particulate matter and improved humidity, offering residents a short-lived respite. However, the improvement was fleeting, as pollution levels have once again surged to unhealthy levels within a week.

As per the latest data from AQI.in, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 207 on Wednesday morning, classified as unhealthy. This marks a steep fall from the moderate levels recorded earlier this month. Several residents reported hazy horizons and a faint burning smell, common signs of elevated PM2.5 concentrations.

Among the city’s monitoring stations, Wadala Truck Terminal recorded the poorest air quality with an alarming AQI of 380, placing it in the severe category. Juhu (305) and Vile Parle West (302) also registered severely polluted air. Other areas, including Colaba (297) and Bandra-Kurla Complex (273), remained in the unhealthy range.

In comparison, the western suburbs mainly saw slightly better conditions. Mankhurd (87) and Kandivali East (88) remained in the moderate range, while Santacruz East (93), Malad West (97) and Jogeshwari (113) hovered between moderate and poor levels. Despite these minor variations, most of the city remained engulfed in a thick haze.

According to AQI guidelines, readings between 0–50 are Good, 51–100 Moderate, 101–150 Poor, 151–200 Unhealthy, and anything above 200 falls under Severe or Hazardous.

Mumbai: Two people jumped into the Mahim creek in Mumbai, due to which they drowned. The search for them is on. Today at around 12:20 pm, Irshad Asif Sheikh, a transgender, aged 22, residing at Lal Mati, Nargis Dutt Nagar, Bandra (West), Mumbai, and Qalander Altaf Khan, aged 20, residing at Lal Mati, Nargis Dutt Nagar, Bandra (West), were standing between a bridge in Bandra. During this, they had an argument and one jumped into the creek while the other also jumped into the water to save him.

During the argument, Irshad jumped into the water and Qalander Khan jumped after him to save him. However, both drowned in the water.

The search operation is on, so far no trace of both has been found. Teams are searching for both.