Mumbai, May 4 -- Domestic equity markets opened on a strong note, with investors closely tracking state election results across Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, alongside movements in crude oil and the evolving West Asia conflict. Elevated Brent crude prices, driven by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, remain a key concern for inflation and the rupee, while corporate earnings add a mixed outlook. Meanwhile, the Nifty climbed above the 24,200 mark, with broad-based gains led by auto, chemical, and FMCG stocks.

At 09:27 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex jumped 657.11 points or 0.85% to 77,570.61. The Nifty 50 index rallied 216.60 points or 0.89% to 24,213.55.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap ...