India, Sept. 10 -- Indian equity markets opened largely flat on Thursday as escalating tensions in the Middle East kept crude oil prices above $100 a barrel, while investors awaited key US economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week.

The BSE Sensex was at 74,805.07, up 40.84 points, or 0.05%, at 9:17 am. The NSE Nifty stood at 23,435.80, up 4.30 points, or 0.02%.

The muted opening came after both benchmark indices closed at three-month lows on Wednesday. The Nifty and Sensex have declined in seven of the past eight sessions, losing around 3.1% each during the period.

Crude prices remained a key concern for Indian markets as the conflict in the Middle East intensified. Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near th...