Market Update at 10:00 AM: India’s equity benchmarks opened little changed on Tuesday, as a rise in auto stocks on strong festive-season demand offset broad-based losses amid concerns over the U.S. H-1B visa fee hike.

The Nifty 50 gained 0.02 per cent to 25,206.8, while the BSE Sensex added 0.05 per cent to 82,203.38, as of 9:26 a.m. IST.

Eleven of the 16 major sectors recorded losses. Broader indices, including Small-Cap s and Mid-Cap s, traded flat, indicating cautious investor sentiment.

The auto index rose 1.8 per cent, leading sectoral gains. Automotive dealerships across the country witnessed a surge in footfalls on the first day of the Navratri festival, as customers rushed to purchase vehicles at lower prices, according to the president of an auto dealers’ body.

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