Mumbai, Jan 3 (IANS): The key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher despite a muted trend in Asian markets.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 35,891.52 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 35,934.50 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 35,847.27 points, down by 44.25 points, or 0.12 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 10,792.50 points on Wednesday, was quoting at 10,786.80 points, down by 5.70 points or 0.05 per cent.

The Indian equity market ended in the red on Wednesday in line with global indices on fears of a worldwide slowdown which was intensified after China reported a weak PMI manufacturing data.

The Sensex was down by 363.05 points or one percent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 36,236.70 points and a low of 35,734.01 points. The Nifty, too, was down by 117.60 points or 1.08 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were mostly showing a negative trend. Hang Seng was down by 0.36 per cent, South Korea's Kospi was also down by 0.20 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite index was trading in red, down by 0.15 per cent.

Overnight, Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.46 per cent while FTSE 100 was up by 0.09 per cent at the closing on Wednesday.