Domestic benchmark indices today opened the week on a higher note, following a rally in the US peers and foreign fund inflows.

Markets began the trade on an positive note after US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech indicated possible rate cuts by the US central bank in September.

BSE Sensex climbed 312 points to 81,398 while Nifty 50 rallied 94 points to 24,917 in early trade.

The rupee appreciated 10 paise to 83 rupees 80 paise against the US dollar in morning trade, supported by the weakening of the American currency in the overseas market and foreign fund inflows.