Sensex opens 500 points higher; IT stocks lead gains

Domestic equity markets opened higher on Friday, with the BSE Sensex gaining 504 points to open at 76,657.02, while the Nifty 50 started at 23,910.90. IT stocks led sectoral gains, with the Nifty IT index rising 1.10%. The Nifty Bank edged up to 57,429.60, while the Nifty Financial Services index gained 0.41%. India VIX fell 3.10%, indicating lower volatility.