Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty advanced in early trade on Thursday, following a firm trend in global markets along with buying in blue-chip stocks such as HDFC Bank and Infosys.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 204.04 points or 0.25 per cent to 81,109.34 in early trade. Rising for the sixth straight session, the NSE Nifty advanced 49.55 points to 24,819.75, reported PTI.