Benchmark indices opened firm Thursday, but traders expect the session to be volatile because of expiry of futures and options contracts. The Sensex was up143.33 points at 19322.69 and the Nifty was up 46.60 points at 5883.50. Bank, metals, oil and gas and auto stocks were lending support to the indices.

Jet Airways was biggest gainer in early trade on news of Etihad picking up a 24 percent stake in the company at a substantial premium to the market price. Brokerage house Citi has raised its target price for the stock to Rs 766 following the deal.

Share markets of rival carrier SpiceJet rallied aropund 10 percent in anticipation of the company too inducting a strategic investor. Axis Bank was up 1.1 percent as it reported a forecast beating 22 percent year-on-year rise in its fourth quarter (Jan-March) net profit at Rs 1,555 crore. Net interest income (NII) or the difference between interest earned and paid out, rose 24 percent YoY to Rs 2,665 crore.

Key gainers in the Sensex included Tata Motors (up 1.9 percent), Bajaj Auto (up 1.7 percent), GAIL, HDFC and Dr Reddy’s Lab. Idea Cellular, JSPL & IDBI Bank will declare fourth quarter earnings today. Meanwhile, technology stocks were still under selling pressure with Infosys, Wipro and TCS being the top losers in the Sensex.