Indian benchmark indices got off to a positive start on Thursday, and thereafter indices traded in a range with a positive bias for the most part of the trading session. The broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices. To end, the NSE’s 50-share broadly followed index – Nifty gained over quarter per cent to settle above the crucial 9100 levels, while Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensitive Index – Sensex accumulated eighty-five points and closed above the psychological 29400 mark.European markets ended in green on Thursday. Investors were largely focused on corporate earnings, and were encouraged by strong results from companies like Nestle, Unilever, ABB and Pernod Ricard. The DAX of Germany climbed 0.09 per cent and the CAC 40 of France rose 1.48 per cent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained 0.06 per cent.Wall Street ended with solid gains on Thursday, with the Nasdaq closing at a record, as market participants cheered better-than-expected corporate earnings and economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 174 points to end at 20,579. American Express Co., was the top performer after the stock reported a good set of earnings. The Nasdaq Composite rose 54 points to a record close of 5917. The S&P 500 climbed 18 points to finish at 2356.Asian markets are trading on a positive on Friday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 165 points.  China’s Shanghai Composite is trading with gains of 6 points and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 94 points.At 7:59 am, SGX Nifty Index was trading with gains of 18 points at 9178, indicating a positive start for Indian equities.  HDFC Bank and ACC will report their Jan-Mar quarter numbers today.