India's GIFT Nifty was up 0.03% at 19,895.50 as of 8:15 a.m. IST, above the benchmark Nifty 50's Wednesday close of 19,811.85.

Wall Street equities closed higher overnight, after a spate of economic data, including jobless claims, durables goods and consumer sentiment, showed that the U.S. economy is softening due to the Fed's policy tightening, but remains resilient enough to potentially avoid recession. The market will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Asian markets opened flat on the day. [MKTS/GLOB]

Brent crude prices fell to near $81 per barrel after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia delayed a ministerial meeting to Nov. 30 from Nov. 26, where they were expected to discuss oil output cuts.

A fall in crude oil prices is positive for importers of the commodity like India. [O/R]

The Nifty 50 has jumped 1.89% since soft U.S. inflation data on Nov. 14 elevated bets that the Fed will not hike rates further.

Information technology companies, which earn a significant share of the revenue from the U.S., led the gains, climbing 6.30% during the same period.

"The overall sentiment remains positive as the Nifty 50 has held above the crucial support level of 19,500," said Rupak De, senior technical analyst at LKP Securities. The resistance for the benchmark is positioned at 19,850 levels, De added.

The Nifty 50 has closed above 19,600 in every session since Nov. 14 but hasn't breached the 19,900 level, in intraday trade.

Foreign institutional investors sold off Indian shares worth 3.07 billion rupees ($36.88 million) on Wednesday, on a net basis, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth 7.21 billion rupees.

STOCKS TO WATCH:

** Interglobe Aviation: Airline operator receives demand notice for 7.40 billion rupees and 9.27 billion rupees from Commissioner of Income Tax Appeals for assessment years 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively; company to contest the orders

** TVS Motor Company: Auto maker enters Vietnam in collaboration with Minh Long Motors, launches a range of two-wheelers

** Welspun Corp: Company's unit gets Odisha government's nod to invest 4.79 billion rupees to establish a manufacturing unit

** Honasa Consumer: Mamaearth Parent reports 94% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit in September quarter

($1 = 83.2440 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)