MUMBAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian markets opened higher Monday.

Benchmark indices staged smart performance in opening the first day of Budget week as the Sensex hit fresh record high, tracking positive trend in Asian peers and ahead of Union Budget 2018.

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex opened at 36,273.48, 223.04 points or 0.74 percent up compared to its previous close at 36,050.44.