Borsa Istanbul up at opening

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - The BIST 100 index soared 290.55 points to open at 83,418.81 on Thursday in its first transactions.

On the fourth opening session of the week, the country's benchmark index started with a 0.35 percent increase.

The banking and holding sector indices rose by 0.40 and 0.33 percent, respectively. While all sector indices gained value the metal industry sector index rose the most, by 0.56 percent in initial transactions.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar/Turkish lira exchange rate fell to stand at 3.8190 at 9.30 a.m. (0630GMT) Thursday, compared to 3.8260 at Wednesday's close.

Gold held at $1,195.89 an ounce.

U.S. crude futures rose by 0.82 percent to $53.18 a barrel, while benchmark Brent crude futures increased by 0.87 percent to $55.56.