BSE Sensex rises 1.6 pct ahead of RBI decision

MARKETS-INDIA-STOCKS-CLOSE-BSE-NIFTY:BSE Sensex rises 1.6 pct ahead of RBI decision

mumbai  June 15, 2012, 17:18 IST

mumbai  06 15, 2012, 17:20 IST

 

The BSE Sensex rose on Friday to its highest close in six weeks as banks gained on hopes for aggressive monetary easing at home, and by hopes major central banks would work to contain any global turmoil from Greek elections.

Domestic stocks have rallied this month on hopes the Reserve Bank of India's will cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points on Monday. Some investors also see a joint cut in the cash reserve ratio, or the amount of funds lenders must park with the central bank.

Greek elections are on Sunday, adding to the potential risk, though at least sentiment was boosted on reports that central banks of major economies are ready to provide liquidity if elections result dent global markets.

"Any adverse news flow in Greek result, or any deviation what is expected on the policy front will trigger higher volatility in markets," said Kaushik Dani a fund manager at Peerless Mutual Fund, referring to RBI policy.

"If currency stabilises around 55 levels and if global commodities continue to soften then definitely it will be good news for our economy," he said, adding it would offset concerns about inflation.

India's main 30-share BSE index rose 1.63 percent

to 16,949.83 points, posting its highest close since May 3 and adding 1.4 percent for the week.

The broader 50-share NSE index advanced 1.67 percent to 5,139.05 points.

Indian shares have rallied since the country posted its weakest growth in nine years in the January-March quarter, according to data released on May 31, raising expectations the RBI would need to switch its focus from inflation to growth.

Data this week showed India's wholesale price index inflation accelerated to 7.55 percent, which has put into question how aggressive the RBI can afford to be in easing rates.

But the tamer 4.8 percent core inflation has left expectations for at least a 25 bps rate cut intact.

The BSE index has gained 4.5 percent this month, well outperforming the 1.9 percent gain in the MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan.

Banking shares, as measured by the NSE banking index, rose 2.3 percent on Friday and have gained 6.6 percent so far this month.

ICICI Bank rose 3.3 percent, while HDFC Bank advanced 2.5 percent.

Other interest rate-sensitive stocks also rose. Tata Motors Ltd's gained 6 percent, helped as well after its May global vehicle sales rose a stronger-than-expected 12 percent from a year earlier.

Maruti Suzuki India rose 2.5 percent, while Mahindra & Mahindra gained 2.7 percent as investors hope aggressive rate cuts from the RBI would lower financing costs for vehicle purchases.

Property stocks gained as well, with DLF gaining 2.8 percent.

Buying spread across a broad swath of sectors, with blue chips ITC gaining 1.6 percent and Reliance Industries rising 1.5 percent.

(Additional reporting to Abhishek Vishnoi; Editing by Rafael Nam)