Sensex gains as regulators step in to curb rupee slide

Firm uptrend in global markets aid gains

The BSE Sensex rose on Tuesday as a recovery in the rupee from a record low in the previous session boosted blue-chips such as HDFC Bank, highlighting how the fortunes of the currency have become a determining factor across markets

Late on Monday, the Reserve Bank of India banned banks from proprietary trading in domestic currency futures and options, while the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) doubled the margin requirement on domestic dollar-rupee forward trade.

That sent the rupee higher, easing some of concerns that a falling currency would erode foreign investors' holdings, sparking more outflows at a time when overseas funds are already exiting from emerging markets due to the potential early end to the US monetary stimulus.

Investors are now gearing up for a new earnings season that kicks off on Friday with Infosys Ltd results.

Aggregate net profit for India's benchmark BSE index constituents is expected to grow by 1.5 per cent and revenue by 3.85 per cent for the April-June quarter, according to a median estimate of 12 brokerages.

"Equity would trail rupee's movement because inflation, rate cuts, earnings, all depends on it now," said Vivek Mahajan, head of research at Aditya Birla Money.

The benchmark BSE index rose 0.59 per cent, or 114.71 points, to end at 19,439.48, turning positive for 2013.

The broader NSE index rose 0.82 per cent, or 47.45 points, to end at 5,859.00, closing above its 200-day moving average.