Markets hold morning gains, Nifty around 8,950; RIL up over 3.5%

RIL touched a fresh nine-year high of Rs 1,307.05, up 4% at intra-day as investors remained bullish

Benchmark indices held on to their morning gains with Nifty hovering around 8.900 on hopes that BJP may win the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
 
The elections will have a key influence on PM Narendra Modi's chances of a victory on 2019 polls.. Election results are due out on Saturday.
 
Meanwhile, Asian shares were on the defensive on Monday as investors weighed the near-certain prospect of an interest rate hike in the United States this month against news of slower growth in China this year. MSCI's broadest dollar-denominated index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2% but Seoul