MUMBAI (Reuters) – The BSE Sensex and Nifty rose for a fifth consecutive session on Monday, marking their highest level in more than two-weeks, led by consumer goods makers such as ITC on hopes slowing inflation and reforms in the upcoming federal budget would boost spending.
India’s wholesale prices declined an annual 0.39 percent in January, their second fall in three months, on the back of a sharp correction in oil prices, government data showed on Monday.
India’s retail inflation for January stayed well below the central bank’s target, data last week showed, bolstering prospects for further interest rate cuts.
Investors are hopeful of faster reforms at the government’s 2015/16 fiscal budget due on Feb. 28 after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party was routed in Delhi state elections.
“Lower inflation would boost profit and volumes. Budget is also expected to leave more in the hands of consumer for spending,” said Deven Choksey, managing director at K R Choksey Securities.
The broader NSE index added 0.3 percent while the benchmark BSE index gained 0.33 percent, after earlier marking their highest level since Jan. 30.
Stocks linked to consumer spending led the gainers. The BSE FMCG index rose 1.5 percent
Among consumer staples, ITC rose 2.1 percent while Hindustan Unilever gained 1.5 percent.
Among consumer discretionary stocks, Mahindra and Mahindra rose 2.8 percent while Tata Motors advanced 1.2 percent.
Midcap real estate developers also surged on valuations and quarterly earnings. Housing Develoment and Infrastructure Ltd rose 7.1 percent while Unitech jumped 12.3 percent.
(Reporting by Abhishek Vishnoi; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
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