India Equity Benchmarks Open Higher Rate Cut Bets Foreign Inflow

The Nifty 50 (.NSEI) rose 0.79% to 26,172.4 and the BSE Sensex (.BSESN) added 0.75% to 85,567.48.

Fifteen of the 16 major sectors rose, with information technology (.NIFTYIT) and commodity-linked stocks (.NIFTYMET) leading the pack with 2.1% and 1.4% gains, respectively. Consumer durables stocks (.NIFCODU) fell 0.2%.

The broader mid-caps (.NIFMDCP100) and small-caps (.NIFSMCP100) advanced 0.8% and 1.2%.

The Nifty 50 index suffered three consecutive weeks of losses amid concerns over foreign outflows and the rupee's depreciation as a delay in an India-U.S. trade deal weighed on sentiment.

However, foreign portfolio investors have net bought shares worth 37.76 billion rupees in the last three sessions, trimming this month's outflows to 120.2 billion rupees.

Analysts, however, do not expect a bullish turn without a trade deal in place or other triggers.

"Nifty has been consolidating in the range of 25,700-26,200 points. It reversed course last week after falling close to 25,700 points. Until there are any fresh cues, we expect range-bound trade," said Aamar Deo Singh, senior vice president at Angel One.

On Monday, investors were also buoyed by prospects of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India and Federal Reserve next year.

IT stocks rose for the fourth session. Infosys (INFY.NS) and Wipro (WIPR.NS) added 3.1% each, following an unexplained surge in their American Depository Receipts after Indian market hours on Friday.

A depreciation in rupee and sector rotation have been aiding IT stocks for last few sessions, as per analysts.

Metal stocks were supported by a rise in prices of base metals like aluminium, copper, and silver.

Shriram Finance (SHMF.NS) jumped 3.7%, extending Friday's gains after MUFG deal.

Tata Motors (TATM.NS) added 4.4% after Nomura initiated with "buy" rating.