NSE index rose over 1 per cent to a record high on Tuesday as metal stocks advanced after China’s economic growth data came in slightly better than expected, while blue-chips were underpinned by widespread confidence about the domestic economy.
The 50-share broader NSE index rose as much as 1.16 per cent to 8,649.40, surpassing its previous record of 8,626.95 hit on December 4, 2014. The benchmark BSE index gained 1.23 per cent, but nearly 200 points away from its all-time high.
The central bank’s surprise rate cut on Thursday has sparked a rally in markets, and investors are hopeful Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will follow up with wide-ranging reforms when it unveils its fiscal budget next month.
That has investors primed for India to outperform most other emerging markets this year, repeating a similar performance to the 29.9 per cent gain by the BSE last year, despite lingering uncertainty about the global economy, including in the deflation-hit euro zone.
“India’s growth outlook remains insulated and relatively better than its rivals,’’ said U R Bhat, Managing Director at Dalton Capital, a unit of British-based investment management firm Dalton Strategic Partnership LLP.
The BSE index has gained 6.1 per cent in dollar terms in 2015, making it Asia’s best performing equity index after Pakistan’s Karachi SE 100 index, according to Thomson Reuters data. It was the second-best performing index in Asia last year.
China's GDP data
Metal shares led gains after China posted economic growth that was slightly better than expected, even though it was its slowest in 24 years.
Tata Steel gained 2.9 per cent, while Sesa Sterlite rose 3.3 per cent.
Stocks tied to the domestic economy — from rate-sensitives to industrials and infrastructure —- are expected to drive the rally ahead, analysts said.