Stocks linked to rural economy today rose on hopes progress in four-month monsoon season will boost sales.

Marico Ltd gained 1.1 per cent, tractor maker Escorts jumped 2.2 per cent, while Hero MotoCorp advanced 1.2 per cent.

Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd rose 0.2 per cent adding to Friday’s 4.1 per cent gain.

The south-west monsoon rains have been 11 per cent above normal so far in June.

Rainfall has been 20 per cent above normal between June 11 and June 17, a chart on the weather department's Web site shows.

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