By Vivek Kumar M and Bharath Rajeswaran
(Reuters) -India’s equity benchmarks rose marginally on Thursday as softer-than-expected U.S. and local inflation prints spurred optimism among investors worried by an escalating global trade war.
The Nifty 50 rose 0.28% to 22,535.80 as of 10:28 a.m. IST, while the Sensex gained 0.31% to 74,270.38.
Eleven of the 13 major sectors advanced, while the broader midcap and smallcap indexes rose 0.4% each.
U.S. consumer prices rose moderately in February, while India’s fell below the central bank’s target of 4%, paving the way for more rate cuts.
“Under normal circumstances, this macro data would have boosted the stock market… unfortunately, the global scenario is highly unfavourable with the trade war triggered by Trump getting worse,” said VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to escalate the trade war with additional tariffs on Europe and Canada, following their announcement of retaliatory tariffs in response to his previous trade barriers.
Investors are concerned that higher tariffs may push the U.S. economy into a recession, and add to inflationary pressures, forcing the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher.
Higher U.S. interest rates hurt flows to emerging markets like India, which is already seeing hefty outflows.
Among stocks, Bharat Electronics rose more than 2% on securing an order from the Indian Air Force.
Adani Green Energy gained 3.5% after Macquarie initiated coverage with a “buy”, calling the shares “a structural renewable energy play”.
State-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam soared 15% on news the company has raised 129.85 billion rupees (about $1.5 billion) with peer Bharat Sanchar Nigam through monetization of land, buildings and towers since 2019.
($1 = 87.2075 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Vivek Kumar M and Bharath Rajeswaran; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Sumana Nandy and Mrigank Dhaniwala)
