Fed cut boosts D-Street even as rupee, trade worries persist

Mumbai: India’s equity indices rose about half a per cent on Friday as optimism around the United States interest rate cut earlier this week was tempered by the persistent ambiguity over the US-India trade deal, and weakness in the rupee. The Nifty finished at 26,046.95, up 0.6% or 148.40 points, while the Sensex ended at 85,267.66, up 0.5% or 449.53 points.

For the week, both benchmarks posted losses of 0.5%.

“The US Treasury yields have turned less attractive, which means the money is not expected to flow out of India significantly which prompted the pullback,” said Gaurav Sharma, Head of Research, Globe Capital. The ambiguity regarding the US-India trade deal and the depreciation of the rupee put a lid on the gains that were expected after the US Fed cut interest rates, he said. “Till there is clarity on the tariff front, big money is likely to remain on the sidelines.” FPIs sold shares worth a net ‘1,114.22 crore on Friday, while domestic investors bought shares worth ‘3,868.94 crore. In December, global investors sold shares worth ‘16,399.9 crore.

Analysts do not see big moves in the market in the near term. “Nifty is expected to spend more time around its current levels as no decisive price moves are anticipated due to lack of fresh triggers,” said Ajit Mishra, VP – Technicals, Religare Broking. “The benchmark is expected to face a hurdle at 26,350 levels and take support around 25,700 levels.” Traders made call and put straddle positions at the 26,000 level, which also indicates consolidation, Mishra said.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty Metal Index jumped 2.6%, while Nifty Realty and Nifty Oil & Gas indices gained 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively.