BENGALURU, May 13 (Reuters) - Indian shares rose on Friday
as Asian markets firmed, heavyweight Reliance Industries
rallied, and investors looked past a high domestic inflation
reading, while automaker Tata Motors surged after reporting
improved demand.
The NSE Nifty 50 index was up 1.03% at 15,970.45 as
of 0508 GMT, with all major sub-indexes trading higher, while
the S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.93% to 53,421.08.
The benchmark indexes, which declined more than 2% each in
the previous session, are set to snap their five-day losing
streak if Friday's gains hold. Still, they're on track to post
their longest weekly losing streak since 2020.
In global markets, Asian shares rose and the dollar remained
at 20-year highs.
"With many days of selling in the domestic and global
markets, and after two key inflation data from India and U.S.
already discounted, we're seeing some kind of a relief rally,"
said Narendra Solanki, head of equity research at Anand Rathi
Investment Services.
India's annual retail inflation rose by a more-than-expected
7.79% in April, staying above the Reserve Bank of India's
tolerance band of 6% for a fourth straight month.
The market will take further cues based on the quantum or
steepness of the rate hikes by the central banks, Solanki said.
Conglomerate Reliance Industries, India's most
valuable company, jumped 2.4%, and was set to snap a nine-day
losing streak.
Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv were among
the top Nifty 50 gainers, advancing over 1% each.
The Nifty's auto index was the top gainer among
other sub-indexes, adding 3%. Tata Motors led the jump with its
8.8% climb after reporting a smaller quarterly loss and saying
it will meet yearly profit and cashflow targets.
Nifty 50 components State Bank of India and Eicher
Motors were up 0.8% and 2%, respectively, ahead of
their quarterly results announcement.
(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay
Dwivedi and Uttaresh.V)