FX.co ★ Sensex Ends on Strong Note

India's BSE Sensex concluded Monday's session with an increase of approximately 0.8%, settling at 81,273.75, a level not observed since June 30. This marks the third consecutive day of gains. The automotive and consumer durables sectors showed notable strength, stimulated by anticipated GST reforms. On August 15, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to simplify GST rates by Diwali 2025. The overhaul aims to reduce the tax slabs from the current four to just two—5% and 18%—removing the existing 28% and 12% rates. Such changes could positively impact industries like automobiles and cement. Nonetheless, investor sentiment remained cautious amid lingering concerns tied to the Ukraine situation, particularly following a summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, which failed to produce significant agreements. Out of the 30 stocks, 19 showed gains, with Maruti Suzuki India, Bajaj Finance, UltraTech Cement, M&M, and Bajaj FinServ leading the increase. Conversely, stocks such as ITC, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, L&T, NTPC, Sun Pharma, and Infosys underperformed.