FX.co ★ Indian Stocks End Slightly Higher

On Friday, India's BSE Sensex experienced a modest rise, closing approximately 0.3% higher at 81,207 after a volatile trading session. This uptick came as investors returned from the national holiday on Thursday, grappling with both domestic and international uncertainties, including the ongoing US-India trade negotiations and the US government shutdown. The session was notably bolstered by gains in the metals sector, with Tata Steel climbing 3.6% following reports that the European Union intends to reduce steel import quotas and impose a 50% duty on volumes surpassing these quotas. Support also came from bank and infrastructure stocks, which helped offset declines seen in the automotive, energy, and FMCG sectors. Significant contributions came from private banks, such as Kotak Bank and Axis Bank, each gaining over 2% after the Reserve Bank of India announced a series of lending reforms on Wednesday designed to loosen regulations for capital markets and large enterprises. Over the week, the index recorded an approximate 1% increase.