Are Indian Stock Markets Gaining as the RBI MPC Meeting Commences?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Positive Opening: Indian equity indices opened higher due to heavyweight stock gains.
- RBI MPC Meeting: The meeting begins to discuss the repo rate.
- Sector Performance: Auto, IT, and pharma sectors showed significant gains.
- Investor Advice: Gradual accumulation of large-cap stocks is recommended.
- Market Dynamics: Current growth-inflation balance suggests rates will hold steady.
Mumbai, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Indian stock markets commenced on a positive note on Monday, buoyed by gains in major stocks, as the crucial RBI MPC meeting commenced to deliberate on the repo rate.
As of 9:22 AM, the Sensex increased by 108 points or 0.14 percent, reaching 80,534, while the Nifty rose by 30 points or 0.12 percent, standing at 24,685.
There was notable buying interest in midcap and smallcap stocks. The Nifty midcap 100 index climbed 302 points or 0.54 percent to 56,680, and the Nifty smallcap 100 index gained 90 points or 0.51 percent, now at 17,651.
Among the sector indices, Auto, IT, PSU banks, pharma, metal, realty, and energy showed significant gains, while FMCG and private banks experienced declines.
Within the Sensex constituents, stocks such as BEL, Eternal, Titan, Tata Steel, Trent, M&M, Tata Motors, Infosys, Sun Pharma, TCS, SBI, and Power Grid emerged as significant gainers. Conversely, HUL, Axis Bank, L&T, Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, ITC, and HCL Tech faced losses.
The three-day Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting commenced on Monday, where it is largely anticipated that the key policy rate will remain steady at 5.50 percent.
Analysts suggest that the monetary policy announcement on October 1 is unlikely to bring any surprises.
The current dynamics of growth and inflation do not support a rate cut, implying that the RBI will likely maintain rates while conveying a dovish stance to bolster economic growth.
Furthermore, the ongoing weakness in the broader market is expected to persist due to sustained elevated valuations. Investors are advised to gradually accumulate large-cap stocks in sectors such as automobiles, banking, telecom, capital goods, and cement.
“The decline in pharmaceuticals presents a buying opportunity in this sector, as India’s generic exports are not expected to be affected by Trump’s tariffs on patented and branded medicines,” analysts noted.
Additionally, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling trend for the fifth consecutive session on September 26, offloading equities worth Rs 5,687 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) absorbed this selling pressure, purchasing equities worth Rs 5,843 crore on the same day.