Sensex, Nifty rise on GST reforms, credit upgrade

Indian benchmark indices extended their winning streak on Wednesday, with the Sensex rising about 142 points and the Nifty hovering above 25,000 as mid-session gains were reinforced by expectations of GST reform and a prime credit rating upgrade. By close, the Sensex stood at 82,000.71, up 142.87 points, while the Nifty finished at 25,083.75, up 33.20 points. The session marked the sixth straight day of gains for the market, aided by a positive domestic macro signal and easing global cues, even as investors trimmed positions amid caution ahead of global policy events.

In early trading, both benchmarks opened on a firm note and built on the momentum as auto, consumer discretionary and information technology names led the rally. Laggards were few but included select heavyweight names, reflecting the mixed intra-day dynamics that characterized the session. The breadth remained positive, with a broad set of mid-cap and small-cap shares participating in the rally, underscoring a broad-based improvement in risk appetite.

Market commentators attributed the surge to a combination of domestic policy signals and external upgrades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for the next...