Indian shares ended higher on Friday helped by gains in energy and automobile stocks as the rupee regained some lost ground, but the benchmark indexes logged their worst week since end June. The BSE index rose 0.38 percent to 38,389.82, but finished the week 0.66 percent lower. The broader NSE index advanced 0.45 percent to 11589.10, but posted a 0.78 percent loss on week.
Reliance Industries Ltd, up 1.4 percent, was the top boost to the index. The Nifty Auto index climbed 2.2 percent, with Hero MotoCorp Ltd, up 5.2 percent, topping the gains. Both the BSE and NSE indexes were down about 1 percent this week after six straight weeks of gains, hurt by a weak rupee and persistent global trade war jitters.
"After a stellar August, there has been a change in sentiment - investors have become defensive, and the first week of September is reflective of that turn in sentiment," said Anand James, chief market strategist at Geojit Financial Services. "The rise in oil prices and a weakening rupee have become more prominent in September."
The rupee had declined 1.4 percent this week as of last close and 12.7 percent this year, having hit its lowest at 72.11 per dollar on Thursday. Bajaj Auto Ltd led the gains with a jump of 3.8 percent after the federal government said it would exempt all alternate fuel vehicles from getting permits. The company announced plans to raise its 3-wheeler and quadricycle production capacity shortly after the government's decision.
ICICI Bank Ltd advanced 1.6 percent, while Reliance Industries Ltd gained 1.3 percent.
Shares of Infosys Ltd rose 1.1 percent after the software services exporter said it formed a joint venture with Singapore state investor Temasek to expand its presence in Southeast Asia.
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