BENGALURU: India’s benchmark indexes hit all-time highs on Thursday, joining a global rally after the U.S. Federal Reserve bolstered expectations of an interest rate cut in March 2024.

The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 1.23% to 21,182.70, while the S&P BSE Sensex advanced 1.34% to 70,514.20.

The 50-member Nifty index has now hit a record high in eight of the 10 sessions so far this month. Its 5.21% gain over this period is almost equal to the 5.52% increase over the whole of last month, which was its best since July 2022.

The Fed, late on Wednesday, acknowledged “real progress” in easing inflation, while holding rates. Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed is aware of the risks of lowering rates too late, bolstering expectations of a rate cut in March 2024.

That was the latest in a confluence of optimistic indicators that has boosted the domestic market.

Indian shares muted as IT stocks weigh; Fed policy eyed

“Hopes of political stability in 2024, a robust macroeconomic backdrop, the weakening dollar and U.S. bond yields amid expectations of a 2024 U.S. rate cut have fuelled bullish momentum,” said Parth Nyati, founder of online trading platform Tradingo.

Information technology (IT) stocks,, which earn a significant share of their revenue from the United States, surged 3.50%, their best session in five months.

Banks and financials gained about 1.35% each. Realty index rallied 3.88% to a new record high, aided by strong housing sales and a robust demand outlook.

The small- and mid-cap indexes added 0.85% and 1.31%, respectively.

They have jumped 52% and 45% in 2023 so far, respectively, easily outpacing the 17% rise in the Nifty 50.

With mid- and small-caps valuations near 2018 highs, “It is prudent to tweak allocations in favour of large-caps,” said Harsha Upadhyaya, chief investment officer of equity at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management.