The BSE Sensex rose 208 points, or 0.2%, to 85,929 in Friday morning deals, gaining for the third consecutive session, supported by expectations of interest rate cuts by both the Fed and the RBI next month. The broader market advanced slightly as traders awaited the GDP release after market hours. Markets consolidated after both major indices hit new all-time highs in intraday trade a day earlier. The Nifty and the Sensex rose as much as 0.4% and 0.5% on Thursday to record highs of 26,310.45 and 86,055.86, respectively, before closing little changed as foreign investors booked profits. Markets expect GDP growth to remain robust at 7.3% in the September quarter, supported by strong domestic demand. Auto, metal, and pharmaceutical stocks led the gains, with notable advances from Mahindra & Mahindra (1.9%), Reliance Industries (0.9%), Kotak Mahindra (0.9%), and Tech Mahindra (0.9%). For the week, the index is heading for a 0.8% rise and is on track for a fourth straight monthly increase.
