Indian stocks hit record high, rupee rallies on Modi state election win

MUMBAI/BENGALURU: India's NSE index rose as much as 2.1 percent to a record high while the rupee hit a 16-month peak on Tuesday, as a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party in a key Indian state election was seen bolstering his economic reform agenda.

The victory by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party in India's most populous northern Uttar Pradesh state, announced on Saturday, strengthens his claim to a second term in national elections in 2019. It also re-ignites investors' faith in him after a radical decision to scrap high-value banknotes in November raised deep concerns about economic growth.

The NSE index's record high of 9,122.75 points on Tuesday, the first trading session since the results were announced, surpassed its previous peak of 9,119.20 on March 4, 2015.

The rupee also strengthened to as much as 65.78 per dollar, its strongest level since November 2015, despite the central bank's interventions after markets were closed on Monday for a public holiday.

Analysts now expect Modi will be emboldened to embark on more reforms including reforming the retail sector, easing labour laws, and cleaning up bad debt at banks.

But any further gains will be tempered by concerns about valuations as well as global risks, including how much the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise U.S. interest rates this year.

"The results ensure sustainability of government policies for the next two years without much political noise," said Ashish Vaidya, executive director and head of trading at DBS Bank in Mumbai.

"However, all financial markets will be driven by global factors. We have to also wait and see when domestic private investment picks up as on-the-ground growth hasn't really improved much."

Modi has long held strong appeal for investors after winning overwhelmingly in 2014 by pledging ambitious economic reforms.

The prime minister has already delivered on some measures, including unveiling a national goods and services tax that will be rolled out this year.

But investors will seek more action, especially in reviving private investments and easing the cost of doing business.

Sentiment is also likely to be tempered given the central bank is expected to hold interest rates this year due to concerns about inflation.

Shares were already trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.85 over the next 12 months, compared with their five-year historic average of 17.8.

The NSE index ended up 1.7 percent, giving up some initial gains, while the rupee ended at 65.8150/65.8250 from its close of 66.60/61 on Friday.

Meanwhile, after initial gains, bonds reversed direction, with the benchmark 10-year bond yield ending unchanged at 6.90 percent after data showed higher-than-expected February wholesale inflation.

India will report consumer inflation data later in the day.