After opening the day on a positive note, stock markets in India have continued their momentum. Sectoral indices are trading on a positive note with stocks in the FMCG sector and realty sector witnessing maximum buying interest.

The BSE Sensex is trading up 235 points (up 0.7%) and the NSE Nifty is trading up 67 points (up 0.7%). The BSE Mid Cap index is trading up by 0.6%, while the BSE Small Cap index is trading up by 0.7%. The rupee is trading at 64.42 to the US$.

Indian share markets scaled record high levels during the morning trades today. Most of the gains were seen on the back of dovish comments by the US Fed Chair Janet Yellen in her testimony overnight where she hinted at slower-than-expected hikes in US interest rates this year. Gains were also seen on the back of a sharp drop in retail inflation in June.

Indian indices are hovering near their lifetime highs of late. And there’s a flood of liquidity pouring into Indian stock markets in search of higher returns.

One of the key factors behind the above flow of liquidity is the downward trend in interest rates. And the demonetisation drive last November accelerated this trend. Indian banks were flushed with liquidity. At the same time, credit offtake was poor. This forced them to cut interest rates on deposits.

Interest rates are a key macroeconomic variable that influence the economy. From yesterday’s premium edition of The 5 Minute WrapUp (subscription required)…

  • Interest rates are a key macroeconomic variable that have far-reaching consequences on economic growth, corporate profitability, and how people invest their money.

    As a thumb rule, lower interest rates aid corporate profitability as businesses pay lower interest on their borrowings. On the other hand, declining interest rates mean lower earnings on fixed deposits for investors and savers.

    Both of these effects of lower interest rates have a positive impact on stock markets.

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