Stock markets end higher; ITC, banks lead recovery

Market Overview - Domestic equity markets experienced subdued trading before a late recovery, driven by selective buying in FMCG and private banking stocks [9] - The BSE Sensex closed at 83,580.40, up by 266.47 points or 0.32%, while the NSE Nifty ended at 25,693.70, gaining 50.90 points or 0.20% [3][4] Central Bank Policy - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained its benchmark interest rate at 5.25%, as inflation remained manageable and growth concerns eased due to increased government spending and reduced tariff pressures [4][7] - The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to keep the repo rate unchanged, signaling a neutral policy stance for the foreseeable future [7] Sector Performance - ITC was the top gainer among Sensex firms, rising by 5.09%, with other notable gainers including Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever, and Bajaj Finance [5][6] - In contrast, major laggards included Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, and Adani Ports [8] Real Estate Financing - The RBI proposed allowing banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to enhance financing for the real estate sector [3][11] - This regulatory clarity is expected to improve long-term funding visibility for the real estate and credit ecosystem [11] Foreign Investment - Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹2,150.51 crore on Thursday, indicating a potential shift in investment sentiment [10]