Indian shares rise after resilient growth data

BENGALURU, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Indian shares on Friday saw broad-based gains after data showed the economy grew at its quickest pace in a year in the first quarter, which could boost foreign investor inflows.

The Nifty 50 (.NSEI) index was up 0.4% at 19,333.85 at 11:47 a.m. IST, while the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) increased 0.33% to 65,043.

Official data on Thursday showed that Indias GDP expanded 7.8% on an annual basis in the June-quarter, while concerns over dry weather conditions persisted.

\“Resilient growth would attract stability in overseas flows along with cheer from domestic institutional investors and this would act as a breather to Indian equity markets for the time being,\” said Dhawal Ghanshyam Dhanani, fund manager at SAMCO Mutual Fund.

Foreign inflows moderated to a four-month low of 122.52 billion rupees ($1.48 billion) in August.

The more domestically focused small-caps (.NIFSMCP100) and mid-caps (.NIFMDCP100) were up 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively, continuing to outperform the blue-chip benchmarks.

Mid-caps and small-caps are each up 24% so far this year, compared to a near-7% gain in the benchmarks.

Metals (.NIFTYMET) gained 2.75% after large consumer China offered support to its property sector.

Hindalco (HALC.NS), Tata Steel (TISC.NS) and JSW Steel (JSTL.NS) were among the top Nifty 50 gainers.

The Nifty 50 and Sensex have risen marginally this week so far, including todays gains. The benchmarks had logged losses for the last five weeks, after hitting record highs on July 20.

The Nifty gained 14.16% between March and July before shedding 2.53% in August.

Among individual stocks, ITD Cementation (ITCM.NS) surged 11.5% on winning a contract worth 32.90 billion rupees ($397.9 million).

Investors now await the U.S. jobs report due later in the day. A rise in unemployment could allow the Federal Reserve to pause rate hikes at its September meeting.

($1 = 82.6800 Indian rupees)

Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran and Manvi Pant in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng, Janane Venkatraman and Sonia Cheema

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