“The markets have reacted positively because the hike was lower than expected. At least a 50 basis point increase was expected across the board,” said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, the equity head for brokerage firm SMC Capitals.

1. Stock markets positive to lower hike in interest rates
April 20th, 2010 - 1:20 pm ICT by IANS
Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Benchmark indices of the Indian equities markets rose almost a
percent after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a lower than expected hike in key
interest rates.
The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,394.68
points, rose to 17,551.02 points, up 150.34 points or 0.86 percent from its previous close at
17,400.68 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty went up to
5,252.75 points against the previous close at 5,203.65 points, a gain of 49.1 points or 0.94
percent.
Buying went up in broader markets as well with both BSE midcap and BSE small cap indices
moving up from their morning levels.
The RBI hiked the repurchase (repo) rate and the reverse repo rate by 25 basis points each. At
the same time, it also increased the cash reserve ratio to 6 percent from 5.75 percent earlier.
“The markets have reacted positively because the hike was lower than expected. At least a 50
basis point increase was expected across the board,” said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, the
equity head for brokerage firm SMC Capitals.