Interest-rate sensitive stocks trade higher ahead of RBI MPC policy outcome

Rate-sensitive stocks: Indian equities ahead of its fourth monetary policy committee of the current fiscal year traded on a strong note. At the last count at around 9:33 am, Nifty index was up 0.19 per cent at 25,060 points.

Meanwhile, rate-sensitive sectors including banking, realty and auto traded with sharp gains of up to 1.5 per cent. Nonetheless only the Nifty private banking index traded in the red.

These sectors tend to get impacted on account of key changes in the policy rate as it results in a direct bearing on the companies' borrowing cash, profits as well as future cash flows. 

Also, rate hikes or decline impact the supply of bank credit to different sectors of the economy. Typically, rate hikes reduce or restrict the credit flow, while rate easing can enhance it.

Even as the Fed made a rate cut after a long span of 4 years, the RBI is unlikely to follow suit this time around amid high inflationary pressure.

Within the Nifty Realty space, all but 2 stocks traded in the green, with the most gains of over 3 per cent on Phoenix Mills.

In the auto space, the Nifty Auto index was up 0.82 per cent, with again 2 constituents of the total 15 in the red. The top gainers from the segment included stocks like Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki and Apollo Tyre.