Stock Market

Indian shares rose 0.28 percent in choppy trade Thursday as domestic inflation headed towards zero, raising hopes for a further rate cut, dealers said. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index rose 25.07 points to 9,001.75, its second straight day of gains. Inflation fell to 0.44 percent for the week ended March 7 from 2.43 percent in the previous week, according to the Wholesale Price Index, the most watched cost-of-living measure.

Indian shares rose 1.27 percent on Wednesday reacting to Wall Streets gains as a jump in US housing starts buoyed sentiment, raising hopes for an easing of the global crisis, dealers said. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index climbed 112.86 points to 8,976.68. The market rose intraday to 9,120.46, a one-month high for the benchmark Sensex but retraced marginally in late afternoon on profit booking.

Indian shares fell 1.99 percent on Monday as investor sentiment was hit by weak markets elsewhere and worries about an overseas funds sell-off, dealers said. The 30-share Sensex index fell 165.42 points to 8,160.4, a near three-year-low.