US data surprise eases rate hike fears, also cheers D-Street

Indian benchmarks ended marginally higher as benign US inflation data eased rate hike fears, with the Nifty rising 26.5 points (0.1%) to 24,078.50 and the Sensex gaining 130.5 points (0.2%) to 77,185.43. The India VIX fell 3.5% to 13.27, signalling reduced near-term risk expectations, though gains were capped by oil prices hovering around $85 per barrel amid escalating US-Iran tensions. Foreign portfolio investors were net sellers at 736 crore while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth 705 crore, with overseas investors remaining net buyers of 10,869 crore in July so far.