Market experts predict this steady market rise will continue, backed by the government’s GST initiatives, potential US Fed rate cuts, and positive developments in US-India trade discussions. (AI image) Stock market today: Indian equity benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, closed in green on Friday on global market strength and increased expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts next week. The positive movement was also supported by encouraging developments in India-US trade negotiations.The NSE Nifty increased by 108.50 points or 0.43 per cent to 25,114, marking its eighth successive day of gains.Continuing its positive trend for the fifth consecutive day, the BSE Sensex gained 355.97 points or 0.44 per cent to close at 81,904.70. During trading hours, it reached a high of 81,992.85, up by 444.12 points or 0.54 per cent.Among Sensex companies, positive performers included Bharat Electronics, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Maruti and Tata Motors. Eternal, Hindustan Unilever, Trent and Titan showed declines.Asian markets showed mixed results, with gains in South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, while China’s SSE Composite declined.European markets displayed a predominantly negative trend. The US markets concluded positively on Thursday.”The Indian market closed at a three-week high, supported by renewed global optimism over a potential Fed rate cut. Progress in US-India trade talks is also expected to keep the positive momentum intact in the near term,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.Institutional trading data showed Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,472.37 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth Rs 4,045.54 crore on Thursday.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.47 per cent to USD 66.72 per barrel.The previous session saw Sensex increase by 123.58 points or 0.15 per cent to 81,548.73, marking four days of gains. Nifty advanced by 32.40 points or 0.13 per cent to 25,005.50, registering gains for seven consecutive days.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)