Mumbai, Oct 29 (IANS) Expectations of a tax bonanza for the stock markets from the government lifted the key Indian equity indices on Tuesday.

The upside momentum propelled the Nifty to close at a 4-month high of 11,787. The S&P BSE Sensex closed at 39,831.84 points, 581.64 points or 1.48 per cent higher from the previous close of 39,250.20 points.

There is expectation that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Finance Ministry are working on measures which may include dividend distribution tax (DDT) to be scrapped and a review of the existing slabs and holding period of long term capital gains (LTCG), short term capital gains (STCG) and securities transaction tax (STT).

The market immediately lapped up the news gaining ground on a day that also threw positive global cues and expectations of healthy quarterly results from a sales boost coming from the ongoing festive season.

The government has announced a series of stimulus measures to prop up the economy that has thrown one of the worst GDP growth numbers in the April-June quarter at 5 per cent. There has been expectation that the government would now tackle the issue of taxation, especially for the salaried and market instruments to boost the sentiments.

Domestically, healthy buying was observed in automobile, capital goods, banks, oil & gas and metal stocks, whereas telecom scrips came under selling pressure.

The S&P BSE Sensex closed at 39,831.84 points, 581.64 points or 1.48 per cent higher from the previous close of 39,250.20 points. Opening at 39,293.49 points, the market oscillated between intra-day high of 39,917.01 points and low of 39,254.12 points.

Similarly, the Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange closed at 11,786.85 points, up 159.70 points or 1.37 per cent over its previous close.

"The markets have gained momentum on the back of several positive developments. Globally, there was news of the US reaching phase-one trade deal with China early next month," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

"On the domestic front, news flows regarding the government looking at simplifying various taxes related to equities to boost sentiments and revive the investor confidence," Khemka said.

According to Vinod Nair, Geojit Financial Services' Research Head, a strong momentum is seen in the market as healthy Q2 earnings from big corporate and attractive valuation for mid- and small-caps is providing a favourable risk-reward to investors.
"The clouds over the global market are gradually settling down with developments in trade deal and Brexit, while rate cut expectation from the US Fed will further add impetus to emerging markets, like India," Nair said.

On technical levels, HDFC Securities' Retail Research Head Deepak Jasani said the short term uptrend of the Nifty remained intact. "Further upsides are likely once the immediate resistance of 11,824 is taken out. Crucial supports to watch for resumption of weakness are at 11,708-11,632."

Sajal Gupta, Head, Forex and Rates, Edelweiss Securities said: "The rupee traded at strong levels in the morning making monthly high of 70.69. However, dollar buying in the 2nd half forced rupee to give up some of its initial gains and close at 70.85."

"Expectations of more reforms are being reflected in both equity and currency markets," said Gupta.

--IANS rv/sn/prs