Equity benchmarks closed higher on strong L&T earnings, though caution lingered ahead of the U.S. Fed decision and trade talks.

• Sensex gained 143.91 pts to 81,481.86; Nifty rose 33.95 pts to 24,855.05, led by IT, FMCG, and durables.
• IMF raised India’s GDP forecast to 6.4% for FY26-FY27; inflation seen easing on lower food prices.
• L&T surged 4.87% on robust Q1 results; Tata Motors fell 3.47% on concerns over $ the $4.5B Iveco acquisition deal.