Indian shares rose to their strongest level since late October on Wednesday as firms reliant on consumer demand, such as cigarette maker ITC, advanced on data showing the economy grew faster than expected in the March quarter.

 

The broader NSE Nifty ended 0.24 percent higher at 8,179.95, while the benchmark BSE Sensex closed up 0.17 percent at 26,713.93.

 

Shares of ITC closed nearly 3 percent higher, after rising as much as 3.18 percent to their highest level since Feb. 28, 2015 earlier in the session.

 

In the 50-share index, Adani Ports, Asian Paints, Bharti Airtel, ITC and Bharti Infratel gained between 2.65 per cent and 5.15 per cent. On the other hand, State Bank of India, Tata Motors, Bank of Baroda, Cipla and Tata Motors DVR gained between 2.01 per cent and 3.11 per cent.