New Delhi, July 22 (TIWN) FIIs turning positive after a very long time, along with strong results, kept the momentum strong for domestic stock markets during the week.

Domestic equities continued its northbound journey on the back of positive global cues and better than expected 1QFY23 earnings. Nifty opened higher and sustained momentum to close near day’s high with gains of 114 points (0.7 per cent) at 16,719.  Barring IT, pharma and oil & gas, all other sectors ended in green with banking and financial services being top gainers, up more than 1 per cent.  The Nifty auto index surged by 8 per cent in July to its life-time high of 12,690 on account of good progress in monsoon, expectation of revival in rural demand and improvement in chip supply, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a report.  Global markets were positive despite surprise rate hike of 50 basis points by the European Central Bank, its first hike in 11 years, and weak German manufacturing PMI data.  On Monday, domestic equities will react to results from several index heavyweights (with more than 30 per cent of Nifty weight), which would announce their numbers over the weekend, the report said.  India VIX has also cooled down by ~20 per cent to 16.65 levels in the last one month, indicating decline in volatility and supporting overall bullish sentiments, the report said.  The easing of crude oil prices also boosted the rupee on Friday.