Indian shares rise 2.2 pct; ICICI, Reliance gain
* Global rally, upbeat Singapore, Australia econ data help
* Monsoon seen improving, sentiment up
* ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, L&T lead gainers (Updates to mid-morning)
MUMBAI, July 14 (Reuters) - Indian shares rose 2.2 percent on Tuesday, as encouraging data from Singapore and Australia calmed fears about the global economy and a rally on Wall Street overnight lifted sentiment across Asia.
Private-sector lender ICICI Bank (ICBK.BO), energy giant Reliance Industries (RELI.BO) and engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (LART.BO) led the gains in the main index, a day after it fell to its lowest close in two months.
"The market was technically oversold, and today it is bouncing back," Arun Kejriwal, strategist at research firm KRIS, said.
"It is being driven by the fact U.S. markets were up yesterday, and Asia markets are up today after five days of gloom all over the world."
Risk-appetite revived after bullish comments on the financial sector's performance from prominent U.S. analyst Meredith Whitney lifted hopes banks' quarterly results may be stronger than expected.
In Asia, trade-hub Singapore's economy grew at an annual rate of 20.4 percent in the second quarter, ending a recession after four consecutive quarters of contraction. A key measure of business conditions in Australia jumped to its best level in nine months in June, also boosting confidence. [ID:nSYU006845] [ID:nSIN495166]
By 11:09 a.m. (0539 GMT), the 30-share BSE index .BSESN was up 2.2 percent at 13,688.03 points, with 27 stocks advancing, after rising as much as 2.4 percent.
A poor start to monsoon rains, crucial for India's domestic demand-led economy, and an annual budget that disappointed investors who were expecting bold economic and financial reforms had dragged down the market 9.4 percent last week, its biggest fall in eight months.
But analysts say investors need patience as key policies are increasingly made outside the budget process.
Farm minister Sharad Pawar said on Monday monsoon rains were expected to improve this week, and if the forecast turns out to be accurate there would be no cause for concern despite below-normal rains so far this season.
In the near-term, the performance of overseas markets will determine the direction Indian shares take, traders said.
Asian shares were higher, with Japan's Nikkei .N225 up 1.8 percent, while MSCI's measure of other Asian markets .MSCIAPJ rose 2.8 percent.
ICICI Bank rose 5.6 percent to 667.50 rupees, while Larsen gained 3.1 percent to 1,372.10 rupees.
Reliance Industries, India's largest-listed firm with the most weight in the main index, climbed 1.8 percent to 1,780.05 rupees.
In the broader market, gainers led losers by more than 3 to 1 on relatively light volume of 85.9 million shares.
The 50-share NSE index was up 2.2 percent at 4,061.10.
MAIN TOP 3 BY VOLUME
* Suzlon Energy (SUZL.BO) on 5.4 million shares
* Unitech (UNTE.BO) on 4.6 million shares
* Reliance Natural Resources (RENR.BO) on 2.3 million
shares
STOCKS ON THE MOVE
* Axis Bank (AXBK.BO) rose 2.3 percent to 773.5 rupees
after it posted a better-than-expected 70 percent jump in
quarterly profit on Monday.
* Jewellery maker Gitanjali Gems Ltd (GTGM.BO) gained 5.3
percent to 97.60 rupees after it bought a majority stake in
U.S.-based diamond jewellery maker, Diamlink Inc.
FACTORS TO WATCH * For technical analysis double click on www.reutersindia.net * Indian rupee rises on capital inflow hopes [INR/] * India bond yields up on U.S. cues, calendar awaited [IN/] * Yen steady ahead of U.S. earnings, economic data [FRX/] * Oil rises above $60 amid equities rally; worries linger [O/R] * Asian shares find relief in Wall St rally [MKTS/GLOB] * Wall St flies with banks after analyst's comments [.N] * For closing rates of Indian ADRs
INADR (Reporting by Pratish Narayanan; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

