Indian equity benchmarks ended higher on Monday, with the Nifty index hitting the 18,000 mark after nearly two months, boosted by gains in public sector banks and auto stocks ahead of quarterly earnings reports this week.

Dear Trader… Extending gains to a second straight session, Indian equity benchmarks closed at a near two-month high on Monday, amid across-the-board buying, with Capital Goods and Realty stocks in high demand. The markets started off the week on a strong note, as traders took encouragement with the National Statistical