Maruti Suzuki Hits Lifetime High, Auto Stocks Surge on Strong Sales Hopes & IIP Data

• Maruti Suzuki shares reached a fresh all-time high, contributing to a 1% rise in the Nifty Auto index on December 30.
• Auto stocks surged amid expectations of robust double-digit year-on-year growth in December auto sales volumes.
• Analysts attribute anticipated strong sales to lower GST, new products, interest rate cuts, and improved finance availability.
• India's industrial production (IIP) data for November, showing a 6.7% rise (25-month high), also fueled the auto sector's rally.
• Hero MotoCorp, Ashok Leyland, and Bajaj Auto were among the top gainers, while Eicher Motors saw declines.

Why It Matters: Auto stocks, led by Maruti Suzuki, soared on strong December sales forecasts and robust industrial production.