Mumbai, Sept. 12 -- The domestic equity benchmarks closed higher on Friday, with the Nifty 50 ending above 25,100 and marking its eighth straight gain. Hopes of easing India-US trade tensions and softer US labour data lifted sentiment. Expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week added support. Reports that the EU may reject US tariff proposals on India also helped the mood. Traders awaited India's CPI inflation data later in the day. Metals and financial services stocks gained, while FMCG and PSU banks slipped. Defence shares rallied after authorities began talks for six next-generation submarines.

The S&P BSE Sensex added 355.97 points or 0.44% to 81,904.70. The Nifty 50 index rose 108.50 points or 0.43% to 25,114. In eight tra...