New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- Indian equities closed September on a positive note after two consecutive months of losses. The Nifty 50 gained 0.75 percent, rebounding from declines of 1.4 percent in August and 2.9 percent in July. The month saw sharp swings-early optimism from GST rate cuts, the US Fed's rate reduction, and renewed trade talks was overshadowed by concerns over Donald Trump's steep $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike and the imposition of 100 percent tariffs on pharma imports.

Broader indices also ended higher, with the Nifty Midcap up 0.4 percent and the Nifty Smallcap surging 1.5 percent. Sectoral performance, however, was mixed. Banking and financial stocks gained 2.5 percent each, while IT slumped over 5 percent. Auto and metals led t...