India shares ended higher on Friday, tracking gains in other Asian equities after the announcement of a new U.S. Federal Reserve chief.
Asian shares were mixed as investors assessed the latest news on U.S. tax-cut plans and looked ahead to Friday's American jobs report.
Apple suppliers gained in Asian trading after its forecast for holiday sales topped estimates, a likely positive for its many suppliers scattered across Asia.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.15 percent, to be just a whisker from its highest since late 2007. With Japan closed for a holiday, there may be little direction in Asian trading.
News that Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell would be the new head of the U.S. central bank was well flagged, but still something of a relief.
The S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.19 percent at 33,636 while the broader NSE Nifty gained 0.28 percent to 10,452.
Among the top Sensex gainers, State Bank of India added 3.2 percent, Axis Bank advanced 1.6 percent, HDFC gained 1.2 percent, Cipla rose 1 percent, Wipro was up 0.6 percent while Larsen and Toubro added 1.2 percent.
Bharti Airtel rose 1.3 percent after a block deal.
GE T&D India gained 2 percent after the company reported a 131 percent jump in its net profit for the September quarter.
Hathway Cable & Datacom hits 20 percent upper circuit after the company swung to a profit in September quarter.
Among the laggards, Andhra Bank fell 3 percent after the lender swung to a loss in September quarter.
Market breadth was in the favour of gainers, with about 2 stocks advancing to every 1 stock that declined.
