Buy or sell stocks, Sept. 2 -- The key benchmark indices of the Indian stock market snapped a three-day losing streak and kicked off September strongly, buoyed by upbeat Q1 GDP data. The Nifty 50 index opened higher and extended gains throughout the session, closing 198 points higher at 24,625. The BSE Sensex finished 554 points higher at 80,364, while the Bank Nifty index ended 346 points higher at 54,002.

Broader markets also saw robust buying, with the small-cap and mid-cap indices climbing over 1.5%. Sector-wise, the Nifty Auto index led the rally with a sharp 2.8% gain, followed by consumer durables, which rose 2.1%. Other sectors, such as IT, metals, energy, and oil & gas, advanced between 1.3% and 1.6%. Banks and financials posted...