INDIA STOCKS-India stock benchmarks inch higher led by IT after Fed rate cut

Dec 11 (Reuters) - India's equity benchmarks inched higher on Thursday after three sessions of losses, led by gains in information technology stocks after the U.S. Federal Reserve's 25-basis-point rate cut.

The Nifty 50 .NSEI rose 0.1% to 25,781.6 and the BSE Sensex .BSESN added 0.11% to 84,472.02 as of 9:23 a.m. IST.

Eight of the 16 major sectors advanced. IT .NIFTYIT companies, which earn a significant share of their revenue from the U.S., rose 0.7%, after the Fed rate cut.

Lower U.S. rates make emerging markets such as India more attractive for foreign investors, besides helping boost client spending and demand for sectors such as IT.

Metal index .NIFTYMET gained 0.4%, tracking firmer metal prices on a weaker U.S. dollar.

A weaker U.S. dollar makes metals cheaper for holders of other currencies.

The broader small-caps .NIFSMCP100 and mid-caps .NIFMDCP100 opened flat.