<h1>Equity benchmarks rebound as IT stocks gain, trade optimism and US rally offset retail inflation at 1.54%</h1> Equity benchmarks rebounded in early trade, led by buying in major IT stocks and optimism over bilateral trade talks between a South Asian country and a North American country, supported by a strong US market rally. Retail inflation slipped to an eight-year low of 1.54% in September, below the central bank's comfort zone due to softer vegetable, fruit and pulse prices. A leading IT firm reported flat quarterly consolidated profit with sequential growth, while select industrials and energy-related firms rose and some auto, finance, banking and pharmaceutical counters lagged. Foreign investors were net sellers and Brent crude inched up.