The domestic stock markets posted their highest close in two months by rising more than 1 per cent on Thursday, amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve would slow its pace of interest rate increase. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark index Sensex settled at 36,170.41, up 453.46 points or 1.27 per cent from the previous close, and the Nifty50 index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose 129.85 points or 1.21 per cent to close at 10,858.70. The indices were boosted by a surge in metal, financial services, banking and auto stocks. Short-covering of bets ahead of expiry of November series of derivatives also kept the market mood positive.