Funds eye 15 pct '05 return from Indian stocks

By Denny Thomas

BOMBAY, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Foreign fund managers are betting India's stock market, which struck a record high this week, could be Asia's best performer among major markets in 2005, offering returns of more than 15 percent.

Rising incomes in a growing economy are funding a splurge on houses, cars, consumer goods and travel among the nation's 300 million-strong middle class, boosting corporate profits.

Although pushed by Hong Kong into second place ...