Sensex to open gap-up

Headlines for the day

TCS to step up hiring as info-tech spending takes off - Business Line

Nalco to locate smelter project in East Kalimantan - Business Line

Britannia may go for another price revision - DNA Money

Mahindra to trump Ace with Maxximo - Business Standard

JSPL may raise offer for Australia's Rocklands - Business Standard

Events for the day

Major corporate action:

Ex-date for dividend of Nelco Ltd

Ex-date for reduction of capital of KMC Speciality Hospitals India Ltd.

Ex-date for consolidation of shares of RFL International Ltd

Weekly Inflation number

Pre-market report

Global signals

On Wednesday, the European stocks end its 6-day winning streak; a banking & pharma stock lead the losers pact. FTSE 100 closed 0.73% lower at 5398.

The US markets closed marginally higher on Wednesday. Nasdaq closed at 2291, 3 points higher.

In today's trade, all the Asian indices are trading higher. Nikkei, Kospi & Jakarta Composite closed today. At the time of writing this report, SGX Nifty trading higher by 17 points

Indian markets

Following the positive cues from the global market, the domestic indices are expected to open higher.

Among the local indices, the Nifty could test the 5214-5250 range on the up side, while on the down side it could find support at 5100 and 5150. While the Sensex is likely to get support at 17000 and may face resistance at 17494.

Indian ADR's

Indian ADRs trading on the US bourses showed mixed trend, among gainers Patni Computers surged the most by 2.09%, on other hand Rediff fell the most with loss of 2.31%.

Commodity cues

In the commodity space, wherein the Crude oil prices recorded marginal gain, with the Nymex light crude oil for February series rose by $0.13 to settle at $79.00 a barrel.

In the metals space, Comex Gold for February series sheds marginally by $6.10 to settle at $1092.00 to a troy ounce.

In the metals space, Comex Silver for March series declined by $0.33 to settle at $16.79 to a troy ounce.

Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities

On December 30, 2009, FIIs were the net buyers of the Indian Stocks in the tune of Rs384.50 crore (with the gross purchase of Rs1776.10 crore and gross sales of Rs1391.70 crore).

While the Domestic mutual funds, on December 24, 2009, were the net buyers of the stocks in the tune of Rs144.50 crore (with gross purchase of Rs713.90 crore and gross sales of Rs569.40 crore).