Sensex to open gap-up

Headlines for the day

Shree Renuka buys 51% in Brazil sugar firm - Business Standard

Export subsidies unlikely to be reduced - Business Standard

Toyota India to double sales in 2011 on the back of Etios - Business Standard

Ansal revives SEZ plan with Haryana agro/food project - DNA Money

Power-play gains for Godawari Power - DNA Money

Events for the day

Major corporate action

Ex-date for Interim dividend of Anuh Pharma Ltd.

Ex-date for Interim dividend of Sterling Tools Ltd.

Ex-date for Final dividend of Castrol India Ltd.

Man Infraconstruction Ltd. IPO closes today

Pre-market report

Global signals

The European shares closed higher on fifth straight session and hit a three-week closing high on Friday, as positive earnings reported by the banks. FTSE 100 closed 0.62% higher at 5358.17.

On Friday, US markets were closed on flat notes as interest rates concern continues. Dow Jones closed higher by 0.09%; while Nasdaq closed 0.10% higher.

In today's trade, All the Asian indices are trading in positive territory. At the time of writing of this report SGX Nifty trades 69.50 points higher.

Indian markets

Owing to the strong global cues, Indian markets are set to open higher and remain volatile throughout the session.

Among the local indices, the Nifty could test the 5100-5200 range on the up side, while on the down side it could find support at 4750 and 4800. While the Sensex is likely to get support at 16100 and may face resistance at 16400.

Indian ADR's

Among the Indian ADRs trading on the US bourses, Rediff surged the most with gains of 0.7%, while Tata Motors and Wipro slid the most with loss of 1.92% and 1.18% respectively.

Commodity cues

In the commodity space, wherein the Crude oil prices recorded marginal loss, with the Nymex light crude oil for March series down by $0.69 to settle at $80.50 a barrel.

In the metals space, Comex Gold for April series rose by $3.30 to settle at $1122 to a troy ounce.

In the metals space, Comex Silver for March series up by $0.35 to settle at $16.41 to a troy ounce.

Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities

On February 19, 2010, FIIs were the net sellers of the Indian Stocks in the tune of Rs28.90 crore (with the gross purchase of Rs22048.30 crore and gross sales of Rs2077.20 crore).

While the Domestic mutual funds, on February 18, 2010, were the net sellers of the stocks in the tune of Rs132.20 crore (with gross purchase of Rs446.30 crore and gross sales of Rs577.50 crore).