Markets may fall at start

It is likely to be a lower opening on the back of negative global cues. Earnings will continue to pour in and may drive the sentiments.

Headlines for the day:

NMDC may acquire property in Australia.

Neyveli Lignite plans Rs5,000 crore power plant.

Honda expects normal output by March as parts supplies resume.

Four companies drop IPO plans despite strong markets



Events for the day:

Results: Allahabad Bank, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, GMDC, Indian Bank, LIC Hsg Finance

Indian indices

The Indian markets are expected to begin a new week on a negative note led by weak global cues on concerns about a weaker than expected US fourth quarter economic data. Also, uncertainty about a tentative deal to resolve Greece's debt crisis weighed on investor sentiment.

Earnings will continue to pour in. Other companies scheduled to announce results today —Havells India, Indiabulls Financial Services, United Phosphorus, NMDC and OBC.

Global signals

The European shares closed negative on Friday (January 27, 2012), as disappointing US economic data prompted investors to cash in January's gains, dragging the blue-chip index to its first weekly loss since mid-December. US GDP expanded at a 2.8% annual rate, a touch below economists' expectations for 3%, with a strong rebuilding of inventories and weak spending on capital goods hinting at slower growth this year in Europe's largest export market.

The US stocks closed mostly lower on Friday, capping its first losing week of 2012, after the government reported that economic growth was slower at the end of last year than economists expected.

The Asian stock markets fell on Monday (January 30, 2012), hurt by a slump in Mitsubishi Electric after the government suspended dealings with the firm, though news that Greece and its private creditors are on the verge of clinching a debt swap debt offered some support. SGX Nifty was trading 43 points lower.

Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities

The FIIs have been net buyers of the Indian stocks to the tune of Rs1172.20 crore on January 27, 2012. The domestic investors have sold Indian stocks worth a net of Rs209.20 crore on January 25 2012. The data is as per SEBI website.

Commodity cues

Crude oil edged lower on Friday, paring a weekly gain after weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth data sparked concerns over a slowdown in U.S. oil demand, while investors continued to eye developments surrounding the euro zone’s debt crisis and tensions between Iran and the West.