Markets set for positive opening

The Indian markets may extend previous session’s rally in today’s trade led by gains in the Asian region. F&O expiry may lead to a volatile session

Headlines for the day

Power Grid board okays two projects worth Rs1,682 cr

Jaypee to launch open offer for Andhra Cements shares today

Cabinet gives final nod to Cairn-Vedanta deal

GMR withdraws Croatia airport bid, looks to Brazil

SBI may soften lending rates in select sectors

RBI asks govt to free diesel prices



Events for the day:

F&O Expiry for the month of January

Kirloskar Oil Engines Board to consider buy-back

Results: Bank of Baroda, IRB Infra, REC, Tata Comm

Indian indices

Volatility may take the centrestage due to F&O expiry for the month of January 2012 today. The opening is likely to be on a positive note inline with the higher Asian indices. Attention turned from the Greek debt talks to corporate earnings and the Fed meeting in the United States.

Other earnings scheduled to release today — Alstom Projects India, Indian Hotels Co., Oracle Financial Services Software, Sesa Goa, Tata Global Beverages, Union Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, Patni, JSW Holdings, Supreme Industries, Marg and PFS.

Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities

The FIIs have been net sellers of the Indian stocks to the tune of Rs12.80 crore on January 24, 2012. The domestic investors have sold Indian stocks worth a net of Rs157.30 crore on January 23 2012. The data is as per SEBI website.

Global signals

The European shares fell on Tuesday (January 24, 2012), as the region's finance ministers failed to agree on a debt-swap deal for Greeceand called for a greater contribution from bondholders.

The US stocks were mixed on Tuesday, as investors eyed a standoff in Greece's debt-reduction talks and mixed quarterly earnings reports from a basket of major companies.

The Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday (January 25, 2012), boosted by gains in blue-chip exporters like Toyota Motor, while market attention turned from the stalled Greek debt talks to a Federal Reserve meeting later in the day. SGX Nifty was trading 38 points higher. Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng indices were shut.

Commodity cues

US Crude Oil prices declined on Tuesday on revived concerns about the euro zone's debt problems and their potential to slow the global economy, but tensions between Iran and the West helped limit losses.