Markets may see a lower opening

Weak Asian cues may drag the Indian markets in the opening trade. SGX Nifty is also trading 17 points lower. Events for the day: Results: Bharat Electronics, Indraprastha Gas. Headlines for the day: AI loses around Rs500 cr, extends contingency plan till July. SBI to reduce lending rates to exporters soon. Reliance Life Insurance launches online life cover plan. EGoM to discuss spectrum price today. Indian Indices: The Asian cues look weak today and may drag the Indian markets in the opening trade. SGX Nifty is trading 17 points lower. On Wednesday (June 20, 2012), the Sensex settled at 16896, up by 36 points while Nifty closed at 5120, rising by 16 points. Global Indices: Asian stocks struggled on Thursday (June 21, 2012) after the Federal Reserve ramped up monetary stimulus by expanding 'Operation Twist', but disappointed some investors who were hoping for more aggressive measures. European shares closed at a fresh monthly-high on Wednesday (June 20, 2012), helped by a rise in banking stocks such as BBVA and Santander, as the expectations of new stimulus measures from central banks supported the equities. US Stocks fell briefly on Wednesday but then recovered most losses after the Federal Reserve voted to extend a program to stimulate the economy while offering no clues on further easing. Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities: The FIIs have been the net buyers Indian stocks to the tune of Rs142.10 crore on June 19, 2012. The domestic investors sold Indian shares worth a net of Rs12.20 crore on June 19, 2012. The data is as per the SEBI website. Commodity Cues: Crude oil fell on Wednesday, as euro zone worries festered and US crude inventory data showed a surprise stock build.