Positive global cues may lift markets at start

The Indian markets are set to begin trade on a positive note led by positive global cues. SGX is Nifty trading 15 points higher. Events for the day: Ex-date for dividend of NIIT, NIIT Technologies, South Indian Bank and TTK Prestige. Headlines for the day: CCD's Siddhartha raises stake in MindTree to 21.78%. HPCL stops fuel supply to KFA, resumes after payments. Vodafone cuts 3G rates by up to 80%. AI executive pilots want management to end strike. FDI declines 41% to $1.8 bn in April. Indian Indices: Today, the Indian markets may open on a flat note tracking mixed global cues. SGX Nifty is trading 15 points higher. On Tuesday (June 19, 2012), the Sensex closed at 16860, up by 154 points while Nifty settled at 5104, rising by 39 points. Global Indices: Asian stock markets surged on Wednesday (June 20, 2012) as investors bet that Europe's worsening debt crisis and faltering global growth will prompt major central banks to launch a new round of monetary stimulus. European equities edged higher on Tuesday (June 19, 2012), with weak German data bolstering expectations for market-friendly stimulus from European policymakers. US Stocks rallied on Tuesday on hopes that the Federal Reserve's policymakers will agree on extending stimulus measures as the economy struggles to recover. Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities: The FIIs have been the net sellers Indian stocks to the tune of Rs592.90 crore on June 18, 2012. The domestic investors sold Indian shares worth a net of Rs38.30 crore on June 18, 2012. The data is as per the SEBI website. Commodity Cues: Crude oil rose on Tuesday due to the influence of outside markets--and expectations the US Federal Reserve will disclose some sort of stimulus after its policy-making meeting concludes Wednesday.