Flat to positive start likely

The Indian indices expect to open on a flat to positive note led by mixed Asian cues. SGX Nifty is also trading 8.50 points higher. Stock in news: Dr Reddy's acquires 80% shares in OctoPlus. Goldman, 5 others shortlisted for NTPC share sale. Two dead in IOC terminal fire at Hazira, Gujarat. Indian Indices: On the first trading day of the week, the Indian markets may open on a flat to positive note on account of mixed Asian cues. SGX Nifty is also trading 8.50 points higher. On Friday (January 04, 2013), the Sensex settled at 19784, up by 19 points while the Nifty closed at 6016, rising by 6 points Global Indices: Asian stock markets outside Japan edged up on Monday (January 7, 2013), supported by data showing that the US economy continued on a path of slow but steady recovery that had pushed Wall Street stocks to a five-year high. European shares set a 22-month high on Friday (January 04, 2013), buoyed by supportive data and led by rig contractor Transocean, which agreed to settle US government charges over BP's Gulf of Mexico oil spill. US stocks traded higher on Friday after the US Bureau of Labour Statistics said that the unemployment rate in the United States was unchanged in December at 7.8%. Daily trend of FII/MF investment in equities: The FIIs have been the net buyers Indian stocks to the tune of Rs1439.50 crore on January 03, 2013. The domestic investors sold Indian shares worth a net of Rs306.50 crore on January 03, 2013. The data is as per the SEBI website. Commodity Cues: Crude oil ended modestly higher on Friday ahead of a major pipeline expansion which analysts said will lead to still-higher prices for the benchmark contract.