Markets likely to open positive on firm global cues

Indian equities are expected to open higher mirroring the strength in global markets. At 8:30 am, the early indicator SGX Sensex is trading higher by 0.2%. The Nifty is expected to test the crucial 8,000 mark in today’s trades.

In the absence of any immediate economic trigger, traders would watch out for cues from the on-going winter session of the Parliament. Further, the policy review meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) summit on Friday are events to watch out for.

On Tuesday, the Reserve bank of India (RBI) maintained status quo on key benchmark rates following which the markets ended flat after trading range bound throughout the session.

Globally, the Asian markets are trading mostly in the positive zone. With Nikkei 225 trading flat with a negative bias while Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite up between 0.4-0.8% each.

Overnight, the Wall Street clocked 1% gains despite weak manufacturing data while European stock markets closed mixed ahead of the ECB meet.   

STOCKS IN FOCUS

The auto companies are expected to react in today’s trades after the companies posted its November sales, buoyed by Diwali, yesterday

Hero Motocorp: The two-wheeler maker reported a marginal increase in sales at 5,50,731 units in November.

Maruti Suzuki: The country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki, has reported an increase of more than 10 per cent in domestic sales during November.

M&M : Mahindra& Mahindra has reported a 36 per cent growth in November sales

Ashok Leyland: Commercial vehicles major Ashok Leyland Ltd said on Tuesday it closed last month logging 16% volume growth over the corresponding period last year.

TVS Motor: TVS Motor has company has reported a six per cent growth in sales in the domestic market during the month of November at 190,490 units as against 179,453 units, a year ago. Scooter sales grew by 22 per cent to 76,043 units in November 2015 from 62,223 units in November 2014

HDFC, United Spirits: HDFC has invoked 150,000 shares of United Spirits, valued at Rs 47 crore, owned by Vijay Mallya joining other private banks such as YES Bank to tighten hold on the liquor baron, struggling to repay debts raised to run the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

RIL, ONGC: International oil and gas consultant DeGolyer & MacNaughton (D&M)  produced its final report on the dispute between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Reliance Industries (RIL), establishing natural gas — believed to be worth Rs 11,000 crore — has migrated from idling Krishna-Godavari fields of the state-owned firm to the adjoining KG-D6 block.

Network18: TV18, a subsidiary of Network18 and Turner's CNN International, on Tuesday announced the extension of their collaboration on English news channel CNN IBN.