Markets may open higher; L&T, HDFC Bank, IT stocks in focus

Boost generated by US Fed's stance on key-interest rates continues to propel global equity markets

Markets are likely to open higher, amid firm global cues, tracking gains in their Asian peers and rally in shares on Wall Street for the second straight session.
 
At 8:30AM, the early indicator SGX Nifty was up 60 points at 8,232.
 
After receiving cabinet approval, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitutional Amendment Bill is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
 

Meanwhile, selling by foreign institutional investors continued and they were net sellers in Indian equities worth Rs 874.89 crore on Thursday, as per provisional stock exchange data.
 
Asian markets have extended gains from yesterday as the boost generated by US Fed's reiteration to maintain its stance on key-interest rates continues to propel global equity markets. Japanese Nikkei has gained around 2% ahead of the Bank of Japan policy meeting scheduled to be held on Friday.

 
Overnight, US markets ended higher for second straight session boosted by the surge in technology shares. Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasadaq Composite indices closed the day with gains of around 1.6% each.
 
Stocks to Watch

L&T will be in focus as the company has completed the definitive investment agreement with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) for investment of Rs 2,000 crore in the engineering firm.
 
Tata Motors may come under pressure as according to media reports, Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 1,571 Jaguar XJ luxury sedans in the United States for a possible braking issue.

 
HDFC Bank is in news as the bank seeks approval from FIPB to raise Rs 10,000 crore through sale of shares.
 
IT stocks, like TCS, Wipro and Infosys, may witness sentimental uptick as Accenture has posted strong Q1 results.
 
Spicejet has restored some normalcy to its operations after operating nearly 230 flights on Thursday.
 
Crompton Greaves may attract investors after RBI allowed RFPIs and FII to invest upto 100% in the company.
 
Linc Pencils and Plastics will be in focus after receiving a rating upgrade from CRISIL.