Pre- market: Five stocks likely to be in focus today

The SGX Nifty was lower by 17 points at 7,916 levels, at 0825 hours

Markets are likely to see a very volatile week ahead as investors will remain cautious on account of August derivative contract. Today the SGX Nifty was lower by 17 points at 7,916 levels, at 0845 hrs, IST.

Besides, trend in investment by overseas investors, global cues, movement of rupee against the dollar and crude oil price will be important triggers for the markets.

Stock market will remain closed on Friday for 'Ganesh Chaturthi'.

On the global front, Wall Street and other stock markets paused on Friday, halting the week's strong gains, as worsening Ukraine tensions dogged trading, while the dollar rose after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said policymakers eyeing interest rate hikes need to move cautiously.

Ukraine on Friday said Russia had launched a "direct invasion" of its territory after Moscow sent a convoy of aid trucks across the border into eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels are fighting government forces.

STOCKS TO WATCH

Betting big on the Mumbai's residential redevelopment market, Pune-based realty player Kolte-Patil Developers is expecting nearly 20-30 per cent of its revenues from this market in the next three years, a top company official said.

Adani Group is interested in buying out NDTV, has arrived at a valuation of Rs 600 crore for the news broadcaster.

GAIL will construct a natural gas pipeline between Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh and Haldia in West Bengal at an estimated investment of Rs.10,000 crore.

ITC has replaced Tata group's IT giant TCS as the country's most admired company on a Fortune magazine list, which has got as many as 19 new entrants including Cognizant, Birla group firm Idea Cellular and discom BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd.

Gitanjali Gems has seeked shareholders nod to raise up to Rs 175 crore.