Pre-market: Flat to positive opening likely

Watch out for Yes Bank,DCB,Coal India, RIL

Markets are likely to see a flat to positive opening on the back of positive global cues. At 0830 hrs, the SGX Nifty was up 10 points at 6,270.

In Asia, shares made guarded gains on Wednesday as surprising strength in U.S. consumer spending reassured investors the recovery in the world's largest economy had not been derailed, lifting the dollar and Wall Street.

A pullback in the yen was welcomed by Japanese shares, with the Nikkei bouncing 1.4 percent after suffering its sharpest daily drop in five months on Tuesday.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was dead flat.

Overnight, U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, erasing much of the previous session's steep drop, as a strong December retail sales reading eased concerns that economic growth might be slowing.

Core U.S. retail sales increased 0.7 percent in December from the prior month, flying past the 0.3 percent gain economists had expected. Fourth-quarter economic growth prospects were further boosted by a report showing retail inventories, excluding autos, increased 0.6 percent in November.

The data followed Friday's payroll report, which showed job growth for December that was sharply below expectations.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 115.92 points or 0.71 percent, to 16,373.86, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 19.68 points or 1.08 percent, to 1,838.88, and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 69.712 points, or 1.69 percent, to 4,183.016.

Stocks to Watch

Yes Bank, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv and DCB are expected to announce their Q3 numbers.

Coal India will be in spotlight as the board on Tuesday approved a special dividend for this financial year.

RIL is likely to react to news that the company is eyeing stake in two Venezuelan projects.

Financial Technologies, IOC and L&T will also be under spotlight.