Pre-mkt: Markets likely to remain volatile

Markets may remain volatile in the holiday shortened week. The stock exchanges will remain shut on Wednesday and Friday on account of Holi and Good Friday. Global news and the futures and options expiry later in the week, will be watched for direction.

Bonuses at Wall Street firms will rise 15% this year despite ongoing pressure from investors, regulators and politicians about compensation levels, according to compensation-consulting firm Johnson Associates Inc.

In Asia this morning, the Nikkei has gained 1.2% at 12,492 as the yen fell against other major currencies amid abating concerns over a Cypriot bailout deal. The Seoul Composite is up 1.3% as well. At 630 hrs IST the SGX Nifty is trading at 5,667 - up six points.

In individual stocks, Coromandel International Limited, a manufacturer of fertilisers, crop protection and specialty nutrient products, has commissioned its third complex fertiliser plant at Kakinada  in Andhra Pradesh.

The construction work for the much awaited Industrial Park of Tata Steel near Gopalpur in south Odisha is expected to start from the next month as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has accorded Costal Regulation Zone  clearance to its anchor projects.

Look out for Bosch, as the global major in automotive components is shutting down its solar business. But, Bosch has promised to meet its commitments and timelines.

Videocon might be in focus. The Videocon group has planned to retire a substantial portion of its Rs 29,000-crore debt from the proceeds of the sale of its 10 per cent stake in a Mozambique gasfield, which could raise up to $3 billion (Rs 16,300 crore) by this month-end.