Indian Indices:

The key domestic benchmarks are likely to open on a softer note tracking a mixed trend in Asian markets. SGX Nifty is trading 19.00 points higher.

Events for today:

Results: Crisil, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals

Indian shares fell on Wednesday to mark their lowest close in 2-1/2 weeks as software stocks slumped on caution ahead of India’s top IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services’ quarterly results later in the day. The BSE Sensex slipped 0.92% and NSE Nifty fell 0.90%.

On Wednesday (April 16, 2014) Sensex closed at 22277.23, down by 207.70 points, while the Nifty fell 60.55 points to close at 6672.55.

Global Market

Asian share markets eked out gains on Thursday as dovish comments from the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve combined with an upbeat economic assessment from the central bank to lift Wall Street for a third straight session.

US stocks rallied Wednesday, and three days of gains sent the benchmark S&P 500 into positive territory for the year.

European shares rose on Wednesday, reversing the previous session’s slide after economic growth data from China came in a touch above forecasts.

Major Headlines of the day

Piramal to buy 20% in Shriram Capital for Rs2,000 cr.

TCS to hire 55,000 for FY15; average salary hike of 10%.

Tata Power plans to add 646.7 MW from clean energy sources.