Markets are likely to start on a firm note following positive global cues with the Nifty likely to reclaim the 6,700 levels in day’s trade.
Early indicator, SGX Nifty was up 30 points at 6,750.
Meanwhile, Asian shares were subdued in early trade on Friday as markets held their breath ahead of the U.S. payrolls report later in the session – which could show the economy shaking off a severe winter.
The Asian markets drew scant impetus from Wall Street, which closed little changed ahead of the jobs report.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.1 percent in early trading, while Japan’s Nikkei stock average lost 0.2 percent. China’s markets are closed on Friday.
Overnight, The S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Thursday as investors paused ahead of Friday’s jobs report, though gains in Internet shares helped lift the Nasdaq.
The Dow eased back into negative territory for the year, a day after closing at its first record high of 2014.
The April jobs report, which is expected to show U.S. employment rose at its fastest clip in five months based on a Reuters survey of economists, could further confirm the economic momentum is back on track after a dismal winter.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.13 percent, to 16,559, the S&P 500 lost 0.01 percent, to 1,884 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.31 percent, to 4,127.
Stocks to Watch
Shriram City Union Finance and Piramal Enterprises: Piramal Enterprises to pick 10% stake in Shriram City Union Finance for Rs 800 crore.
Gail India: Higher subsidy burden after reports that Finance Minister P Chidambaram has agreed to subsidise only half the losses of state-owned oil refining companies for selling petroleum products below market prices in 2013-14
Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra: Decline in total sales in April.
Hero MotoCorp: Sales up 14.4% pct year-on-year
Aviation stocks: ATF (jet fuel) prices cut by a percent as international fuel price declines.
PTC Finance: Reported a whopping 91% jump in its profit after tax at Rs 46.36 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2014.
Bata India: Reported a muted rise in standalone net profit.
Grasim, HCC, Reliance Communications: Q4 numbers expected today.