Key notes that will impact markets today

India market

The BSE Sensex closed the day yesterday at 20026.61, with a marginal gain of 45.04 points and the Nifty closed the day almost flat. FMCG major HUL announced its results which were below expectations and on the other hand Bharti Airtel, telecom major, increased voice call rates which led to the jump in stock price. The second half of the earning season will be the next trigger to watch for the market, where many cyclicals and PSUs will announce their quarterly numbers, one needs to closely watch if they will be able to give Nifty more legs to the rally.

Also read: IMF chief urges big world economies to promote growth

Asian markets

Asian shares fell on Thursday as investors were cautious ahead of manufacturing data from China, while a sharp slide in Apple Inc shares following its earnings report also capped demand.

The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan eased 0.2 percent. The pan-Asian index's technology sector led the decline with a 0.6 percent slip. Asian markets were also focused on the HSBC China PMI data due at 0145 GMT. Confirmation of a recovery in manufacturing growth in China is likely to improve risk appetite and support wide-ranging markets, from commodities to currencies linked to commodities.

US

The US, stocks finished higher for the fourth-consecutive session, with the S&P 500 within striking distance of the 1,500 level and the Dow Jones closing at its best level in five years, lifted by a batch of stronger-than-expected earnings and the CBOE volatility index finished above 12.

European markets

European shares inched higher, with a key index moving back towards a near two-year high hit recently, although a bout of profit taking on banking and insurance shares limited the market's rise.

The IMF has downgraded the global growth forecast for the year to 3.5% from the prior estimate of 3.6%. The drag on the economy coming from the stagnation of the Japanese economy, the stubborn recession on the eurozone.

Dollar

Other asset classes, euro is hovering around 1.33. The dollar index is just shy of the 80 mark.

Crude

Brent crude is trading below USD 113 amid supply jitters. NYMEX is trading close to the USD 95 mark.

Gold

Gold is trading around USD 1682 levels.