Opening bell: Global mkts mixed; will Nifty hold 5900?

The BSE benchmark rallied more than 400 points in intraday trade on Thursday, driven by broadbased buying and rupee appreciation. The Sensex rose 384.92 points or 1.97 percent to close at 19902.07, and the Nifty advanced 129.65 points or 2.24 percent to 5909.70.

US Markets
Markets finished broadly lower with the Dow closing below the psychologically-important 15000 mark. Trading was jittery as speculation circulated that the US  could now face a worst case scenario, where Congress fails to address the debt ceiling and the country defaults.

A jarring warning from treasury predicting a catastrophic outcome if that happens added to the nervousness. The market recovered some of its losses around midday when house speaker John Boehner was reported to have told Republicans that he is determined to prevent a default and is willing to pass a measure through a combination of votes if need be. But then stocks dipped again on reports the Capitol building was under lockdown due to a shooting event, the situation was brought under control though. Asian Markets
Japan's equity market led the downfall in Asia on the final trading day of the week, after a sell-off was seen on Wall Street on the fourth day of the governmnet shutdown. Nikkei hit a new one-month low as Australia and Seoul closed lower. Chinese markets were shut. European Markets
European markets closed mixed The euro trades above 1.362 against the dollar, within striking distance of its 2013 peak of 1.37. Pushing higher for a second session as the dollar remains pinned at 8-month lows. Final nod for Jet-Etihad
All systems are a go for the Jet-Etihad deal. The cabinet approves Etihad's move to pick up 24% stake in Naresh Goyal's Jet Airways.
The Telecom Commission seeks clarifications from TRAI over its recommendations to cut the reserve price of spectrum. The commission will meet again by the end of this month. Telecom secretary says 900 megahertz spectrum will be auction in 3 circles by January next year.
Deal street gets a boost as Sebi lifts the prohibition on the inclusion of using put and call options in stake sale deals, but with riders. It also allows share purchase contracts with right of first refusal, tag-along rights or drag along rights. The Sebi board to take up the issue of foreign portfolio investors at its October 5 meeting. Other asset classes
In commodities, crude prices are flat too as concerns about the economic impact of the US Government shutdown offset constructive Chinese data and dollar weakness.
From precious metals space, gold prices tick higher in early Asia trade on the prevalent risk-off sentiment. Trading was above USD 1315 per ounce.