Equity indices likely to have lower opening, taking cues from global markets

Share Market Updates Today: Indian equity benchmarks are expected to stage a slightly lower opening, taking cues from the global markets. Asian stocks fell in early trades as Japan's Nikkei fell 0.74 per cent and South Korea's Kospi moved 0.77 per cent lower, China's Shanghai Composite fell 0.16 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.45 per cent. Wall Street fell over night. Foreign institutional investors sold net of 1,241. Domestic investors purchased 388.85 crore worth of shares on Wednesday, a price of 87 crore equities, as per provisional NSE data.

The S&P 500 index fell by 0.19 per cent to 3,933. Nasdaq moved 0.51 per cent lower to close at 10,958. Dow Jones was up 0.004 per cent higher to settle at 33,597, down from a previous high of 0.004 per cent. The ban on F&O Futures and Options is on effect for GNFC, Indiabulls Housing Finance and Punjab National Bank PNB. Stocks are placed under a F&O ban when the securities cross 95 per cent of the market-wide position limit.

Foreign institutional investors FIIs sold 1,241. Domestic institutional investors DIIs bought more than 388.85 crore worth of shares on December 7, according to provisional NSE data.

The opening for domestic markets was slightly lower according to the trend on the SGX Nifty. The SGX Nifty Futures on Singapore Exchange also fell 12 points or 0.06 per cent to trade at 18,660.

The benchmark BSE Sensex had declined 215 points or 0.34 per cent to close at 62,411 on Wednesday, while the broader NSE Nifty had moved 82 points or 0.44 per cent to settle at 18,561.