Markets open marginally lower tracking Asian cues

Markets have started the trading session on a marginally lower note trading weak Asian cues. The Sensex opened at 18,863 mark down 55 points whereas the Nifty dipped 23 points at 5,697 levels.

Benchmark US share indices firmed up on Friday on the back of better-than-expected US manufacturing data and consumer sentiment indicating signs of an economic recovery.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 35 points at 14,090. S&P 500 ended gained 4 points at 1,518 and Nasdaq Composite ended up 10 points at 3,170.

Asian shares eased on Monday, with sentiment hurt by a patchy global growth outlook and weak data from Europe, but losses were limited as robust US economic figures overshadowed worries about automatic spending cuts hurting the US economy.