Pre-market: Markets likely open on a soft note

The Indian markets are expected to open on a quiet note following global cues. Overnight, US stocks were little changed in choppy trade on Thursday after manufacturing data came in stronger than forecast, but gains were capped as investors took a breather from the previous session's powerful rally.

By close of trade, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.21 per cent, 25.65 points, to 12,020.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 lost 0.19 per cent, 2.38 points, to 1,244.58.

Asian stocks were mixed Friday as markets consolidated Thursday's stellar gains ahead of the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report later in the global day. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average was up 0.3 per cent, while South Korea's Kospi Composite was trading flat.

Back home, the Nifty is likely to seek support around 4,900 – 4,875, while it can face resistance around 4,975 – 5,000 levels, analysts say. At 730 am Indian Standard Time, the SGX Nifty was trading at 4938, down 19 points.

Among individual stocks, Vivimed Labs could be in focus today on reports that it has acquired Uquifa, manufacturer of active pharma ingredients and intermediates for around 286 crore.

ACC that reported an over five per cent increase in sales for the month of November at 1.83 million tonnes is also likely to attract investor attention in trade today.

Hero MotoCorp is also likely to react to the news that the company registered a jump of 27.39 per cent in sales during November 2011 on yoy basis.