Pre-market: Sensex to see a cautious opening

Markets are likely to open on a lacklustre note, taking cues from global peers.

US markets ended marginally in the green ahead of an eventful weekend as worries remained whether European leaders could reach a deal on further strengthening the region's rescue fund. Dow Jones added 37 points to 11,541. S&P 500 went up by six points to 1,215.

Asian markets were also in the green. The Hang Seng 0.4% to 18,053. Seoul Composite and Straits Times are up around 1% each.

On Thursday, markets in India closed on a soft note on weak global cues. Sensex ended weaker by 148 points at 16,936 and the Nifty shut shop at 5,091, down 47 points.

The food price index rose 10.60% and the fuel price index climbed 15.17% in the year to October 8. In the previous week, annual food and fuel inflation had stood at 9.32% and 15.10% respectively.

The stocks to look out for today are Maruti Suzuki and Ultratech Cement. The auto major's strike has come to an end at its Manesar plant early this morning.

Ultratech Cement has posted a two-fold jump in September 2011 at Rs 279 crore. NIIT, Larsen-and-Toubro, Asian Paints, Blue Dart and JSW Steel are set to announce their quarterly results later in the day.