Indian shares opened flat on Friday on caution ahead of inflation data scheduled later today that is likely to decide the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy stance next week.
The Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex index opened down 12 points to trade at 19,217.30 while the National Stock Exchnage's Nifty-50 index dropped 5 points to open at 5,846.90.
U.S. stocks tumbled on Thursday as uncertainty over the nation’s fiscal policy overshadowed upbeat economic data and moves by global central banks.The Dow dropped 75 points while Nasdaq shed 22 points in trade.
Asian shares also traded mixed with Shanghai Composite gained 3% to 2,119,Hang Seng up 0.5% to 22,564, Straits Times gained 0.2% to 3,163 while Nikkei fell 0.1% to 9,734.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index outside Japan fell 0.04% to 901 in morning trades.
Back home, capital goods, real-estate, power and metal indexes rose while banks and fast moving consumer goods sector led declines on BSE.
Among key Sensex stocks, ICICI Bank, ITC, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys dropped 0.4-1% while among gainers Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki rose 1% each while Bharat Heavy Electricals and Larsen & Toubro gained 0.7% on BSE.
The BSE mid-cap and small-cap indices rose by nearly 0.03-0.06%.
The overall breadth is positive as 418 stocks have advanced while 199 stocks declined on the BSE.
