Pre-market: Five stocks to watch out for today

Global cues, F&O expiry to impact sentiment

The markets could drift lower in trade today tracking weak global cues. At the domestic level, the derivative expiry for September series on Thursday will also impact sentiment. Overnight, US stocks declined as investors sought a catalyst to justify further gains while the euro was under pressure on concerns about a bailout for debt-laden Spain.

Asian shares fell on Wednesday as protests in Spain underscored concerns about the country's financing difficulties and as investors refocus on slowing global growth after rallies sparked by easing measures from major central banks faded.

The MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5 percent. Tokyo's Nikkei average opened down 1.7 percent as a slew of stocks passed the deadline for buyers to gain rights to first-half dividends. At 705 am Indian Standard Time, the SGX Nifty was trading at 5,653  – down27 points.

STOCKS TO WATCH

Mahindra and Mahindra will invest Rs 1,500 crore to develop a new vehicle platform with its Korean subsidiary Ssangyong Motor.

RCF is the latest divestment candidate, with finance ministry proposing a 12.5% stake sale via the offer for sale (OFS) route.

NTPC became the first company to benefit from lower withholding tax on external commercial borrowing (ECB) when it raised $500 million on Monday through dollar-denominated senior unsecured 10-year bonds

SEBI on Tuesday cleared the government proposal to buy a majority stake in IFCI Ltd through conversion of debentures

HDFC Bank, India’s second largest private bank, has said it might also slash the minimum lending rate.

IL&FS is planning an IPO of its wind power unit in Singapore, said three people with knowledge of the matter.

Lanco Infratech will be entering into a fresh agreement with the MP government for supply of the entire 300 Mw power from its Korba power plant in Chattisgarh.