Pre-market: Global cues may take Sensex higher

Markets are likely to open higher on the back of cues from US and Asian peers.

US markets rose on hopes of a good performance by corporates in the present quarter. The Dow gained 85 points to 12,171. The S&P jumped 12 points to 1,309. Nasdaq was up 1.5% at 2,736. Analysts expect earnings estimate to help overcome the worries of West Asia crisis.

Asian markets also moved up. Nikkei, after two consecutive days of ending in the red, gained 1% in morning trades to 9,529. Hang Seng jumped 0.8% to 23,107.

Outsource shares and improved investor sentiment after crude prices edged lower, pushed markets higher on Thursday. Sensex gained 145 points at 18,351. Nifty added 42 points at 5,522.