Pre-market: Markets are likely to see a cautious opening

Markets are likely to see a cautious opening today following global cues. For the rest of the day, markets may be volatile ahead of Thursday's F&O expiry.

According to technical analysts,  the NSE index is likely to seek support around 5,315-5,305, while face resistance around 5,350-5,365. The NSE Nifty ended in red for the third straight day. Following which, select momentum oscillators have turned bearish. The Stochastic Slow had turned negative couple of days back, and now the MACD too has turned negative. Going ahead, the Nifty is likely to witness considerable resistance around 5,370, while on the downside can slip to 5,250-odd levels.

Overnight in the US, mixed data led markets to a flat close. Dow slipped 22 points while Nasdaq added four points. In Asia, indices traded marginally in green with Shanghai Composite rebounding 1% after the last couple of day's losses. Nikkei was up marginally. At 700 Indian Standard Times, the SGX Nifty was up 7 points at 5,342.

Among individual stocks, Tata Steel has raised its stake in associate firm Tata Sponge Iron to 51% following purchase of 11.26% stake or 17.34 lakh shares through a voluntary open offer. This may bring the stock in limelight in trades today.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has said that the American health regulator has approved resumption of manufacturing operations at its US-based subsidiary, Caraco for two drugs after inspections of facilities early this year. Meanwhile, Wockhardt has received approval from US health regulator to sell generic ropinirole hydrochloride, which is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Both these pharma names will be in focus today.

The founders of auto components maker Bharat Forge are in talks with private equity firms to sell a $300 million stake in their wind energy firm, Kenersys, two sources familiar with the matter said.

IT firm Mahindra Satyam has partnered with global enterprise applications company IFS for joint sales and marketing activities of IFS' Applications software suite and staff training.