Sensex, Nifty to open on a flat note

US indices moved up smartly boosted by rising crude prices and powered by Google’s Alphabet and Amazon among others. Asian markets are mostly flat with Japan's Nikkei trading half a percent higher. China's Shanghai Composite is up marginally and so is Hong Kong's Hang Seng index. South Korea's Kospi is a tad lower.

As we approach the fag end of the year, the market has been generous in terms of maintaining key levels.  An uneasy calm appears ahead of the F&O expiry even though no storm is likely soon. F&O data suggests that Nifty rollovers stood at 44% on D-2 day. Aggressive longs build up was seen in Nifty Bank. With majority of rollovers still pending, volatility might be in store on the expiry day.

The outlook is a flat start. US indices moved up smartly boosted by rising crude prices and powered by Google’s Alphabet and Amazon among others. Asian markets are mostly flat with Japan's Nikkei trading half a percent higher. China's Shanghai Composite is up marginally and so is Hong Kong's Hang Seng index. South Korea's Kospi is a tad lower.

Post the F&O expiry, market participants will have to contend with the fiscal deficit data for the month of November. Investors will of course pay immediate attention to the host of data that comes from car sales besides keeping track of December PMI.

Reliance Mutual Fund has increased its stake in Indian Hotels to nearly 8%, says a report.

HDFC Bank reduced it base rate by 5 basis points to bring it down to 9.30% from the 9.35 percent earlier effective January 4, 2016.

Foreign Investment Promotion Board approved 4 FDI proposals worth Rs. 1,800 crore, according to reports.

Bharti Airtel Ltd has announced that it has acquired 74% capital of Augere. With the aforesaid acquisition, Augere has become a subsidiary of Airtel.