10 things you need to know before the opening bell

The S&P 500 and Dow snapped five-day losing streaks on Thursday on positive job market data but gains were limited as investors worried if Washington lawmakers would pass bills to avoid a government shutdown and possible U.S. debt default on time.

Asian shares were mixed with Both Japanese shares and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan little changed in early trade.

The dollar held firm in early Asian trade after US jobless claims figures pointed to a improving labor market, reviving expectations of a reduction in US monetary stimulus.

Gold slipped for a second session on Friday and was on track for its fifth weekly drop, hit by persistent uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s stimulus outlook. Spot gold eased 0.2 percent to $1,320.79 an ounce by 0025 GMT, bringing the week’s losses to 0.3 percent. The metal has fallen over 5 percent in as many weeks.

SGX Nifty futures were down a marginal 0.03 percent at 5938, indicating a flat opening for domestic shares.

Stocks in news

Financial Technologies, after news that the CBI will probe the irregularities at the company.

Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers, as a battle for control of the company brews between Shailesh Mehta of Deepak Ferlisers and Vijay Mallya

Wipro and Reliance Infra as the NSE has informed that Wipro will replace Reliance Infra in the Nifty.

Infosys, after news that LIC has brought down its stake in the IT company.

Economy news

RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has questioned whether current ultra-low interest rates are the right way to return to growth after the financial crisis. He said revival of growth after the crisis has been disappointing and it was time to ask if there were better tools than the rock bottom rates used by major central banks in the rich world.