HCL Tech in focus: 10 things you need to know before the opening bell

Global cues

US stocks rose on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 climbing to an all-time closing high after strong earnings from Bank of America and data signaled that the economy was improving. (Reuters)

Asian shares ticked higher on Thursday after a set of robust U.S. data and upbeat earnings from Bank of America helped squash concerns of a slowdown in the world’s largest economy following disappointing jobs growth in December.(Reuters)

The euro was steady at $1.3604, having fallen 0.5 percent in the previous session. Against the yen, the greenback was at 104.57 after gaining 0.3 percent overnight. (Reuters)

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Gold was up a tad at $1,242.40 an ounce, stabilizing after having hit a near one-week low of $1,234.10 on Wednesday as the dollar rallied. (Reuters)

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US crude futures added 0.2 percent to $94.33 a barrel, near a two-week high of $94.64 set in the prior day after US government data showed a larger-than-expected drop in inventories. (Reuters)

Stocks in news

TCS, HCL Technologies**,** as the companies announce October-December results today.

Banking stocks**,** after WPI inflation for December fell to five-month low raising hopes that the central bank is likely to pause the rate increase cycle. The RBI reviews its monetary policy on 28 January.

Development Credit Bank**,** after the bank reported good earnings.

Economy

WPI inflation for December hit a 5-month low of 6.16 percent.

The World Bank has projected India’s economy will grow over 6 percent in 2014-15 and 7.1 percent by 2016-17 as global demand recovers and domestic investment increases.