The BSE Sensex lost a further 240 points to close at 9,329, thus sliding for the fourth consecutive session. The weekly sensex loss was taken to 771 points or 7.6% by the Friday's fall. Due to the day's slide, the investor's lost up to Rs 53, 000 crores with BSE market capitalization now at Rs 30.1 lakh crore.

It has also been learnt that the advance tax collections for the quarter were 22% less on a yearly basis. According to the market players, the government's announcement that advance tax collections were lower pointed to lower profitability for the corporates and hence the slide in the market.

Indian Stock markets opened positive on Friday. NSE Nifty was up by 32 points. Among major gainers were Reliance Petro, Satyam Computers, Suzlon Energy, Unitech and HDFC.

Major losers on NSE were HCL Tech, Power Grid, NALCO, Siemens and Hero Honda.

HDFC Securities research report expects markets to open strong and remain rangebound for the trading session.

ICICI Direct suggests strong support for NSE Nifty at 2890 and 2870. The immediate resistances for Nifty are 2920 and 2940.

Tokyo - Stocks in Tokyo inched up Thursday after Wall Street gains on encouraging data on US consumer spending.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 36.03 points, or 0.42 per cent to 8,553.13 by mid-trading. Trading volume was low as investors were absent because of the Christmas holidays.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues rose 5.23 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 832.22.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 90.49-54 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 90.36-39 yen.

Tokyo  - Stocks in Tokyo closed lower Wednesday, after Toyota Motor Corp, Japan's largest automaker, projected its first operating loss in 71 years for the current business year.

Following a slump on Wall Street which was dragged down by falling US home prices, the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average was down 206.68 points, or 2.37 per cent to 8,517.1.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues fell 21.74 points, or 2.56 per cent, to 826.99.

Toyota said Monday it expected an operating loss for the business year through March 31. Stock markets in Tokyo were closed for a public holiday on Tuesday.

Indian stock markets continue to represent a weak outlook ahead of F&O expiry.

Huge selling action was witnessed across all sectors except BSE Bankex and PSU.

The 30-share-index BSE Sensex, today (Dec 24), belled the day negatively at 9,626.07, down 60.68 points, as against a drop of 2.43% on the previous working day.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap were also trading in negative terrain after losing 0.83% and 0.91% respectively.

Indian equities opened weak today, (Dec 23), following disappointing worldwide shores prior to December F&O expiry.

Auto, consumer goods and metal stocks traded flat.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index fell 0.35% and 0.20% respectively.

Asian stocks also dropped down as a smaller-than-forecast interest rate cut in China and an economic growth report in New Zealand fanned worries that a global recession is becoming deeper.