Bernstein Research has adopted a circumspect yet measured outlook on the Nifty 50 index, India's premier stock market benchmark, predicting a modest 8-9% return for the index this year.

Mphasis Limited has been suggested as a Long Term BUY Call by senior research analyst Nirali Shah from SAMCO Research. The stock has been recommended as a BUY on declines.

Indian markets ended the week with mixed sentiments among investors.

Washington - Two US stock indices dropped more than 3 per cent in early morning trading Thursday, pulled down by a jump in interbank borrowing costs and reports of a worsening economy.

The decline came despite the vote of confidence by the US Senate late Wednesday for a second version of the finance rescue plan.

The US House of Representatives is to vote on Friday for the version after dealing a stunning defeat to the first version on Monday and sending stocks in a 7-per-cent-plus dive.

New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensex index rose 3.67 per cent Friday, its biggest rise in the past four weeks, as traders bought up stocks after the country's inflation rate declined.