The key domestic benchmarks are tipped to open lower today tracking a bearish trend in Asian markets as caution persists ahead of the two-day US Federal Reserve policy meet beginning today where the world’s top central bank may offer some cues over the timing to raise interest rates for the first time since 2008. However, the first decline in US industrial output in seven months in August dampened speculation of earlier than expected US monetary tightening. China’s Shanghai Composite fell while Hang Seng was trading flat after China’s FDI slumped to a four-year low to USD 7.2 billion in August 2014, down 14 per cent from the year ago month, clouding the outlook for the world’s second biggest economy. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell as a stronger yen dimmed the appeal pf exporter stocks. Back home, a widening trade shortfall may weigh on Dalal Street. India’s trade deficit widened to USD 10.8 billion in August 2014 from USD 10.7 billion in the year ago month as gold imports surged.
