The key domestic benchmarks are likely to open lower today tracking a bearish trend in fellow Asian peers as concerns over a slowing global economy mar sentiment, curbing the appetite for risky assets. Asian markets tumbled as the IMF slashed its growth forecast for the world economy to 3.8 per cent next year from 4 per cent, warning over the impact of heightened geopolitical tensions and overheated stock markets. Further, German industrial output tumbled the most in more than five years in August 2014 while investors were cautious ahead of the FOMC minutes today where the US Federal Reserve may offer pointers over the timing to raise interest rates for the first time since 2006. China’s Shanghai Composite was trading tad lower after markets re-opened for the first time since October 1. Hang Seng fell while Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled as a stronger yen dimmed the appeal of exporter stocks. Back home, caution may prevail ahead of the start of the Q2 earnings season on Friday when Infosys will unveil its September quarter report card.
