Indian equities expected to edge up

Indian markets are likely to edge upwards next week as hopes of a fresh stimulus from the government in the interim budget gain strength, dealers said on Friday. For the week to February 6, the benchmark 30-share Sensex index fell 1.32 percent or 123.38 points to 9,300.86.
The focus will also shift towards US markets, which could show more gains as the Senate moves closer to passing an economic stimulus package worth 900 billion dollars. Investor sentiment improved on hopes that the Indian government may consider a fresh stimulus package in its interim budget, which is due to be presented February 16. "The markets gathered strength from the International markets and on expectation of sops in the interim budget," said Alex Mathew, head of research at brokerage Geojit Financial Services.