The decision of the G7 leaders to intervene in the currency markets to curb the yen’s rise supported markets worldwide

The local market is likely to open in the green as Japan stepped up efforts to restore power at a damaged nuclear power plant. The development boosted markets in Asia, which were trading in the positive zone in early trade on Friday. Overnight Wall Street closed with decent gains on easing of worries in Japan and a fall in initial jobless claims. The SGX Nifty was 13 points higher at 5,492 compared to its previous close of 5,479.

The market opened lower on Thursday, tracking the Asian markets that were trading in the red on concerns over developments in Japan and West Asia, and their impact on the global recovery. During the day, the Sensex hit a high of 18,354 and the Nifty went up to 5,510 before the announcement of the credit policy. But after the credit policy announcement the Sensex went down to hit a low of 18,104 and the Nifty was down to 5,435. Eventually, the Sensex closed at 18,150, down 209 points and the Nifty closed at 5447, a loss of 65 points.

Markets in the US closed higher on Thursday, breaking the three-day declining streak after the Group of Seven (G7) leaders suggested intervention in the currency market to curb the strengthening yen. Japan’s efforts to restore power supply to a damaged nuclear power plant supported investor sentiment.

In economic news, the Labor Department said on Thursday its Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% last month, the largest gain since June 2009, after increasing 0.4% in January. Core CPI—excluding food and energy—rose 0.2% after a similar rise in January. On the other hand, initial claims for unemployment benefits fell 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 385,000 last week, in line with expectations, hinting at a strengthening in the labor market.

The Dow gained 161.21 points (1.39%) at 11,774.51. The S&P 500 rose 16.81 points (1.34%) at 1,273.69 and the Nasdaq added 19.23 points (0.73%) to close at 2,636.05.

Markets in Asia were in the positive terrain in early trade on Friday after G7 leaders agreed to intervene in the currency market to curb the rise in the yen even as Japan stepped up efforts to restore power at a damaged nuclear power plant, easing fears of radiation. The positive outlook in Japan also supported gains in other markets across the region.

The Shanghai Composite was up 0.63%, the Hang Seng gained 0.40%, the Jakarta Composite rose 0.64%, the KLSE Composite added 0.15%, the Nikkei 225 surged 1.77%, the Straits Times rose 0.18%, the Seoul Composite surged 0.87% and the Taiwan weighted advanced 1.08% in early trade.

However, developments in Libya and the Middle East remains a cause for concern as crude prices rose once again. The United Nations Security Council on Thursday voted to foil Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s air force and to grant military authority to the US and its allies to protect civilians in the trouble nation.

US crude for April delivery on the Nymex settled up $3.44, or 3.51%, at $101.42 a barrel on Thursday, after rallying to $101.99. It was also the biggest one-day percentage gain. Brent crude for May delivery advanced $4.30, or 3.9%, to $114.90.

Back home, the Union Cabinet has approved the tabling of a revised Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill in the current session of Parliament. It has also decided to push for the passage of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment Bill, 2009 in this session, which is to end on 25th March.

The PFRDA Bill seeks to grant statutory status to the pension sector regulator, while the SBI (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Bill would enable the five associate banks of SBI to raise their capital by issuing equity shares through the public or preferential allotment/private placement.