Pre-market action: Here's the trade setup for today's session

Domestic markets ended at fresh all-time highs amid short covering, improving investor’s sentiments towards the election outcome and healthy macros highlighted by the record dividend payout by RBI.

"We expect this Positive momentum to continue on the back of an improving political environment, continued short covering by FIIs, and strong domestic macros. Sectors like Defence, Banking, and Railways are expected to remain in focus," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal.

Here's breaking down the pre-market actions:

STATE OF THE MARKETS

• Tech View: On the higher end, above 23000, the index might move towards 23500 in the short term. On the lower end, support is placed at 22800; the strength could remain intact as long as it remains above 22800, said Rupak De of LKP Securities.
• India VIX: India VIX, which is a measure of the fear in the markets, fell 0.41% to settle at 21.38 levels.

Stocks in F&O ban today

1) Bandhan Bank

2) AB Capital

3) ZEE

4) Balrampur Chini Mills

5) Metropolis

6) IEX

7) Nalco

8) PEL

9) PNB

10) Hindustan Copper

11) India Cements

Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95% of the market-wide position limit

FII/DII action
Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers at Rs 4,670 crore on Thursday. DIIs, meanwhile, bought shares worth Rs 146 crore.

Rupee
The rupee rose 5 paise to settle at 83.28 against the US dollar on Thursday amid softening crude oil prices.

FII data
The net short of FIIs reduced from Rs 2.19 lakh crore on Wednesday to Rs 98,000 crore on Thursday.

Q4 results
NTPC, Hindalco, United Spirits, Ashok Leyland among others will announce their fourth quarter earnings on Thursday.