With trading up on Nifty futures in the Singapore Exchange (SGX Nifty), translating to a significant loss in the market share for the National Stock Exchange (NSE), a standing council of experts was constituted by the government in 2013 to suggest measures for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian stock markets. While the council is expected to come out with its suggestions shortly, improving of competitiveness and regaining lost market share will involve policy initiatives on a range of systemic issues.

Gains in bank shares have lifted the Bank Nifty near its 52-week high on expectations of more reforms to push the economy on the growth track after Narendra Modi-led BJP emerged as the largest party in Maharashtra, the country's largest industrial State and is poised to form a government in Haryana after acquiring a majority.

State-owned banks which led the Bank Nifty include PNB, SBI, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank up 1.8-3.5% each.

Indian markets are closed on Wednesday due to assembly elections in the western Maharashtra state.

The benchmark BSE index fell 0.13 percent, or 34.74 points, to end at 26,349.33 on Tuesday. The broader NSE index lost 0.26 percent, or 20.25 points, to end at 7,864.

Reliance Industries is trading higher by nearly 2% at Rs 973 on BSE in early morning deals after it reported a better-than-expected consolidated net profit at Rs 5,972 crore for the quarter ended September 2014 (Q2) on back of improved gross refining margins (GRMs) and lower input costs. The company had registered a profit of Rs 5,873 crore during the same quarter last fiscal.

However, consolidated net sales declined 4.3% to Rs 113,396 crore from Rs 118,439 crore for the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal.

Bajaj Auto has gained around 3% after Bank of America-Merrill Lynch upgraded its stocks from "underperform" to "buy", citing higher volume and average selling prices, and increased contribution from dirt-bike making affiliate KTM.

Bajaj Auto, which is going to announce its Q2 earnings later Tuesday, is expected to see its net profit grow by 3% on an annual basis, according to market analysts.

Infosys is trading higher by nearly 2% at Rs 3,952, extending its Friday’s nearly 7% rally, after the company reported a better-than-expected consolidated net profit at Rs 3,096 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2014 (Q2) besides declaring 1:1 bonus.

The stock opened at Rs 3,898 and hit new high of Rs 3,959 on National Stock Exchange (NSE). A combined 1.92 million shares changed hands on the counter so far on NSE and BSE.

Foreign investors are anticipating a long-pending nod from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for an increase in foreign investment limit in HDFC Bank, going by the recent narrowing in premiums.

The premium between HDFC Bank's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and its local shares have seen a sharp reduction in the past month.

In a fresh list of terror outfits circulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to the stock exchanges, market entities have been asked to stay cautious about any funds or entities linked to the infamous ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) finding their way to Indian capital markets.

While no instance of any ISIS-linked activities in the Indian markets has come to the fore so far, the regulator has informed the stock exchanges about the updated Al-Qaida sanctions list of the United Nations Security Council, which has named various ISIS-linked entities in its new list. The stock exchanges have, in turn, informed their trading members about the updated sanctions list.

Markets continued to trade weak weighed down by select index heavyweights even as Infosys helped offset some of the losses on the back of better-than-expected earnings.

At 10:20AM, the 30-share Sensex was down 233 points at 26,404 and the 50-share Nifty was down 70 points at 7,891.

Markets extended gains and were trading near their day's highs after the first hour of trade led financials and capital goods shares coupled with a rebound in IT shares.

At 10:45AM, the 30-share Sensex was up 298 points at 26,545 and the 50-share Nifty was up 88 points at 7,930.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.