To access the newsletter, click on the link: http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/Indiamorning/MNC_IN_02232016.pdf FACTORS TO WATCH 9:15 am: Government to sell 5 pct stake in power company NTPC through offer for sale route on stock exchanges in Mumbai.

11:00 am: Budget session of parliament starts in New Delhi.

INDIA TOP NEWS  Most in India cenbank's external panel recommended rates stay on hold Four out of the five members in the Reserve Bank of India's external panel recommended the central bank keep interest rates on hold at its Feb. 2 policy review, given concerns about accelerating inflation.

 India races to sell $730 million stake in NTPC ahead of budget India will sell a 5 percent stake worth about $730 million in its top power producer NTPC Ltd, as the government races against time to raise funds via asset sales to meet this year's fiscal deficit target.

 Tata Motors renames hatchback Zica as Tiago Tata Motors Ltd said on Monday it has renamed its Zica hatchback as Tiago.

GLOBAL TOP NEWS  BHP Billiton slashes dividend, posts $5.67 billion net loss Top global miner BHP Billiton slashed its interim dividend by 75 percent on Tuesday, abandoning a long-held policy of steady or higher payouts as a collapse in prices for oil, iron ore and coal pushed it into the red.

 Economy and yen defuse "explosive" Chinese shopping in Japan Chinese tourists spent less in Tokyo shops during the Lunar New Year holidays compared with a year earlier, retailers said, as a stronger yen and slower economic growth at home discouraged the kind of "explosive buying" that became a buzzword in 2015.

 Canada's Brookfield, Australia's Qube weigh joint Asciano bid Consortiums led by Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc and Australia's Qube Holdings are considering joining forces to make a A$9 billion bid for Asciano Ltd, the Australian port and rail giant said.

LOCAL MARKETS OUTLOOK (As reported by NewsRise)  The SGX Nifty Futures was trading at 7,241.00, up 0.06 pct from its previous close.

 The Indian rupee will likely edge higher against the U.S. dollar, as an overnight rally in North American indices and strength in regional markets is expected to spill over to local shares, easing concerns of further foreign fund outflows.

 Indian sovereign bonds will likely edge lower, as investors may defer purchases ahead of a heavy supply of state government debt amid persistent concerns over New Delhi's fiscal consolidation plans. The yield on the benchmark 7.59 pct bond maturing in 2026 is likely to trade in a 7.75 pct-7.80 pct range today.