Mumbai, Oct. 31 -- The stock markets opened on a steady note on Friday, with the benchmark indices trading marginally lower amid a lack of strong positive triggers.

The markets are currently being driven by hopes of a possible trade deal between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), along with expectations of bottoming out of earnings downgrades.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,863.80, down 14.05 points or 0.05 per cent, while the BSE Sensex began the day at 84,379.79, slipping 24.67 points or 0.03 per cent.

Market expert Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI, "Indian markets are steady for now but lack a positive catalyst with bottoming earnings downgrades and hopes for a EU and US trade deal the key drivers. O...