Asian shares are higher today as Japanese and Hong Kong shares show gains. The Nikkei 225 is up 0.5% while the Hang Seng is up 0.6%. The Shanghai Composite is trading up by 1.2%. US stocks closed sharply higher Friday as Wall Street shrugged off lackluster numbers in the government's monthly jobs report while shares of Apple hit an all-time high to lead the technology sector higher.

Back home, India share markets opened the day on a firm note. The BSE Sensex is trading up by 127 points while the NSE Nifty is trading up by 31 points. The BSE Mid Cap index and BSE Small Cap index both opened the day up by 0.4%.

Sectoral indices have opened the day on a mixed note with realty stocks and consumer durables stocks witnessing maximum buying interest. While, energy stocks and pharma stocks have opened the day in red. The rupee is trading at 66.77 to the US$.

In the news from the pharma sector. As per an article in a leading financial daily, TPG-backed Manipal Hospital revised its offer to acquire Fortis healthcare again. It has promised to infuse Rs 21 billion at Rs 160 per share, against an earlier proposal of Rs 18 billion.

TPG-Manipal used its exclusive agreement with Fortis that gave it the right to revise its proposal within five days after the bidding ends.

Reportedly, TPG-Manipal's move is triggered by at least two bidders, IHH Healthcare Bhd and a group led by businessman Sunil Munjal, who sweetened their offers for the assets of troubled Fortis Healthcare Ltd ahead of the 1 May deadline for submitting binding offers.

The Fortis board will now meet on 10 May to consider the recommendations of its external advisory committee (EAC), formed to evaluate the binding bids.

Manipal offered to subscribe to Rs 21 billion worth of shares of Fortis for “liquidity needs” like repaying existing loans and to meet working capital requirements.