MUMBAI: Indian shares are expected to extend their losses into a second session on Thursday as investors take profits after a 17.5 percent post-electionrally earlier this week.

Sentiment will also be weighed down by weak Asian markets, which fell as optimism over the global economic recovery waned after the U. S. Federal Reserve cut economic growth forecasts, traders said.

Investors will watch inflation data, which is expected to have risen in early May due to a rise in prices of some primary articles and manufactured goods. The data is due around midday (0630 GMT).

India's second-largest motorcycle maker, Bajaj Auto lt;BAJA. BOgt; will be on the radar ahead of its fourth-quarter and full-year results.

State Bank of India lt;SBI. BOgt; and engineering conglomerate Larsen amp; Toubro lt; LART. BOgt; could face resistance after they soared 35-36 percent this week on hopes the new government will push asset sales and infrastructure spending, but there are concerns the market may be over bought.

Nifty futures traded in Singapore lt; SINc1gt; were down 0.9 percent, pointing to a lower opening in India

Japan's Nikkei lt;. N225gt; was down 1.3 percent by 0351 GMT,while MSCI's measure of other Asian markets lt;. MSCIAPJgt; fell 0.8percent

On Wednesday, the 30-share BSE index lt;. BSE SNgt; ended down1.69 percent, or 241.37 points, at 14,060.66, snapping a three-day winning streak.

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