Today, the markets are likely to make an optimistic start following firm global cues. Also, traders will be getting support from the report that net direct tax collection in the April-Feb period of 2017-18 showed a whopping 19.5% growth from the year ago period to Rs 744,000 crore. The SGX Nifty is indicating that the Nifty could open with gains of 40 points around 10,278 at the opening bell.