Indian equity markets are set for an event-heavy week ahead, with investors closely tracking the onset of the December quarter earnings season, key domestic and global inflation data, and developments on the global macro and geopolitical front, analysts said, PTI reported.Quarterly results from several heavyweight companies across information technology, banking, financial services and energy sectors, including TCS and Infosys, are expected to provide the first major cues on corporate performance for the October–December period.“This week marks the start of the earnings season alongside a busy macroeconomic calendar. Investors will closely track India’s CPI inflation, WPI inflation,” Ajit Mishra, SVP – Research at Religare Broking Ltd, said, adding that results from major companies will be critical for near-term market direction.Global developments are also likely to remain firmly on investors’ radar. Mishra said markets would keenly watch the US Supreme Court verdict on the legality of Trump-era tariffs, which could emerge as a key sentiment driver, along with ongoing geopolitical developments.Currency movement and crude oil prices are expected to be other important variables during the week, analysts noted, given their influence on foreign fund flows and inflation expectations.“On the domestic front, the market is also entering the Q3 corporate earnings season, which will be a key near-term trigger for index direction and sectoral moves,” said Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst at Swastika Investmart Ltd.He said several heavyweight companies across indices are scheduled to announce results this week, including TCS, HCL Tech, Infosys, Jio Financial Services, Reliance Industries and Tech Mahindra.“Earnings commentary and management guidance from these leaders will play a crucial role in shaping market sentiment,” Gour added.The domestic equity market ended the previous week on a bearish note, weighed down by renewed US tariff threats, geopolitical tensions and persistent foreign fund outflows. The BSE benchmark Sensex declined 2,185.77 points, or 2.54 per cent, during the week, while the NSE Nifty slipped 645.25 points, or 2.45 per cent.Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said investors would closely track a host of inflation and macroeconomic data releases scheduled during the week.“India’s December CPI, WPI food and manufacturing inflation data, along with the US core CPI, retail sales and home sales numbers, will be released throughout the week. These data points will influence expectations around the pace and timing of monetary policy easing by major central banks,” he said.Such expectations, he added, have implications for global capital flows, currency movements and emerging market sentiment.Vikram Kasat, Head – Advisory at PL Capital, said Q3 earnings will take centre stage, particularly for IT stocks, as major players begin announcing results.“Any commentary from the US on trade policy and deal negotiations will also be keenly watched,” Kasat said.
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