‘Q4 earnings, macro data to drive markets’

Quarterly earnings from IT majors TCS and Infosys, macroeconomic data announcements and global trends would be the major guiding factors for the equity market in a holiday-shortened week ahead, analysts said.

Stock markets will be closed on Thursday for Mahavir Jayanti and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, as well as on Friday on account of Good Friday.

"This week is a holiday-shortened one but it's going to be critical as it kickstarts the earnings season with two IT majors, TCS and Infosys announcing numbers.

"Besides, on the macroeconomic front, participants will be eyeing IIP and CPI inflation data on April 12. Apart from domestic factors, global cues like updates on Russia-Ukraine and performance of global markets will remain on the radar," said Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

Markets would also focus on the trend in rupee, foreign institutional investors and Brent crude.

"The earnings session will kick off with results of major IT names TCS and Infosys which are scheduled on the 11th and 13th of April, respectively. Apart from earnings, global cues, crude oil prices, and FIIs' flow will play an important role in the direction of the market," said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart Ltd.

Last week, the Sensex slipped 170.49 points or 0.28 per cent, while the Nifty shed 113.90 points or 0.64 per cent.

Yesha Shah, Head of Equity Research, Samco Securities, said, "Inflation and results will take centre stage this week. While global investors will be influenced by inflation numbers of the United States and China, the CPI print in India will be an important domestic indicator to keep an eye on.