What are the major trading cues and signals that you expect from the coming week starting on 29 March 2021?

The following are some of the key triggers for the coming week from 29 March to 02 April.

· Sensex ended 850 points dragged by heavyweights, and this could remain an overhang next week. However, this will be a truncated week with 2 trading holidays and bank closing holiday too. The good news is that the VIX is down again to 20.65 levels.

· COVID cases in Maharashtra rose to record levels of 35,000 per day, compared to 68,000 cases on all-India basis. This has led to night curfew and there is a fear of more restrictions. Meanwhile, Europe sees third wave of COVID and that is not great news.

· Oil prices could predicate on what happens to the Taiwanese ship, Ever Given, which is currently stuck in the Suez Canal. The 400 metre liner has blocked the Suez Canal, which accounts for 10% of world trade and that has led to oil bounce back again.

· It was not a great week for IPOs. IPO listings disappointed on the back of weak market sentiments. Anupam Rasayan, Laxmi Organic, Kalyan and Easy Trip gave negative returns. Hopes are now pinned on the listing of Nazara Technologies next week.

· Among big macro numbers, auto sales for March will be announced and the markets will observe if Maruti has lost further market share in PVs. Markets will also focus on the two critical high frequency indicators this week viz. core sector and PMI Manufacturing.

· FPIs sold Rs.6,000 crore of equities while DFIs bought stocks worth Rs.4,500 crore. Meanwhile in major options signals, the OI concentration moved to 14,000 puts and 15,000 calls. While range is still broad, the range has been trending lower of late.

· Key US data points include US Manufacturing PMI, non-farm payrolls, jobs data, rates and manufacturing payrolls for Mar-21. Markets will also watch for China services PMI; PMI, Japan jobs, retail sales, IIP; EU inflation, industrial sentiments and EU inflation.