Indian equity markets are likely to make negative start on Wednesday tracking weak global cues. Traders are likely to remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire talks, along with continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz after both nations failed to reach an agreement. Additionally, sentiments may remain downbeat as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 1,918.99 crore in the previous session. 

Some of the key factors to be watched:

Govt extends interest subvention benefit to micro small exporters of certain iron steel goods: The government has extended interest subvention benefits to micro and small enterprises exporting 167 specific iron and steel product categories, to support the trading community, which is reeling under the impact of global uncertainties.

India, Singapore charting out roadmap for digital corridor, green shipping: India and Singapore are working on a roadmap to set up infrastructure for digital corridor collaboration and green shipping. The roadmap is part of a larger collaboration between the two countries in line with global decarbonisation initiatives as the world's maritime industries seek to become environment friendly.

US starts tariff refunds; Indian exporters need to engage with buyers: Think tank GTRI said the US has initiated the process of refunding reciprocal tariffs from April 20, and Indian exporters should proactively engage with American buyers to seek a share of the refunded duties.

India should aspire to achieve 100% ethanol blending in the near future: Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said India should aspire to achieve 100 per cent ethanol blending in the near future, as vulnerabilities in oil exports amid the West Asia crisis have made it necessary for the country to become self-reliant in the energy sector.

Investment in key infra sectors to rise 45-50% through next fiscal: Despite the West Asia conflict and global uncertainties, Crisil ratings said India’s infrastructure growth story continues to move resolutely towards the Viksit Bharat vision, with tailwinds in multiple sectors.

On the global front: The US markets ended in red on Tuesday amid uncertainty reigned over US-Iranian peace talks resuming, and the expiration of the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East loomed. Asian markets are trading mostly in red on Wednesday following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight.

Back home, bulls held their tight grip over Indian equity markets on Tuesday, with both Sensex and Nifty ending with strong gains as investors pinned hopes for a resolution to the U.S.-Iran war ahead of a potential ceasefire deadline. Sentiment remained upbeat throughout the day on the back of strong corporate earnings, a drop in crude oil prices and supportive global cues. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 753.03 points or 0.96% to 79,273.33 and the CNX Nifty was up by 211.75 points or 0.87% to 24,576.60.  

Some of the important factors in trade: 

India's economy likely to grow at 6.4% in 2026, 6.6% in 2027: Sentiments were optimistic, as the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in its report titled ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026’ has said that India's economy is projected to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027.

India’s outward FDI commitments see 27% surge in March: Traders took a note of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest report showing that India's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) commitments surged by 27.47% to $7061.60 million in March 2026 as against $5,539.75 million in March 2025. In February 2026, OFDI commitments stood at $2965.77 million.

Eight key infrastructure sectors’ output growth slows to 0.4% in March:  The Street overlooked the Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s latest data showing that eight key infrastructure sectors’ output growth slowed to 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026 as compared to 4.5% in the same month of last year (March 2025).