Stock Market Cues This Week: Inflation, Sebi Board Meet, Global Central Banks’ Interest Rate Decisions And More To Watch Out For

Markets remained volatile last week, with stocks tumbling in the early sessions. However, towards the end of the week, the benchmark indices recovered nearly half of the losses seen in the initial days of the week.

During the week, both the indices lost 0.52 per cent each. At close on December 12, the Sensex was at 85,267.66, up 449 points, or 0.53 per cent, and the Nifty 50 was at 26,046.95, up 148.40 points, or 0.57 per cent.

Stock Market Cues to Watch This Week

The coming week, from December 15-19, is a data-packed one for the markets, as several important economic data points are scheduled ahead of the year end that could influence investor sentiment and the trajectory of the market.

India CPI Inflation November 2025

India’s consumer price index (CPI)-based inflation rose to 0.71 per cent in November 2025, up by 46 basis points (bps) from an all-time low of 0.25 per cent in the previous month, according to provisional data from National Statistical Office (NSO).

The rise in overall inflation during the month was largely led by higher prices of vegetables, egg, meat and fish, spices, fuel and light, the NSO said. Food inflation for the month came in at -3.91 per cent, though the pace of decline eased compared with the previous month.

India WPI Inflation November 2025

The Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA) is set to publish the wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation for November 2025 on December 15. A rise in WPI inflation can signal higher input costs for companies, which could put pressure on margins, particularly in sectors, such as metals, cement, chemicals and FMCG.

On the other hand, a softer WPI print would suggest easing cost pressures, which could offer some comfort on the earnings front.

US Economic Data Releases

Global markets will be tracking a set of key US economic data releases this week for cues on growth and interest rate expectations.

The unemployment rate and non-farm payrolls, released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, will be closely watched for signals on labour market strength. The manufacturing PMI, published by S&P Global, will offer a snapshot of factory activity in the world’s largest economy.

Retail sales, released by the US Census Bureau, will indicate how resilient consumer spending remains. All these reports are set to release on December 16.

The US BLS is also set to release CPI inflation data for November 2025 on December 18. Market participants will closely watch the print for signals on the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy stance and its impact on interest rates and the dollar.

Sebi Board to Meet on December 17

The board of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is set to meet on December 17 to discuss several key proposals that could impact markets. According to media reports, the discussions will be likely on total expense ratio (TER) norms, securities lending and borrowing mechanism (SLBM), and measures to ease business for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), among others.

Banking Stocks in Focus

Banking stocks are expected to stay in focus after last week’s 25 basis point (bps) repo rate cut, as seven banks revised their fixed deposit (FD) rates during the week ended December 13, 2025. The banks that adjusted their rates include Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, DCB Bank, J&K Bank, Nainital Bank, ICICI Bank, and Jana Small Finance Bank.

ECB, BoE and BoJ Interest Rate Decisions

Global markets will also be watching key central bank decisions later in the week. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE) are scheduled to announce their interest rate decisions on December 18. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will follow with its policy decision on December 19.