Equity markets not out of woods, but there's light at the end of tunnel

The benchmark Nifty ended Samvat 2078 at 17,576. The Sensex finished at 59,307, logging marginally negative returns

Indian markets are expected to fare better in Samvat 2079 after a year of consolidation. Equity strategists believe the domestic markets could deliver low double-digit or high-teen returns, depending on how the global environment and risk appetite shape up.

Equity markets are not entirely out of the woods, with fears of global recession looming large, central banks maintaining their hardline approach when it comes to reining in inflation, and geopolitical tensions remaining on the boil.

However, experts believe most of the risks could ease in the latter part of the year when inflation will be more benign, central banks will once again