Indian stock markets ended higher on Monday taking cues from their Asian counterparts. The S&P BSE Sensex ended at 33,788, up 162 points while the broader Nifty 50 index settled at 10,379, up 48 points.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty FMCG index ended 1.2% up led by a rise in the shares of Marico and ITC.

Upcoming quarterly results season, along with the release of macroeconomic data points on industrial production (IIP) and inflation, are expected to determine the trajectory of key equity indices this week.

Further, global cues such as concerns over trade protectionist measures between the US and China, combined with the direction of foreign fund flows and crude oil prices, will also impact market participants' risk-taking appetite.

Top Stocks in Focus

Larsen & Toubro unit L&T Technology Services has bagged a multi-million deal from ExxonMobil Exploration Co., which will deliver revenues of US$20 million in the first year. The stock will be in focus.

ICICI Bank share price will be in focus as a media report indicated that directors are likely to meet this week and to discuss the way ahead for CEO Chanda Kochhar. Rating agency Fitch has also cautioned about 'reputational risks' to the bank on the basis of investigative developments.

DCM Shriram Industries share price will hog limelight as it has launched a light bullet-proof vehicle for use by Indian defence and para-military forces.

Indiabulls Real Estate, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Manjola Infrastructure, has entered into an agreement to acquire a newly- constructed commercial building at Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, in Gurgaon.

Alembic Pharma has received approval from the US health regulator its Acyclovir ointment USP, used for the treatment of genital herpes.

Global Stock Market Drivers

Stocks in Europe climbed and futures pointed to a higher opening in US markets as investors looked to China's Xi Jinping to calm a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies. Treasuries fell and the dollar climbed.

Here's what's pending this week:

• Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda will speak at the start of his second term.
• President Xi Jinping  gives a keynote address at Boao Forum today.
• Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg will testify at two Congressional hearings today and tomorrow.
• US CPI data and FOMC minutes due Wednesday.
• JPMorgan and Citigroup first-quarter earnings will be out on Friday.

IPO Buzz

Lemon Tree Hotels made a strong debut on the exchanges with a premium of 10%. The hospitality chain's stock listed at Rs 61.6, up Rs 5.6 from its issue price of 56 per share, on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Its public issue was subscribed 1.19 times during March 26-28, 2018.

Meanwhile, renewable energy producer ACME Solar Holdings is planning to re-file the draft red herring prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO). The company is looking to raise around Rs 10-15 billion through the revised IPO.

In September, ACME Solar had first filed its DRHP to raise Rs 22 billion through the IPO.

Oil Edges Up But US-China Trade Tensions Curb Gains

Oil markets stabilized on Monday after having lost around 2% last Friday as concerns grew over the impact on global growth from an intensifying trade dispute between the United States and China, as well as increased US drilling activity.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 39 cents on the day at US$67.50 a barrel. The price approached its lowest in three weeks last week. US WTI crude futures CLc1 were up 25 cents at US$62.31 a barrel.