Ahead of Market: 10 things that will decide stock market action on Friday

Indian benchmark indices ended flat-to-negative on Thursday with Sensex up just 1 point at 77,187 and Nifty 50 down 6 points at 24,073, while broader markets slipped up to 0.4% lower. Analysts expect Q1 earnings season to drive market action, with financials (banks and NBFCs) likely to post strong numbers aided by 18% credit growth, and automobiles showing impressive growth aided by GST cuts and easy financing. Globally, US and European indices closed lower on chip-stock weakness and tech concerns, while technicals suggest Nifty is in a consolidation phase with support at 23,950-24,000 and resistance at 24,250-24,300.