Shreyash Devalkar, head of equity at Axis Mutual Fund, highlights that corporate earnings and currency stability will significantly influence equity performance in FY27. He notes that recent market corrections have led to more balanced valuations, particularly in large-cap indices. Devalkar stresses the importance of corporate earnings, especially in sectors like financials, capital goods, and manufacturing, which are central to the earnings cycle. He advises investors to adopt a staggered approach to equity investing due to ongoing volatility and geopolitical tensions, rather than waiting for complete clarity on conflicts. The stability of the Indian rupee is also a critical factor affecting market sentiment and investor flows. While the banking sector shows positive prospects, the information technology sector faces challenges due to global slowdown concerns. Overall, Devalkar expects earnings growth to be in the early double digits, although uneven across sectors due to higher input costs and global uncertainties.