Fed decision, inflation, oil may drive markets in holiday-shortened week

The US Fed interest rate decision, domestic inflation data, crude oil prices and development in West Asia would be the major drivers for stock market movement in a holiday-shortened week ahead, analysts said. Equity markets would remain closed on Monday for Ganesh Chaturthi. "Globally, developments in the US-Iran conflict and movement in Brent crude will remain critical market drivers. This week will be dominated by the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision and commentary on the future path of interest rates," Ajit Mishra, SVP of Research at Religare Broking, said. On the domestic front, August WPI and CPI inflation data, followed by unemployment and balance of trade data, will remain in focus, he said. "The immediate focus will be on US inflation and the Federal Reserve's policy decision. The September 11 inflation report showed headline CPI rising 0.4 per cent month-on-month and holding at 3.4 per cent annually, while core inflation increased 0.3 per cent from the previou