New Delhi, Feb. 13 -- Just as nerves were fraying, a breakthrough in US-India trade negotiations offered domestic markets much-needed succour. Against this backdrop, Mint's sixth quarterly market survey, conducted between 5 and 11 February, captured the precise moment when investor sentiment began to pivot.

Indian equities have staged a sharp relief rally, emerging as the world's top-performing market in the past week, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have turned net buyers after relentless selling through January.

Whether that shift marks the start of a durable upcycle remains an open question. Can markets finally shake off volatility? And will the return of foreign capital prove sustainable?

To assess the durability of the re...