Expert view, Feb. 9 -- The India-US trade deal has emerged as the next big catalyst for the Indian stock market lately, but can it be enough to drive the Nifty 50 past the coveted 30,000 mark? Rajesh Palviya, Head of Research at Axis Securities, believes that the trade deal cannot be the sole trigger for driving the next leg of the upmove to 30,000. The missing link is the earnings revival.

While reaching 30,000 is possible in a strong risk-on environment, a more gradual, earnings-driven ascent seems more likely than a rapid, linear increase, said Palviya. He also shares his top sectoral bets in this market environment and how to build a portfolio amid gyrating stock market moves in this interaction with Mint. Edited excerpts:

Indian ma...