• The U.S. has imposed a sweeping 25% tariff on all Indian exports, effective August 7, putting around $85 billion worth of exports at risk Key sectors exposed include IT/software services, pharmaceuticals, textiles, auto parts, and engineering goods India’s GST collections rose 7.5% year on year in July, but net growth slowed to 1.7% due to refunds
• Firms like R R Kabel are pivoting exports toward Europe and the Middle East to mitigate U.S. tariff impact, due to only ~2.5% revenue exposure to the U.S.
Financial Markets & Corporate Earnings
• Indian markets ended in the red on August 1, with Sensex down ~0.72% to 80,600 and Nifty down ~0.82%.
• Over 56 companies, including Federal Bank, ABB India, Finolex Industries, and Sun Pharma, are announcing Q1 FY26 results today (August 2)
Banking & Finance
• LIC stake sale is progressing, with merchant bankers and advisors appointed and a 6.5% share divestment (~₹35,000 crore) planned over two years to meet SEBI norms
Infrastructure & Growth Initiatives
• Pune Metropolitan Region Growth Hub launched by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, aimed at doubling the local economy (~$58 bn now) in 5 years via education, innovation, manufacturing push
Technology & Startups
• Rajasthan AI Policy 2025 announced to establish a Centre of Excellence, promote AI research, startup ecosystems, and allocate ₹1,000 crore toward innovation studios and AGVC XR initiatives
• Expansion of Ujjain IT Park (Phase 2) approved (₹50 crore investment) to cater to tech firms and startups across Indore Bhopal Ujjain cluster; expected to generate ~500 direct and 1,000+ indirect
Pharma & Healthcare
• From commentary: several under radar pharma stocks beyond Dr. Reddy’s, Cipla, Sun Pharma have started drawing elevated investor attention due to Q1 performance and growth indicators
Real Estate & Infrastructure Funding
• The markets regulator has proposed allowing foreign and qualified institutional investors to participate as strategic investors in REITs and InvITs, with allocations of 5%–25% per issue, aiming at enhancing capital inflows
Takeaways
• The tariff news is dominating, with ripple effects across export heavy sectors; Indian exporters and policymakers are actively planning mitigation or negotiation strategies.
• Domestic infrastructure and tech initiatives — like the Pune hub and Rajasthan AI policy — signal India’s push toward long term transformation amid trade headwinds.
• Market volatility may persist in the near term, especially as Q1 earnings roll in and the tariff impact becomes clearer
