Trade and geopolitics also loom large with a U.S. tariff deadline on China due to expire on Tuesday amid expectations it will get extended again, while President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss Ukraine.
President Trump has pledged to address homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C., despite Mayor Bowser's assertion that the city is not experiencing a crime spike. Trump plans to evict homeless individuals and jail criminals, raising questions about the legal authority for such actions. Bowser highlights a reduction in violent crime and emphasizes ongoing collaboration with federal law enforcement.
Foreign investors are increasingly pessimistic about Indian stocks, reaching a two-year high in bearish sentiment. Concerns stem from a weakening rupee, high valuations, and the impact of US tariffs on Indian exports. This has led to accelerated selling and a build-up of short positions in the derivatives market, reflecting a risk-off approach towards Indian equities.
June quarter results show mixed performance across sectors. Automobiles, banking, and IT faced demand challenges. Cement, metals, and pharma saw gains. Mahindra and Mahindra excelled in automobiles. Public sector banks maintained asset quality. Ultratech reduced production costs. Infosys and HCL Technologies revised revenue guidance. Reliance Industries reported strong operating profit. Sector performance varied due to diverse economic factors.
The Nifty has been experiencing losses for six weeks due to US tariffs and muted earnings. Experts predict this weakness will continue in the short term. Selling pressure may persist until a breakout around 24,600-24,800. Support lies at 24,000. Investors should consider private banking, auto, and hotel stocks on dips. Reliance, L&T, and HDFC Bank are also favored.
Ashmore Group reduces its investment in India due to high valuations. Uncertainty surrounds Donald Trump's tariffs on Indian imports. Foreign investors show less interest in India for six to nine months. This is due to relative value compared to other emerging markets. India's derating is already happening in relative terms.
Indian public sector banks are aggressively expanding their retail loan portfolios. They are growing faster than private sector banks in this segment. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank are leading this growth. Private banks are becoming cautious due to rising defaults in unsecured loans.
