IGI Logo

Indian equity markets are likely to make gap-down opening on Thursday, ahead of the monthly F&O expiry. Traders are likely to remain cautious after the US President Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Indian goods. Additionally, sustained selling by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) could further dampen markets' sentiments. 
Some of the key factors to be watched:

US announces 25% tariff plus penalty on India from August 1: US President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming from India starting August 1, plus an unspecified penalty for buying Russian crude oil and military equipment.

Trump's tariff may seem severe, but India not worse-off than nations that signed trade deal: The think tank GTRI said that US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose a 25 per cent tariff and penalty on Indian goods may seem severe but the country is not in a worse position than nations that signed trade deals with Washington

AHFC loans to increase to Rs 2.5 lakh crore by FY28-end: Domestic rating agency Icra has said that affordable housing finance companies' (AHFC) assets under management are set to rise to Rs 2.5 lakh crore, from Rs 1.4 lakh crore, in the next three years.

India’s electricity demand to rise 4% in 2025: International Energy Agency (IEA) said that India’s electricity demand is expected to grow by a moderate 4 per cent in 2025, after cooler summer temperatures in the first half of the year reduced consumption and shifted peak load to September.

Semiconductor Company stock will be in focus: The government has approved financial support for 23 companies to develop chipsets under the design-linked incentive scheme.

On the global front: The U.S. markets ended mostly in red on Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve announced its widely expected decision to leave interest rates unchanged in a divided vote. Asian markets are trading mixed on Thursday, as investors assessed the US' blanket 15 percent tariffs on imports from South Korea and awaited Bank of Japan's policy decision.

Back home, rising for the second straight day, Indian equity benchmarks ended marginally higher on Wednesday, driven by heavy buying in infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro. However, gains were limited on uncertainty over India-US trade deal after US President Donald Trump hinted at tariff rates of around 20-25 per cent ahead of the deadline of August 1. Finally, the BSE Sensex rose 143.91 points or 0.18% to 81,481.86 and the CNX Nifty was up by 33.95 points or 0.14% to 24,855.05.

Some of the important factors in trade:

India's agri exports hit $51.9 billion: Minister of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur has stated that the Centre is making efforts to increase exports of agriculture and allied commodities that stood at $51.9 billion last fiscal year. He mentioned that the APEDA under the Commerce Ministry is running various schemes to boost exports.

EFTA commits $100 billion investment under trade pact with India: The four European nations group EFTA has committed to invest $100 billion under a trade pact with India and these investments are expected to flow into sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and pharma.

Large states’ revenue growth to see uptick at 7-9% in FY26: Crisil Ratings in its research report has said that revenue growth of 18 large states, which account for over 90 per cent of the gross state domestic product, is likely to witness a marginal uptick at 7-9 per cent to Rs 40 lakh crore this financial year (FY26).