Markets were under pressure today with the Sensex closing down 176 points at 83,536, and the Nifty losing 46 points to settle at 25,476. The Bank Nifty also dropped by 43 points to close at 57,213.
The fall was primarily triggered by Reliance, which declined nearly 2% post 2:10 PM, pulling indices lower. In contrast, smallcap indices gained around 0.6%, showing resilience amid broader selling.
Global Cues & Tariff Tensions: Trump’s 200% Warning
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is back with aggressive policy rhetoric:
- 50% tariffs announced on copper imports, following previous hikes on steel and aluminum.
- Copper prices spiked 17%, eventually settling 10% higher – the sharpest rise since 1988.
- 200% tariffs on pharma imports within a year if production isn’t moved to the U.S.
Markets appear to be discounting the pharma warning, as pharma stocks were up 2%, signaling low credibility attached to his long-term threats.
BRICS & De-Dollarization Tensions
Trump has also threatened tariffs on BRICS nations, including India, if they push ahead with efforts to replace the U.S. dollar in global trade. These moves, if intensified, could reshape global trade alignments.
SEBI’s Big Derivatives Reform?
SEBI is reportedly considering replacing weekly expiries with fortnightly options expiries to reduce retail F&O activity. Despite regulatory efforts, option trading volumes remain robust with no significant fall in premiums or turnover.
FII Activity Update
FIIs were relatively neutral this week:
- July 4–7 saw muted action.
- July 8 recorded ~₹12,000 crore in turnover, though net buys/sells remain flat.
- FIIs continue holding 70%+ net short positions – suggesting caution, not panic.
🇮🇳 India–U.S. Trade Deal Hopes
Despite multiple deadline extensions, the much-anticipated India–U.S. mini trade deal remains unannounced. However, statements from U.S. Treasury officials and Trump hint at possible resolution by August 1.
Mutual Fund Moves – Parag Parikh MF Reshuffles
Parag Parikh Mutual Fund has made significant portfolio changes:
- Bharti Airtel stake increased by 77%, now holding 3.8%.
- Additions include Jais Wellness, Brookfield REIT, Embassy, and Minespace REITs.
- Stake increases also in HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Cipla, PowerGrid, and Coal India.
Focus seems to be on high-growth sectors like telecom (expecting tariff hikes), private banking, pharma, and REITs.
Sector Focus – Copper Impact Analysis
Winners:
- Hindustan Copper, Hindalco, Vedanta – Copper producers benefit from price surge.
Losers:
- Wire & cable manufacturers, electrical equipment, EV makers, electronics firms, and data center infra – all will see margin pressure due to rising input costs.
But the market expects the rally in copper to be unsustainable, and that’s reflected in the muted stock reactions.
Vedanta in Trouble Again?
New York-based Viceroy Research has released a scathing report calling Vedanta Resources (parent company of Vedanta Ltd) a “parasite” draining dividends from its Indian arm to service its debts. This led to a sharp fall in the stock.
Vedanta has denied the claims, calling the report “propaganda,” but the market remains cautious.
Industry & Stock Buzz
- ICICI AMC IPO to hit markets soon. ICICI Bank shareholders can apply under shareholder quota.
- Asian Paints sold a 4.4% stake in Akzo Nobel India (~₹750 crore deal).
- Oriana Power and Prostorm Tech bag battery energy storage system (BESS) orders worth ₹188 crore and ₹25 crore, respectively.
- Happiest Minds surges 20% after launching FusionX, a gaming tech suite.
- Tata Tech partners with Emerson to scale EV and autonomous vehicle solutions.
- SENSES Tech, RailTel, and Don Technologies report fresh orders.
- GAIL may see 20% tariff hike soon – short of expectations but still positive.
Sun TV Family Feud Ends?
After public disputes between Kalanithi Maran and Dayanidhi Maran, TN CM MK Stalin reportedly helped broker peace. Stock impact has been neutral so far.
AI Threat: 80 Cr Jobs at Risk?
As per McKinsey, 400–800 million global jobs could be displaced by AI by 2030. Nearly 94,000 tech jobs were lost in just six months of 2025. Industry leaders urge workers to continuously upskill.
Our View
Despite global noise and regulatory speculation, the medium-to-long term structure of the Indian market remains strong. Sectors like telecom, battery storage, AI, and manufacturing are seeing tailwinds. Keep an eye on:
- SEBI’s stance on F&O expiry reforms
- U.S. Fed minutes and rate policy
- India-U.S. mini trade deal progress
- Sector-specific triggers in copper, pharma, and EV infra
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice.
Investing in the stock market involves risks. Always consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making any investment decisions. TheIndianMarkets.com is not responsible for any financial losses that may occur as a result of investment decisions based on this content.
