tariff cuts

Analysts are bullish on Adani Ports, Indus Tower, and Voda Idea, citing strong performance and growth prospects. Kotak Bank shows solid operating metrics, though RoE lags peers. Bharti Airtel's outlook remains positive despite potential tariff hike delays, with industry repair seen as intact.

India and New Zealand have signed a 'once-in-a-generation' trade pact, granting Indian exporters duty-free access to New Zealand. The agreement aims to double bilateral trade to $5 billion in five years and includes a $20 billion investment commitment from New Zealand. Both nations are optimistic about the pact's potential to boost economic growth and cooperation across various sectors.

Wall Street stocks surged on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq nearing record highs, buoyed by stronger-than-expected US jobs data. Despite ongoing Middle East tensions and oil price concerns, positive corporate earnings from companies like Monster Beverage and Akamai Technologies also fueled the rally, indicating economic resilience.

Tech layoffs in 2026 have already surpassed 92,000 jobs across 98 companies, making it the worst year for tech employment since the post-pandemic bust. Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Snap, Oracle, and Block are among the biggest names cutting staff, with AI infrastructure spending cited as the primary driver. But beneath the efficiency narrative lies a more complicated story—one of overhiring, debt, and a workforce reckoning that's far from over.

The Indian rupee is facing significant pressure, weakening against the US dollar due to soaring crude oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions and persistent foreign fund outflows. Despite India's robust economic growth, the currency's slide continues as the Reserve Bank of India intervenes to curb volatility rather than target a specific exchange rate.

India's economy is set for robust growth, projected at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027, according to a UN report. Despite export challenges, strong domestic consumption and services sector performance are key drivers. The nation is also a leader in green job creation, with policies supporting domestic manufacturing in clean energy sectors.

Munir is using Pakistan's crypto deal with Trump's family as leverage to promote his fundamentalist Islamist ideology even as he regards India as an existential enemy

US President Trump's second term prioritizes oil, leveraging energy dominance for global influence. Campaign funding from oil interests aligns with policies boosting domestic production and easing regulations. Sanctions on rivals and geopolitical events like the Hormuz crisis engineer demand for American exports, impacting nations like India and reshaping global energy markets.

Ford CEO Jim Farley warns that Chinese electric vehicles entering the US market would be 'devastating' for American manufacturing. He argues for maintaining high tariffs, citing China's massive production capacity and potential cybersecurity risks. Farley also highlighted a critical shortage of skilled trades workers in the US, a concern he believes China addresses more effectively.