Trump’s Tariffs Push Nations Into a High-Stakes US-China Tug of War

Welcome Back Investor!

India’s refineries are making waves this week - in a smart, almost scalpel-sharp move. Indian Oil Corp snapped up 5 million barrels of U.S. West Texas Intermediate, while Bharat Petroleum and Reliance grabbed 2 million barrels each, drawn in by competitive pricing and a favorable arbitrage window - despite rising trade tensions. These strategic buys are expected to narrow India’s trade deficit with the U.S., even as tariffs balloon.

Let’s dive in!

But before we start!

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Today’s Market Menu

▪️ Impact News

▪️ Markets

▪️ Everything else you need to know today

▪️ Special

▪️ Mindset

▪️ Stock Screener to up your game

IMPACT NEWS

Nations Forced to Choose Sides

The trade war is no longer just about tariffs - it’s turning into a global loyalty test. Trump’s escalating tariff strategy is pressuring nations to pick sides between Washington and Beijing, reshaping not only trade flows but also long-term diplomatic alignments.

For countries dependent on U.S. markets, siding with Washington ensures access but comes at the cost of straining ties with China. Meanwhile, those leaning toward Beijing gain entry to China’s vast supply chain network and Belt and Road projects, but risk punitive U.S. tariffs. It’s a double-edged sword, where neutrality is becoming nearly impossible.

Take Europe, for instance. EU nations are grappling with rising tariffs while trying to maintain a balancing act between their largest trading partners. Southeast Asian economies face an even sharper dilemma: China is their manufacturing hub, but the U.S. remains a critical export destination. India, too, finds itself under pressure - navigating tariffs while trying to position itself as a strategic alternative to China.

The stakes are high. These tariff battles are not just about economics - they’re rewriting the rules of global geopolitics, carving the world into competing trade blocs.

MARKETS

Indian markets fell for the third straight day on August 29, 2025, with the Sensex down 270 points and Nifty 50 slipping 74 points, as fresh 50% U.S. tariffs, heavy FII outflows of $3.3B, and a weak rupee near ₹87.60/$ spooked sentiment. Reliance dropped over 2% post-AGM, and most sectors closed in the red, driving a broad-based selloff.
_{Closing figures as on 29.08.25 (3.30pm IST)}

🔎 In Focus

Stock Performance:

Top Gainers

✅ Sammaan Capital (+5.08%): The standout mover of the day! Shares jumped over 5% on unusually high trading volumes (7× average), hinting at speculative buying and possible block deals.

✅ CG Power (+4.56%): The industrial player gained steadily, supported by strong investor interest and robust volume action, reflecting confidence in its long-term growth story.

✅ RBL Bank (+4.07%): The private lender rallied as buying momentum returned in banking stocks, with healthy volumes driving sentiment higher.

✅ Colgate (+3.05%): The FMCG major edged higher on defensive buying, with investors shifting to safer bets amid overall market volatility.

Top Losers

🔻 BSE Limited (-3.77%): The exchange operator tumbled after SEBI raised fresh regulatory concerns, sparking caution among traders. Despite long-term strength, today’s drop shows nervousness in the stock.

🔻 M&M (-2.91%): The auto giant slipped nearly 3% as investors booked profits after recent rallies. The stock is down -6% in three sessions, signaling short-term weakness despite robust fundamentals.

🔻 KFin Tech (-2.74%): The registrar and transfer agent came under pressure amid the day’s broad market selloff, with weak sentiment pulling mid-cap financials lower.

🔻 Nuvama Wealth (-2.52%): The wealth management firm lost ground as tariff jitters and FII outflows dragged the financial services space, adding to overall market stress.

INDIA FRONTIER

Everything else you need to know today

🌟 Bullion: Gold hit a record high on MCX at ₹1,02,523/10g, with retail prices crossing ₹1,03,000 in some cities. Investors are rushing to the yellow metal as a safe haven amid economic uncertainty.

🚂 Wheels: Indian Railways wants to carry more cargo, but a shortage of wheelsets is stalling progress. Wagon makers are now setting up their own plants to bridge the gap.

🏠 Taxes: The government is planning GST 2.0 with just two slabs - 5% and 18%. Essentials and big-ticket items like homes and appliances could get cheaper, boosting festive spending.

💸 Rupee: The rupee tumbled past 88/$ to an all-time low, pressured by steep U.S. tariffs. RBI stepped in to stabilize, but exports and growth may face fresh heat.

SPECIAL

Reliance’s Jio IPO: India’s Digital Crown Jewel Goes Public in 2026

India’s capital markets are gearing up for a blockbuster moment. At Reliance Industries’ 48th Annual General Meeting, Chairman Mukesh Ambani confirmed that Reliance Jio will be listed on stock exchanges by the first half of 2026. This long-anticipated IPO is expected to be one of the largest in India’s history, unlocking massive shareholder value and cementing Jio’s status as the crown jewel of India’s digital revolution.

With over 500 million subscribers, Jio isn’t just a telecom giant - it’s the backbone of India’s digital economy. From making affordable data accessible to millions, to powering fintech innovations like UPI and spearheading 5G and AI initiatives, Jio has fundamentally reshaped how India connects, communicates, and consumes. By going public, Reliance is offering investors a slice of this growth story - positioning Jio not just as a telecom operator, but as a tech ecosystem rivaling global giants.

Analysts believe the IPO could attract global institutional investors, elevate India’s weight in emerging market indices, and potentially spark a new wave of tech listings. As the IPO clock ticks down, expectations are building that Jio’s market debut could redefine India’s startup and investment narrative - placing it firmly on the world stage.

THE HANOOMAAN INSTITUTE

💼 5 Smart Paths to Go from Middle Class to Millionaire

Becoming a millionaire from a modest middle-class income isn’t a myth - it’s a matter of choices, discipline, and patience.

A powerful article by Steve Burns outlines 5 proven strategies to get there:

1. Join a Promising Startup: Equity can turn sweat equity into real wealth. Employees at companies like Facebook and Airbnb saw life-changing gains by getting in early.

2. Save Aggressively + Invest in Index Funds: Automate 20 - 30% of your income into low-cost S&P 500 index funds. With consistent investing over 20 years, compounding can work wonders - even without a six-figure salary.

3. Invest in Real Estate Use house hacking, rental income, and appreciation to grow equity. Real estate offers leverage and inflation protection, especially if held long-term.

4. Start a Scalable Business A successful side hustle or digital business can scale without trading time for money. Even part-time ventures can build long-term wealth if grown strategically.

5. Invest in Yourself: Learning high-income skills like coding, sales, copywriting, etc. can double your earning power. That increased cash flow fuels all other strategies.

Your journey to millionaire status won’t be instant, but with intention and consistency, it’s entirely possible. 💰

SUPERCHARGE YOUR INVESTING SKILLS

STOCK SCREENER TO UP YOUR GAME

Good Day trading Stocks
by - Raju

EPS latest quarter > 1.2 * EPS preceding year quarter AND
EPS latest quarter > 0 AND
YOY Quarterly sales growth > 25 AND
EPS last year > EPS preceding year AND
EPS > EPS last year AND
Profit growth 3Years > 25 AND
Return on equity > 17 AND
Down from 52w high < 18 AND
Market Capitalization > 5 AND
( Current assets / Current liabilities) > 2

Thanks for reading.

Until Sunday with our Startup Special!

Hanoomaan India Business team

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