US Tariffs Hit India’s Export Nerve

Welcome Back Investor!

Retail investors poured money into sectoral funds with gusto boosting inflows a staggering 1,882% month-on-month despite the growing shadow of Trump’s tariff war. They snapped up ₹42,702 crore across July, with small-caps roaring ahead with a 61% jump. Analysts caution that this might be more “FOMO-fueled sprint” than strategic play sectoral bets can burn you if the winds shift, especially amid geopolitical risks. Yet amid elevated uncertainty, some experts argue that selective sector plays may make sense if you don’t go all in.

Let’s dive in!

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▪️ Markets

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IMPACT NEWS

US Tariffs Ripple Across Indian Exports

India is facing a fresh export challenge as proposed US tariffs threaten to pinch key industries especially diamonds, shrimp, and textiles. Diamonds, largely destined for US markets, could see competitiveness decline if customs duties increase, potentially slowing sales of India-cut gems. Shrimp processors face a similar squeeze; additional levies could make India's exports less attractive than those from Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, textile exporters fear a bruising blow, especially if tariffs persist, as the US remains one of their largest consumer bases.

The stakes? This isn’t just about slowing shipments it’s about entire supply chains rethinking cost models, pricing, and market strategy. Exporters will need to pivot quickly, possibly exploring new markets or enhancing value-add in existing ones. For startups in export-driven niches, this is a watershed moment: it’s time to lean into agility, resilience, and diversification.

Ultimately, the question is whether India can navigate through tariff turbulence or will find itself redirected in the global trade map. These threats are more than policy they’re a call to action.

MARKETS

Markets ended on a cautious note today, with the Sensex slipping 368 points (-0.46%) to 80,235 and Nifty 50 losing 97 points (-0.40%). Banking stocks took a harder hit as Nifty Bank dropped 467 points (-0.84%), while Midcap 100 dipped 0.27%. The red across sectors signals profit-booking and nervous sentiment, hinting that traders are treading lightly amid global uncertainty.
_{Closing figures as on 12.08.25 (3.30pm IST)}

🔎 In Focus

Stock Performance:

Top Gainers

✅ Maruti Suzuki Rose +2% Outperformed amid a weaker market. Heavy buying and higher-than-average volumes auto sector resilience while peers slipped.

✅ Tech Mahindra Climbed +1.9% Among top gainers despite a dull broader index. IT stocks got a boost from US-China tariff truce, lifting investor sentiment.

✅ Hero MotoCorp Up +1.8% Jumped among Nifty gainers. Surprise Q1 profit beat aided by stronger exports; bullish trading momentum.

✅ Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Gained +1.6% Held firm amid broader weakness. Land allotment for a 350-acre mega project in Nashik signaled growth push.

Top Losers

🔻 Bajaj Finance Fell -1.7 to -2.9% Lagged behind peers on downbeat market. Profit booking and underperformance amid weak financials; volume dipped below average.

🔻 Trent Down - 1.4% Dragged under by sector sentiment. Weakness in consumer/retail space, with no fresh catalysts during the day.

🔻 HUL Dropped -1.4% Reflecting sector pressure. Broad-based profit-taking in FMCG pack amid cautious market mood.

🔻 HDFC Bank Slumped -1.3% One of the major drags on indices. Bank-heavy space weakened as investors shied away ahead of inflation data.

Q4 RESULTS

^{Click on company name for result pdf} 

INDIA FRONTIER

Everything else you need to know today

🚀 Boost: The government is mulling a doubling of collateral-free loan limits for MSEs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. If approved, this could inject fresh growth fuel into India’s small business engine, widening access to credit at a time when liquidity is make-or-break for entrepreneurs.

💼 Exit: Shapoorji Pallonji Group is reportedly eyeing a $1 billion debt repayment through a potential exit from its long-held stake in Tata Sons. The move could mark one of India’s most high-profile corporate breakups, freeing capital but also closing a historic chapter in the Tata–Shapoorji alliance.

⚖️ Dual: Jio BlackRock’s CEO is backing index investing’s long-term power but isn’t shying away from active strategies. The hybrid play signals a bid to woo both cost-conscious investors and those hungry for market-beating performance, redefining how India’s asset management game is played.

🏭 Chips: The cabinet has greenlit four new semiconductor fabs two in Odisha, and one each in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. This could be India’s boldest step yet toward chip self-reliance, positioning the nation as a serious contender in the global semiconductor race.

SPECIAL

Ambani’s Wealth: Powerhouse or Phenomenon?

Mukesh Ambani’s net worth is now so significant that it accounts for about one-twelfth of India’s GDP a staggering reflection of both personal and national economic scale. That means one individual holds influence comparable to entire industries. Meanwhile, the combined net worth of India’s top 10 wealthiest families reveals a concentration of prosperity at the very top.

On the positive side: such wealth accumulation can power major infrastructure, healthcare, and tech investments, potentially bridging gaps in public sector delivery. But it raises critical questions about economic equity, succession dynamics, and broader social impact. When a single family’s assets can move the needle of GDP, the lines between enterprise and empire get blurry.

This snapshot underscores a lesson: even small, focused ventures have the chance to help shift macroeconomic narratives, especially when the ecosystem balances innovation with responsibility.

THE HANOOMAAN INSTITUTE

Ignite AI Creativity: 7 Stanford-Fueled Innovation Hacks

Stanford’s famed course on AI and creativity, led by Professor Jeremy Utley, offers seven breakthrough strategies that can supercharge innovation - no PhD required.

1. Constrain for Creativity - Ironically, restrictions spark our most creative ideas. Limit choices, and watch your brain flourish.

2. Recombine Ideas - Break from linear thinking. Mash up unrelated concepts like AI + cooking = flavor prediction tools.

3. Experiment Quickly - Validate ideas in hours, not months. Micro-tests surface whether an idea is gold - or just glitter.

4. Embrace “Weird” - Unusual connections fuel breakthroughs. The quirkier the idea, the more likely it’s original.

5. Use Analogies - Analogical thinking turns complexity into clarity. “AI glows like lightning” makes insights stick.

6. Build with Others - Collaboration shifts ideas from “cool” to “can’t-live-without.” Shared perspectives always elevate.

7. Practice Creative Rituals - Make space for ideation daily doodles, “What if?” journaling, or midday walks.

These approaches underscore an essential point: creativity isn’t a mystical trait it’s a skill you can train.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR INVESTING SKILLS

STOCK SCREENER TO UP YOUR GAME

How-To-Find-Undervalued-Stocks-In-3-Simple-Steps
by - Cguruprasad

Current ratio > 2 AND
Debt to equity < 0.5 AND Return on equity > 15 % and Dividend yield > 0 and Current price > 50 AND
 Current price < 3000 and Price to Free Cash Flow > 0 AND Return on capital employed  > 15 % AND
 Price to Earning <Industry PE AND
Price to book value < Industry PBV

Thanks for reading.

Until tomorrow!

Hanoomaan India Business team

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