The short
- Tariffs: Import duties stayed in focus across electronics and critical inputs; watch-notice windows keep buyers cautious.
- Tech: Data/AI compliance checklists matured—enterprises are budgeting for model governance and storage residency.
- Tax: GST and direct-tax clarifications helped reduce interpretive risk for SaaS exports and marketplace fees.
- Markets: Banks and capital goods led rotation; microcap froth continued to cool on breadth checks.
Trade & tariffs
- Electronics duty chatter tilted buyers to staggered POs; value-add localization clauses firming up state incentives.
- Chemicals/metals: watch for anti-dumping renewals hitting speciality grades; import-parity spreads remain volatile.
Tech & policy
- AI + data: enterprises moving from pilots to policy—track model documentation, auditability, and retention norms.
- Cloud/colo: RTC renewables + BESS language now common in RFPs; latency SLAs tightening in BFSI and gaming.
Tax & compliance
- Export-of-services: payments/settlement wording clarified in several advisories; reconcile with FEMA and STPI norms.
- Marketplaces: TCS/TDS thresholds revisited by large platforms; seller communication templates updated.
Markets & flows
| Bucket | This week | Bias | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty sectors | Banks, capital goods | Positive | Orderbooks + credit growth narrative intact |
| IT | Mixed | Neutral | Deal ramp lumpy; earnings watch |
| SME/microcaps | Soft | Cautious | Liquidity pockets thinning post-listing |
| FX & oil | Rangebound | Balanced | Crude-rupee matrix still manageable for OMCs |
Playbooks for Monday
Operators & buyers
- Stage imports in tranches; add alternate suppliers in RFQs.
- Build RTC green-power language into data contracts; add BCP clauses for latency.
Investors
- Stay overweight banks/cap goods while breadth is supportive; trim crowded microcap trades.
- Use earnings revisions + RS to confirm sector stance; set exit rules.
What to watch next week
- Any tariff notices/consultations in electronics, chemicals, or EV supply chain.
- Data/AI guidance drop-ins affecting storage residency and model audits.
- Earnings pre-announcements for festive build in autos and discretionary.