_Markets open — GIFT Nifty signals a positive start_
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📊 *ECONOMY & POLICY*
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🤝 *US Finalises 10% Section 301 Tariff On India*
USTR set India’s forced-labour tariff at 10%, lower than the 12.5% rate facing some peers, with 45% of exports still exempt.
The textile tariff-quota mechanism remains unresolved, keeping exporters watchful as bilateral trade talks continue.
📎 _Read: The Tribune_
🤝 *UK FTA Could Lift India’s Exports To $115 Billion*
An ASSOCHAM study sees bilateral trade expanding from $58 billion in FY26 to $115 billion by 2030 under the now-live India-UK FTA, adding 7-10 lakh jobs.
Textiles, leather, engineering goods, pharma and auto components stand to gain most from the deeper market access.
📎 _Read: IANS_
🏦 *Forex Reserves Rise $1.08 Billion To $676.24 Bn*
Reserves extended gains for a second straight week as foreign currency assets rose, even as gold holdings dipped slightly.
A healthier buffer gives the RBI more room to defend the rupee amid crude-driven volatility.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
🔋 *India’s Battery Cell Demand To See 39% CAGR*
Nuvama projects India’s Advanced Chemistry Cell demand growing 39% CAGR through 2030, with EV batteries at 35% and battery storage (BESS) at a sharp 78% CAGR.
Points to a large multi-year opportunity for domestic cell makers and materials suppliers under the ₹18,100-crore PLI scheme.
📎 _Read: ANI_
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🌍 *GLOBAL & WORLD*
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📉 *Brent Crashes 7%, Dips Below $90*
Oil sank as the US paused strikes on Iran for a second night, unwinding much of last week’s war-risk premium.
Easing crude, if sustained, would ease India’s import bill and inflation pressure just as markets look to rebound today.
📎 _Read: Benzinga_
🔥 *Hormuz Seen Shut Until 2027: Kpler*
Commodities analytics firm Kpler now expects the Strait of Hormuz to stay closed well into next year — longer than markets had priced in.
A prolonged shutdown keeps a floor under crude and a lingering tail-risk for India’s energy import bill even as prices ease near-term.
📎 _Read: Benzinga_
💻 *AMD Sees Compute Market Hitting $2 Trillion*
AMD said the global compute infrastructure market will grow from $365 billion in 2025 to $2 trillion by 2030, unveiling new AI chips at its summit.
A bullish read for global semiconductor demand and a tailwind for India’s chip-design and server-assembly supply chain.
📎 _Read: Business Standard_
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_Compiled by InvestoScope · 27 Jul 2026_