Steel stocks have had a strong year, with returns of 20 to 45 per cent, driven by robust demand and stable raw material costs, compared to Nifty50’s 9 per cent. Government capex remains modest, but strong consumption, lower interest rates, and tax cuts support continued steel demand. The critical factor for sustaining growth will be tariffs, especially against rising Chinese exports, which influence steel realisations. With expansion plans underway across Tata Steel, JSW, Jindal Steel and SAIL, the sector’s performance will hinge on price realisations and the effective management of imports.
Read more here
Budget 2026: Building a unified, outcome-driven architecture for Indian agriculture
As India approaches Budget 2026, agriculture faces a pivotal moment, contributing nearly 18 per cent to GDP and supporting over 46 per cent of the workforce, yet constrained by low productivity, fragmented landholdings, and inefficiencies. The budget offers an opportunity to shift subsidies from input-heavy support to performance-based incentives, integrate water, soil, and climate management, digitise land records, and modernise supply chains. Together, these reforms can enhance farmer incomes, sustainability, and global competitiveness. A unified, structural reset is essential, moving beyond incremental measures to secure the sector’s long-term resilience and growth.
Read morehere
Cotton textiles council pushes for Zero-Duty access for India in EU trade deal
The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council has highlighted the need for a favourable deal for Indian cotton textiles in the EU, where tariff barriers currently limit competitiveness. India exports over $1.3 billion in cotton products annually, and a zero-duty regime could boost MSME exports, promote sustainable value-added products, and expand India’s presence in the EU. Industry optimism is high ahead of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which could position India to achieve its $40 billion apparel export target by 2030.
Read more here
“Focus on what we can control,” says Canadian PM Carney after Trump threatens 100% tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging citizens to “Buy Canadian” to protect the economy amid global trade tensions, particularly with the US and China. His call follows escalating warnings from President Donald Trump, who threatened a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian goods if Ottawa deepens economic ties with Beijing. Carney’s recent visit to China led to agreements on lower tariffs for Canadian agricultural exports and EV quotas, signalling a push for stronger, more self-reliant trade strategies. The move reflects Canada’s attempt to balance relations with its largest trading partners while focusing on domestic economic resilience.
Read more here
Research &VO: Shakthi
Published on January 26, 2026
