Opening bell: Sensex, Nifty set for a muted start on renewed U.S. trade tensions; Titan, Tata Motors, Kotak Bank, JSW Infra, M&M shares in focus

The Indian equity benchmarks, the BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty, are expected to see another muted start today as investors adopt a wait-and-watch approach ahead of trade deal updates and the start of the earnings season. Adding to it, mixed cues from the global equity markets may also weigh on market sentiment, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new wave of country-specific blanket tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on imports from 14 nations, including Japan and South Korea.

At 8:00 AM, the GIFT Nifty futures were trading 26 points lower at 25,490, signalling a subdued start for the domestic markets.

On Monday, the Indian equity markets ended on a flat note as persistent uncertainty about Trump’s tariffs kept the markets range-bound. The markets witnessed cautious trade as investors remained sidelined ahead of the anticipated U.S. tariff announcements. The S&P BSE Sensex closed 9.61 points higher at 83,442.50, while the NSE Nifty50 settled flat to end below 25,500. The broader indices also witnessed lacklustre trading and ended with marginal losses.

U.S. stocks end in the red as Trump announces new tariffs on key trade partners

In overnight trade, Wall Street ended on a weak note, with all three major indices, the Dow Jones, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq slipping into the red after Trump unveiled a fresh wave of country-specific blanket tariffs. Weighed down by the new tariffs, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.94% lower, the S&P 500 dropped 0.79%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.92%

The U.S. will impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on imports from a group of 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Thailand. The move has reignited concerns about escalating trade tensions, putting pressure on global equity markets and risk sentiment.

Asian stocks remain cautious on Trump’s new tariffs

The equity markets in the Asia-Pacific region reacted with caution after the U.S. President announced new tariffs on imports from several countries. However, sentiment was partially lifted as Trump signalled for further negotiations, even after announcing new tariff rates for key trade partners. The Trump administration has imposed blanket tariffs of 25% to 40% on a group of countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

Among the key markets, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 0.1%, South Korea’s Kospi surged 0.8%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index added 0.3%. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% in opening trade, Singapore‘s Straits Times was up 0.1%, while Australia’s ASX 200 traded flat with a negative bias.

Stocks to watch

Titan Company : The Tata group company reported strong double-digit revenue growth in the first quarter of FY26, driven by a broad-based performance across its core businesses.

Tata Motors : Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, posted a year-on-year decline in Q1FY26 sales volumes, with both wholesale and retail figures falling in double digits.

Kotak Mahindra Bank : The private sector lender has reported net advances of ₹4.45 lakh crore for Q1FY26, marking a 14% year-on-year growth compared to ₹3.90 lakh crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Mahindra and Mahindra : The auto major’s vehicle production rose 20% in June 2025, with 83,435 units manufactured, up from 69,441 units in June 2024.

JSW Infrastructure : The infrastructure company has received a letter of award (LoA) from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority for a ₹740-crore port project.

Navin Fluorine International : The company has launched its qualified institutional placement (QIP) on July 7 to raise up to ₹750 crore at a floor price of ₹4,798.28 per share.

Refex Industries : The company has bagged an order worth ₹250 crore for ash disposal along with operation and maintenance of fly ash systems from a prominent GENCO.

Ex-dividend stocks: Shares of Titan Company, JSW Steel, Ador Welding, Aditya Vision, Bombay Oxygen Investments, Ingersoll-Rand (India), JK Cement, Plastiblends India, and Solar Industries India will trade ex-dividend with Tuesday, July 8, 2025, set as the record date for dividend eligibility.

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