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Weekly Update Market Wrap

What Moved India’s Markets This Week: Fed Signals, Crude Shock, EU Trade Pact & Corporate Reality Check

From Fed rate signals and crude oil risks to India’s fiscal math, EU trade deal, IPO momentum, and mixed corporate earnings—here’s a crisp, no-noise breakdown of the key forces shaping Indian markets this week.

6 min read   |   31-Jan-2026   |   Last Updated: 31 Jan 2026
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Written by: SERNET Research Team

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Table of Content

Weekly Capsule (Jan 26 – Jan 30) and Impact Analysis

        News Announcement           Impact Analysis 
   
  • India FY26 fiscal deficit as of December 2025 stood at 54.5% of full-year target 
  • The month of December 2025 saw cumulative fiscal deficit falling by ₹1.21 lakhs due to front loading of advance tax flows 
  • That only indicates that the fiscal deficit could spike rapidly in the last 3 months of FY26, amid relatively tepid net tax flows 

 

  • US Fed held its benchmark rates in the Jan-26 meeting at 3.25%-3.50% range 
  • The status quo decision saw a favourable vote in ratio of 10:2; with only Miran and Waller (Trump nominees) dissenting 
  • However, with US Q3 GDP growth at 4.4%, Q4 growth likely at 5.4%, and 2.9% PCE inflation in Q3; rate cuts were ruled out 

 

  • The finance minister tabled the 2025-26 Economic Survey in both Houses 
  • The Survey broadly highlighted the achievements of the Indian economy under fairly trying global economic conditions 
  • However, the Economic Survey has identified some clear risks on the geopolitical front, which could disrupt the India story 

 

  • It is not just gold and silver; but even Brent crude prices have risen sharply 
  • Brent is now above $68/bbl, with WTI crude close to $64/bbl; and this has been largely driven by concerns over Iran 
  • Markets are apprehensive that any US aggression with respect to Iran could lead to the blockade of the Straits of Hormuz 

 

  • CPI inflation will see a sharp reduction in food weightage to reduce volatility 
  • The weightage of food in the CPI basket is likely to be reduced from 45.86% to 36.75% to reduce effect of food volatility 
  • This move is also in sync with the consumption reality, where food has reduced as a share of the overall household budget 

 

  • The IIP rebounded to a 26-month high of 7.78% for December 2025 
  • This comes on top of the November 2025 IIP being positively upgraded by 48 basis points to 7.16%, a positive indication 
  • While manufacturing did see robust growth in December 2025; mining and electricity also expanded at over 6% 

 

  • The much talked-about FTA between India and the EU was signed on 27-Jan 
  • The idea is to boost the current Indo-EU trade by $75 billion from the current total trade level of $137 billion 
  • India currently runs a $15 billion surplus with EU, and the FTA is likely to make most labour-intensive exports duty free 

 

  • Bajaj Auto reported 19% spike in net profits to ₹2,503 crore for Q3FY26 
  • The growth should have been better had it not been for a ₹62 crore one-time write-off due to the new Labour Code 
  • Quarterly revenues also grew 19% at ₹15,220 crore as the company saw EBITDA margins expand to 20.8% in Q3FY26 

 

  • NSE gets approval for IPO; settlement will be a part of the overall deal 
  • Now, NSE can start its IPO process and it is estimated that the actual IPO launch may take upward of 8 months from now 
  • The first step will be to engage with investment bankers for the IPO, which will entirely be an offer for sale (OFS) 

 

  • Donald Trump has picked Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chief to replace Powell 
  • Warsh is known to be a monetary moderate; and not too inclined to aggressive rate cuts; which should balance ideas 
  • Kevin Warsh is from the blue-blooded Morgan Stanley, so he should bring a balance of markets and regulation to the Fed 

 

  • Indian PM Modi highlights $500 billion opportunity in the Indian energy sector 
  • The idea here is to raise the refining capacity beyond 300 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and boost exploration 
  • India already has refining capacity of 260 MTPA and is among the top-5 exporters of refined products; reaching 150 nations 

 

  • IPO-bound Phone Pe is scaling up its lending and insurance business 
  • Insurance and lending are just 11.55% of its total business today, and this will reduce the pressure on payments business 
  • Insurance and lending has grown 3-fold in last 1 year, but it needs to diversify its 80% dependence on payments business 

 

  • AI has its downsides, and it was evident when Microsoft fell 7% on results day 
  • While analysts liked the growth in its Azure business, markets are worried about its aggressive AI and cloud spending budget 
  • Globally, markets are worried about how companies are going to practically justify their massive spends in the AI initiatives 

 

  • HDFC Capital Advisors allies with CLS to set up rental housing platform in India 
  • The idea is to develop, own and operate institutional grade rental housing to meet growing demand of professionals 
  • Curated Living Solutions (CLS) brings extensive experience in co-living, student accommodation and worker housing 

 

  • Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) reported 20.4% higher net profits at ₹1,580 crore 
  • This was largely supported by a 24.0% growth in top line revenues in the quarter at ₹7,154 crore amidst rising orders 
  • While the new labour code hit was ₹1,662 crore; what is truly gratifying is the ₹73,015 crore order book position of BEL 

 

  • Akasa Air expects 40% of its flights to fly international in next 4 years 
  • Currently, Akasa Air serves 26 domestic destinations and just 6 international destinations; so, we are talking of a big growth 
  • In terms of domestic strategy, Akasa Air is likely to continue its focus on connecting the Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India  

 

  • Vodafone Idea lines up ₹45,000 crore for 3-year expansion and growth plan 
  • The capital infusion will target double-digit revenue growth and tripling the EBITDA from the current levels 
  • More importantly, Vodafone Idea has to regain its mojo of adding to its customer base; like Jio and Bharti Airtel 

 

  • Vedanta demerger to take effect in April; listing of entities by May 2026 
  • The demerger of entities has already been approved by NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), despite centre pushback 
  • Vedanta will split, steel/ferrous metals, oil, aluminium, and power into 4 distinct verticals and list each one of them 

 

  • Swiggy reported widening of net loss to ₹1,065 crore despite 21% GOV growth 
  • Even the Consolidated Adjusted EBTIDA (before ESOP) reported an operating loss of ₹712 crore in the quarter 
  • Quick commerce may be boosting valuations and funding options, but it is surely draining cash flows of the company 

 

  • Indian GCCs have been showing rapid growth as well as creating jobs 
  • The quality of work done in Indian global capability centres (GCC) in India has gone up the value chain in recent years 
  • The GCCs currently contribute about $68 billion to the Gross Value Added (GVA); and account for 1.8% of India’s GDP 

 

  • India’s nuclear submarine program is to have several spillover business benefits  
  • Currently 51 large ships are under construction at Indian dockyards with an estimated value of ₹90,000 crore 
  • This program will benefit companies like MIDHANI, PTC Ind, CFF Fluid Controls, Quest Fluid Controls, GRSE, Kirloskar etc 

 

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