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  • Sensex, Nifty Bounce Back: What Sparked the Market Revival After Black Monday?

    Following a sell-off that occurred on Monday as a result of fears concerning an escalating trade war, the Indian markets regained their footing on Tuesday. The BSE Sensex shot up more than 1,000 points to settle at 74,227.08, while the NSE Nifty took a leap of 374.25 points to close at 22,535.85. Both these benchmarks recovered 2% as part of a much broader Asian rally, during which the hope prevailed that the U.S. might ease up on its aggressive new tariff program.

    U.S. President Donald Trump set the stage when he stated that Japan would be sending a group to negotiate, which, in my opinion, showed that the U.S. would be sending some signals that it might be flexible in its trade position. At any rate, markets liked what they heard. Consequently, the Nikkei was up 6%, which is a nice day for the Japanese stock market. The recovery in the stock market is also apparent in the Indian stock market.

    Oversold Markets and Sectoral Resilience

    Domestic experts believe that the rebound on Tuesday was expected. The markets had been oversold. Tuesday provided an opportunity for investors to accumulate quality stocks at lower levels, especially in sectors that are less impacted by trade tensions.

    As per Yogesh Kansal, cofounder of Appreciate, the recovery has been spearheaded by firms that are virtually unaffected by tariffs, particularly in the tech and finance sectors.  IT stalwarts Infosys, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, L&T notched up at least 3% gains. Banking and finance not only took back all the previous week’s losses but also recorded fresh gains, which helped stabilize the broader indices.  Titan was a standout performer in this rally, surging nearly 5% after reporting a whopping 25% increase in standalone revenue for the March quarter, thanks to strong gold sales.

    The Trigger: Trump’s Tariff Push and Market Response

    The worldwide market volatility was triggered by Trump’s statement about his sweeping tariffs. These include a minimum 10% rate on all U.S. imports and possible 50% duties on Chinese goods. He said that his measures are meant to help restore America’s industrial base. He claimed no other president would attempt such a radical reset of trade policy.

    U.S. indices were briefly buoyed by rumors that there could be a 90-day pause in the enforcement of tariffs. This temporary lift, buoyed by the rumor, was enough to slow the freefall and preserve some cautious optimism in global markets.

    Investors Eye Talks, But Caution Lingers

    Even though we have seen a recovery, there is still uncertainty. President Trump takes a very hard line on trade. His inclination is toward protectionism. And that directly impacts his thinking when it comes to China. The trading relationship with China, in turn, affects a whole host of companies that are involved in manufacturing or trading with China.

    The rally in Indian markets at home is a testament to investor resilience, especially in sectors that are insulated from global policy shocks. The all-time highs being witnessed by Indian equity indices seem to have a solid base, with a lot of domestic participation in the markets from retail and institutional investors, going by the pace of the move and the kind of stocks that are moving with it.

  • Market Rebounds Sharply: Key Factors Shaping Wednesday’s Stock Trajectory

    Following its sharpest drop in ten months, the Indian stock market displayed an impressive recovery on Tuesday. It was driven by renewed global optimism and a rush by investors to buy at bargain prices. The BSE Sensex jumped 1,089.18 points, or 1.49%, to close at 74,227.08. The Nifty 50 advanced too, climbing 374.25 points, or 1.69%, to finish the day at 22,535.85. This surge was not limited to India; global equity markets joined the rally. Both U.S. and European indices staged a strong comeback after the previous day’s decline. News of easing trade tensions seems to have helped. Investors are also happy with China’s recent move to devalue its currency.

    RBI Policy and Technical Outlook

    Investors are keeping a close watch on the Reserve Bank of India’s policy decision, which is due this Wednesday. Market expectations are concentrated on a rate cut of 25 basis points, which could give investor sentiments a nice little boost if it comes to pass. Technical indicators also seem pretty optimistic. According to analysts, the Nifty found a strong base around 21,800 after dipping below its 20-day EMA. It then moved back above this technical indicator and created what is being called a nice little bullish candlestick pattern. A journey toward the 22,950–23,000 level is being anticipated; and if it can get above 23,200, we could see this it shift back into a nice bullish little move.

    Stock Movers and Turnover Leaders

    In terms of trading, several larger-cap names took the spotlight in the turnover charts. Leading them was HDFC Bank, with trades running worth INR 3,146 crore. Next came some of the other big heavyweights, like Reliance Industries, Infosys, TCS, ICICI Bank, and Trent. If one looked at volume, though, Vodafone Idea was the standout, with over 62 crore shares exchanged. YES Bank, Tata Steel, and Zomato also had fairly large volumes compared to their averages.

    On the buying side of things, there appeared to be some renewed interest in some previously hard-hit counter stocks. Zee Entertainment, Vijaya Diagnostic, Kaynes Technology, and Newgen Software all saw fairly good buying. These counters, which are genuinely uncertain in terms of long-term growth prospects, could see some continued attention in the sessions to come.

    Sentiment Overview and Sector Snapshot

    The vibe of the market was overwhelmingly positive. Of the 4,083 stocks listed on the BSE and traded on Tuesday, 3,093 advanced while a mere 871 declined. The bullish sentiment appeared sector-wide, with defense, tech, and energy shares leading the way globally. European stocks rebounded sharply from 14-month lows, showing that policy responses to the U.S. tariff situation were helping offset the impact.

    Not all stocks rode the updraft, however. Siemens, Jindal Saw, Wockhardt, and a few other counters saw notable selling pressure. It’s hard to pick a fault with the overall tone of the market as it awaits signals from central banks and further trade developments.

  • Zepto Nears $4B Annualized GOV, Reduces Burn Rate by 50% Amid Profit Push

    Zepto, one of India’s fastest-growing quick commerce startups, is getting closer to a significant milestone, with its Annualized Gross Order Value (GOV) approaching $4 billion. This represents an impressive ~300% year-on-year growth and a ~30% increase since January 2025, according to co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha.

    In a LinkedIn post on April 9, 2025, Palicha shared that, “Zepto is getting close to $4B in Annualized GOV, which represents ~300% year-on-year growth (and ~30% growth since my last update in January).”

    What makes this growth even more noteworthy is that it comes alongside improved financial discipline. Palicha noted that Zepto has reduced its EBITDA (excluding ESOPs) and operating cash flow (OCF) burn by 50% over the past three months, even as the company continued to scale meaningfully.

    He also expressed confidence that Zepto is within touching distance of breakeven on both EBITDA (excluding ESOPs) and OCF in the coming months, adding that the company still maintain a large net cash buffer on its balance sheet.

    Zepto’s dark store model continues to show strong promise. “Our newly launched dark stores continue to track towards EBITDA breakeven, just as the dark stores we launched over the last 3 years did in our previous store expansion cycles,” Palicha shared.

    Palicha also clarified Zepto’s definition of GOV, which includes fruits and vegetables at selling price and ancillary revenue streams, such as subscriptions and advertising.



    Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto has grown rapidly in India’s quick commerce sector. Backed by increasing order volumes, tighter cost controls, and a sizable cash reserve, the company is actively working toward achieving profitability, an uncommon development in the current startup environment.

    Aadit Palicha: The College Dropout Driving Zepto’s Rapid Success | Education | Net Worth | Career | Family
    Explore how Aadit Palicha, the college dropout and co-founder and CEO of Zepto, is revolutionizing India’s quick commerce industry with rapid deliveries and innovative solutions. Discover more about Aadit Palicha’s education, career, net worth, family, journey, age, and success story.
    StartupTalkyKanimozhi Sivakumar

  • Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Signs Strategic MoU with GRSE to Enhance Indigenous Commercial Shipbuilding Capabilities

    Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (“SDHI”), a key private player in commercial & defence shipbuilding, ship repairs, and heavy fabrication in India, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE). The MoU signed on April 7, 2025, at GRSE Bhavan, marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous commercial shipbuilding ecosystem. The collaboration is in line with the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and reinforces SDHI’s commitment to building world-class maritime infrastructure in the country.

    The partnership aims to jointly pursue opportunities in the construction of commercial vessels and offshore structures, with an eye on catering to both global markets and domestic maritime priorities. The association will allow Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited and GRSE to combine their capabilities in design, infrastructure, and project execution to create a robust and scalable model for commercial shipbuilding. This MoU is also expected to facilitate the sharing of facilities, co-development of standard vessel platforms, and coordinated project management strategies to enable faster turnaround and greater cost-efficiency.

    The partnership also envisions the evolution of a strong vendor and supply chain ecosystem driven by shared sourcing and procurement efficiencies. Furthermore, the MoU lays a strong emphasis on building skilled manpower to support the long-term growth of the shipbuilding sector. Both companies have agreed to work together not only on the construction front but also in areas such as vessel trials and ship repair—laying the foundation for a sustainable and comprehensive model of industrial cooperation.

    The MoU between SDHI and GRSE signifies a shared vision to advance India’s shipbuilding capabilities and create a future-ready infrastructure that supports maritime innovation, economic development, and job creation.

    About Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited

    Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (Formerly RNEL) is India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, strategically located on the west coast of India. Equipped with a state-of-the-art shipyard featuring a 662m x 65m dry dock and an impressive fabrication capacity of 1,44,000 tons per annum. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and world-class infrastructure, SDHI delivers high-quality solutions for the maritime and heavy engineering sectors. Committed to innovation and excellence, SDHI is set to play a pivotal role in India’s expanding maritime economy and industrial landscape.

  • BlueStone Gets SEBI Approval for INR 1,000 Crore IPO

    Omnichannel jewellery brand BlueStone has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The Bengaluru-based company plans to raise INR 1,000 crore through a fresh issue and offer for sale (OFS) by existing investors.

    The IPO move is aimed at expanding operations, increasing store count, and strengthening the brand’s position in India’s fast-growing jewellery market.

    IPO Structure and Investor Exit Plans

    Bluestone’s IPO includes a fresh issue of shares worth INR 1,000 crore and an OFS of up to 2,39,86,883 equity shares. This will allow early backers to partially or fully exit. Accel, Iron Pillar, and Sunil Kant Munjal will dilute their stakes, while firms like Saama Capital, Kalaari Capital, and IvyCap Ventures are set to make a full exit.

    Bluestone has also been backed by prominent angel investors like Deepinder Goyal (Founder, Zomato) and Nikhil Kamath (Co-founder, Zerodha), adding strong credibility to its cap table.

    The face value of each share is INR 1. Axis Capital, IIFL Capital, and Kotak Mahindra Capital are the book-running lead managers. KFin Technologies is the registrar for the issue.

    BlueStone’s Growth and Expansion Strategy

    Founded in 2011, BlueStone has grown into one of India’s top lifestyle jewellery brands. It offers designs in diamonds, gold, platinum, and other precious stones under the “BlueStone” brand.

    As of June 30, 2024, BlueStone had 203 retail outlets across 86 cities in 26 states and union territories. The brand operates three manufacturing units in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Surat. It also runs a special design lab in Mumbai to develop product prototypes.

    The company has reported strong financial growth. Revenue from operations increased to INR 1,265.84 crore in FY24, up from INR 770.73 crore in FY23. It posted a net loss of INR 52.22 crore in Q1 FY25, while its operating revenue stood at INR 359.19 crore.

    With the IPO funds, BlueStone plans to open new stores, invest in marketing, and boost working capital. The brand is focused on both online and offline retail, aiming to strengthen its omnichannel presence.

    The SEBI nod marks a major milestone for BlueStone as it prepares to enter the public market. With a clear growth plan, rising revenues, and a strong retail footprint, the company is well-placed to attract investor attention during its IPO launch.

    BlueStone Shareholding

    Here is a detailed overview of BlueStone’s shareholding pattern as of January 2025, as sourced from Tracxn:

    Name Holding %
    Gaurav Singh Kushwaha 17.3%
    Ganesh Krishnan 1.5%

    💰 VC & Fund Investors (62.3%)

    Name Holding %
    Accel 17.2%
    Kalaari Capital 10.1%
    Iron Pillar 6.2%
    Prosus 4.3%
    Saama Capital 2.9%
    Info Edge Ventures 2.4%
    IvyCap Ventures 5.2%
    360 One 3.5%
    IIFL Asset Management 1.2%
    Think Investments 1.0%
    Pratithi Investments 1.0%
    NV Holdings 1.0%
    Steadview 1.0%
    Dragoneer Investment 0.8%
    Avanz Capital 0.8%
    Innoven Capital 0.7%
    AT Capital Group 0.4%
    Twin & Bull 0.2%
    Fairmont Capital 0.1%
    Alteria Capital <0.1%
    Stride Ventures <0.1%

    🤝 Enterprise Investors (3.8%)

    Name Holding %
    NKSquared Global 1.1%
    Kamath Associates 1.1%
    Ohm Enterprise 0.6%
    Ashoka 0.4%
    Girnar Ventures 0.3%
    Others <0.1%

    👼 Angel Investors (6.8%)

    Name Holding %
    Sunil Kant Munjal 4.3%
    Srinivas Anumolu 1.5%
    Deepinder Goyal 0.5%
    Ashwin Kedia 0.2%
    Raveen Sastry 0.1%
    Others <0.1%

    👩‍💼 ESOP Pool (7.6%)

    Name Holding %
    ESOP Pool 7.6%

    BlueStone: Redefining Fine Jewelry with Innovation and Craftsmanship | Founder | Business Model
    Explore BlueStone, a pioneer in fine jewelry, offering a blend of innovative designs and expert craftsmanship. Learn more about BlueStone, its startup story, founders, revenue model, growth, funding, and more.
    StartupTalkyShevaughn Pimenta

  • To Stop Data Leaks, Centre is Thinking About Storing AI Models Locally

    According to reports, the Centre is thinking of storing AI models locally to reduce the risks involved and stop sensitive data from leaving India. This is in line with the government’s larger initiatives to fortify cybersecurity infrastructure and protect citizen data. S. Krishnan, secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stated that the Centre is allegedly planning to ratify Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act guidelines by April. This step will effectively prevent the leakage of personal data once the guidelines are put into action.

    Notably, the act requires strong security measures for managing personal data and gives the government the authority to limit cross-border data transfers. Krishnan also noted that the government is keeping a careful eye on Chinese LLM models because of possible data usage concerns, according to a news source. S. Krishnan stated that the real issue arises when data is shared via a mobile app or portal, as this can lead the data to leave the country and potentially influence how a certain model is trained. On the private side, the dangers of data leakage are significantly reduced if the model is housed in India.

    Rise of Cybersecurity in India

    As an indication of increased public awareness and greater surveillance capabilities, the MeitY secretary also emphasised the rise in cybersecurity incidents in India. This follows a few days after Krishnan reaffirmed the need for India to create more foundation models that address concerns specific to the nation and its languages. It is important to remember that India wants to become a worldwide leader in AI while maintaining national security. This is why the country is concentrating on localising AI models and enforcing strict data privacy rules. In keeping with this, India has also launched programmes like the IndiaAI Mission, which seeks to promote AI development through GPU purchase, public-private collaborations, and startup assistance. Additionally, the DPDP Act’s data localisation follows international trends in which countries are tightening regulations on cross-border data transfers. Global AI firms including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are looking to establish or increase their local data storage in India as a result of this data localisation mandate.

    India’s AI Sector

    With the help of investors and the government, India’s domestic AI sector has advanced significantly in recent years. Consequently, since 2020, over 200 GenAI startups have raised over $1.2 billion. While companies like Krutrim and SarvamAI are developing Indic LLMs, others, like ObserveAI, are using AI to provide businesses with tailored solutions. In addition, the nation is using AI in many areas to improve operations and user experience, and by 2030, the domestic GenAI market is expected to reach $17 billion.

  • Google Introduces AI-Powered Multimodal Search

    After receiving a positive early response, Google said that it is making its AI Mode function available to a larger number of Labs users in the US. However, previously this service was only available to Google One AI Premium customers. Google is also launching a significant improvement as part of its wider rollout: multimodal search capabilities driven by Google Lens and a customised version of its AI model, Gemini. With this improvement, users can upload or snap an image, pose a query about it, and get thorough, contextualised responses that include useful links for additional research. There is more to the new tool than just visual search. AI Mode now examines the entire context in addition to the image, which basically includes comprehending the relationships between objects as well as textures, colours, shapes, and layout. It recognises particular objects in the picture using Lens technology and then uses a method called “query fan-out” to conduct several searches in order to obtain more detailed information. According to Google, consumers can better comprehend what they’re viewing and make educated judgements because the outcome is a more relevant and nuanced response than regular search.

    Google Highlights the Feature by Showcasing an Example

    To demonstrate this capability, Google provided an example. In the above example, AI Mode correctly identified every book on the shelf by deciphering the image’s details. After that, it produced pertinent queries to learn more about those titles and locate related, highly regarded recommendations. A carefully chosen list of suggested books was provided in the answer, along with links to further information and places to buy. Asking follow-up questions will allow users to focus their search. On March 25, Google made AI mode available to a limited number of users. After the introduction, customers have commended AI Mode for its clear interface, quick response times, and capacity to answer complex enquiries, according to the US-based software company’s blog post. Many people utilise AI Mode for open-ended tasks like product comparisons, how-to guides, and trip planning, and the blog post from Google claims that questions entered in AI Mode are typically twice as long as those put in regular Google Search.

    Google Continuously Exploring the AI Sector

    There is a lot of promise for Google’s AI advancements in the future. Google keeps funding AI research and development, investigating cutting-edge fields including computer vision, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing. AI’s potential to create more immersive experiences, boost productivity, and revolutionise a variety of industries is intriguing . All of this becomes more lucrative when it is combined with other technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. Google’s unrelenting quest for AI-driven innovation has changed how people use technology and reshaped entire sectors. Google’s AI-powered products, which range from virtual assistants and translation services to navigational aids and photo management software, have become essential components of our everyday lives.

  • Ola Electric’s February Sales Included Unlaunched Models, Raises Big Question on Claims

    In order to increase its market share, Ola Electric, run by Bhavish Aggarwal, is facing severe regulatory action. The brand has recently reported to have included bookings for electric motorcycles and scooters that haven’t even been released yet in its February sales. According to a media report, Ola Electric stated in a letter dated 21 March to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that 10,866 Gen3 e-scooter and 1,395 Roadster X motorcycle reservations were included in its February sales data. Ola started shipping Gen3 e-scooters last month, but it hasn’t even started shipping Roadster motorcycles yet. Approximately half of the 25,207 “confirmed orders” in February fell into these two groups. According to the report, the ministry therefore wrote to Ola on March 31 to ask for an explanation of its monthly sales. It should be mentioned that, according to data from the Vahan Portal, Ola claimed to have sold 25,000 units in February, but only 8,600 of those vehicles were registered. In the past, the business had referred to it as a “clear case of temporary backlog” brought on by discussions with its vendors that handle vehicle registrations.

    Centre Yet to Launch Formal Investigation

    As per the report, the Centre may investigate Ola’s violations of local regulations or misreported sales. Ola Electric announced it had “nearly cleared” its February backlog in a statement issued on April 1. The firm further stated that it is anticipating clearing the remaining backlog for the February–March period by the end of this month. According to reports, Ola has been instructed by the ministry to update the February 2025 sales figures to only include the units that were invoiced in that month. Additionally, it threatened the business with “adverse action” if it didn’t reply to the letter within seven days. Ola Electric, which is already under regulatory examination for allegedly running stores without trade permits, has suffered yet another setback. Maharashtra RTO officials reportedly inspected Ola showrooms throughout the state last month. Officials further impounded scores of automobiles for noncompliance during a discrepancy between the company’s declared sales figures and real vehicle registrations in February.

    Maharashtra is simply not the only state seeing the crackdown. According to reports, Ola Electric closed all of its showrooms in Punjab, ostensibly to escape criticism from the government for trade certification infractions. Ola received notifications from Madhya Pradesh RTO officials for allegedly selling unregistered scooters without legitimate commercial certifications. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is also looking into the EV manufacturer due to claims of poor car sales, delays in servicing and delivery, and other consumer concerns.

    Recent Financial Outlook of Ola

    Ola Electric reaffirmed that it slashed its monthly cash burn by INR 90 Cr due to cost-cutting measures in its FY25 investor presentation, which was made public on April 1. The company also stated that it anticipated reaching EBITDA breakeven in the automotive segment in Q1 FY26. Despite fierce competition from companies like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor, the business is proud to have maintained its leading position in the electric two-wheeler industry in FY25 with 344K registrations and 30% market share. But it’s crucial to remember that since the second part of FY25, Ola Electric’s market share has been steadily declining. Its market share in EV two-wheelers actually decreased to 12% in February 2025 before slightly increasing to 18% in March 2025.

  • For ten years, PMMY Empowering Small and Microbusiness Owners

    On April 8, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) celebrated its tenth anniversary. Since its inception on April 8, 2015, it has provided more than 52 crore beneficiaries throughout India with over INR 33 lakh crore in collateral-free loans. 68% of Mudra loan accounts are held by female entrepreneurs. On July 23, 2024, the Finance Minister announced an increase in the loan ceiling to INR 20 lakh as part of the Union Budget 2024-25. This move is aligned to further strengthen and support business owners. The new cap became operative on October 24, 2024. Banks, NBFCs, MFIs, and other financial organisations are offering these loans. Those who have previously taken out and successfully repaid loans under the Tarun category are the target audience for the recently announced Tarun Plus loan category. As a result, business owners would be able to obtain capital ranging from INR 10 lakh to INR 20 lakh. Furthermore, these improved loans will now be covered by guarantee coverage from the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU). Thus, the government’s dedication to fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in India is further reinforced.

    Powerful Monetary and Social Effect

    The SBI research states that OBC, Scheduled Tribe, and Scheduled Caste (SC) entrepreneurs own 50% of Mudra accounts. Additionally, minority communities account for 11% of Mudra loan holders. Three credit categories are offered by the scheme: Shishu loans up to INR 50,000, Kishor loans between INR 50,000 and INR 5 lakh, and Tarun loans between INR 5 lakh and INR 10 lakh. There has been an apparent shift in recent years from lesser Shishu loans to more valuable Kishor and Tarun loans. Kishor loans accounted for only 5.9% of all disbursements in FY16, according to figures referenced in the press release. In FY25, this increased to 44.7%. During this time, the average loan amount also tripled, rising from INR 38,000 in FY16 to more than INR 1.02 lakh in FY25.

    Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

    At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%, the average loan amount per female borrower increased to INR 62,679 between FY16 and FY25. According to the PIB announcement, women’s average deposit balances increased by 14% yearly to INR 95,269 as well. Employment in women-led MSMEs increased in states that gave out a larger percentage of Mudra loans to women. The programme has been crucial in increasing total MSME credit. Credit to the MSME sector increased from INR 8.51 lakh crore in FY14 to INR 27.25 lakh crore in FY24, and it is expected to surpass INR 30 lakh crore in FY25, according to the SBI study. Over the same time period, MSME lending’s percentage of overall bank credit increased from 15.8% to about 20%.

  • Trump Supporter, Billionaire Bill Ackman Warns of ‘Economic Nuclear Winter’ Due to Tariffs

    In order to avoid “a self-induced economic nuclear winter”, a billionaire supporter of Donald Trump, Bill Ackman, has urged the US president to halt his newly announced trade penalties. The president should give nations three months to reconsider their trade agreements with the United States, according to hedge fund investor Ackman. Other well-known Wall Street personalities reiterated Ackman’s warning on March 7. Jamie Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase, stated that Trump’s tariffs run the risk of raising costs for Americans. The White House has hurried to describe speculation that the US president may halt fresh tariffs as “fake news”.

    Ackman stated in a post on X that if the new taxes are implemented, corporate investment will stop, and customers will stop spending money. He further added that America will suffer significant harm to its standing with the rest of the globe, which may take years or even decades to repair.

    Global Economy Taken a Massive Hit

    Trump already imposed a 10% base duty on all US imports of products on 5 April, and dozens of economies are preparing for even higher tariffs beginning on 9 April. Major US trading partners China and the European Union are among those hardest-hit nations. They will be subject to increased levies of 34% and 20%, respectively. In an annual letter to shareholders, Dimon stated that the new tariffs are making many people think that there is a higher chance of a recession and would probably raise inflation. He went on to say that while it’s unclear if the tariff option will lead to a recession, it will hamper GDP. In a post on X on April 7, billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller, the founder of the investment firm Duquesne Family Office, stated that he opposed tariffs higher than 10%. Fisher Investments’ founder and executive chairman, billionaire Ken Fisher, later in the day remarked on X that Trump’s announcement on 2nd April was foolish, incorrect, rudely extreme, uninformed in terms of trade, and using the wrong instruments to solve a non-issue. He commented further that as far as he can tell, though, it will fade and fail, and the fear outweighs the issue; therefore, he is bullish. Although he usually stays out of the public eye when it comes to presidential activities, Fisher pointed out that Trump is far outside the pale when it comes to tariffs.

    Musk Hoping for ‘Zero Tariff Situation’

    Even Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and a leading Trump supporter, expressed his hope on 6 April for a “zero-tariff situation” between the US and Europe. During a video connection chat with Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister of Italy, Musk expressed his desire to see a successful “free-trade zone” established between North America and Europe. Simon MacAdam, deputy chief global economist at consulting firm Capital Economics, echoed Ackman. He stated that companies were likely to postpone investments because of the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff policies. He stated that a person operating a mid-sized or even large-cap company will be really unsure of what to do. Speaking to a media outlet, he stated that entrepreneurs would be burning their time and possibly hundreds of millions of dollars on new plants in the United States if those tariffs were to be lowered again in a few months.