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Indian equities are experiencing a shift as FIIs reallocate capital from large-caps to small and mid-cap stocks, driven by confidence in India s domestic growth story. Experts suggest focusing on consumption, financial services, and infrastructure sectors amid GST reforms and trade talks.

Kotak Mutual Fund s Mandar Pawar anticipates domestic themes like consumption, autos, and cement to fuel market growth. He expects earnings momentum to strengthen in H2FY26, driven by improving rural demand, festive tailwinds, and rising construction, despite global trade uncertainties. Pawar favors consumer discretionary, autos, and cement sectors, while also highlighting potential in specialty chemicals and energy transmission.

Marzban Irani of LIC Mutual Fund advises fixed income investors to adjust their expectations. Double-digit returns are unlikely. He suggests focusing on accrual-driven strategies for stability. PSU bonds in the short-term offer good value. Global factors and index inclusions are positive for the Indian debt market. Investors should stay invested and embrace fixed income s role in providing portfolio stability.

Infosys has partnered with Mastercard to streamline cross-border payments, enabling faster, more secure onboarding for banks and boosting efficiency in payment integration.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller urged the central bank to lower its key interest rate at the upcoming meeting, echoing President Trump s calls for monetary easing. Waller, a potential successor to Chairman Powell, advocated for a 25-basis-point cut to prevent labor market deterioration and achieve the two percent inflation target.

Top-performing asset management companies (AMCs) may soon face a valuation check as rising competition, regulatory scrutiny, and elevated stock prices draw investor caution. While fund houses have delivered strong growth and outperformance, analysts warn that premium valuations leave little room for error. Any slowdown in inflows or margin pressure could trigger a reassessment of their lofty pricing.

The NSE’s update comes after a previous circular from the exchange, designed to improve trading ease and bolster risk oversight in equity derivatives.

The Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened higher on Friday, led by advances in heavyweights Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank, though concerns over U.S. tariffs are expected to keep a cap on further gains.

The US tariff hike to 50% on Indian goods is set to test export-heavy sectors like textiles, gems, and auto components, while pharma, IT, and domestic-focused industries remain resilient. Experts advise diversification, focus on strong balance sheets, and patience over panic. Analysts highlight banks, consumer plays, autos, and infrastructure as key stocks to watch near term.

In an ET Now interview, Srivatsa said that despite global challenges—especially risks from US growth, interest rates, and new tariffs—the Indian economy is displaying resilience. He added that domestic consumption appears to have bottomed out, supported by GST rationalisation and the recent corporate tax cuts, which should start yielding positive results in the coming quarters.