Auto, pharma stocks extend rout as Trump’s tariff plan spooks investors
Nifty Pharma index dropping 0.9%, as investors digested U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to impose a 25% tariff on auto imports starting next week. The move drew backlash from global carmakers and stoked fears of escalating trade tensions.
Auto stocks extended their two-day decline to 2%. Mahindra & Mahindra shares dropped 2.8% on Friday, while Tata Motors tumbled 6% over the last three sessions amid fears of a 25% tariff on auto exports to the U.S. Analysts warn that Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) could be particularly affected.
Samvardhana Motherson International, which has exposure to U.S. and European markets, lost 1.6% over the past three sessions, while Sona BLW Precision Forgings slid more than 8% in the last four sessions.
Pharma stocks mirrored the downturn, shedding 0.9% on Friday. The U.S., which accounts for roughly a third of India’s pharmaceutical exports, remains a key market for the sector. Shares of Cipla, IPCA Labs, and Alkem declined between 1% and 2%, while Dr. Reddy’s Labs, Sun Pharma, and Biocon lost up to 1%.
Investor caution deepened ahead of the April 2 deadline, when U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plan is set to take effect. The administration has indicated that not all tariffs will be imposed immediately, leaving markets uncertain about the full extent of the impact.
Live Events
“The market’s resilience, despite Trump’s reciprocal tariff threats, comes from renewed buying by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and the confidence this has given to the bulls,” said VK