Indian IT stocks came under pressure after US President Donald Trump announced a steep hike in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 per year. While the increase applies only to fresh applications, it has rattled investors given that over 70% of H-1B holders are Indians. ADRs of leading IT firms plunged immediately, underscoring the sector’s vulnerability.

Markets brace for the impact of US President Trump’s $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee as investors watch India–US trade talks, domestic economic data, and US market trends. While FIIs remain cautious amid currency volatility, DIIs are supporting stability. Technical indicators suggest a positive bias, though short-term consolidation is likely near key resistance levels.

Warren Buffett, known for his value investing, still drives his 2014 Cadillac XTS at 94. Despite his wealth, Buffett prioritizes utility over luxury, valuing his time more than a new car. He avoids the time-consuming process of car shopping, emphasizing quality and longevity.

Concerns are rising over the weighting methodology of Indian indices like Nifty and Bank Nifty, with experts suggesting a re-evaluation. Gurmeet Chadha proposes incorporating GDP representation alongside free-float market cap. He highlighted that HDFC and ICICI constitute a significant portion of Bank Nifty.

Indian equities marked a third consecutive week of gains, fueled by optimism surrounding India-US trade talks and expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut. Analyst Sudeep Shah anticipates a brief market pause before a potential rally towards 25,750-26,000 for the Nifty. Bank Nifty also showed strength, with key levels to watch at 55,000-56,000.

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The U.S. Federal Reserve s recent interest rate cut, signaling further easing due to labor market concerns, has triggered a global monetary policy shift. The dollar is weakening, boosting the euro, yen, and pound. Gold and silver prices have surged to record highs, while base metals show mixed trends. Crude oil prices remain steady amid oversupply concerns.

Interestingly, Ambuja Cements, Le Travenues Technology (Ixigo) and Lemon Tree Hotels were introduced with a 4% weighting in each. This was done after selling the entire stake in Reliance Industries and Axis Bank and by shaving one percentage point each off the investments in ICICI Bank, REC and JSW Energy. Check the full list of stocks.

Amid the broader market uptrend, nine midcap stocks posted gains in each of the five sessions.a