Investors Focus on India-US Trade Deal after Trump Comments

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(Bloomberg) — Before the trading day starts we bring you a digest of the key news and events that are likely to move markets. Today we look at:

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Good morning, this is Alex Gabriel Simon, an equities reporter in Mumbai. The mood in India is wary after an explosion in the capital New Delhi late on Monday killed at least eight people, with the cause of the blast still being investigated. Meanwhile, Nifty futures are edging higher, mirroring gains in global equities amid optimism that the US government shutdown will end soon. Investors will likely take comfort from President Donald Trump’s comments that a trade deal with India was “pretty close.” Focus today will also be on earnings, with BSE, Bajaj Finserv and Tata Power among the prominent names set to report.

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Goldman Sachs joins the India bulls team

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After Societe Generale and HSBC, Goldman Sachs is the latest to bet on a turnaround in India’s sluggish equities market. In 2025, the nation’s benchmark has lagged an index of emerging-market stocks by the most in over two decades. But global banks now see 2026 as a potential recovery year. Optimism is growing that a cycle of corporate earnings downgrades and consumption growth slowdown is nearing an end, and valuations have become more reasonable. That, together with a revival in foreign inflows and policy support in the form of tax cuts and easier liquidity, is expected to boost the market.

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Bajaj reclaims top spot in two wheelers

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While global investors turn bullish, India’s old guard is showing resilience. Bajaj Auto’s quarterly results drew attention with stronger-than-expected margins, but it was the company’s reclaiming of the top spot in India’s two-wheeler market in October that really turned heads. Powered by demand for its Chetak electric scooter, Bajaj has overtaken newer rivals like Ola Electric and Ather Energy — showing that scale, brand trust, and distribution muscle can trump novelty. For Ola and Ather, the first-mover edge is fading — sustaining leadership now hinges on execution, reliability, and cost. Bajaj Auto shares rose the most in three weeks on Monday.

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Lenskart’s debut stings IPO punters 

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While the secondary market offers promise, Lenskart’s tepid listing soured sentiment for IPO punters who were hoping for another blockbuster debut like Urban Co.’s. Lenskart’s stock slid as much as 12% in early trading on Monday before ending the session flat. The listing has reignited the debate over India’s tech startup valuations — many of which leave little on the table for new investors. The subdued debut comes ahead of listings by digital-payments provider Pine Labs and online broker Groww. For India’s new-age fintech hopefuls, the message is clear: investors are no more in the mood to overpay. And for the ones chasing those heady first-day pops, it’s a reminder that hype alone doesn’t translate into first-day gains.

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Analysts actions:

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Three great reads from Bloomberg today:

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