June 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Stock Market

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly reiterated New Delhi’s stance on terrorism during talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly reiterated New Delhi’s stance on terrorism during talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stating that India will not tolerate any equivalence between perpetrators of terrorism and their victims. His remarks come amid apparent frustration in New Delhi over international attempts to “hyphenate” India and Pakistan, particularly following last month’s military clashes between the two countries. Key Highlights from Jaishankar-Lammy Meeting: Strategic Outlook: The tone of the Jaishankar-Lammy talks highlights India’s growing assertiveness on the international stage, especially when it comes to terrorism emanating from across its western border. While economic cooperation between India and the UK is deepening, diplomatic sensitivities around security and counter-terrorism remain a flashpoint, particularly when Western powers appear to equate India’s sovereign defensive actions with Pakistan’s support for non-state actors. Lammy’s visit also signals the UK’s post-Brexit strategy to strengthen bilateral ties with major Indo-Pacific players like India, even as it navigates complex geopolitical sensitivities in South Asia.

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Editor04 mins

Bitcoin Poised for Breakout to $130K Despite Trump-Musk Market Jitters

Bitcoin saw a sharp dip this week as a public spat between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk triggered broader market volatility. The cryptocurrency tumbled nearly 5% — from $106,000 to below $101,000 — amid the fallout on Thursday. However, analysts suggest this downturn may be the final phase of a classic bullish setup, potentially setting Bitcoin on course for a major price rally. Short-Term Dip, Long-Term Opportunity? Despite the recent price correction, technical indicators now point toward a positive outlook for Bitcoin. A widely followed market analyst, known as CrypFlow on X, stated on June 6 that Bitcoin’s chart is showing signs similar to those observed in Q4 2024 — just before the last major surge in price. CrypFlow highlighted three major indicators: Forecast: $130K First Target, $170K Long-Term Potential CrypFlow believes that, if history repeats, Bitcoin could surge by as much as 62% from current levels — potentially reaching $170,000. However, the analyst has set a more conservative near-term target of $130,000, representing a 25% increase from the current market price. Current Market Snapshot Despite market fear, data from Coincodex shows analysts remain optimistic. Their short-term projection sees BTC hitting $134,074 in five days, and $155,864 over the next three months. Bottom Line While the Trump-Musk feud has rattled financial markets, Bitcoin’s technical chart suggests a possible rebound. If historical patterns hold true, the recent dip may be a brief pause before a bullish surge, with $130,000 firmly in sight and a potential climb toward $170,000 over the longer term. Investors should watch closely for confirmation of continued momentum and volume resurgence in the coming days.

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Editor04 mins

Trump–Musk Feud Erupts, Tesla Shares Plunge in Wake of Political Fallout

The once-surprising alliance between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has disintegrated in spectacular fashion, triggering political ripples and financial turmoil. The split became public after Musk launched a fierce critique of Trump’s new tax-and-spending bill on social media, labelling it a “disgusting abomination.” The bill proposes ending the popular $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles (EVs) by late 2025—an incentive that has significantly benefited Tesla. Trump swiftly retaliated, threatening to sever government contracts with both Tesla and SpaceX. The President went further during an Oval Office address posted on Truth Social, stating: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget—Billions and Billions of Dollars—is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” The political drama couldn’t have come at a worse time for Tesla. Already battling slowing global EV demand, regulatory scrutiny, and Musk’s controversial associations with far-right circles, the company has now seen its market value nosedive by over $380 billion since January 2025. Tesla shares dropped 14% on Thursday alone—their largest single-day loss ever—wiping out over $150 billion. The ripple effect also hit Destiny Tech100 Inc., which holds a major stake in SpaceX, sending its stock down 13%. According to Ortex, short sellers netted close to $4 billion in profits from Thursday’s collapse—one of the largest single-day gains ever. Although Tesla shares rebounded slightly on Friday—rising 5.2% to $299.46 at market open before closing up 3.7% at $295.14—the damage to investor confidence was evident. The stock ended the week down 15%, its worst performance since October 2023. Year-to-date, Tesla shares are down 22%, making it the worst performer among the elite “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks. Once ranked eighth globally by market capitalisation, Tesla has now slipped to the tenth spot, with its valuation sitting precariously at around $917 billion. Musk’s exit from the Trump administration last week, reportedly due to mounting shareholder pressure, initially seemed amicable. But it quickly descended into acrimony. The Tesla CEO, once part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accused Trump’s new bill of undermining fiscal discipline. Trump, in turn, dismissed Musk’s criticisms as self-serving, hinting that Musk had turned on him because their alliance no longer benefited him. Amid mounting backlash and investor concern, the White House has reportedly tried to mediate, with insiders suggesting a call between Musk and senior officials to de-escalate tensions. However, when asked by a reporter about this potential dialogue, Trump snapped: “You mean the man who has lost his mind? I’m not particularly interested in talking to him right now.” Meanwhile, Apple has also been caught in the tech-sector downturn. The iPhone maker has slipped to the third most valuable global company, with a $2.99 trillion market cap reflecting a 20% decline this year. The fall is attributed to weakening demand in China, AI implementation struggles, and renewed trade tensions under Trump’s leadership. While Musk has shown signs of willingness to make peace—echoing investor Bill Ackman’s call for a truce—the future of Tesla’s government partnerships and long-term valuation remain clouded by political uncertainty. The feud has not only strained two of the most powerful men in America but has also shaken investor faith in Tesla’s resilience amid rising political risks.

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Editor05 mins

Toyota to Take Supplier Toyota Industries Private in $26 Billion Deal, Reshaping Corporate Structure

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) announced a major restructuring move on Thursday, confirming a $26 billion deal to take long-time group supplier Toyota Industries Corp (6201.T) private. The acquisition is being led by Toyota Fudosan, an unlisted real estate firm chaired by Toyota’s current Chairman Akio Toyoda, underscoring the continued influence of the automaker’s founding family. The offer, pegged at 3.7 trillion yen ($26 billion), values Toyota Industries at 16,300 yen per share, notably below its recent closing price of 18,400 yen—a surprise to markets expecting a valuation closer to $42 billion, as previously reported. Toyota Industries, which manufactures forklifts, engines, batteries, and converters, has deep historical roots in the Toyota Group. Founded in 1926 as Toyoda Automatic Loom Works by Sakichi Toyoda, it later incubated the automotive division that became Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota currently holds about 24% of Toyota Industries, while the latter owns roughly 9% of Toyota Motor and over 5% of Denso (6902.T), another key Toyota group supplier. As part of the restructuring, Toyota also revealed plans to repurchase its own shares held by Toyota Industries—an effort aimed at untangling cross-shareholding structures and enhancing corporate governance. This move is in line with a broader trend in Japanese corporate reform, where regulators and investors are pressuring conglomerates to improve transparency, governance, and shareholder value. The buyout, though expected, signals a strategic pivot in how Toyota aligns its group entities for the future, especially under the influence of Akio Toyoda’s leadership and legacy vision.

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Editor02 mins

Rupee Falls by 19 Paise to 85.29 Against US Dollar Amid Investor Caution and Weak Equity Market

The Indian rupee slipped by 19 paise to settle at 85.29 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, reflecting a cautious investor outlook amid upcoming key economic data releases. This decline follows a 35 paise gain on Monday, which had marked a brief upward trend for the local currency. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) showed limited activity, with net equity purchases totaling ₹135.98 crore. Despite a modest decline in global crude oil prices, the rupee remained under pressure due to subdued sentiment in the domestic equity markets and concerns surrounding upcoming industrial production and GDP growth data. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, dropped by 0.26% to $64.56 per barrel in futures trade, typically a supportive factor for the rupee. However, its positive effect was outweighed by tepid foreign fund flows and cautious investor behavior. Forex analysts observed that the rupee opened at 85.15 before weakening further during the session. On the global front, the dollar index—which tracks the greenback against six major currencies—eased slightly, trading 0.03% lower at 98.83. While this would generally help emerging market currencies like the rupee, the domestic market conditions proved more influential. Indian equities mirrored the rupee’s struggles, with the BSE Sensex falling by 465.46 points (0.57%) to close at 81,710.99. The Nifty also declined by 149.90 points (0.60%), ending the day at 24,851.25. Market experts attributed this downturn to investor hesitation ahead of April’s industrial output data and first-quarter GDP figures, both of which are expected later this week. Analysts maintain that the rupee’s near-term outlook will be shaped by the trajectory of global oil prices and domestic economic indicators. While external cues remain mixed, internal macroeconomic data releases could either deepen or relieve pressure on the local currency and equity benchmarks.

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Editor03 mins

India’s Wholesale Inflation Eases to 0.85% in April; Retail Inflation Hits 69-Month Low at 3.16%

India’s wholesale inflation cooled further to 0.85% in April 2025, down sharply from 2.05% in March, reaching a four-month low, government data revealed on Wednesday. The decline was driven by a contraction in primary articles and fuel prices, although inflation in manufactured goods continued to rise. 🔍 Key Highlights: 🍅 India’s “Kitchen Inflation” – A Breakdown Food prices contributed significantly to the cooling trend: Item April Inflation March Inflation Vegetables -18.26% -15.88% Onions 0.20% 26.65% Potatoes -6.77% 27.54% Pulses 5.57% -2.98% Cereals 3.81% — 🏦 RBI’s Inflation Outlook for FY26 India’s retail inflation also eased to a 69-month low of 3.16% in April, from 3.34% in March, offering relief to households. The RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has revised its inflation projection for FY2025–26 to 4%, down from 4.2% in February. Quarter-wise projections for FY26: “There is now greater confidence in a durable alignment of inflation with the 4% target over the next 12 months,” said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, crediting the sharp decline in food prices for the improvement. 📈 Conclusion Both wholesale and retail inflation indicators suggest a broad-based cooling of price pressures in the Indian economy, creating room for monetary policy stability and boosting consumer confidence. However, analysts warn that geopolitical risks and climate impacts on agriculture remain key variables for future trends.

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Editor03 mins

Asian Markets Rally as US-China Trade Truce Spurs Global Optimism

Markets across Asia surged on Tuesday, buoyed by a strong rally in U.S. equities and renewed optimism surrounding the easing of trade tensions between the United States and China. A gauge of U.S.-listed Chinese stocks soared 5.4% on Monday, marking its best session in over two months, as investor sentiment improved on signs of a major de-escalation in the prolonged tariff conflict. Japan’s Topix index extended gains for a 13th straight session, setting it on course for its longest winning streak in 16 years. Shares in Australia and Japan also opened significantly higher, tracking the S&P 500’s 3% surge from the previous U.S. session. The sharp rebound in risk appetite followed a joint announcement by U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators, confirming a temporary tariff truce. The United States agreed to slash duties on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for a 90-day period, while China reduced its tariffs on most U.S. imports to 10%. The coordinated move was widely interpreted as a meaningful step toward broader economic normalization between the world’s two largest economies. Despite the euphoria in equities, the U.S. dollar remained relatively flat during Asian trading hours, following a jump on Monday. The rally has come as a double-edged sword for some investors. Those who hedged against further market instability during April’s turmoil—through strategies like shorting the dollar, betting on increased stock volatility, or positioning for aggressive Fed rate cuts—now face painful unwinds. These reversals may also be contributing to the sudden momentum in global stock markets. As attention turns to central bank policy signals and upcoming economic data, markets are likely to remain sensitive to any shifts in trade negotiations or monetary expectations. For now, however, the de-escalation has brought a welcome sense of relief to global investors.

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Editor03 mins

Markets Volatile as India Strikes Terror Targets Under ‘Operation Sindoor’; FIIs Sustain Market Resilience

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty witnessed sharp volatility in early trade on Wednesday, May 7, following India’s precision missile strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The strikes, part of ‘Operation Sindoor’, were a retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives two weeks ago. During the trading session, the Sensex fluctuated between a high of 80,844.63 and a low of 79,937.48, while the Nifty ranged from 24,449.60 to 24,220. Despite the initial nervousness, the market remained largely resilient, aided by consistent foreign inflows and confidence in India’s macroeconomic prospects. The Indian military targeted nine terror-linked sites, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad headquarters in Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke. According to market experts, the non-escalatory and focused nature of the strikes helped limit broader panic in the financial markets. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, noted that the markets had already factored in a likely response from India, which contributed to their relative calm. He emphasized that Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remain key to the market’s strength, having invested ₹43,940 crore over the past 14 trading sessions. Vijayakumar also pointed to broader global cues supporting Indian equities, including a weaker US dollar, slower economic growth in the US and China, and India’s relative outperformance potential in 2025. Among sectoral performers, Tata Motors, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, and Power Grid were notable gainers. Meanwhile, HCL Tech, Asian Paints, Hindustan Unilever, Sun Pharma, UltraTech Cement, and Nestle lagged behind. On the global front, South Korea’s Kospi, Shanghai’s SSE Composite, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded in positive territory, whereas Japan’s Nikkei 225 showed weakness. FIIs continued their buying momentum with purchases worth ₹3,794.52 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data. The market outlook remains cautious, with attention focused on geopolitical developments at the border, but investor confidence appears intact for now.

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Editor03 mins

Zomato Leadership Shuffle: Rakesh Ranjan Steps Down as Food Delivery CEO, Deepinder Goyal Takes Charge

In a strategic leadership reshuffle, Rakesh Ranjan, the CEO of Zomato’s food delivery business, is stepping down from his role. Founder and Group CEO Deepinder Goyal will now personally oversee the food delivery operations for the coming months, as per sources cited by Moneycontrol. Despite vacating the CEO post, Ranjan will remain with Zomato (internally known as ‘Eternal’), continuing to play a key role within the broader ecosystem of the company. This leadership change is part of Zomato’s routine executive rejig, which the company reportedly undertakes every few years. Ranjan’s Tenure and Impact Ranjan, who took over the food delivery division in June 2023, has been with the company for nearly eight years. Under his leadership, Zomato continued to maintain its position as a market leader in India’s competitive food delivery sector. Financial Snapshot – Q3FY25 While operationally robust, the company faced some financial turbulence in the most recent quarter: Zomato Stock Performance Zomato’s stock has shown mixed signals: In comparison, the Nifty 50 index has: The contrast highlights that Zomato’s recent gains outpaced the market in the short term, but it has underperformed over the long run, likely due to concerns about profitability and Blinkit’s burn rate.

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Hyundai Steel Faces Investor Backlash Over $6B U.S. Investment Amid Trade Uncertainty

In late March, Hyundai Steel attempted to reassure investors after its shares were hit hard following the announcement of a $6 billion investment in a new U.S. plant, part of Hyundai Motor Group’s broader $21 billion U.S. investment package revealed at the White House on March 24. During a closed-door investor call, company officials apologized for the lack of detailed funding plans, attributing the hasty announcement to mounting U.S. tariff threats and limited policy action from South Korea’s government amid former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment crisis. Executives emphasized that the investment was strategically aimed at securing better tariff terms for Hyundai and South Korea in ongoing trade talks with Washington. Indeed, senior South Korean officials are set to meet U.S. counterparts this Thursday in an effort to negotiate tariff exemptions or reductions. However, skepticism remains. Investors and analysts questioned: Tensions escalated when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported autos shortly after the White House event, without exemptions for South Korean products, casting further doubt on the strategy’s immediate gains. As Hyundai navigates this geopolitical and economic uncertainty, both its strategic planning and diplomatic negotiations will be closely watched by markets and policymakers alike.

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