1423: Marketbuzz Podcast with Kanishka Sarkar: Defence stocks in focus after Modi-Trump bilateral meet

Welcome to CNBC-TV18’s Marketbuzz Podcast. Here are top developments from around the world ahead of the trading session of February 14

-The highlights of the Modi and Trump meeting are likely to be one of the main themes today. Following bilateral talks, India and the US have agreed on a roadmap to double trade to 500 billion dollars by 2030. The two leaders renewed commitments to making high value greenfield investments in each other’s countries. Defence remains a very important area of cooperation.

-Also, India and the US are to finalise a new defence framework which will be applicable from 2025 to 2035. And, US will review its arms transfer regulations in order to streamline defence trade

-When asked if India has agreed to buy F-35’s from America, the Foreign Secretary told CNBC-TV18 that he doesn’t think the formal process with regard to acquisition of advanced aviation platforms has been initiated by India. Currently this is a proposal and there are many more steps which have to take place before any such acquisition takes place.

-Gift Nifty remained flat this morning, indicating a muted opening for the Indian market.

-Nagaraj Shetti of HDFC Securities said the short-term trend of the Nifty remains positive, but the market is lacking its strength to surpass immediate hurdles. A decisive move above 23,250 levels could confirm a near term bottom reversal pattern in the market. Immediate support is placed at 22,800 levels.

-Stocks in focus: Hindalco, Manappuram Finance, Bank of Baroda, Nazara Technologies, Religare Enterprises, Paytm, defence, green energy stocks

-Asian equities were headed for gains as markets reacted positively to signs the reciprocal US tariffs may be weeks from coming into effect, raising the prospect for negotiations. Shares in Australia and Japan and equity index futures for Hong Kong all advanced, indicating a region-wide stock gauge may climb for a third day. An index of Chinese companies that trades in the US rose more than 1% in New York trading. A measure of global stocks closed at a record high.

-The S&P 500 rose 1% while the Nasdaq 100 climbed 1.4% as big tech outperformed. Tesla Inc. and Nvidia Corp each rallied over 3%, while Meta Platforms Inc. climbed for a 19th straight day.

-US President Donald Trump ordered his administration to consider imposing reciprocal tariffs on numerous trading partners, singling out Japan and South Korea as nations that he believes are taking advantage of the US.

Tune in to the Marketbuzz Podcast for more cues