After a sharp sell-off in global enterprise software stocks triggered by fears of AI disruption, markets were reminded how technological shifts can permanently reshape industries, much like the iPhone did to mobile phones in 2007. History shows incumbents often downplay disruption, only to see their businesses and valuations eroded over time, as it happened to Nokia and BlackBerry.

Today, SaaS stocks are being punished despite solid performance, while investors debate whether valuations reflect disruption or potential extinction. The lesson for investors is caution: avoid a blind “buy the dip” approach, plan for multiple outcomes, and recognise that some sectors—particularly Indian IT services—are not yet priced for the scale of disruption they face.

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India-US trade deal: Tariffs on Indian labour intensive goods slashed

The US has halved tariffs on India’s labour-intensive exports from 50 per cent to 25 per cent, with a further cut to 18 per cent expected next week, offering major relief to exporters, though the rollback is tied to India’s stance on Russian oil purchases.

As part of the interim trade framework, India will cut duties on several US goods, commit to buying $500 billion of US products over five years, while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, with both sides aiming to finalise the deal by March.

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NPS Swasthya brings a health wallet Inside NPS but there is a catch

The NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme is best viewed as a dedicated medical expenses wallet within the National Pension System, not a replacement for health insurance, and is being rolled out on a trial basis under PFRDA’s Regulatory Sandbox. It allows subscribers, especially those above 40, to earmark part of their NPS savings for medical costs, with structured, bill-based withdrawals.

While it offers discipline and integration with NPS, it comes with limits, investment risk and operational friction, making it suitable only for investors who already have adequate health insurance and are comfortable experimenting with a new product.

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Budget 2026 sets fertilizer self-reliance as India’s new security frontier

India’s food security challenge has shifted from mere fertilizer availability to strategic control over the entire food cycle, making fertilizer self-reliance a national security priority. The Union Budget 2026–27 addresses this through Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-driven agricultural advisory system, alongside a ₹1.71 lakh crore allocation to ensure stable, affordable fertilizer supply amid global volatility.

With domestic fertilizer production meeting 73 per cent of demand and a renewed focus on balanced nutrient use and soil health, the budget sets a strategic framework.

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Research &VO: Shakthi

Published on February 9, 2026