📰 Today’s Highlights – 23 July 2025
India takes a major stride in global trade as Prime Minister Modi signs a free trade agreement with the UK, including tariff cuts on key items. However, hopes for an interim U.S.–India trade deal before the August 1 deadline dim amidst stalled talks. The rupee remains under pressure, hovering near one-month lows due to a strong U.S. dollar, weak inflows, and import demand, though a mild boost from yen-led dollar weakness temporarily helped. Meanwhile, anticipation builds ahead of Dr Reddy’s Q1 results and equity markets brace for a potential reversal as technical time windows emerge.
Daily Current Affairs – MCQs (23 July 2025)
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**Which trade agreement did PM Modi sign today?**A) India–India ASEAN FTAB) India–UK free trade dealC) India–EU trade pactD) India–Canada PTAAnswer: B) India–UK free trade dealExplanation: India and Britain finalized a free trade agreement during Modi’s UK visit, including tariff reductions on whisky, cars, and food, while giving duty-free access to Indian textiles and EVs.
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**Why did India–U.S. interim trade talks falter?**A) Disagreement on automotive tariffsB) Deadlock on agriculture and dairy dutiesC) Currency intervention disputesD) Labour standards issueAnswer: B) Deadlock on agriculture and dairy dutiesExplanation: Talks stalled as India resisted tariff cuts on key farm and dairy products before the August deadline.
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**What happened to the rupee today?**A) Rose sharplyB) Remained stableC) Weakened to one-month lowsD) Closed flatAnswer: C) Weakened to one-month lowsExplanation: Continued dollar strength, weak inflows, and corporate import demand pushed the rupee down to around ₹86.35/$.
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**What temporarily supported the rupee at opening?**A) Oil price dipB) ECB decisionC) Yen-led dollar pullbackD) RBI interventionAnswer: C) Yen-led dollar pullbackExplanation: A rally in the yen led to dollar weakness, giving modest support and an initial rupee opening around ₹86.20–86.22.
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**What is Dr Reddy’s expected performance?**A) Loss in Q1B) Flat revenueC) Profit growth up to 15%D) Decline in US salesAnswer: C) Profit growth up to 15%Explanation: Q1 PAT forecast between ₹1,399–1,659 crore representing -2% to +15% YoY growt.
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**Which key technical market phase is being watched?**A) June spikeB) July 22–25 timeframeC) After August budgetD) Year-end rallyAnswer: B) July 22–25 timeframeExplanation: Analysts expect potential reversal moves in the July 22–25 window, based on technical patterns.
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**How much have FIIs exited in July?**A) ₹5,000 croreB) ₹10,775 croreC) ₹20,000 croreD) No exitAnswer: B) ₹10,775 croreExplanation: Foreign institutional investors have sold equities worth ₹10,775 crore in July.
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**What sectors are still attracting FII investments?**A) Pharma & autoB) Telecom & financialsC) Energy & utilitiesD) Real estate & infrastructureAnswer: B) Telecom & financialsExplanation: Despite broad outflows (~$9.2bn YTD), FIIs are selectively buying in telecom and financials.
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**Where did USD/INR forward trade in non-deliverable forwards?**A) 85.00B) 86.00C) 86.32D) 87.00Answer: C) 86.32Explanation: One-month NDF forward rate stood at around ₹86.32/$.
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**What is the outlook for Indian equities today?**A) Bullish breakoutB) Flat to bearish startC) Sharp sell-offD) Volatile spikeAnswer: B) Flat to bearish startExplanation: Market is expected to open flat to slightly bearish, pressured by sluggish global cues and local weakness.
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