Textile Stocks Rally After India-US Tariff Cut Surprise — Are Export Stocks Entering a New Upcycle?
Textile and apparel stocks staged a sharp rally on February 9 after India and the United States confirmed a tariff reduction under their interim trade framework, a move that cheered investors who had been worried about the competitiveness of Indian exporters in the US market. The announcement brought immediate buying interest into export-oriented counters, many of which had corrected significantly in recent months due to tariff-related uncertainties and margin pressures.
Shares of Gokaldas Exports climbed 6.5% to ₹832.1, Arvind Ltd. surged nearly 7% to ₹393.90, while Raymond Lifestyle advanced around 5% and K.P.R. Mill Limited gained about 4% during the session. The rally reflected renewed optimism that easing trade barriers could improve revenue visibility and restore investor confidence in the sector. Market participants said the move helped remove a major overhang that had been capping valuations despite stable global demand for garments and home textiles.
India-US Interim Trade Framework Signals Warmer Trade Ties and Policy Stability
The framework for the interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade was released on February 6, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to deepen economic cooperation. The broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by Donald Trump and Narendra Modi in February 2025, continue to act as the foundation for these discussions. Officials from both countries described the interim framework as a “historic milestone,” underlining a shared intent to pursue balanced and practical trade outcomes.
The framework highlights multiple focus areas:
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Greater market access for goods
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Support for resilient supply chains
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Reciprocal tariff considerations
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Long-term trade partnership
For equity markets, the framework reduces policy uncertainty, which is often a key driver of institutional flows into export-heavy sectors. Investors generally reward clarity, and the latest announcement provided exactly that.
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Tariff Reduction to 18% Offers Concrete Relief to Export-Driven Companies
One of the most market-moving elements of the framework is the US agreement to reduce tariffs on several Indian export categories to 18%, including textiles and apparel. This is subject to the successful conclusion of the interim agreement, but the signal itself was enough to trigger buying interest.
The revised tariff structure covers:
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Textiles and apparel
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Leather and footwear
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Plastic and rubber goods
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Organic chemicals
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Home décor and artisanal products
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Certain machinery segments
Earlier, tariffs on Indian exports had climbed as high as 50%, which weighed on order flows and profitability. Exporters had to either absorb costs or risk losing competitiveness to peers from countries with lower duties. A lower 18% tariff is seen as far more sustainable. An industry analyst remarked, “This level of duty allows Indian exporters to compete more effectively in pricing and could help regain lost business from global buyers.”
Removal of Additional 25% Tariff Further Boosts Sentiment
Adding to the positive momentum, President Donald Trump removed the additional 25% tariff that had been imposed on Indian goods over concerns related to Russian oil imports. This came after New Delhi committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian oil, which addressed a key US concern.
This development was interpreted by investors as a sign that trade relations are stabilizing and that punitive measures may not escalate further. A market expert said, “When geopolitical and trade tensions ease simultaneously, export sectors usually see a rerating because earnings visibility improves and risk perception declines.”
Here’s What Happened Today and Why Traders Reacted
Today’s rally was not random but triggered by clear policy signals and sentiment shifts. Textile stocks, which had been under pressure, suddenly saw renewed demand as traders repositioned for potential gains.
What happened today:
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Confirmation of tariff cut to 18%
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Removal of the extra 25% duty
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Positive tone on future BTA talks
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Strong buying in export-linked names
Why traders reacted:
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Relief after prolonged tariff worries
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Expectation of better margins
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Scope for order revival from US clients
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Attractive valuations after earlier corrections
Short-term traders moved quickly to capture momentum, while delivery buying suggested that some investors are positioning for a medium-term story rather than just intraday gains.
What Impact Did This Have on the Market and Investor Portfolios?
Although textile stocks alone do not drive benchmark indices, they play an important role in the broader export narrative. Sectoral rallies often indicate where investor interest is rotating and which themes are gaining traction.
Impact on the market includes improved sentiment in export-oriented and manufacturing counters, as well as a perception of stronger India-US economic cooperation. For investors, the impact was more direct. Those holding textile stocks saw immediate mark-to-market gains, while diversified portfolios with export exposure benefited from the rally. Analysts believe that if tariff stability continues, earnings estimates for some companies may see upgrades in coming quarters.
Company Outlook Brightens as Order Visibility Could Improve
For leading exporters like Gokaldas Exports, Arvind, Raymond Lifestyle and KPR Mill, the US remains a crucial revenue contributor. Lower tariffs can translate into better competitiveness, improved client retention, and stronger order pipelines. Industry observers note that improved policy clarity often encourages global buyers to increase sourcing commitments from India.
However, experts also caution that global demand trends, currency movements, and input costs will still influence profitability. “Policy relief is a big positive, but sustained growth will depend on execution and demand recovery,” an analyst noted.
Policy Trigger Today, Potential Sector Rerating Tomorrow
The latest development may prove to be more than a one-day relief rally if follow-through buying continues. Textile stocks have underperformed for a while, and policy support could act as a catalyst for a gradual rerating cycle.
For investors, the key question is sustainability. If BTA negotiations progress smoothly and tariff stability holds, export-oriented textile companies could remain in focus. As one market participant put it, “This rally started with policy, but it will be sustained by earnings.”
In the coming days, traders and investors will watch whether momentum continues or cools off, but for now, the textile sector has clearly returned to the market’s radar.
