Apparel and footwear stocks rally after GST rate cut

Most apparel and footwear stocks surged on Thursday after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council approved a significant tax rate cut. Chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the GST Council announced a reduction in the tax on apparel and footwear priced up to Rs 2,500 to 5 percent, down from the previous 12 percent and 18 percent slabs. This is a substantial increase from the prior threshold of Rs 1,000 for the same 5 percent tax rate.