'STT hike likely to hit high-frequency traders': Market experts opine on Budget 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a hike in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on both futures and options trades in Union Budget for 2026–27. ETMarkets Editor Kshitij Anand spoke with Mr Sunil Sanghai (Founder & CEO) of NovaaOne Capital Pvt. Ltd, Naveen Kulkarni (Chief Investment Officer) of Axis Securities PMS and Amit Gupta (CIO- PMS Equities) of Motilal Oswal Private Wealth Ltd. Market experts say the move is being seen as a direct policy signal against high-frequency and ultra-short-term trading strategies, and could impact trading volumes and liquidity in the derivatives segment.