Group 1 - The GST Council approved a significant restructuring of the GST framework, eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs and introducing a special 40% rate for 'sin' goods like tobacco and luxury items [4][7] - GST rates on essential items such as packaged food, shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving cream have been reduced to 5%, while rates for small cars, dishwashers, air conditioners, and televisions have decreased from 28% to 18% [4][7] - Economists anticipate that these changes, effective from the start of the festive season, will enhance domestic consumption amid uncertain global demand [5][7] Group 2 - The new GST rates are expected to benefit 11 of the top 30 consumption items, which account for about one-third of an average consumer's monthly spending [5][7] - The impact of the GST changes will be monitored through price movements, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and GST collections [5][8] - The average GST collection in the first five months of FY26 was ₹2.01 lakh crore, an increase from ₹1.83 lakh crore in the same period last year [6][8]

Company Overview - Dollar General Corporation operates as a discount retailer in the U.S. and Mexico, focusing on consumables such as paper products, cleaning supplies, packaged food, perishables like milk and eggs, snacks, and personal care items, holding an 82% share of total sales in these categories [1]. Investment Philosophy - The investment philosophy emphasizes identifying mispriced securities by understanding the financial drivers of a company, often revealed through a discounted cash flow (DCF) model valuation. This approach allows for a flexible investment strategy that considers all prospects of a stock to assess risk-to-reward [1].

Core Viewpoint - The current economic environment and trade policy uncertainty, particularly regarding tariffs, have positioned Dollar General as a resilient investment opportunity amidst broader market declines [1][12]. Company Performance - Dollar General has shown a significant stock performance increase, gaining 4.7% following the announcement of global tariffs, contrasting with the overall market decline [4]. - The company reported same-store sales growth of 1.4% for 2024 and projects a range of 1.2% to 2.2% for 2025, indicating ongoing demand despite margin pressures [11]. Market Positioning - Dollar General's sales are predominantly from consumables, which account for 82% of its sales in 2024, making it less exposed to tariffs compared to competitors like Dollar Tree [5][6]. - The company has a historical track record of outperforming during recessions, with same-store sales growth of 9% in 2008 and 9.5% in 2009 during the financial crisis [8]. Strategic Initiatives - The company has implemented a "Back to Basics" strategy to streamline operations, including closing temporary storage facilities and enhancing store operations to reduce out-of-stock situations [10]. - Dollar General is investing in store remodels while continuing to open new locations, aiming to improve customer experience and operational efficiency [10]. Financial Metrics - The stock is currently priced at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17 and offers a dividend yield of 2.6%, making it an attractive option for investors [12].