Sensex zips past 60K as risk regains favour
3 min read . Updated: 18 Aug 2022, 10:04 AM IST
PremiumAnalysts are divided whether surge in stocks is a bear market rally or start of fresh bull run
NEW DELHI : The benchmark Sensex zoomed past the 60,000 mark on Wednesday, continuing its recent upward trajectory, as foreign portfolio investors returned to India with global risk appetite improving.
The index rose 0.7% on Wednesday to close at 60,260.13, a level not seen since 5 April. Following the sharp rally of more than 17% from June lows, the benchmark indices are just 3-4% shy from their record highs.
This rally has made many experts rethink whether the ongoing rally is a bear market rally or the beginning of another bull market.
You might also like
Shiprocket raises funds, joins unicorn club
What to do when magical 60:40 formula doesn't work
Most are happy with digital world, except these Indians
What all will sustain upside in Apollo Tyres stock?
“India has been an outperformer over the past 45 days relative to both emerging and developed markets peers, gaining for cooling inflation expectations as a commodity importer as well as reducing equity risk premia, as a growth market," said S. Hariharan, head of sales trading at Emkay Global Financial Services.
Declining commodity prices have eased inflation concerns in India. Even the July US inflation numbers coming below expectations have lent support to the belief among investors that the US Federal Reserve may not resort to an even more restrictive monetary policy.
The stocks’ rally is being supported by the belief that the Fed may not raise rates aggressively, increasing the probability of a soft landing of the US economy, experts said. In addition, the strong growth momentum in the Indian economy and the lack of negative surprises in the quarterly earnings season have boosted investor sentiment.
FPIs turning into consistent buyers is driving the rally further.
Nilesh Shah, group president and managing director, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co., said: “Keep faith in India’s growth story and use corrections as an opportunity to add to your equity portfolio."
High crude prices, which have weighed on investor sentiment, have also dropped significantly from the peak of more than $130 a barrel to around $93-94. This, in turn, supports the rupee, as India has to pay fewer dollars to fulfil its energy needs.
Sugandha Sachdeva, vice-president of commodity and currency research, Religare Broking Ltd, said that the rupee edged higher amid a “risk on" mood and splendid gains witnessed in the domestic equities.
After almost nine months of incessant outflows, domestic equities have been seeing net inflows since July. Besides, the decline in crude oil prices has eased concerns about elevated inflation, further supporting the domestic currency.
“The ferocity of the rally has proved wrong the majority who believed that this is a bear market rally," said Dr V.K. Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services. “It is important to appreciate the fact that there is global support to this rally, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq bouncing back by 18 and 24% from their June lows," he added.
Vijaykumar said it makes sense to remain invested and buy on dips despite high valuations.
In the past 45 days, foreign portfolio inflows have totalled $1.5 billion, more than double the inflows from domestic institutions. However, domestic retail investors have not participated in the recent rally, Hariharan said, adding that there may still be dry powder left with retail investors to cushion any fall caused by global factors.
Banks, industrials and autos have been the leaders and continue to attract incremental flows, said analysts.
Devang Mehta, head of equity advisory at Centrum Wealth, said that with the festive season in India across the next few months, many consumption-oriented sectors would find favour, and with credit growth and capex coming back, financial services would also be a beneficiary.
“Clearly, the sentiment, along with liquidity and macro plus micro fundamentals, are supportive for a long-term rally, but yes, it will have its share of speed breakers and volatility," Mehta added.
US and European markets were mixed ahead of the release of key euro zone growth data.
Investors are also waiting for the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting for more cues.
Asian markets were also positive as investors expect China to roll out more stimulus measures to boost economic growth, said Siddhartha Khemka, head of retail research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Elsewhere in Mint
In Opinion, Harsh V. Pant writes on the future of India's global pursuit of self interest. Neera Nundy & Rumana Hamid tell how the tradition of India's philanthropic business families matters today. From faux-convents to Saraswati Shishu Mandirs to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Anurag Behar tells what shaped Indian education. Long Story tells how a company as old as independent India is innovating to fend off many upstarts.
