Weekly Market Commentary - Mar 17, 2014 - Mar 21, 2014

Indian markets continued to have volatile sessions ahead of Indian elections due to lack of any other strong catalysts. US Federal Reserve attempts to increase short-term interest rates sooner than expected led to markets around the globe moving nervously. Any decline in interest spread between US and emerging markets may lead to decline in potential opportunities for yield-searching investments.

Sensex ended this week down 0.3%, Nifty was down by 0.2% while CNX Midcap was up by 1.3%.

Monday – Markets closed on occasion of Holi

Tuesday - Sensex up by 0.1%, Nifty up by 0.2%, Midcap up by 1.3%
Benchmark indices rose to their records highs but retreated later to settle almost flat. FIIs continue to put money in Indian blue chips ahead of Indian general elections. A small improvement in the industrial output and further lowering of inflation has also added to the positive mood on the street.

Wednesday - Sensex flat, Nifty up by 0.1%, Midcap up by 0.2%
Investor sentiment was subdued ahead of US Fed meeting later in the day. IT major TCS joined Infosys in flagging concerns about revenue growth in near term and indicated that growth could be weaker than previous quarters, which led to some profit booking in IT stocks.

Thursday - Sensex down by 0.4%, Nifty down by 0.6%, Midcap down by 0.8%
Stocks ended lower as Fed chairperson Janet Yellen hinted at raising interest rates sooner than expected and will affect the yield seeking investments. Indian capital goods, financial, auto and all other interest rate sensitive stocks ended the day lower.

Friday - Sensex up by 0.1%, Nifty up by 0.2%, Midcap up by 0.6%
Benchmark indices continued their positive momentum but ended the week only a tad higher on last day of the week.

The biggest risk in life...is not taking one

Hat Tip: Alpha Ideas

So, where are we, again?

Hat tip: The Reformed Broker

So where are we?

Interesting observation from Business Standard on past five year investment cycle in India.

"In the five years since the 2008 Lehman crisis, capital flow in equities and returns have followed a cycle. Immediately after the crisis, investors switched their focus to the domestic demand story, leading to a sharp rally in consumer goods and automobile companies. That story began to wane by early 2012 as the rupee began to depreciate, on account of a rising current account deficit and economic slowdown in India. Export or dollar revenue-driven companies in pharmaceuticals, information technology and some auto makers became the new darlings for equity investors.

The market has completed a full circle. In the past month, money has begun to flow to investment demand-driven stocks in capital goods, construction & infrastructure, real estate and banking, away from export-oriented sectors. The trigger has been an improvement in the current account deficit, rupee appreciation and expectation of a 'market-friendly' government after elections."

Read the full article here: Business Standard