When it comes to investing in the stock market, volatility is the name of the game. However, history shows us that the market has delivered good returns despite all the ups and downs. And investors who continued investing in stocks have certainly benefited from it. Nifty has traversed a spectacular journey, from 1,107 points in 1996 to touching the 15000-mark in 2021, growing 14X in 25 years.
Enough factors favouring the momentum to continue in December’ 22
Glimpse of November ‘22
Global positive sentiment rub-off & sharp rebound rally in Dow/Nasdaq kept out performance of Indian markets intact in November’22
Nifty returned ~3.4% during the month of November 2022 following a strong rebound of ~6.7% in October 2022 backed by favourable macros like expectations of slower pace of rate hikes by USFED, fall in prices of oil & international commodities, & large scale purchases by FIIs & sustained domestic SIP inflows.
Nifty finally ended the 7-day losing streak on Friday. However, this range-bound & volatile behaviour is not new. The past few quarters have evidently been rather choppy for the equity markets worldwide owing to various global factors. One cannot deny that the global economy is slowing down. The US, Europe and China are all facing formidable headwinds.
In today’s world, it is relatively easy to feel that we are missing out on things due to our easy access to all kinds of information via digital media. There could be a general feeling that maybe others are living a better life, doing things in a better way, having better experiences & basically living life the right way, to the fullest. This phenomenon is known as ‘FOMO’ ie Fear Of Missing Out.
Domestic economy resilient: External environment challenging
Nifty returned ~2.4% during the month of August 2022 following a strong rebound of ~9% in July 2022 backed by favourable macros like sharp fall in prices of oil & international commodities, turn around in FII inflows (buying Indian stocks by FIIs) sustained domestic SIP inflows easing of global supply chain, some moderation in US inflation.
The stock markets globally have been choppy since the beginning of 2022 due to various uncertainties surrounding us. We have already spoken about the factors that have been influencing the market in much detail in our previous blog on Rising Inflation AndInterest Rates. While the investors are left confused about whether or not it is the right time to invest, we at StockAxis are confident that it is indeed possible to beat the market even in times like these. Today, we are all set to explore how you as an investor can actually invest when the market goes down.
Stock market volatility has been present all year and it does not seem to be going away anytime soon. This is because Investors have been weighing a long list of uncertainties in the current environment. Such as how quickly the Reserve bank will raise rates, whether or when will the inflation moderate, how long will Russia’s war continue, will the war escalate and turn global and if the pandemic is truly over.
After witnessing a profitable 2021, the Indian equity investors entered into a not so profitable 2022. First, the rising inflation spooked the market followed by the Russo-Ukraine conflict. This further exacerbated the already high energy prices and led to a global rise in crude prices as the world started moving away from the Russian supply, weighing on stocks even more.
Although many investors were surprised to witness a correction so early on in the new year, a pullback was very much expected. Considering the heady gains made in the last year wherein the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 index gained 23.79%, the market was ripe and waiting.
We have already talked about how the year 2022 has been a rather choppy year for the stock market & the reasons behind it. We have also mentioned that we expect a similar kind of volatility to continue for the next couple of months. That being said, we stumble upon the next important question - What can you as investors, especially long term investors, do now?
One of the most infamous sayings on Dalal Street is - ‘Let your winners Run’. However, many investors still appear to sell the stocks after merely a small gain & only to watch them head higher.
Another important rule to follow when investing in the stock market is ‘Damage Control’ - by maintaining a Stop Loss on your positions. This means selling a stock when it's down by a set percentage from your purchase price. Sounds simple right? but no one wants to sell for a loss.
High inflation impacting global growth
Glimpse of March 2022
After 2 months of fall in CY22, Indian Equity markets gave positive returns in March 22 on hopes of some resolution of Russia-Ukraine crisis & benign USFED action
Due to global concerns since the start of the year most equity markets across the globe were under pressure. The escalation of Russia-Ukraine tussle towards the last week of FEB 22 made markets jittery all over the world. The tussle between the two also highlighted the vulnerability of European region in terms of energy supplies. Entire Europe witnessed extremely large increases in energy prices as an outcome of Russian oil/gas going out of market & ensuing sanctions on Russia for global trade. Crude oil prices went as high as 139 USD per barrel & natural gas prices increased by more than 40% for most European nations. In an environment of fragile economic recovery post the Pandemic, such high energy prices & supply side disruptions lead to substantial cut in expected growth in European region. Many other commodities like Aluminum , wheat, some edible oils etc also witnessed huge jump in prices on concerns of supply. However, in the middle of the month there were some reports that both sides were willing to solve issues through negotiations, Such hopes resulted in equity markets across the globe to rally as it was assumed the disturbance due to war may be short lived. Although later these hopes were belied.
When we talk about the legends of wall street, the name Peter Lynch is one of the first few to pop up & we are not surprised. Everyone knows his story. After all, he is one of the most successful investors of all time. When Lynch became Fidelity Investment’s Magellan Fund's manager in 1977, it had $20 million in assets under its management (AUM). It then went on to become the largest mutual fund in the U.S. with $13 billion in assets by the time lynch retired after 13 years.
It is common for investors to feel overwhelmed when downside volatility strikes. But despite the challenges it unleashes, it also presents various opportunities. Let’s explore the many positive aspects of volatility in the stock market & how an investor can benefit from this necessary evil. These include situations where volatility may actually have hidden useful benefits that can truly enhance your investment decisions & returns.
Government preferred investment led growth over consumption
Growth oriented budget, primarily focused on capex, no near-term triggers for revival of consumption
Union Budget 2022-23 is overall well-balanced growth-oriented budget with clear focus on capex primarily funded through public funds. Emphasis on tech-enabled development, digitization to enhance productivity, support to Sunrise industry, energy transition etc signal country’s firm & steady progress towards New India which is ready to make its mark on global arena in fast changing environment.
Year of Policy Rotation by Central Banks
Themes to play in CY22
- IT services (digitalization, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors)
- Capex on Modernization, upgrade, and automation
- Infrastructure push by government
- Electric Mobility,
The benchmark Sensex slumped over 700 points while the Nifty 50 slipped 1.5% on Friday. The reason for the Stock Market crash can be attributed to two major reasons - The rising Omicron cases & Fed's hawkish stance on interest rate hike.
While the volatile nature of the market in recent times has worried investors, it is important to remember that volatility is normal. In fact, it would be unusual for the markets to lack volatility. Regardless of the fact that the market is crashing due to a black swan event or due to regular & healthy corrections, one must always remember that mankind has always overcome adversities and all the corrections & crashes are followed by rallies. Oftentimes, Powerful rallies. Just as the saying goes, "From ashes, a phoenix shall arise."
Immense volatility ahead of policy transition by Central Banks across the world
Glimpse of November 2021
Slide in Nifty (started in October) accentuated in November leading to ~1000 points fall in Nifty from the peak
Post the FED’s decision to start tapering from November, all round selling has been witnessed in global equity markets. In the initial part of the month, the Indian markets, tried to shrug off some concerns & made several attempts to recover. However, relentless selling by FIIs did not allow Nifty to regain its previous month’s peak. All pullback attempts were thwarted.
When it comes to spending money, we all try to curb our expenses and are generous in our savings and investments. Although a good strategy to manage money efficiently, we can sometimes end up spending more in the long term in our efforts to save in the short term.
One of the few places where this is especially true is when it comes to managing your portfolio. Investment advisors and Research analysts can be hired at a cost, but it’s usually a no brainer for most of us when it comes to ‘fee’ & ‘free’. However, We must all remember that there are no free lunches in the world & we get what we pay for.
Sector & Style rotation to continue
Glimpse of October 2021
After touching all time high, Nifty slipped on nervousness ahead of crucial FED meeting
Indian markets continued their upward journey with Nifty scaling new all time high level of 18477 on 18 Oct 22 (intraday high was 18604 on 19 oct,22). However the markets could not sustain high levels as nervousness from upcoming crucial FED meeting in the first week of November weighed on markets. On concerns that FED will soon start tapering program as well as change its stance on interest rates due to persistently high inflation resulted in heightened volatility in the markets. Domestic corporate earnings season for Q2FY22 also aggravated pressure as most large companies came out with good top line growth but reported serious pressure on margins due to higher input costs. Consequently over second half of the month all headline indices lost momentum aided by large FII selling.
Time for sector rotation
Glimpse of September 2021
Despite strong global headwinds Nifty continued its upward journey
Indian markets were best performing markets through out the world despite strong headwinds from China (real estate company default) & expectations of tapering by the FED. More than 23% y-y growth in GST collection in the month of September, lower than expected increase in domestic inflation, government relief measures on various sectors & steady news flow on Pandemic aided the markets’ up move.
The challenge that equity investors face is not in finding a way to eliminate volatility, it is in developing a mental approach to dealing with it. We cover our families with life insurance and opt for general insurance plans for our vehicles and homes. But how do we insure our equity portfolios & financial futures?
More steam in Large Caps/front liners
Glimpse of July 2021
August was the month of laggards & large caps as expected by us.
Nifty returned ~8% during the month of August 2021 backed by strong performance by banks, Reliance & other laggards of the past. Nifty Bank gave returns of ~5% in the month while broader markets continued to under perform. Nifty Midcap 100 index returned a meagre 0.5% while the Small cap 100 index returned -3.35%. Sector rotation was visible.
As we near the Independence day of our nation let us think about the various kinds of freedom. Think of some of your biggest dreams in life. You want to own a beautiful home. You want to provide for your family. You want to be able to travel the world and experience incredible adventures. What’s preventing you from doing these things?
Time for Large Caps to catch up
Glimpse of July 2021
Throughout the month the coveted 16000 mark remained elusive on Nifty 50 despite making several attempts
Nifty returned 0.2% for the month of July 2021 & made an all time high of 15962 around middle of month however could not get past 16000 mark despite making several attempts. Through out the month some how every time close to 15900 market faced some or the other negative news while near 15500 some positive news flow kicked in to provide support. Consequently in the entire month headline indices hovered in narrow range of 15500-15900.
key monitorables - Q1FY22 performance & management commentary
Glimpse of June 2021
Although Nifty managed to make new high in June but continued to struggle to get past 16000 mark while broad market continued out-performance
Nifty manged to make new high on June 15, 2021 at 15869 aided by strong Q4FY21 corporate performance, decelerating covid cases & benign global cues. Despite making several attempts in next 15 days Nifty was not able to cross the coveted 16000 mark. At the same time the market did not collapse also. For any upside move the concerns on impact of Covid wave 2 on corporate earnings for Q1FY22 weighed on market participants minds while on downside the hopes of unlocking of economy, fast decelerating incremental covid cases & fast pace of vaccination provided comfort. Global cues also remained benign. Any rate action from FED side still remains some time away.
Awaiting Unlocking economy amidst uncertainty on impact of Covid wave 2
Glimpse of May 2021
Amidst very high number of Covid-19 cases & struggling for first half of the month, Nifty managed to reach new all time high on the last day of May 2021
During the first half of the month, the market was range-bound as the concerns over restricted movement and the localized lockdowns were overwhelming. However, the overall market trend was constructive with mid & small caps continued out performance driven by specific company’s Q4FY21 results. During the second half of May 2021, as the number of incremental Covid-19 cases started declining, the markets gained strength. Nifty 50 scaled to a record high of 15582 on the last trading day thereby making new all time high.
Inferences from above Chart
- Bullish phase in metals is driven by global headwinds (2004-08, 2016-18 & current Mid 2020 onwards
- Normally bull rallies are very steep/sharp & for short duration (each rally was for around 2 years in last 17 years)
- Similarly corrections are also deep & fast (2008-09 & 2018-20)
- Bearish phase from 2010 to 2016 (much longer duration than bullish phase & driven by dwindling macro economic parameters)
- Returns generated in bull phase are almost wiped out in bearish phase
- Current rally is fastest & in shortest time duration (less than 1 year) the Nifty Metal index has crossed the peaks attained in 2008 & 2010 which in earlier periods it reached in 4 years & 2 years respectively
There is simply no doubt that investing is done by investors everywhere to create wealth by earning profits. While there have been many investing styles & strategies that have made headlines or are mentioned every now and then, two investment styles stand out due to their popularity and effectiveness ie Growth investing & Value investing. Although both these types are basically fundamental in their approach, they possess their own sets of merits & demerits.
Successful Equity investment requires making many rational and analytical decisions such as quality stock selection, finding the ideal entry & exit levels, allocation, diversification, risk management and so on. It also requires immense discipline & calmness so that rational decisions free from emotional turbulence & panic can be made. After all, panic is not a strategy. It’s chaotic!
At some point or the other, every equity investor has asked himself: Is it the right time to invest in the stock markets? Is the market overvalued? Have we bottomed out yet? Am I entering at the right levels? and so on and so forth.
A winning portfolio is essentially following a defined framework for investing and a proven research methodology. We would like to share the framework for investing and the stock selection process that we rely on here at StockAxis which makes use of 6 different factors to build a winning portfolio.
Amongst the various factors which play a significant role in driving the stock markets, the earnings season is often a very confusing one. This especially rings true during the current situation where markets are at an all-time high & various industry§ors are pushing record valuations.
If you want to remove the wall between your kitchen and your living room, you’ll probably hire a professional to ensure you’re not taking out any load-bearing beams. Why? Because one mistake could compromise the structural integrity of your home, leaving you with a bigger mess than you anticipated.
The Covid-19 pandemic that took the world by storm at the start of 2020, has left a lasting mark on our lives. The pandemic’s impact on our investments has been even more pronounced. With the stock markets going into a free fall in March 2020 leaving investors shaking in fear, followed by a rebound like never seen before, and subsequently, high volatility, is more than some investors could bear.
After four phases of lockdown, India is ready to restart from the month of June. While ‘Lockdown 5’ has been put in place, it comes with numerous relaxations. ‘Lockdown 5’, which starts from 1 June 2020, has permitted all shops to open, people (other than young children, the aged and the frail) to move out, inter-state and intra-state travel is permitted and trains have been restarted. Stock marketsoared last week as optimism over the reopening of our economy continues to fuel stocks.
Market volatility is a part of equity investing; having said that, the intensity of volatility has significantly increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stock markets across the world have been on steep roller coaster rides, which has made investors’ stomach churn with anguish at every fall and then with euphoria at every rise. In this situation, StockAxis suggests five strategies to keep your investments in good stead.
- Don’t panic
Any investor will have fear in his heart when he sees the market drop steeply. Most investors rush to the markets to sell their holdings to cut their losses. It’s important to avoid giving in to panic. Stay objective. If you have quality stocks in your investment portfolio, companies that are industry leaders and will continue doing well, stay invested. In fact, take it a step further; invest more in such industry leaders in a graded manner at every downturn.
The Covid-19 virus has become a game changer in terms of the way we work, transact, earn and learn. The virus has made social distancing the norm, which, in turn, has led most of us resorting to the internet for nearly everything. One of the drawbacks of reliance on the virtual world amidst this virus has been the numerous tricksters looking to cheat vulnerable people by using electronic communication such as emails, electronic advertisements, text messages, etc. to siphon off money and/or obtain personal information. Here are a few such instances that we have come across. We request you to stay alert and protect yourself from such scams.
COVID-19 vaccine
As you would be aware, there are numerous research laboratories across the world working towards a vaccine for COVID-19. Scamsters use this as a method to extract money from vulnerable investors. You may come across an email, text message or a website stating that a vaccine for COVID-19 has been found, and lure you into investing in the company that has ‘created’ the vaccine in order to reap high returns. These scamsters hold shares of a listed company whose price they manipulate upwards on the stock market. They then offer these shares at these high prices. When the investor agrees to invest at these prices, they sell their shares to the investor and reap high returns. Please note: so far, no vaccine has been created for this virus. Also, companies that are in the process of research for a vaccine are usually funded by governments and philanthropy foundations. There are some for-profit corporations that are also involved in vaccine research, but most of them have committed to offering the vaccine ‘at-cost’ to the world.
Read More May 23, 2020 | 12558 Views
The ‘V-shaped’ rally which has followed the 39% plunge of Nifty-50 Index due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that almost every sector of the Indian economy has varying levels of exposure to this crisis. The modern world has never witnessed an induced recession before in the name of public health like we are experiencing at the moment, with government-mandated shutdowns in effect and social distancing restrictions. Not all industries have been impacted equally by this economic reality. Some have been affected badly whereas others are weathering the storm. Surprisingly, some are actually thriving.
The different levels of impact are actually visible in the Q1 performance numbers. The Nifty 50 finished down -24% for the quarter, but an investor’s participation in the downside had everything to do with exposure: Nifty Bank (-43), Financials (-38%), and Metals (-44%) got clobbered on the way down, while Technology (-18%), Pharma (-6%), and FMCG (-19%) outperformed on a relative basis. A handful of pharmaceutical companies even finished the quarter in positive territory.
Read More May 16, 2020 | 12561 Views
It has been a while since the Indian government declared a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are curious about what the aftermath of the contagion would look like. It is no surprise that this catastrophic global incident will be followed by changes and adaptation. In fact, the adjustments have already begun.
There is a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour and consumption patterns. Our technology-dependent society has doubled-down on that need since the COVID-19 shutdown. Instead of going to the office, we now log on to the cloud. Due to a lack of access to the cinemas, we now stream from our couches. This modern pandemic has driven people to connect and socialize more than ever, with video calls enabling us to do it from the safety of our homes. E-commerce platforms are taking over the retail industry. Despite grocery stores remaining open as 'essential businesses,' the outbreak has left people afraid to leave their homes. Grocery delivery services have been stepping up to the coronavirus so that the consumers don't have to.
Read More May 13, 2020 | 13705 Views
Whether you are an experienced investor or are relatively new to the equity markets, you are bound to have considered hiring a professional investment adviser at some point in your life. If not, you might as well consider it right now.
In a country like India, where the balance in the financial culture tips more towards savings, rather than investments, it is not surprising that only a small percentage of the Indian population is active in the equity markets. It can be due to multiple factors, such as fear of losses, lack of knowledge, lack of patience and skills & even a lack of financial literacy. However, many retail investors start their investment journey without any reliable professional guidance and hence wind up making rookie mistakes which inevitably leads to considerable loss of capital.
Read More April 15, 2020 | 17040 Views
“History provides a crucial insight regarding market crises: they are inevitable, painful and ultimately surmountable.”
-Shelby M.C. Davis
There is a famous saying in Dalal street, ‘The markets run on three things - The fundamentals, The technicals & Investor sentiments’. Although the former two factors can be explained by mainly logic and statistics, the same cannot be said for the latter. It is difficult to understand and predict the market sentiment, if not impossible. It relies mostly on Investor psychology, emotions & their risk perception. It cannot be measured in definitive tools or formulas. However, it is way too important to be ignored. Its relevance in the markets is undoubtedly significant. It is oftentimes, the difference between extraordinary gains & heavy losses. It is also the difference between skilled investors and investors who usually lose major opportunities.
Read More April 11, 2020 | 16650 Views
The only thing certain in life is uncertainty. As humans, we shun uncertainty and take measures to be prepared. We constantly strive for control in our lives… In fact, uncertainty (termed as volatility) in the stock markets makes us uncomfortable. At the same time, we know that if we can stomach this uncertainty, we will be rewarded with supernormal returns.
When volatility increases to unprecedented levels due to Black Swan events, such as the present Covid-19 virus, it usually leads to panic. Investors mindlessly start liquidating their equity investments without considering fundamentals of the stock, valuations, and the future outlook.
Read More March 23, 2020 | 16734 Views
The news of the Corona virus (Covid-19) appears to have shaken the markets with the BSE Sensex recording a 4% single day drop. Every media publication has been upping the fear of the virus and its impact on the global economy and domestic economies of countries. The numbers too appear to be worrisome with about 80,000 cases and over 2,600 reported deaths so far.
There is, so far, no cure for this virus and the number of countries where the virus has travelled to, is rising. In this situation, we understand that investors are fearful and are looking to reduce their exposure to the markets with some even looking to exit. However, should you do so? Or does it make more sense to be patient and avoid making hasty decisions that you may regret later?
Read More March 03, 2020 | 17504 Views
Stocks closed sharply lower yesterday, putting all the major indices in correction territory.
What is a correction?
It's a pullback between 10% to just under 20% (19.99%). (A pullback of 20% or more is defined as a bear market.)
Corrections in bull markets are normal and healthy. Granted, it doesn't feel normal or healthy when it's happening. But it's a common occurrence.
Read More February 29, 2020 | 16262 Views
‘Risk’ in equity investing implies the possibility of incurring losses or earning returns that are lower than the market returns. The level of risk can vary from ‘nil’ or no risk, to ‘capital loss’ or complete erosion in capital invested. And there is a wide range between zero-risk to complete capital erosion. All of us have our own unique level of risk capacity and tolerance. ‘Risk capacity’ implies your ability to stomach risk in terms of your demographic profile (your age, number of dependants, income, etc.) while ‘risk tolerance’ implies your affinity towards risk or your ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ of risk. A combination of the two parameters provides your investment risk profile. Based on this, investors are broadly categorized as ‘High risk takers’, ‘Medium risk takers’ and ‘Low risk takers’. There could be a number of levels between these three broad categories.
Read More December 20, 2019 | 15080 Views
The market’s recent flare-up – or flare-‘down’ – has created three camps in the investor community: those who have turned bearish, those who have become nervous enough to reduce their equity exposure, and those who remain bullish over the longer term and see this as an opportunity.
StockAxis belongs to the last camp.
Read More December 13, 2019 | 12932 Views
If you are currently unsure, and contemplating whether to invest now or wait for a more opportune entry point due to current market conditions, we’ve put together some insights drawn from data-driven facts and our experience to hopefully lead you to a wise investment decision, one that you gives you investing comfort and confidence.
1. Nifty50 near to its Lifetime High but Midcaps continue to fall since January 2018
Read More December 07, 2019 | 16486 Views
There have been widespread media announcements that India’s economy is slowing down. A number of reasons have been attributed to this slow down – lower purchasing power and demand, high bank NPAs, insufficient growth in number of jobs and so on. However, do keep in mind that while growth has been slower than expected, the economy is still growing. Taking issue with this kind of ‘weaker’ economic growth is more of a political stance than an investment mindset – stocks don’t care if growth is slower than average. Growth is growth, and as long as corporate earnings are increasing, stocks can do just fine.
At this stage of the economic, political, and bull market cycle, however, there is one factor that there seems to be no shortage of: uncertainty.
Read More November 28, 2019 | 15116 Views
There are several reasons for an investment portfolio underperforming over time: poor stock selection, sub-optimal asset allocation decisions, mistimed trades, too much trading, investing based on a gut feeling, and so on. Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that an investors’ worst enemy – almost always – is himself or herself.
The field of behavioral finance is dedicated to understanding why and how investors themselves become the reasons for their investments underperforming. In this communication, we discuss one mistake that investors make – reacting to negative news – and its implications.
Read More November 26, 2019 | 13491 Views
There are two critical decisions every investor needs to make with his equity investments – first, when to sell and second, when to continue holding the stock. Selling too soon is one of the most common mistakes investors make. Holding a losing stock is the other mistake. Let’s discuss these two aspects of equity investing.
Read More November 03, 2019 | 13143 Views
When it comes to picking stocks, we often do a deep analysis of the company and its business model. While that is required, do you pay attention to the sector or industry the company belongs to? Did you know that about 40% of the movement in the price of a stock is directly related to the industry group in which the stock is placed? Let’s understand this better…
Read More October 14, 2019 | 14238 Views
For years, most of the analysts and investors alike use Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E ratio) to assess the value of a company’s stock. A low P/E ratio is usually assumed to mean that the stock is undervalued and should be purchased, while a high P/E implies an overvalued stock that should be sold. This yardstick has been a prevalent factor in buy/sell decisions, but there is more than what meets the eye. A deeper analysis indicates that it is actually the percentage increase in EPS that should be the determinant of buy/sell decisions. Here is why:
Read More October 10, 2019 | 15618 Views
These are historic times for the economy. And historic times for the market.
Over the last two trading days (20 September 2019 and 23 September 2019), the stock markets have risen nearly 3,000 points on the Sensex and nearly 900 points on the NSE Nifty. And this is just the beginning of the uptrend. The Indian stock markets are now poised to record historic growth levels as a result of a strong thrust from the government towards reforms.
Read More April 29, 2019 | 11818 Views
Volatile markets (when markets rise and fall steeply within a few trading days or even during trading hours) can be discomforting. This is especially true when volatility is downward. However, smart investors use volatility to make better investment decisions, which, in turn, lead to attractive returns. Let’s understand the benefits that market volatility brings:
1. Volatility Keeps Investors Attentive
Read More August 20, 2019 | 14429 Views
After an extended negative or bear phase in the stock markets, a sustainable upturn may be difficult to identify. To determine this turning point, it’s foolhardy to simply rely on instinct or personal judgement. A smart investor would rely on a tool based on historical research termed as ‘follow through day’.
So how does one figure this out? ‘Follow through day’, a system developed by William J. O’Neil, indicates an important change in the market.
Read More August 08, 2019 | 13810 Views
As investors, we don’t generally like to admit this, but we make mistakes. Most mistakes committed by investors are related to emotions and irrational thinking. The issue is not the mistakes themselves, rather that they happen systematically, and that this results in mispricings in the market. While mispricings create opportunities for investors, it can be difficult to realise the benefits.
Most mistakes are behavioural. Here are two behavioural mistakes that investors must avoid – overreacting to news and aversion to uncertainty.
Read More April 29, 2019 | 13982 Views
An individual investor, whether new or experienced, and want to make money and perform well investing in stocks, there are just three key steps to follow:
- Develop buying selection rules that let you pick the best stocks, and use charts to determine the right time to buy.
- Have a set of selling rules that tell you when to sell and nail down a profit or cut short a loss to avoid a possible larger loss.
- Need a specific method which tell you when the broader market are topping and headed down, and when they've finally hit bottom and turned into a new uptrend. That's all.
Read More July 03, 2019 | 12467 Views
When the markets are falling, investors are often hopeful that things would become better and the stocks in their portfolio will regain their lost value. On the other hand, in a rising market, they become fearful about losing out on the profits they have gained, and sell their holdings too soon. Hope and fear are both common emotions found among investors, which results in making mistakes in their investing decisions. On the other hand, information and knowledge are weapons that investors can use to overcome their fears and relinquish the need for hope alone.
Read More June 19, 2019 | 13526 Views
Successful investors are not lucky. They got there with hard work and made numerous mistakes in their investment journey. However, they persisted relentlessly to get their investments right till they eventually succeeded. Their success manifests in the form of multi bagger returns from carefully picked stocks that they closely monitor. And here is the most important rule they follow – they are patient. In other words, success does not happen overnight in investing.
We are fortunate to live in a period that offers tremendous opportunities to grow our personal wealth through investments in new ideas and industries. There is no dearth of investment opportunities. The key is to spot the right opportunities that will grow your investment multifold. Use these five closely guarded secrets that successful investors follow to make your investment journey fruitful:
Read More June 12, 2019 | 13366 Views
Investors with >15yr industry experience spoke about the toughest market environment they have ever seen this time. We were in the bull market which on one hand is great but on the other hand is starting to make things confusing. Midcap indices were falling whereas the broader indices were making new highs. Normal bull market rules weren’t working, and inconsistencies make it even harder to invest now vs. even a downturn. Investors had a tough year, but this month has exacerbated the pain.
When the bearish phase in the overall market ends, as it always does at some point, you must find yourself holding stocks of the market leaders. It’s foolhardy to get upset and emotional with the market or lose your confidence. The next big race could be just a few months away.
Read More May 08, 2019 | 12891 Views
Every day brings media reports of India’s economy losing steam, auto sales falling, industrial output being low and so on. At the same time, stock markets are at their peak. What should you do? Should you invest more, hold or sell? In our view, you should do what every successful investor does – have a long-term view on your investments. Current trends are transitory; however, history has repeatedly shown us that stock markets move one way over the long term – up.
There are numerous investors who stay on the sidelines when markets are at an all-time high with the belief that it’s too late to invest at this stage. Similarly, there are investors who do the same when markets are at their lowest with the belief that there could be a further fall due to pessimism.
Read More March 22, 2019 | 12005 Views
Many investment gurus recommend the ‘buy and hold’ investment strategy when it comes to stocks. Unfortunately, most investors wrongly interpret this as ‘buy and forget’.
Purveyors of market timing would like us to believe that this investment strategy is no longer relevant to the current uncertain environment.
Read More February 22, 2019 | 10232 Views
We are on the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution, where disruption is once again the central theme of the capital markets. The focus on disruption has led to rising valuations for technological companies, whereas traditional sector such as automotive has taken a backseat. Over the course of centuries, it is this very disruption that has helped increase standards of living and prosperity. Disruption is also a golden opportunity for investors to seek areas which will thrive and grow.
Read More January 22, 2019 | 10771 Views
With the onset of June, massive discounts in retail sector will be up for grabs and everyone will utilize the best of this opportunity. It signifies value buying behavior of an individual, that everyone awaits the right value and right time. The time is Now.
But that's not all the value you are getting this summer, Nifty Midcap 50 /100 indices have seen a correction of 14% and 17% respectively since January 2018, so most of the stocks are at attractive values. Few of these stocks are Multibagger in making. Pick your high growth stock today and get multi-bagger returns.
Read More June 19, 2019 | 12035 Views
When the markets are rising, it is easy to be at peace with your portfolio, but the true test of any investor is when the markets are passing through a phase of correction. It takes discipline, grit and determination to stay invested when there is an air of uncertainty. Here are some tips that will not only allow you to survive a correction, but also come out of it as a winner.
Short term dips are an integral part of investing
In his 1977 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, the famous investor Warren Buffett wrote, "We ordinarily make no attempt to buy equities for anticipated favorable stock price behavior in the short term.
Read More November 06, 2018 | 10994 Views
Why smart investors look forward to stock market sell-offs
On October 18, 2018, the Sensex fell 1.33 per cent in a single day to 34,315.63 while the NSE Nifty plunged 1.43 per cent to 10,303.50. The fall in the benchmark indices has led to decline in the value of many stocks on the Indian bourses. Investors may feel jittery about the prospects of their individual portfolios losing worth, but a market sell-off also comes with its own silver lining.
The art and science of cherry-picking stocks
In India, while there has been an across-the-board dip in values, some sectors have been hurt in the sell-off more than the others. For instance, petroleum company stocks have come under stress due to the declining value of the Rupee as well as rising international crude prices. Banks too have been under pressure due to their potential exposure to the beleaguered Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs). This provides opportunities for investors to cherry pick companies with strong fundamentals. Think of it as a stock-mega sale where everything is going for a discount.
Read More October 29, 2018 | 6459 Views
The Sensex recently took its largest plunge since February of 2018, shedding 537 points reaching 36,305.02 (24 Sep 18) while the Nifty fell below the 11,000 mark to 10,974.40 (24 Sep 18). The volatility seen in the markets over the last few days may have unnerved some investors, but there is more than market movements to be considered.
Read More September 25, 2018 | 6789 Views
As we go through another major macroeconomic event a.k.a. demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes, it may now be time to sit back and ask ourselves in what way this episode has affected your stocks and the impact it has had on your portfolio.
In the short run, the stock market is like a voting machine, driven by heavy emotions and hype. In the long run, however, it behaves like a weighing machine, where only fundamentally strong businesses make money for investors. Hence, demonetisation may prove to be a blessing in disguise for smart investors.
Read More September 25, 2016 | 5723 Views