Authored by Vinod A N, General Manager of South Indian Bank

By focusing on specific market segments and employing a rigorous selection process, investors can navigate market volatility and capitalize on the overlooked gems in the microcap universe, paving the way for substantial long-term gains.

This coalition victory highlights the diverse and fragmented nature of Indian politics, where regional parties have gained substantial influence.

India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world and its organized gold loan market is worth Rs 6 trillion, which represents only 35 per cent of the total business.

This reflects the strategic imperative for organizations to harness the power of AI for sustainable growth and innovation in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Their long investment horizon allows them to potentially benefit from the historically superior returns offered by equities compared to other asset classes.

These elections not only test the waters of political fortitude but also serve as a bellwether for investor confidence and economic strategies moving forward.

By encouraging domestic production, India creates a massive captive market, shielding manufacturers from the price wars that plague exporters.

hile the concept sounds appealing, it requires predicting market peaks and troughs, a feat not even the most seasoned investors can claim to perform consistently and successfully.

Biases like overconfidence, loss aversion, and anchoring make it difficult for managers to assess market changes objectively and adjust factor exposures accordingly.

The bottom line is that quant funds are the perfect combination of man, data, machine, and alpha. India is among the fastest-growing economies globally, on track to become the 3rd largest economy by 2028.

While we may have missed some stocks, our adherence to these values has brought us great success, making us one of India's top 10 PMS performers.

Mutual Funds are managed by competent professionals who ensure that the portfolios are designed and managed as per the scheme mandate and extant regulations.

While there are many investment choices available in India's changing investment management scene, people with limited earning timeframes must focus on preserving and managing their wealth well.

The stock market rallies of 2023-24, which occurred on a relatively high base, have now led to a shift in market dynamics, with debt markets adjusting to a "higher for longer" interest rate environment.

Once you achieve this corpus, how you deploy and use this corpus also plays a crucial role in sustaining the corpus for a longer period. 

Similarly, March to May sees a rally that could be linked to the financial year-end activities, including corporate results and forecasts influencing investor sentiment.

Strategic research is indispensable for businesses seeking to thrive in dynamic market environments.

This article is authored by Aditya Sood, Fund Manager at InCred Asset Management.

This article is authored by Raghvendra Nath, Managing Director, Ladderup Wealth Management Pvt Ltd.

Global growth is moderating, and inflation is slowly coming down. Global central banks are close to the end of the rate hike cycle.

Traders can consider direction-agnostic strategies such as butterflies, long strangles/straddles or iron condors to have a higher chance of profiting from the volatility.

However, the upcoming budget on February 1, 2024, will still be important for two reasons. It will be interesting to watch the announcements of populist measures, if any. Further, the budget may also indicate the thought process of the government regarding the policy framework it may apply if it is re-elected. 

New formats are more capital efficient than older ones and hence the incremental ROCE is higher along with a long runway for growth leading to high growth and high ROCE. 

The upcoming Union Budget 2024-25 is crucial for India's green energy ambitions, particularly the solar industry.

Fueled by global exposure to international trends and cutting-edge architectural designs Luxury real estate saw a remarkable 151 per cent YoY sales surge in Q1 2023.

Today, there are 8.5 crore investors, out of which more than 2 crore are ladies and more than 5 crore households which invest directly through stock markets account for 17 or 18 per cent of India's total households.

In 2024, the outlook for GCCs seems promising and I expect them to play a pivotal role in shaping the future, albeit we take steps to consolidate our position in the rapidly changing world. 

This growth story is not limited to India alone; there's also a strong international demand, particularly from the USA. The global market is witnessing significant demand, driven by factors such as the growth of renewable energy and the electric vehicle (EV) segment.

Swapping such stocks with outperformers can optimize portfolio performance, akin to building a winning cricket team with top-performing players.

Alpha is hopefully created by being ahead of the curve and coming in just as the party starts rather than when people have started swinging off the chandeliers.

Our view is that retail investors should make the most of the situation ahead by diversifying into long-term Gilt funds apart from taking small exposures into a hitherto ignored category, Credit Risk Mutual funds.

Factor funds lie somewhere between discretionary active and rule-based passive funds. These are also called ‘smart beta’ funds. We like to think of them as “Active Beta” or Rules-Based Active Funds.

Most investors will do so much better just by getting step 1 and step 2 in place. Understanding this on an intellectual level is easy. But really understanding this in your bones, takes a decade in the market.

Simultaneously, we are dedicated to enhancing user engagement and streamlining user experiences. Our primary goal is to simplify the user journey and offer a wider range of investment options that are customized to the specific needs of the client segments we cater to.

The renewable energy (RE) potential in India is 1000+GW (gigawatts) and the current installed capacity (as of Jun’23) is 176.24 GW, which includes hydropower too.

Market-linked debenture (MLD) is a good tool in this regard. MLDs help people to remain invested in volatile market conditions without risking their capital.

The irony is that most of us are unaware that our privacy is being breached

On the whole, the Magic Formula definitely has the potential to wield magic in the context of the Indian Capital markets!

This is the right time to look for bottom-up opportunities in selective sectors while considering mean reverting stocks as likely sources of generating alpha.

How does one find high-growth companies? To start with it’s important to find a pond with a lot of fish which are of high-return variety.

 PMS strategy that focuses on navigating market cycles is the INVasset AAID (Advance Algorithms for Investment Decisions) approach

The stock is up by 114.29 per cent in one year while BSE Sensex is up by 9.16 per cent in one year.

These could be constructed as a broad-based index that captures the entire market, such as a small-cap index, mid-cap index, large-cap index, etc.

The stock has increased by more than 200 per cent, while the BSE Sensex has increased just by 13.80 per cent in 6 months.

Upcoming collaboration: Two leading pharma company stocks to watch out for                                                                                                                                                                                            US FDA approved a benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol-free formulation to minimize gasping syndrome risk, for the treatment of seizures in newborns.

In India, our big brands showcased sustained growth and got bigger supported by our new go-to-market model,and whilst doing so we also upped our focus on the new product; emphasizes Lakshay Kataria, Chief Financial Officer, J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 

The recent consultation paper by SEBI to regulate Algo trading identifies its merits by stating that it automatically monitors live stock prices and initiates an order when the criteria are met. This frees the trader from having to monitor live prices and initiate manual order placement. So, there is no doubt that a rule-based approach to trade using API integration with brokers enables traders to manage risk more efficiently and avoid emotional decisions that occur in manual trading.

Micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) employ approximately 111 million people and accounts for about 30 per cent of India's GDP. These businesses are known as the backbone of the Indian economy. According to World Bank data, MSMEs are the largest employers in developing countries despite having the least financial & regulatory support. Their ability to survive and thrive is dependent on their ability to obtain sufficient funding. 

Real estate is currently regarded as one of the most profitable investment avenues. Those who choose to invest in real estate can also expect to see their money grow as the world becomes more cosmopolitan and businesses expand. 

We agree that trading is not as simple as it appears. What distinguishes successful traders from unsuccessful ones? What do successful traders do differently to benefit themselves? They possess - discipline, courage, and patience! 

The year 2022 has been so far, rough for investors globally, and the situation is no different for an average Indian investor. Standard and Poor's (S&P), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex & Nifty stock market returns have been in the negative this year, being very little for the investor to cheer about. The Indian equity markets are undergoing a cycle of correction. The global crude oil prices and supply chain constraints owing to the Russia-Ukraine war and the post-pandemic global inflation have had a negative impact on the Indian investor.  

Everyone wants to have a safe and happy future. We all have a zest for achieving our goals in life. It is not easy; it takes a lot of hard work and time for us to achieve it. Similarly, financial goals that we set for ourselves for a longer period of time are termed long-term financial goals. 

During the COVID years, the total fiscal stimulus by various nations had exceeded $10.0 trillion, which expanded the money supply and caused global inflation, particularly, in the USA and other such developed nations. Russia and Ukraine war has disrupted the supply chain of essential commodities like energy & food, aggravating global inflation. India is also affected to the extent of importing commodities like energy and fertiliser. However, considering good diplomatic relations with Russia, the impact is somewhat diluted.  

Buying a home is that one dream, which is harboured by every young man or woman. Many people take a lifetime to buy their own house while some achieve it early in their careers. While young, most working professionals do not think about owning a home. However, if they start taking the baby steps towards owning an abode early in their career, they might own property very soon.

Listed companies across all equity markets are generally classified into three categories - large-caps, mid-caps, and small-caps. Large-caps are typically those companies that have larger revenues and profits, which get reflected in their large market-caps. They would typically be a part of several frontline indices of exchanges, on which, they are listed. The mid-caps and small-caps are typically smaller companies on these metrics and often act as a supplier to larger corporations. In some cases, these companies operate in a niche business and have limited competition. However, this aspect also restricts their market purview to a large extent.   

The term ‘retirement’ evokes a flurry of emotions that can potentially swing to extreme ends. While relaxation and a sense of achievement may be gratifying, the imminent need of protecting the financial future of yourself and your loved ones may turn out to be overwhelming. An ideal retirement plan should not just aid in securing your future finances but also, help you kick off your second innings in style – empowering you to fulfil all your ‘I wish I could’ goals nurtured through the course of your life. 

The online shopping market has seen substantial growth in the last decade. The two significant factors reasoning the development are enhanced digital knowledge among the common mass and the improving logistics industry of India. 

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has polarised the world to an extent not seen in recent history, resulting in an unprecedented coupling of global trade and geopolitics. While the choices of the USA, Europe, and China are obvious, the manoeuvring space is becoming narrower by the day for other countries. From a geopolitical point of view, it has led India to an undesirable situation, where it needs the support of the USA & Europe to stand up to China and at the same time, its dependency on Russia for defence equipment remains high along with Russia’s geographical proximity being another crucial factor.  

Over the years, financial markets have grown used to expecting the unexpected. Almost any passage of time in the history of financial markets is replete with events, which have taken market participants by surprise. However, it would be fair to say that the 2020s have just taken this to an altogether different level. In a lighter vein, one could wonder how the first quarter of the last few years has made it a habit of making a mockery of beginning-of-year forecasts. While 2020 was a year that began under the looming threat of geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran; by the end of the first quarter, the thing that had turned the world upside down was, after all, a virus. At the start of 2022 while all eyes were on the spread of Omicron; by the end of the first quarter, the event that actually shook everyone was a geopolitical one (the Russia-Ukraine war). 

Indian real estate is staging a spectacular comeback as demand is soaring in most of the major cities in India. Conducive market conditions, bullish economic sentiments, and lower interest rates are further dovetailing the market in a positive direction.

India's MSME sectors were highly affected by the wrath of COVID-19. Despite the steep fall in the new cases, the impact of destruction caused by the second wave still gives chills in the spine to many, especially MSME business owners.

One of the greatest debates in the stock markets has always been about whether you should invest in small-cap multi-baggers or stick to blue-chip stocks. 

For entrepreneurs, when it comes to financing, there is a lot of advice on what should be done and what not! There are various difficulties that an entrepreneur has to face while running a business for the first time. 

From 2010-to 2018, the bank credit (excluding SLR loans) was about 50-52 per cent of the nominal GDP, which has now slipped below 45 per cent as against the world average of 89-90 per cent. Following this, the investment rate (gross fixed capital formation) of India in terms of GDP percentage has also declined, causing a slowdown in GDP growth rate. Hence, the declining trend of bank credits must be reversed, particularly in the productive sector. Failing this, the growth rate of GDP might remain below projections. 

In 2021, technological innovations, differentiated business models, and a liquidity flux drove transaction activity amid a record-breaking funding rush. PE activity reached an all-time high in 2021 and recorded 2,044 deals worth a whopping value of USD 64.9 billion, up by 44 per cent in volume and 53 per cent in value from 2020. This has led to the rise of 42 unicorns in 2021. 

Investing in the stock market is an effective way to create wealth as well as a hedge against inflation. If done prudently, stock investments can give returns much higher than other forms of investments such as real estate and fixed incomes. However, the stock market is multifaceted, complex, and volatile. To make smart returns, one should know the pulse of the market, and understand how it functions. 

MSME sector has been a key contributor to the country’s GDP. Even during the pandemic times, it showed tremendous resilience, helping the economy recover faster from the lockdown market dip. One of the key sectors that have outshone others and registered tremendous growth is the textile & apparel (T&A) MSMEs. 

The past couple of years had a profound impact on the consumers’ lifestyles, and home buying is not an exception! The iterations of lockdown, followed by the gradual opening of the markets and recovery periods have entailed some significant changes in home buying in India. From searching for a home to buying the right product type, there is a steady and visible shift taking place. 

Real estate is a long-term game and that is how it needs to be played out. The trends in real estate are not generally dictated by market moves but are underpinned by structural fundamentals. The fluctuations in the economy & market can make financial assets, bearish or bullish. However, using the very same parameters to assess your real estate investments might be counterproductive. Real estate is a long-term investment and it follows sound policies and structural fundamentals. 

Many well-known investors like Warren Buffet, who famously said that diversification is a protection against ignorance, espouse the virtues of concentrated portfolios for wealth creation. Indeed, many of us could replicate their successes if we had their analytical skills, long time horizons, the ability to accept mistakes and course-correct, and the equanimity to stay put through extreme market movements.

India has always been known for its delicate fabrics, beautiful designs, and traditional textiles. The Indian textile & apparel industry is flourishing and the industry’s growth rate has increased multi-fold in the past few years. In fact, it is one of the few industries that recovered faster and recorded remarkable growth even during the pandemic. Textile exports alone were worth US$ 1.19 billion as of December 2020. 

CA Amit Gupta, MD, SAG Infotech details five ways other than section 80C by which taxpayers can save on income tax.

Aman Gupta, Director, RPS Group points out the key mistakes to avoid while investing in real estate.

Bhushan Mahajan, Chairman and Managing Director, Arthbodh Shares and Investments Private Ltd explains how to use taxation for your advantage to generate efficient post-tax returns.  

R P Gupta, Economist and Author of the book 'Turn Around India 2020' expresses his views on the Union Budget 2022-23.

Umesh Revankar, VC and MD, Shriram Transport Finance breaks down the finer points and the impact of Budget-2022 on India's growth story.

Providing a broad-spectrum booster shot to the economy, Union Budget 2022-23 is progressive, especially with its emphasis on building the infrastructure of the country. The Finance Minister clearly emphasised the top priorities of the government - PM Gati Shakti for sustainable growth, inclusive development, productivity enhancement, and financing of investments.

Mudit Pareek, CTO, Saraf Furniture believes the root problem from the domestic MSME sector is failure to attract the private capital into their business.