Devang Mehta says: The Interim Budget displayed fiscal prudence by capping the fiscal deficit for 2024-25 at 5.1%. It emphasized policy continuity and commitment to fiscal discipline. The budget included the upgradation of 40,000 bogies to Vande Bharat standards, a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus for tech-savvy growth, and lower-than-expected borrowing costs. With a focus on capital expenditure and infrastructure development, sectors like capital goods, infrastructure, power ancillaries, and renewable energy are expected to benefit.
Aditya Sood, Fund Manager at InCred Asset Management,emphasizes the underweight position on lending financials due to struggling banks and pricing pressure. Sood discusses the continuing structural stories in India, particularly in manufacturing. Additionally, he notes the rise of SME IPOs and the driving factors behind the rally in railway stocks. Sood concludes with insights on small & midcap stocks, predicting their outperformance driven by earnings growth and return ratios.
Christy Mathai says: The government is expected to set the fiscal deficit target at 5.2%-5.4% of GDP in FY 2024-25. The focus will be on moderating capex aggression and addressing tax inconsistencies. Bond investors are not likely to see any favorable moves in this budget. The government will continue its initiatives for import substitution and export opportunities. Sectors linked to government capex and rural recovery will be watched closely. Prudent asset allocation and systematic investing are recommended for equity markets.
Dipan Mehta says capital goods and infrastructure sectors are expected to do well in the coming years, especially if the BJP retains the majority in the General elections. There has been an increase in SME IPOs compared to mainboard ones, but caution is advised due to the frothiness and lack of floating stock in SMEs. Railway stocks have performed well due to increased budgetary allocation. Small and midcap stocks have good quality businesses, but valuations are very rich.
Vikram Kasat says: "The Interim Budget 2024 is expected to highlight sectors like textile, circular economy, and domestic tourism. Risk-to-reward is favorable for investors entering the market gradually. The auto sector turned underweight after being overweight during the rally, but incremental gains are expected. Structural stories are emerging in real estate, automotive, and domestic travel. SME IPOs are gaining attention due to valuations and high subscription bid."