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Dear Investor,
At the outset, we would like to wish you and your family excellent health, prosperity and happiness in the
New Year 2018.
As the New Year dawns, it is usually a time for looking back as well as to re-assess our chances of success in the revised
scheme of things.
Let us step back from the usual macro-economic analysis and look at stock market investing from the basics.
In any activity that is dependent upon a multitude of variables, it is, we believe, futile to just look at a few of them and
come to any firm conclusion. We need to get the basics right and do the best we can.
In that sense, investing in the stock market is remarkably similar to the process of farming; hence this title.
The job of a farmer is not to grow crops, but to create the right conditions for the crop to grow.
He has to check the soil conditions, Select the right seeds Ensure that the plants get adequate water and sunlight Apply the right mix of fertilizers Ensure that pests and weeds are removed Wait for the plant to grow, and then, at the appropriate time, Harvest the produce.
If these things are done properly, Mother Nature will make the crops grow, and there is more than an even chance that
the harvest would be good (of course, barring natural disasters and the like). The farmer cannot claim that he/she is
"growing crops". Similarly, the investor also cannot claim that "he/she is generating the returns". The job of the
investor is to ensure that the right conditions are provided for the portfolio to grow.
Just what are the right conditions for an equity portfolio to grow healthily?
An environment that encourages free enterprise and economic reform A market where there is a thriving entrepreneurial spirit An economy with scope for growth Choice of good businesses for investment Purchase of the shares of such businesses at reasonable valuations Guarding against the "pests" of higher costs of investing, and Time for all of the above to fructify
Let us now see how many of these conditions are met in today's environment.
Is this a country that encourages freedom?
Amidst the din of political posturing and discourses, we tend to forget the more important aspects of our country:
Amongst the "emerging market" economies, how many countries have the kind of personal freedom given to its citizens, like what exists in India? Very few. In how many countries can one publicly criticize the government of the day and still hope to live freely? Very few. In how many countries (especially amongst emerging economies), does the press and TV have the kind of freedom that exists in India? Very few In how many countries can you be proud of regular elections, conducted in a peaceful and fair manner, at the national, state and municipal levels? Once again, very few.
The fact remains that, despite the frustrations regarding the lack of proper infrastructure, the slow legal process, and a
noisy, argumentative political system, India has strengths and an economic environment that encourages free
enterprise. And that is very good news.
Is this a country with an entrepreneurial spirit?
For a moment let's forget the Ambanis, Adanis, Tatas and Birlas. Let us look at the kind of companies (started by
Indians) that almost all of us know and use every day. Many of these did not exist 10 years ago. This list is not
exhaustive.
Of course, there would be some casualties amongst the startups, but there is no reason to believe that Indians do not
have a spirit of entrepreneurship, which is an essential ingredient in the stock market's success.
Commitment to economic reforms
Let us just look at the kind of steps taken in the past 5 or 6 years in the area of furthering economic reforms. Among
others, they include:
The Aadhaar initiative Financial inclusion by opening of several lakhs of new bank accounts Using the Aadhaar and bank accounts for direct transfer of subsidies to beneficiaries FDI norms relaxed in several industries Diesel de-regulation Bankruptcy code Uniform indirect taxation because of GST Higher financial devolvement to the states Infrastructure projects like the Dedicated freight corridor Highways, road and rail projects Attempt to clean-up PSU banks' balance sheets Attempts made to reduce the incidence of cash transactions in the system, and to trace the use of cash.
You would have observed that some of these reforms were initiated by the previous government, and some by the
incumbent government. What does this signify? It signifies that despite the acrimony displayed on television
screens, there is a broad consensus amongst major political parties about the direction of reforms this
country needs. Some of the reforms listed above were unthinkable just a few years ago.
Of course, more needs to be done. But then, that is always the case.
The scope for further growth
Whenever a major structural reform happens, the economy moves to a higher growth trajectory, but after a lag. This
happened in 1991. There is reason to believe that after initial hiccups after the implementation of the GST, a major
structural reform, the trajectory of growth in the subsequent years would be higher.
India is expected to grow in excess of 7% per annum, making this country one of the fastest growing major economies in
the world.
Sources : (1) Economic surveys (for historical data) (2) IMF World economic outlook
Data source: IMF World Economic Outlook
India shows Improvement in the ranking for "ease of doing business"
Source: World Economic Forum - Global Competitiveness report
So too, is the ranking on "Global Competitiveness Ranking"
Source: CRISIL / WEF
Choice of good businesses for investment
Shorn of all frills, the essential truth is that stock market returns would be earned by investing in businesses that are
efficiently run, where the treatment of minority shareholders is fair, and when such businesses are purchased at prices
that provide some scope for sustained appreciation. There are several excellent businesses in India that are efficiently
run, and which treat shareholders fairly. It is our duty as fund managers to ensure that the investors' funds are invested
in companies that meet these criteria. Of course, each product would need to be managed in a way that is consistent
with its mandate. External agencies and financial distributors play the important role of the watchdog in this endeavor.
And now, the things that we should watch out for
Life comes as a package deal. Along with all the positives, which we have just discussed, usually we have some things
that we have to be watchful about. We think that an investor has to be aware of these things while making an investment
plan for 2018.
Valuations in many cases Supply of fresh paper The fact that in a garden, some weeds grow faster than flowers Some macroeconomic indicators The belief that liquidity would keep driving the market upwards all the time
Valuations of the market indices.
This is where we have to be careful. There is no way that anyone can claim that the market averages are cheap now.
The charts given below tell their own story. The horizontal red line in the chart represents the average P/E multiples for
the period mentioned.
Source: National Stock Exchange (updated till 28/12/2017)
Source: National Stock Exchange (updated till 28/12/2017)
Yes, we are talking of averages here. There are individual stocks that are cheaper than these averages. But let us
carefully see where a bulk of the money flow is going. They are going into sectors that are already well above their
historical average valuations.
This means that the investor's money should go into, and only into, companies with very strong balance sheets, an
undiminished ability to compete in the market place, and in stocks that offer high levels of liquidity.
Staying away completely from equity is a bad idea. But buying any equity share thinking that it will only go up because
liquidity would keep driving it up, is a recipe for future heartburn.
Supply of fresh paper
Data sources: Motilal Oswal & Bloomberg
Let us not forget that after 1st January 2018 and till 31st March 2018, there are big fund raising plans announced by
several companies. Some of these IPOs/QIB placements are expected to be in the "mega" category. A sharp spurt in the
number and quantum of public issues is a sign that the investor community is excited, and this reinforces our suggestion
to stick strictly to quality.
In a garden, weeds can grow faster than flowers
We began by giving the farming analogy. In investing too (which is, as we mentioned, very similar to farming), we have
to be conscious that what rises the fastest is not necessarily the best for us.
I keep meeting some investors who claim that they are aware of the less-than-desirable quality of some companies they
are investing in, but they are confident that they can get out of the market just before the fall comes, and are participating
for the "thrill of it".
I hope they are able to achieve this.
Some macroeconomic indicators that we ought to be aware of
Brent crude has risen to nearly US$ 67 per barrel from a low of US$ 28 The government's borrowing program has been revised higher, leading to fears about the fiscal deficit targets not being met If that happens, inflation and interest rates will refuse to come down in a hurry Easy liquidity have continued now for several years; and is unlikely to continue forever.
Will the liquidity tap continue to run forever?
Domestic mutual fund inflows have been very robust this past year. This has been the main reason why many sectors
have risen to their levels of valuation. However, if there is one thing that the market has always taught us, it is that
nothing is permanent.
It would not be a bad idea to remember the poem by Horace that graces the great book "Security Analysis" by Benjamin
Graham and David Dodd:
"Many shall be restored that now are fallen,
and many shall fall that now are in honor"
Controlling the pests (costs of investing)
Costs of investing are significant if very frequent churn of the portfolio happens. Every buy and sell decision has its
costs, and cumulatively, they can be substantial. Controlling costs in an investment program is a less "glamorous" but
efficient way in which the target is achieved.
Any portfolio needs time to deliver
No tree grows from seed to fruit-bearing in one day. Similarly, the stock market is not going to act according to the
calendar (or the clock!!). Give time for your portfolio to grow. Time acts as our savior if we have investments in good
businesses. As the great Warren Buffett said - "Time is a friend of a wonderful business, and an enemy of the
mediocre"
Dear Investor, in conclusion, we have this to say:
India definitely is a country where we can be bullish over the next several generations There are several businesses and businessmen where we can place our trust and money We do however have to be careful about the level of valuations in several sectors in today's market conditions Let us stick to quality. If quality is very expensive, let us wait till valuations become acceptable. Let us remember that it is not necessarily in our interest to invest in what promises to appreciate the fastest. After carefully choosing a mix of products that suit our temperament, let us give time for our portfolio to perform.
It is a good idea to consult your Investment Advisor before deciding on the mix of products that is right for you. Please
remember, you can on any day get a set of good products; you getting hold of the "best" is another matter
altogether. A good product can remain good for very long, but the "best" is very fleeting.
Ultimately, we can only put in our best effort in creating the right conditions for the portfolio to grow, just as a farmer does
in his farm. Let's not forget that It is Mother Nature who would make the "plants" grow.
Disclaimer: The views of the Fund Manager should not be construed as an advice and investors must make their own investment decisions
regarding investment/ disinvestment in securities market and/or suitability of the fund based on their specific investment objectives and financial
positions and using such independent advisors as they believe necessary. The AMC has no obligation to update any or all of such information; nor
does the AMC make any express or implied warranties or representations as to its completeness or accuracy. There can be no assurance that any
forecast made herein will be actually realized. Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this publication, which contain
words or phrases such as 'will', 'would', 'may', 'will' etc., and similar expressions or variations of such expressions may constitute 'forward-looking
statements'. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. The AMC undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof. The above forecasts are based on our current view of the likely course of markets over the
period nominated. The above forecasts are made as indications only and not as the basis for investment decisions by readers of this material.
Persons wishing to make such decisions should obtain their own professional advice. The AMC, its affiliates/associates, their directors, employees,
representatives or agents shall not be liable or responsible, in any manner whatsoever, to any Investor/Recipient or any other person/entity, for the
performance/profitability/operations of the Products or any investments in the Products including any and all direct, special, punitive, indirect, or
consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
Pramerica and Pramerica Financial are trade names used by Prudential Financial, Inc., a company incorporated and with its principal place of
business in the United States, and by its affiliated companies in select countries outside the United States. None of these companies are affiliated in
any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom
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