Tuesday, May 20, 2014

No change in strategy

Thought for the day
“Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.”
-          Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973)
Word for the day
Adret (n)
A side of a mountain receiving direct sunlight.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Teaser for the day
Entire print and electronic media is highlighting caste of new Bihar CM.
Why is it necessary?

No change in strategy

Since Friday afternoon a number of readers have asked me does the unexpected election results warrant any change in investment strategy. In particular, people are asking should we be chasing the financials and infra developers and thereby increasing beta of the portfolio.
To this my reply is that I do not see any reason to change my core investment strategy due to government transition at the center for the simple reason that (a) I follow a strategy which is designed to be mostly policy independent and enjoys an optimum beta relative to macro economic growth.
Insofar as the tactical trading opportunity presented by the (a) global optimism towards global emerging markets and (b) buoyancy in investors’ sentiments due to change in regime, is concerned, I would like to reproduce the strategy summarized at the beginning of current financial year
“In my view it is clear that we are headed towards a major trading rally in Indian equities over next 12-15months. I will not be surprised if this rally actually transcends into bubble territory as the “US rate hike” clamor gains further momentum. Also there is little doubt that this bubble will also meet the same end as the previous ones, more recently 1998-2000 and 2005-2007.
Having this view in mind, I set my strategy for trading with following assumptions:
1.       The new government in India will follow the classical Keynesian method to revive economic growth. Both fiscal and monetary stimuli shall be provided to spur consumption and investment demand. Monetary policy will not be further tightened.
2.       Government will raise substantial resources through aggressive assets’ sale to recapitalize struggling public sector banks.
3.       US Fed achieves the QE tapering target driven by consistent improvement in housing and job market. US rate hike anticipations lead to stronger USD, and massive rotation from US bonds to risk assets like EM equities.
4.       No major geo-political event occurs that would create supply disruption in energy market.”
With these assumptions in mind I have been suggesting a “leveraged but beta neutral” trading strategy with a 12-15months time frame. I do not see any need for change on this front also.
In the said strategy piece published on 1 April 2014 I had suggested that “Buy global businesses (IT, pharma, auto ancillaries) as INR completes its correction over next 2-3months, 
I feel, I will get this opportunity in next 5-6 weeks. Till then I am looking to book some profit in my trading portfolio, especially stocks which have seen 40-50% rally in past 7weeks.

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