{"id":317584,"date":"2023-10-31T06:26:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T06:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/popularindinews.com\/?p=317584"},"modified":"2023-10-31T06:26:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T06:26:11","slug":"prefer-largecap-to-midcaps-and-smallcaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/popularindinews.com\/india\/prefer-largecap-to-midcaps-and-smallcaps\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Prefer largecap to midcaps and smallcaps’"},"content":{"rendered":"
‘Midcap and smallcap indices are trading in the expensive zone.’<\/strong><\/p>\n Valuations for the benchmark Nifty are in the comfort zone but small and midcaps are expensive, says Vetri Subramaniam<\/strong>, chief investment officer, UTI Asset Management Company (AMC).<\/p>\n In a telephonic interview with Abhishek Kumar<\/strong>\/Business Standard<\/em>, Subramaniam says pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors are reasonably valued. And, their long-term structural growth prospects are in place.<\/p>\n What is your view on the largecap space, considering its relative underperformance?<\/strong><\/p>\n Going by our asset allocation frameworks, we are neutral on equities.<\/p>\n The Nifty 50 is trading above its long-term average, but is still within the comfort zone.<\/p>\n On the other hand, midcap and smallcap indices are trading in the expensive zone.<\/p>\n Hence, on a relative basis, there’s greater comfort in the largecap segment vis-a-vis smallcaps and midcaps.<\/p>\n If you look at our balanced advantage fund portfolio, we currently have 60 per cent net exposure to equity, based on our asset allocation model.<\/p>\n Over 85 per cent of the equity allocation is in largecaps. This reflects our cautiousness in midcap and smallcap stocks.<\/p>\n Which sectors are you bullish on presently? Any recent shift in sectoral positioning that you can point out?<\/strong><\/p>\n From a CIO’s perspective, one area that we like is the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.<\/p>\n The valuations are reasonable and the companies are showing improvements in their balance sheets.<\/p>\n In addition, long-term structural growth prospects are in place.<\/p>\n Two other areas where the equation is reasonable are automobile and financials.<\/p>\n However, they are no longer cheap. They are in their mid-cycle valuation-wise, with further revenue growth prospects.<\/p>\n The sectors that are not attractive are capital goods and capex-driven ones, owing to excessive valuations.<\/p>\n What’s your take on the IT sector — is the pain over?<\/strong><\/p>\n It is one of the few sectors where our track record is globally proven.<\/p>\n The services export from India is more than our oil deficit. The sector got overvalued in 2021.<\/p>\n At the same time, the industry entered a period of uncertainty owing to concerns of recession in the US.<\/p>\n Despite the correction, the sector is still not cheap.<\/p>\n We will look for opportunities to incrementally add IT stocks in our portfolios.<\/p>\n The medium-to-long term prospects remain robust.<\/p>\n In addition, the growth prospects of the sector seem equal or even better than the pre-pandemic period.<\/p>\n Any fund recommendation for investors considering the present market environment?<\/strong><\/p>\n Given the higher valuations, hybrid funds like balanced advantage and multi-asset are better suited for lumpsum investments.<\/p>\n In these categories, fund managers have leeway to increase or decrease equity allocation based on the market conditions.<\/p>\n For staggered investment, investors should look at schemes, which invest across the market-cap spectrum.<\/p>\n Flexicap, multicap and focused equity are some of the options.<\/p>\n UTI MF recently launched an innovation fund. Which areas have you identified for the fund?<\/strong><\/p>\n We will look to invest in technology-driven sectors like e-commerce, fintech and deep technology software space.<\/p>\n Some other areas will be specialty chemicals and research and development (R&D) in the manufacturing space.<\/p>\n Another area is companies in the cleantech space.<\/p>\n What do you make of the Reserve Bank of India report, which shows a plunge in net household savings? Is it negative for certain sectors?<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s difficult to draw inferences from this report as it also includes the debt and savings of all unincorporated businesses.<\/p>\n Hence, the pain reflected in the data could be due to stress in small scale businesses.<\/p>\n It’s also possible that the significant increase in borrowings could be a result of better credit availability.<\/p>\n More and more people and businesses are now getting access to credit from the organised system, leading to better data capture.<\/p>\n We are not surprised by the data. Other indicators have already shown that.<\/p>\n Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani\/Rediff.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities\/schemes or any other financial products\/investment products mentioned in this QnA or an attempt to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors\/recipients.<\/strong><\/p>\n Any use of the information\/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors\/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.<\/strong><\/p>\n