Where to invest in 2017: Indian Retail Investor Perspective

Basic Investment Avenue available for retail investor includes Bank FD, Equity investments, Real estates, Gold. The outlook each asset class is discussed below

Bank FD: Indian Banks are currently offering interest rate anywhere between 6-7.5% for different amount and terms of fixed deposit. Indian monetary policy is in an expansionary environment and I expect central bank to reduce policy rates close to 100 bp (1% from current levels) during 2017. Demonetization has pumped sufficient liquidity into banking system reducing the need for additional deposit in the near future until loan growth picks up. Thus we might see Indian Banks cutting FD rate by 1-1.5% (100-150 bp) during FY 2017, so we might see FD rate in the range of 5-6.5%  for different time period and different amount. Interest on Bank FD is taxable; so we are looking at an after tax return of 3.5%-4.5% for an investor in 30% tax slab.

Equity Investments: Equity Markets have been relatively flat over last two years and performance is as shown in table below:

  

Indian Market	31-Dec-14	31-Dec-15	31-Dec-16	2015 Return	2016 Return
Nifty 50	8,282.7	7,946.3	8,185.8	-4.1%	3.01%
BSE-Sensex	27,499	26,118	26,626	-5.0%	1.95%

Fundamentally Markets would be weak in 2017 and could see strong recovery in 2018: Demonetisation, GST delays, Expected trump policy (IT sector) are going to be earnings dragger in short term (next 2-3 Quarters) while lower interest rate environment (lower borrowing cost),strengthening USD (IT sector) would support earnings, short term fundamentals are weak. However once the reforms are in track we might see strong recovery in earning (due to pent up demand). I being a Modi fan (just to remove ambiguity) believe on going reforms would be positive for the market. I am optimistic as 5 years back the point of discussion would be on scams-2G, coal, defence related but today our point of discussion is tax raids, digitization, and demonetization impact, what would be his next announcement

FII driven market liquidity would further deteriorate in 2017: During 2017, we might witness Fed increasing rates while RBI reducing rates, narrowing interest rate differentials between USA & India would lead to FII outflow in bond market. Trump pro-business policy coupled with short term pain due to on going reforms in India will increase outflow from Indian equities. FII have been significantly selling since Oct 2016 (sold 30,726 Cr in Indian equities) resulting in Broad equity market decline of approx.  6% since Oct 2016. The FII flows trend over last few years is as shown in the table below

FII Investment (INR Cr)	2014	2015	2016	Oct-Dec 2016
Equity	97,054	17,808	20,568	-30,726
Debt	1,59,156	45,857	-43,647	-46,087
Total	2,56,210	63,665	-23,079	-76,813

*FII are net seller in 2016; Size of selling has significantly increased since Oct 2016

Valuations are at appropriate levels: Nifty is trading at 21.9x trailing PE while Sensex trading at 20.88x trailing PE. At 22x PE ,markets are offering 4.5% earnings yield which is better than bank FD post tax return of 3.5-4.5%

Equity conclusion: Equity markets would be a range bound for FY 2017 and another quiet year for Indian Equities. However investors with three to five year investment horizon should start accumulating equity during the year.

Real estate: Central government ongoing initiative to curb black money, Effort to enhance RE transaction transparency, plans of targeting benami properties all bode negative for the sector. It’s a Known fact that Indian real estate market historically has been driven by black money. Property prices are on the higher side offering lower rental yields (max 3-4% across most part of India). I expect real estate prices might hold on at current levels for 5-6 months (however transaction volume would come to grinding halt) and then we might see prices coming down by 15-20% (over next 1 year). Currently the developers who have ventured into projects (pre demonetization) would try to hold on to current rates (so as not to incur losses), Financial position (liquidity & leverage) of the developer will determine how long a developer can hold on to its inventory (without reducing price); but as time passes (say 6-8 months) the inventory holding capacity of the developer will start deteriorating then the real estate prices would start coming down and might see 15-20% decline in RE prices (over next 1 year). Real estate investments are illiquid ,macro headwinds against the sector, investors would be better staying away in FY 2017.

Gold: USD index has gaining significant momentum during H2 2016; considering high likelihood of Fed increasing interest rate during 2017, we could expect USD further strengthening; Gold is inversely related to USD thus we might see downside in gold from current levels. So buying gold for consumption purpose (in terms of ornaments) is fine, don’t look at it as investment asset during FY 2017

Conclusion:

Investors have a challenging year ahead. Bank FD can safeguard your capital but might not generate any inflation adjusted return; Equity markets would be range bound, if you have three to five year investment horizon, then FY 2017 would be a great opportunity for accumulation. If you don’t have time, knowledge or sufficient capital to take exposure to equity, look into Mutual fund route and better to stick with large cap funds/Balanced funds. Stay away from Real estate and Gold.

Happy Investing in 2017; Have a great year ahead and feel free to get in touch with any investment related queries @ smartportfolioadvisors@gmail.com.