Monday, October 10, 2011

The Pain Continues....

The pain continueth....as they say! 2011 has been a difficult year, with what everyone expected but did not really want to believe, that the world would collapse.

Lets face it, the developed world, like it or not, has collapsed. It is time for soul searching. What went wrong in Europe (PIGS) and USA? Living beyond means? Not having enough "real" assets to back paper stuff? We can dwell into the depths of what happened but it all boils down simply to this!

India in the past has grown despite the political and business setup and not because of it. The same may continue...even now our economy has the pizzazz to deliver 7.5% growth. I will take that anyday over sub 3% global growth....any friggin day! The consumption theme may fizzle out now, given the fact that there has been a concerted effort by the Reserve Bank of India to hike rates. Its bloody expensive to buy anything on credit now and the retail guy along with the SME will suffer most. This is delaying the capex cycle more than slowing consumption but eh...the transmission effect takes time. Also we have to factor in the rural economy which is largely cash based and the underground economy as well!

So what is in store for the markets? I am afraid six more months of sideways movement...some day gains here and there, probably an astute trader can make money during this time frame. But for us fundamental investors, time to shop, keep a 3 yr horizon, chances are that you will not regret buying during this phase!