Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Nifty Closed Flat In Another Day Of Short Covering Supported By Positive Global Cues Ahead Of Deluge Of US Economic Data & FNO Exp Amid Multiple Domestic Headwinds



NF has to sustain over 8080-8120 zone for any “rally” towards 8185-8260 area; otherwise sustain below 8040-8000 area, it may again fall towards 7960-7920 zone for tomorrow.

Market Wrap: 23/11/2016 (17:30)

Nifty Fut (Nov) closed today around 8015 (+8 points) after another volatile day, which saw some selling/long unwinding after gap up opening around day high of 8058 and subsequent short covering/some value buying from the session low of 7972.

Indian market today opened in positive tone supported by overnight record closing in US market and positive Asian cues amid holiday thinned market (Japan was closed for holiday and US market is also preparing for a long four day Thanks Giving weekend).

But the overall strength in USD may be hurting domestic market sentiment as USDINR-I breached the multi month high of 68.25 and raced towards 68.60. Technically, consecutive closing above 68.25, USDINR may further rally towards life time high of around 69.25 & 70.50 in the near term

Apart from the “known” factor of Dec’16 rate hike by Fed & “Trumpflation”, there is also a market buzz that Fed may indicate for another hike in mid 2017 (June-Aug’17). Also favourable bond yield spreads between USD & German/ECB/UK is helping a lot for the dollar strength. 

Going forward, increasing political risk in EU because of “Trumpism” may also force various EU nations to spend more for infra & structural package along with gradual reduction in monetary stimulus. All these may further accelerate EM fund outflow and India may be also one of them.

Indian market sentiment may be also suffering due to the ongoing concern about slowing economic activity and its effect on GDP, consumption and earnings for the demonetization in the short term and for the “surgical strike” on “black money” in the long term. 

Already various big automobile companies, such as Honda are reporting drastic fall in sales. As the Govt is repeatedly saying that this demonetization is only a 1st small step towards eradicating Indian culture of rampant corruption & graft money as well as widespread unaccounted money (which mostly come from undervalued real estate transaction to escape taxes), market may be apprehending more steps such as online listing of real estates, one time declaration of financial assets in other forms (Gold, EQ & other financial instruments) etc.

Although, intention of “war” against black money is no doubt a bold step by NAMO despite various debates of demonetization, the hard fact remains that the great story of Indian consumption is still dependent significantly on this black/unaccounted money.

Because of demonetization, real estate prices are already crashing by as much as 30-40% and the overall cash flow mismatch may cause significant headwinds for the banks in the form of incremental growth in NPA/NPL despite one time tailwinds of greater CASA & better NIM (temporary).

Thus, the overall collateral damage because of this demonetization may be much more than the intended benefit, even for the long term. Also, Govt should attack more the root causes of black money rather than the byproduct of it (undeclared cash) as only around 6% of black money is being kept as “high denomination Indian currency”.

In the short term, as India is largely a cash economy, it will take significant time to convert it into a digital economy as the country lacks the necessary IT & internet infrastructure and most of the people can’t afford a smart phone either. Also, most of the small business may not be prepared to pay full taxes, because in that scenario, it may not be viable for them to continue the business at all and unemployment may be the biggest headwind for the NAMO Govt in the next series of elections.

Apart from the demonetization chaos, market sentiment may be also affected due to the ongoing political battle and “war of words” between the “united opposition” and the BJP.

As expected, Govt today deferred the scheduled GST council meeting from 24-25-th Nov to Dec 4-5-th. The Govt are trying for some “compromise” with the united opposition and called a meeting on Nov-24 to discuss the current parliament log-jam because of this demonetization protests. 

In the present scenario of political & demonetization chaos, passage of final GST bill and implementation of the same may be looking very difficult from Aprii’17 as Govt will be pre-occupied with this “war on parallel economy” and also with the budget.

Indian market sentiment may also be affecting due to the continuous cease fire violations at LOC (Pak), where a “mini battle” is being fought for the last few weeks after the “Surgical Strike” by India. This “virtual war” may take shape of a much more serious “real war” at any point of time, considering the political compulsion of both the countries.  
  
Thus, going forward, there may be unusual volatility in the Indian market for various domestic as well as global reasons (both headwinds & tailwinds) and one should take this volatility as an opportunity without any emotion.

The current correction of the Indian market may not be a simple “time correction”, it may be more of a “price or structural correction”. A strong USD, coupled with FPI outflow & multiple domestic headwinds & slower earning recovery may be some of the reasons for which we may see Nifty trading between 7900-6800 in 2017 rather than 8000-8500 & 9000 zone. 

Valuation wise, at projected FY-17 Nifty EPS of around 405 and an average PE multiple of 18 may translate Nifty fair value around 7290 (FY-17).





NF

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