27/01/2025
The Indian stock market has recently reached a historic high on June 28, 2023, and the rally continued into July. Several factors have contributed to this surge. Select auto stocks and banks, both from the public and private sectors, have been key drivers of the rally. However, heavyweight Nifty stocks like Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are yet to fully participate in this upward trend, despite outperforming the Nifty by a significant margin in the year-to-date period.
Strong economic growth, rising corporate profits, and increasing foreign investment have also supported the recent rally. Despite the global recession concerns, the Indian economy is expected to remain relatively less impacted due to its robust domestic demand. This internal strength acts as a stabilizing force even if the global economy slows down. Forecasts predict India’s GDP for FY24 to grow between 5.5% and 6.5%, making it the fastest-growing economy worldwide. The total value of Indian equities has reached $3.5 trillion, surpassing the combined value of Europe’s largest stock markets, the UK and France.
India’s burgeoning population of approximately 1.43 billion people provides a vast pool of potential workers and consumers. The growing urban middle class, with increasing levels of disposable income, presents an attractive market for companies both within India and abroad. Apple is increasing its manufacturing presence in India following supply chain challenges in China, with additional investments planned. Micron Technology will invest up to $825 million in a semiconductor facility, Applied Materials will invest $400 million in an engineering center, and Boeing will invest $24 million in a logistics center. Walmart plans a $10 billion investment to expand operations, PepsiCo plans to invest $1 billion in manufacturing and distribution, while Intel and Qualcomm both plan $10 billion investments for new facilities and research and development expansion in India.
However, some concerns exist regarding India’s economy, particularly in the labor market. To ensure inclusive growth and a positive feedback loop between demand and growth, India needs to generate 70 million jobs in the next decade. Additionally, if retail inflation in India rises again, the Reserve Bank of India may be compelled to implement rate hikes. Moreover, challenges in the global economy could adversely affect the Indian stock market.
In conclusion, while the Indian stock market has reached new highs driven by select sectors, concerns remain regarding the labor market and inflation. The country’s robust domestic demand, strong economic growth, and favorable investment climate continue to support investor confidence. However, vigilance is necessary given the potential impact of global economic challenges on the Indian market.