Posted On Tuesday, Aug 11, 2020
July turned out to be another good month for Indian equities. S&P BSE Sensex gained 8.1% during the month. Its losses on year to date were pared to only 8.0%. S&P BSE Sensex performance was slightly better than emerging markets overall. It gained 9.05% as compared to 9.01% return by MSCI Emerging market index (both USD terms). S&P BSE Sensex performed significantly better than developed market indices such as Dow Jones and S&P 500 in July.
Small and mid-cap indices gains lagged that of narrower benchmark i.e. S&P BSE Sensex. S&P BSE mid-cap index had a gain of 5.5% during the month. Return of BSE small-cap index was 5.3%. On a year to date basis, there is only a fall of 7.3% and 4.2% respectively in BSE mid-cap and BSE small-cap index. Large part of fall witnessed by indices in March month has been recovered.
Among sectors, IT, healthcare and metals were those with highest gains for July. IT companies demonstrated margin resilience and some gave a positive revenue growth guidance for current fiscal year in their quarterly results. Real estate, power and capital goods had bad performance during the month.
Market Performance at a Glance | |
Market Returns %* | |
S&P BSE SENSEX YTD** | -8.0% |
S&P BSE SENSEX MTD** | +8.1% |
S&P BSE MID CAP MTD** | +5.5% |
S&P BSE SMALL CAP MTD** | +5.3% |
BEST PERFORMER SECTORS | IT, Healthcare, Metal |
LAGGARD SECTORS | Power, Capital goods, Real estate |
* On Total Return Basis | |
** Source-Bloomberg |
FIIs lured by zero interest rates and abundant liquidity pumped USD 1.1 Bn in India equities. So far in 7 months of 2020, they have been sellers of USD 1.3 Bn. Domestic institutions (DIIs) were net sellers of USD 1.3 Bn during the month. Mutual funds contributed USD 1 bn to selling, balance coming from insurers. So far in 2020, DIIs have been net purchasers of equity to the tune of USD 10.5 Bn. With US dollar depreciating against all currencies, Indian rupee gained 0.9% against it.
The month saw EU leaders reaching a fiscal stimulus package after days of intense wrangling. The package of EUR 750 Bn (USD 857 Bn) would specially help EU countries such as Italy and Spain which are worst affected by virus. There have been negotiations in US as well for a stimulus package USD 1 Trillion. This comes on top of USD 2 Trn which was announced earlier and is in the process of being spent.
Balance sheets of central banks have been expanding at a rapid pace since Covid-19 broke out and severely damaged economies around the world. Heavy dose of monetary policies are leading to financial markets performing very well. Balance sheet of ECB has expanded from 4.7 Trn to 6.4 Trn euros since Mar’20.
Source: Bloomberg
Economic activity levels globally are hugely challenged. Most countries with exception of China are seeing 9-15% contraction in recently announced GDP. Unemployment levels remain high and employers continue to cut jobs in most stressed sectors. Small and medium businesses are facing the brunt most.
In India economic recovery continues at a gradual pace. Country saw very strict restriction on movement of people and goods starting March and continuing till May. June data saw a smart pick-up in activity. Trends in July were weaker however. Refinery utilisation of biggest oil refiner in India dropped from 90% in June to 75% in July. Activity decline can be partly attributed to localised lockdowns in parts of South and East part of country. There is also be attributed to pent-up demand in June that was satiated later.
As pointed in last month report, there has been a huge surge in retail investors who are trading in stocks. This phenomenon has been common across the globe. Many of these new investors are product of lockdown, with nothing much to do. Retail traders contributed INR 3.5 Bn in revenues of company as compared to 2.1 Bn in same period last year.
Monsoon turned out to be erratic in the month of July with 9% deficiency. It had a decent start in the month of June and is critical for the rural sector. India also had trade surplus after 18 years in June month. Exports picked up while imports were remained subdued.
India is likely to grow faster than many nations. Economy is dependent on domestic consumption and thus insulated from any global problems over the long term. While economic growth faces pressure in near term, better rural economy and measures to ease liquidity are likely to stimulate growth. Opening up of most parts of economy is likely to lead to demand revival and employment creation. The risk being corona virus doesn’t see a resurgence.
BSE Sensex has risen from PE of 16 times in March month to 27 times currently. While economic recovery is far away, market valuations have come back to pre Covid-19 impact levels (chart below). This has made it look slightly expensive. However, it is only a handful of stocks which have contributed to the overall rally. Earnings of most companies are likely to be disappointing in FY21 as lockdown has affected most.
QLTEVF saw a 7.4% appreciation in NAV in the month of July. This compares to 7.2% rise by its benchmark S&P BSE 200 TRI. Some of IT scrips in the portfolio of QLTEVF had good gains contributing to performance. A few PSU stocks were drag on overall performance for the month.
Cash in the scheme stood at approx. 7% in July. Position in a healthcare stock was trimmed during the month owing to higher valuations and stock giving superlative returns. Scheme is also selling its position in a power utility stock as view of business has changed.
Data Source: Bloomberg
Name of the Scheme | This product is suitable for investors who are seeking* | Riskometer |
Quantum Long Term Equity Value Fund (An Open Ended Equity Scheme following a Value Investment Strategy) | • Long term capital appreciation • Invests primarily in equity and equity related securities of companies in S&P BSE 200 index | ![]() Investors understand that their principal will be at Moderately High Risk |
* Investors should consult their financial advisers if in doubt about whether the product is suitable for them.
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Please visit – www.QuantumMF.com to read scheme specific risk factors. Investors in the Scheme(s) are not being offered a guaranteed or assured rate of return and there can be no assurance that the schemes objective will be achieved and the NAV of the scheme(s) may go up and down depending upon the factors and forces affecting securities market. Investment in mutual fund units involves investment risk such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk including possible loss of capital. Past performance of the sponsor / AMC / Mutual Fund does not indicate the future performance of the Scheme(s). Statutory Details: Quantum Mutual Fund (the Fund) has been constituted as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Sponsor: Quantum Advisors Private Limited. (liability of Sponsor limited to Rs. 1,00,000/-) Trustee: Quantum Trustee Company Private Limited. Investment Manager: Quantum Asset Management Company Private Limited. The Sponsor, Trustee and Investment Manager are incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956.
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