Indian equities could retest March lows; be selective in auto, pharma: Punita Kumar

The possibility of the Indian stock market testing its lows of March cannot be ruled out, feels Punita Kumar Sinha, Managing Partner, Pacific Paradigm Advisors, adding that the COVID crisis globally is far from over.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Sinha said it will not be easy for the Indian government to offer further stimulus to boost the economy.

The Indian economy is unlikely to see a V-shaped recovery, she says , adding that the the pace of recovery in India’s economy could be slower compared to many other countries. Unlike most money managers, who are wary of the NBFC sector in general, Sinha says valuations of select quality stocks in the sector have become attractive after the recent correction.

On the pharma sector, Sinha says investors need to be very stock specific, given the recent run up in stock prices. She sees automobile and auto components firms benefitting from pent-up demand in the system in the short term, but again calls for a stock specific view.

“One has to be stock specific. I don’t see huge amount of pent up demand that is going to come back, there has been some pent up demand that might help the sector in the short-term,” she said.