Factsheet Index
  • Global Macro & Markets
  • Domestic Macro & Markets
    • India's high frequency data update
    • Monthly Performance for Key Indices
  • Market View
    • Chart of the month
Macro and
Equity Market
Outlook
GLOBAL MACRO & MARKETS – July 2023
India’s NIFTY index ended the month with 2.9% gains over July. The S&P500 (+3.1%), the Euro 50 (+1.6%), and the MSCI World (+3.3%) were all gainers, with Japan’s Nikkei remaining broadly flat (-0.1%). Among EM indices, the MSCI EM, the HANG SENG, BOVESPA Brazil, and the MOEX Russia, all recorded positive month over month growths in July, of +5.8%, +6.1%, +3.3% and +9.9% respectively. LME Metals Index surged by +6.3%, owing to expectations of fiscal support via stimulus from China’s central government, augmented by a marginally weaker dollar and dull economic activity data from China.
WTI and Brent Crude soared up in June, by +15.8% and +14.2% respectively, as Brent Crude notched up its steepest monthly gains since January 2022, as the market tightened post OPEC+ (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus) supply cuts, even as the demand outlook remained stable. The Dollar index weakened by -1.0% over the month, with the Dollar depreciating by -0.4% vis-à-vis EM currencies and appreciating by +0.3% against the Indian Rupee. India 10Y G-Sec ticked upwards by 6 bps, while the USA’s 10Y G-Sec yields rose by 12 bps, and the German Bund rose by 10 bps, with rates settling at 7.18%, 3.95% and 2.49% respectively.
Domestic Macro & Markets - July 2023
The BSE SENSEX (+2.8%) rose in July, in tandem with other Indian indices. BSE Mid-cap and small-cap indices outperformed the SENSEX and were up +5.7% and +7.4%, respectively. Sector-wise, all sectors barring consumer durables ended the month in green, with PSUs, Power and realty witnessing the largest growths of +9.3%, +9.2% and +9% respectively. Consumer durables marginally fell, with a -0.3% degrowth.
Rallies in Indian indices were partly driven by FII flows, as FIIs continued to be net buyers of Indian equities in July, albeit at a lower quantum (+$4.2 Bn, following +$5.3 Bn in June). DIIs turned into net sellers of Indian equities (-$0.3 Bn, down from +$0.5 Bn from last month).
India's high frequency data update:
Elevated levels of GST collections, tolerable retail inflation, deflated input inflation, rising core sector outputs, and elevated credit growth augurs well for the Indian economy.
India PMI:
Manufacturing PMI in July 2023 came in at 57.7, down to a 3-month low, and remained in expansion zone (>50) for the 25th straight month, sustained by new orders growth at its highest since November 2022. Input cost inflation hit a 9-month high but remained well below the series average. Lead times shortened for the fifth month sequentially. Indian Services Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) surges ahead to 13 years high level of 62.3 supported by robust domestic and export demand. Composite PMI also came in at 13-year high reading of 61.9!
GST Collection:
Collections of INR 1.65 Tn (+11% YoY) in July 2023 concluded the seventeenth consecutive month of collections over the INR 1.4 Tn mark, following record collections of INR 1.87 Tn in April 2023. This is the fifth time that GST collections crossed the INR 1.6 Tn mark since the inception of the system 6 years ago. The MoM and YoY rise in collections was owed to rises in domestic transactions (Including import of services) (+15% growth YoY). Rising compliance, boosted economic activity and improved consumer spending are key proponents of sustained GST collections.
Core sector production:
Core sector production growth accelerated to 8.2% in June 2023, against a 5% growth in May 2023, owing to an expansion in seven of the eight component sectors. Production of Coal, Fertilizers, Steel, refinery products, electricity, natural gas, and Cement rose by 9.8%, 3.4%, 21.9%, 4.6%, 3.3%, +3.6% and 9.4% YoY respectively. Crude oil was the only component that declined, by -0.6%.
Industrial Production:
Factory output as measured by the IIP index rose MoM by 5.2% YoY in May 2023 vs a growth of 4.5% YoY in April 2023. Mining output rose +6.4% while power generation grew by 0.9% YoY in May 2023.
Credit growth:
Credit growth reached over 14% YoY as of 14th July 2023 against YoY growth of 12.9% as observed on 15th July 2022.
Inflation:
June 2023’s CPI inflation rate rose for the first time in five months 4.81% from 4.25% in May 2023, led by an unsupportive base, and rising food inflation rates (+4.49%). The rate remains below the RBI’s upper tolerance band of 6%. WPI inflation continued to drop for the thirteenth straight month, with the June 2023 print at -4.12%, 54 bps down from May 2023’s at -3.58%, as a favourable base effect came into play for manufactured goods, fuel and primary articles. This was the lowest print witnessed since October 2015.
Trade Deficit:
Indian Merchandise Exports recorded a decline of -22% YoY to $32.97 Bn in May 2023, while Imports growth declined by -17.5%% YoY to $53.10 Bn. India’s trade deficit narrowed by 8.7% to $20.13 Bn. Exports lowered to a 8-month low, as global demand weakened.
Monthly Performance for Key Indices:
Note: Market scenarios are not the reliable indicators for current or future performance. The same should not be construed as investment advice or as any research report/research recommendation.
Past performance may or may not be sustained in future.
Source: Bloomberg
Market View
Higher interest rates have weighed on the global growth prospect. While the inflation may have peaked out globally, but with the elevated levels markets may look for clarity on Central Banks’ stance on the direction of interest rates.
Domestic macro trends have been resilient despite global uncertainty. Green shoots are visible on the industry Capex recovery which may be supported by Production Linked Incentive (PLI), Localization, China+1. India’s external sector situation continues to improve led by strong services exports and lower imports. While revenue growth is still muted for FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) companies, with a low base effect coming into play from next 2 quarters, revenue uptrend should look better in H2. We have also seen a sharp recovery in monsoon after a weak start. Pan India deficit has materially reduced led by monsoon coverage in Western and Northern regions.
India’s tax collections to GDP, credit to GDP and most importantly rising corporate earnings to GDP reflect transparency and formalisation reforms undertaken in the pre-pandemic period.
While valuations remain challenging in the near term. We believe medium to long term opportunities remain strong for India and will be driven by investment cycle & policy reforms.
We suggest investors should have a long-term orientation for equity investments and should consider products based on their investment goals and risk appetite. Investors can look to invest in a staggered manner to ride the near-term uncertainties. Conservative investors may consider asset allocation strategies.
Note: The sectors mentioned are not a recommendation to buy/sell in the said sectors. The schemes may or may not have future position in the said sectors. For complete details on Holdings & Sectors of NIMF schemes, please visit website mf.nipponindiaim.com.
Past performance may or may not be sustained in future
Chart of the month :
The Central Government’s quarterly capex growth (YoY%) is picking up and remains strong, on a YoY (%) and QoQ (%) basis, with the latest figure (Q1FY24) coming in at ~59%YoY. This bodes well for infrastructure related segments of the economy.
Common Source:
NIMF Research, CMIE, Bloomberg
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