Earnings Acceleration Outlook
Pankaj Tibrewal, the Founder and Chief Investment Officer at IKIGAI Asset Manager, anticipates a significant uptick in corporate earnings. He forecasts Nifty earnings growth to expand from an estimated 8-8.5% in fiscal year 2026 to a robust 12-13% in FY27. Tibrewal identified earnings acceleration as the primary catalyst for market performance moving forward. The current earnings season, while impacted by labor code provisions primarily affecting IT firms, has largely met expectations, with banks also reporting decent results.
Navigating Global Uncertainty
Despite ongoing volatility fueled by geopolitical tensions, foreign investor selling, and currency fluctuations, Tibrewal asserts that domestic markets are fundamentally well-positioned. He views the recent corrections as largely driven by global uncertainties rather than inherent domestic economic weakness. This resilience, he believes, sets India apart from other markets in the medium to long term.
Sectoral Opportunities Emerge
Following recent market pullbacks, several sectors are now presenting attractive investment prospects. Private sector banks are noted as being particularly well-placed. Pharmaceutical stocks, including Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and domestic generic players, are showing renewed appeal after a period of underperformance. Auto and auto-ancillary stocks, which experienced strong prior momentum, have also corrected, creating potential buying opportunities. Select capital goods companies with strong order books and long-term visibility are also on the radar as valuations have become more reasonable.
Focus on Natural Resources
Tibrewal maintains a positive stance on the metals sector, with a specific focus on non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminium. He anticipates that natural resources will increasingly play a strategic role in geopolitical negotiations, thereby enhancing the value of commodities. While steel's third quarter may remain subdued due to earlier price weakness, recent domestic price increases could lead to positive earnings surprises in the fourth quarter if the trend persists.