All Things Markets

InvITs pipeline is strong but conducive tax regime is key for the sector, says Shubham Jain, Senior Vice-President, ICRA in an interview to Mint's Nasrin Sultana. The recent announcements in union budget are expected to have a varied impact on InvITs.

Global investors, especially in Asia, are understandably anxious about coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China. Markets with the greatest number of infections, namely China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, faced pressure when the outbreak began. There was also volatility and aggressive reactions in markets that were not impacted by the virus outbreak such as India, which only had three cases so far. Mint's Nasrin Sultana speaks to Rob Subbaraman, Head, Gobal Macro Research, Nomura on some of the investment implications from this incident and investors rationale.

Investors are awaiting the presentation of Union budget later this week with high hopes for a growth stimulus by the government even as concerns about a fiscal slippage has left them worried. A. Balasubramanian, MD and CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC speaks to Nasrin Sultana, Mint about what are the markets expecting from budget?

Two major events union Budget and Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy review are staring at India's local currency. Ashok Gautam, ED and Treasury Head, IDBI Bank speaks to Nasrin Sultana, Mint shares his outlook on Indian rupee.

Despite a dismal performance in last two years, buying smallcap stocks is seen as a prudent investment strategy. In an interview to Mint's Nasrin Sultana, S Naren, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund said that smallcap stocks will outperform in three to five years.

An earnings recovery may continue to elude Indian companies in the December quarter due to weak sales growth, muted demand and, tight liquidity. However, cost control measures are expected to lead to an uptick in margins, while profits could be held up by the corporate tax cuts announced in September, says Rahul Singh, chief investment officer-equities at Tata AMC in an interview to Mint.

Indian equities are likely to continue the upward trend this year, despite major headwinds such as the economic slowdown and fiscal slippages. Mint's Nasrin Sultana speaks to Abhiram Eleswarapu, Head of India Equity Research, BNP Paribas on the big trends and risks for stock markets in 2020.

Sensex and Nifty have touched fresh highs multiple times in 2019 while smaller stocks did not participate in the rally. Mint's Nasrin Sultana speaks to Jaideep Hansraj, MD & CEO, Kotak Securities on his outlook for stock markets in 2020.

The government lowered corporate taxation for companies in September. Along with just the changes in the current taxes, these provisions have accounting implications relating to deferred taxes that are accounted for by companies in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Mint's Nasrin Sultana speaks to Madhu Sudan Kankani, Partner, Deloitte India if lower corporate taxes was beneficial?

It was impressive year for gold in 2019. Aided by US-China trade war, easier monetary policy across the world's leading economies and sustained central-bank buying, gold outperformed equities in the year. Mint's Nasrin Sultana speaks to Chirag Mehta, Senior Fund Manager, Alternative Investment, Quantum Mutual Fund if rally in gold will continue in 2020.