Beware of the Ides of March & book some profit in midcaps; gung-ho on 4 FMCG stocks: Sanjiv Bhasin

Sanjiv Bhasin recommends investing in marquee names like Patanjali, Bata, and Nestle, along with private banks and metal stocks. He believes the construction sector and the expected lower dollar will drive the growth of commodities in India. Bhasin also says he is very bullish on commodities and hence continues to have overweight on the metal stocks.

“Bank Nifty, which had lost momentum, is now in leadership. Obviously buy the frontliners which for the largecaps are HDFC, ICICI and Axis. But I would single out Kotak to be the biggest outperformer here. As for small caps, I am very optimistic on Bandhan Bank from that Rs 250 level. It has hit Rs 235, 240. But do a SIP in Bandhan.”

Sanjiv Bhasin, Director of IIFL Securities, advises investing in PSUs, OMCs, insurance companies, and largecaps like Reliance and HDFC Bank. He also suggests considering stocks like Vedanta, Hindustan Copper, Devyani, HDFC Life, and Asian Paints for potential returns. Bhasin says: We remain in a bull market but fundamentally and technically, we have reached a peak from where we can see some consolidation/correction. '

Sanjiv Bhasin says: “Hotels, transport, entertainment sectors are having their best time and nobody is complaining because the stock market is at an all-time high and global cheer is there. You never expected that the Fed would pivot so fast. Now, there are talks of three rate cuts. So, enjoy the bonhomie as it goes. We head into a new year on a very optimistic note.”

Sanjiv Bhasin recommends investing in HDFC and M&M for long-term wealth creation. He suggests considering under-owned stocks like ONGC, IOC, Concor, IRCTC, and Nalco. GQG Capital's success with Adani and Vedanta stocks is noteworthy. The mortgage business and Tuticorin copper opening could drive growth. Bhasin also says Bandhan Bank should be in your portfolio and left there for the next two-three quarters. This can be a doubler, in the next one-one and a half year.

Sanjiv Bhasin highlights the performance of the midcap index and the earnings of companies like REC, PFC, NBCC, GAIL, IREDA, and Colgate. He expresses optimism about the Bank Nifty and the stellar performance of ICICI Bank and PSU stocks. He mentions the underperformance of HDFC and the potential impact on its stock price. He also discusses the merger cancellation of Zee Entertainment and predicts changes in its ownership. He suggests considering largecap banks like ICICI Bank and identifies potential opportunities in stocks like Dhanlaxmi Bank and Indus Tower.

Investec Capital Services' Mukul Kochhar predicts that the private capex cycle will drive job creation, savings accumulation, and premiumisation for the next five to six years. The investment cycle will boost earnings growth and contribute to supporting manufacturing investments, allowing discretionary consumption in the Indian market to grow as per capita GDP increases. Investec recommends portfolios that avoid exceptionally high multiples and over-anticipated stocks.

Sanjiv Bhasin: “Aarti and SRF. Those have been two of our top picks and they have been very sweet performers, particularly Aarti from Rs 450, crossed Rs 630. We still think that is one stock which must be in your portfolio despite the 50-70% runup. SRF is a pedigree stock as is Atul. These are three names which we would be very bullish on even at this price.”

“ HDFC Bank is a very good long-term and a slightly medium-term play. I do not rule out Bank Nifty going back to test 46,000 in this month itself and I would be very bullish on select banks like AU Bank, IDFC and RBL Bank which are three banks where we are taking exposure and we think can outperform.”

Sanjiv Bhasin advises investing in private banks like HDFC Bank and is optimistic about HDFC, ICICI, and Kotak. Zee Entertainment's merger talks are back on and he is hopeful that after pain, gain is going to be very much on the cards. Auto sector remains strong with top picks being Maruti, Bosch, Ashok Leyland, and Hero Moto.