When valuations are expensive, stick with sector leaders: 5 stocks with right PEG ratio

Every industry has different operating conditions which have high correlation with the kind of ROE they generate and how sustainable that number is. Of all the stocks, which our algorithms come up with, we took companies from three sectors, biologics, engineering and an auto ancillary company which is focussed on EV space and has been able to get an early lead. ET screener powered by Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus lists down stocks with high upside potential over the next 12 months, having an average recommendation rating of “buy” or strong buy .

Capital good companies had faced tough times for many years. Given the fact that hardly any capacity buildup was taking place in any industry, a number had to change their product portfolio and had to live with very low margins. But all the efforts have now started to show some results. Given the performance of the stock, a large majority of these stocks have hold recommendations from the analysts.

Stay bullish, but just add an element of caution which means stay with quality. There is quality in every segment of the markets, but when one is buying midcap stocks it is more important to focus on quality as these companies and also their stocks may have relatively less ability to withstand a corrective phase, either because of the nature of the business or because of technical reason like shareholding pattern. Following stocks have come from Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus which lists stocks with high upside potential over next 12 months, with average recommendation rating of “buy” or strong buy

It is after a long period of time, that bears have finally made their presence felt on the street. Whether it is, large, mid or small cap market breadth in all segments witnessed a sharp decline. In such times, if one is looking to buy stocks it would be better to look at stocks where some developments have made analysts turn bullish on them. These selected stocks depict a strong upward trajectory in their overall average score which is based on five key pillars i.e. earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk and price momentum. This implies that there has been a significant improvement in their market outlook in the given time frame.

This week there was a sharp correction in the mid-cap index, and market breadth was also weak. This should serve as a warning to all those who are buying stocks without bothering to look at what is the business of the company. The way correction panned out, there is higher probability of a correction in mid-cap space continuing if there is more trouble with Nifty. But rather than bothering about what will happen to nifty in the next few weeks or quarters, long term investors looking to take exposure to the mid-cap should focus on individual companies and their underlying business. At the same time, because overall valuations are high, be ready for underperformance for some time and focus on the long term.

Despite the fact the valuations are high and there are many headwinds both in terms of geopolitical risk and central banks policy making, the correction which is taking place in the market is not of the same magnitude which in the past such mews flow has brought. So at one level while the correction is taking place but at the same time, the under current is still that of hope. In such times of divergence, it would be better to add the words like portfolio rejig, caution, fundamentals and valuations to one’s thought process while buying stocks. Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus which lists stocks with high upside potential over the next 12 months, having an average recommendation rating of “buy” or strong buy .

It makes sense to pay more for a stock whose earnings grow at a faster rate. That is the reason why when a sector gets discovered first as a fast growing sector we see a sudden rush of money in that sector. If it is midcap stocks then it deserves to be paid more. Now, how much more should be paid is the question. One of the ways is to determine by dividing a company’s PE multiple with its growth ratio.

While a correction is taking place in the market and is visible in all segments of the markets. The question which needs to be asked is, why the correction is taking place. Is the reason any issue in global markets or local macroeconomic headwinds or is it just that valuations had seen a run up very sharply and now they are just correcting due to profit booking. At this point of time, the answer is the last one “ valuations”. But what about a sector where the valuations never were so high or a sector which has just seen a fundamental improvement in the operating matrix. Should that also see a correction? The fact when a broad based profit booking is happening than even the stocks and sector where are not in the over priced category will also see a correction. But probably those are the sectors which should be on the watchlist because when valuation readjustment is over, they might be the ones who would be leading the next round.

Friday’s up move in nifty might make some think that correction is over, but give the fact that valuations are high and global markets are still grappling with possibility of hawkish stance of US fed, in such conditions, it would be better to add the words like portfolio rejig, caution, fundamentals and valuations to one’s thought process while buying stocks. Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus which lists stocks with high upside potential over the next 12 months, having an average recommendation rating of “buy” or strong buy .

For Dalal Street, paints means Asian Paints. However, there is and sooner there will be even more to it.