Wednesday, January 6, 2016

UBS sees Nifty at 8,200 by year-end


Global financial services major UBS on Tuesday said it is "overweight" on India but sees limited room for a re-rating and forecast an end-2016 Nifty target of 8,200.
"We see limited room for a re-rating and forecast an end-2016 Nifty target of 8,200 based on a 15x one-year forward PE multiple," it said in a research note adding that " our GEM/APAC strategists remain overweight on India.
According to the Swiss firm there were big earning downgrades in 2015 and more are likely this year.
"Consensus FY16/FY17/FY18 forecasts of 10 percent/20 percent/18 percent earnings growth still appear optimistic," it said adding that cuts in 2016 may remain significant at around 8 percent.
On prices, it said the country's disinflationary process is likely to continue largely aided by political commitment, RBI policy, below-trend growth, and balance sheet repair.
It expects CPI inflation in the fiscal year 2016-17 at around 4.6 percent.
During 2015, the Consumer Price Inflation remained well under control hovering in the range of 3.66-5.4 percent, while industry chambers and some other experts are hopeful that it would keep below 6 percent mark in the New Year – a target set by the Reserve Bank.
It further said the recovery process for the Indian economy would be gradual and growth numbers would be below potential.
"While lower RBI policy rates should boost fixed investment, balance sheet repair and a difficult external environment should keep the recovery gradual and GDP growth below-potential," it added.
It expects fiscal year 2016-17 growth at around 7.6 percent and financial year 2017-18 at 7.8 percent.
Meanwhile, the government recently lowered its economic growth forecast for 2015-16 to 7-7.5 percent from 8.1-8.5 percent.

RBI likely intervened to curb rupee fall.


 Indian state-owned banks were likely selling dollars on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cap losses for the local currency, three FX traders told Reuters.
The Indian rupee had fallen to an over two-week low of 66.6625 to the dollar earlier in the session, tracking weak local shares and dollar demand from oil importers.
At 0945 GMT, the Indian rupee was little changed at 66.60/61 compared with 66.61/66.62 previous close.