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Below is Monthly Equity Outlook - August 2022 by Sorbh Gupta, Fund Manager- Equity, Quantum Mutual Fund

Equity Markets managed a splendid recovery in the month of July-22. S&P BSE SENSEX moved up by 8.71% on a total return basis in the month.It has been a global rally with S&P 500 & MSCI World Index moving up by 9.2% and 7.9% respectively. The MSCI EM Index was however a drag with a negative return of -0.17% due to the underperformance of Chinese stock. The broader market has been strong too.S&P BSE Midcap Index moved up by 10.9% for the month &S&P BSE Smallcap Index increased by9.3%. Capital goods & consumer durables were the best performing sector with both the sectoral indices moving up by more than 14%.

After relentless selling in the first half of the calendar year 2022, the FPIs have turned positive for the month of July-22 with a net inflow of US$ 600 mn.Domestic institutional investors(Mutual Funds & Insurance put together)have also been net buyers for the monthof July2022 to the tune of US$1.3bn.

Quantum Long Term Equity Value Fund (QLTEVF) saw anincrease of 8.05% in its NAV in the month of July 2022. This compares to a 9.74% increase in its Tier I benchmark S&P BSE 500 &9.79% increase in its Tier II Benchmark S&P BSE 200. Cash in the scheme stood at approximately 2.5% at the end of the month. The portfolio is attractively valued at 14.2x FY24E consensus earnings vs. the S&P BSE Sensex valuations of 19x FY24E consensus earnings.

Corporate India has shown remarkable resilience to inflationary pressures in the April -June 2022 quarter as reflected by results declared by 157of the BSE 200 companies so far. The top line growth has positively surprised the consensus estimates by 4.4% on an aggregate basis. The strongest performers have been Staples, Financials& Utilities.However, the PAT growth has been lower than estimated due to input cost pressure weighing on operating margins. Energy, Industrials & consumer discretionary have seen the biggest miss on earnings amongst the BSE 200 companies. However, with softening commodity prices and a likely pick up in rural demand the pressure on the profit growth is likely to reduce. Companies have gradually passed on the cost increase to ensure margins are protected. Despite some impact of higher prices on consumer discretionary spends, feedback from companies remains optimistic.

Monsoons will be an important near-term trigger for demand. Till the end of July,Southwest Monsoon is 6% above long-term average across the country. However, the distribution has been rather uneven. While the Western & Southern India has received excess rainfall some of the highly populated and large states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal states are seeing deficient rains. There could be a near term demand impact in these states due to deficient rains.

Past performance may or may not sustained in future

The valuation over the last six-seven months have become a lot more comfortable both for Sensex & the broader markets. In fact, the PE (price to earning) ratio for Sensex is very close to its long-term average of 19.7x. This is despite a stupendous rally in the month of July.

Geopolitical challenges, inflation. rising interest rates & social media hullabaloo on a possible U.S recession next year can make investors nervous to sell into the current rally. However, these are times for investors to stay the course in their investment journey to achieve their long-term financial goals. Equity investors should stagger their allocation to equity over a period & move the asset allocation to the optimum level as defined by their asset allocation plan.

Sectors referred above are for illustrative and not recommendation of Quantum Mutual Fund/AMC. The Fund may or may not have any present or future positions in these sectors. The above information of sectors which is already available in publicly access media for information and illustrative purpose only and not an endorsement / views / opinion of Quantum Mutual Fund /AMC. The above information should not be constructed as research report or recommendation to buy or sell of any stocks from any sector.

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