Sometimes health insurers provide similar policies that are difficult to differentiate. It is the finer points of the policies that make the difference. An example here is HDFC Optima Restore and Optima Secure.
As observed in the previous update on targets for the Nifty 50, the index remained strong and also moved pretty close the target zone of 18,700-18,750. The index recorded a high of 18,662 on May 30 and has since been in a consolidation. In this update, we take a quick look at the short-term outlook for the Nifty 50 index and focus on a more detailed outlook for the broader markets and interesting sectors.
In this first episode of the PrimeInvestor podcast, our host Gaurav Menon and co-founder Vidya Bala discuss the MF Consultation paper along with various other topics related to personal finance and the Indian markets.
Mid and small-cap funds form a part of a long-term portfolio to boost overall portfolio returns. But there are times when these market-cap segments underperform for various reasons. The small-cap index spent much of nearly two years languishing behind the Nifty 50. This is now changing, serving up a good opportunity to focus on the small-cap segment.
With a return of over 50%, one of our stock recommendations – on a small finance bank – may now provide less entry opportunity for new investors even as existing investors can continue to hold it. Read to know what drove this small finance bank’s stock to current valuations and what prospects it still holds.
The company is an auto ancillary player catering primarily to two wheeler components in the domestic market, which forms three-fourth of its total business.
Apart from the fund manager’s skill, a hidden factor that explains such return differences is the investment styles in which each fund is managed. Right now, many of the funds that have managed to top the charts with a 16% return are value-style funds, while the laggards are growth-oriented ones.
Last week, we made a quiet note about SEBI’s consultation paper on mutual funds in the PrimeInvestor Community. A consultation paper solicits opinion from the public on proposals mooted by the regulator, along with rationale for such proposals. Do note that these are proposals and have not been implemented.
We at PrimeInvestor, recommend reinforcing your insurance arsenal with a critical illness cover in addition to a hospitalization plan in order to secure your finances against medical emergencies. We have covered what you should look for when shopping for a critical illness cover in our earlier article titled ‘What to look for in a critical illness health plan’. We have also shortlisted a few critical illness covers in the market based on these criteria and reviewed them in detail.
The plans we have reviewed so far are:
Activ Secure Critical Illness Plan by Aditya Birla Health Insurance,
Criti Care policy by Bajaj Alianz General Insurance,
IFFCO Tokio’s Critical Illness Benefit Policy and
Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy.
Here, we add to this list with our review of Tata AIG’s Criti-MediCare Insurance.
If there’s one NFO that’s trying to be a hop out of the regular, it is the HDFC Defence Fund. And with good reason – the defence space has been garnering increasing attention in stock markets with defence plays rallying. This open-ended thematic fund opens for subscription today.
HDFC Defence will be the only fund on the defence theme, making it differentiated from other sector offerings. There’s also no denying the scope in the defence sector, especially after key changes in defence capex spending which focuses on indigenous procurement. So, can this NFO make a good portfolio addition?
Around this time last year, we had analysed the FMCG sector’s March 2022 quarter earnings. At the time, the sector was grappling with twin headwinds of a demand slump and rising input costs. Valuations were still expensive. Most FMCG players have declared their results for the March 2023 quarter.
A lot has happened since our previous market update, when we discussed if the worst was over for the Nifty 50. In that update, we had mentioned that the level of 17,850 on the upside and 16,900 on the lower end are the key markers to focus on. It was also highlighted that a breakout past 17,850 could pave the way for a rally to the 18,350-18,400 zone.
The Nifty 50 index has managed the latter, breaking above 17,850 and reaching the target zone of 18,350-18,400. The question now is what is in store for the Nifty 50 index. We will look at the short-term perspective here, to address this question.
The purpose of these disclosures is to provide essential information about the Research Services in a manner to assist and enable the prospective client/client in making an informed decision for engaging in Research services before onboarding. History, Present business and Background: PrimeInvestor Financial Research Private Limited is registered with SEBI as Research Analyst with registration no. INH200008653. The Research Analyst got its registration on August 19, 2021 and is engaged in offering research and recommendation services. Terms and conditions of Research Services: The Research Services will be limited to providing independent research recommendation and shall not be involved in any advisory or portfolio allocation services. The Research Analyst never guarantees the returns on the recommendation provided. Investor shall take note that Investment/trading in stocks/Index or other securities is always subject to market risk. Past performance is never a guarantee of same future results. The Research Analyst shall not be responsible for any loss to the Investors. Disciplinary history: There are no pending material litigations or legal proceedings against the Research Analyst. As on date, no penalties / directions have been issued by SEBI under the SEBI Act or Regulations made there under against the Research Analyst relating to Research Analyst services. Details of its associates: No associates. Disclosures with respect to Research and Recommendations Services: The Research Analyst or its directors or any of its officer/employee does not trade in securities which are subject matter of recommendation. There are no actual or potential conflicts of interest arising from any connection to or association with any issuer of products/ securities, including any material information or facts that might compromise its objectivity or independence in the carrying on of Research Analyst services. Such conflict of interest shall be disclosed to the client as and when they arise. Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates have not received any compensation from the company which is subject matter of recommendation. Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates have not managed or co-managed the public offering of any company. Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates have not received any compensation for investment banking or merchant banking of brokerage services from the subject company. Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates have not received any compensation for products or services other than above from the subject company. Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates have not received any compensation or other benefits from the Subject Company or 3rd party in connection with the research report/ recommendation. The subject company was not a client of Research Analyst or its directors or its employee or its associates during twelve months preceding the date of recommendation services provided. Research Analysts or its directors or its employee or its associates has not served as an officer, director or employee of the subject company. Research Analysts has not been engaged in market making activity of the subject company.
Full disclosures and disclaimers
Compliance Officer Details: Name: Srikanth Meenakshi; Email: contact@primeinvestor.
Grievance Officer Details: Name: Srikanth Meenakshi; Email: contact@primeinvestor.
