Why Selling on the Rise is a Smart Investment Strategy

Global market conditions are not looking promising, prompting many investors to question whether domestic inflows alone can protect India from global market turmoil. However, even retail investors cannot be taken for granted. The mutual fund industry often claims that individual investors have become smarter post-COVID. If this is truly the case, some investors may recognize that it might be wise to take some money off the table, especially given that valuations in many sectors have reached unsustainable levels. If investors start pulling out money, prices could stall, potentially leading more people to do the same.

As my colleagues Mahalakshmi and Harshita point out, while sharp single-day market drops over the past four years have often turned into buying opportunities in hindsight, the current market scenario faces tepid growth and high valuations.

Even market experts are exercising caution. Jefferies’ Chris Woods has mentioned that, given the chance, he would invest one-third of $100 in India and hold onto the remaining money due to pricey valuations.

Shift from ‘Buy-on-Dip’ to ‘Sell-on-Rise’

While many retail investors still see this as a ‘buy-on-dip’ market, a section of savvy investors is reportedly adopting a ‘sell-on-rise’ approach.

The IT Sector’s Current Narrative

A popular belief is that when the Federal Reserve cuts rates soon, IT stocks will get re-rated. Many investors have already started buying IT stocks in anticipation of these rate cuts. However, Ambit analyst Ashwin Mehta challenges this theory.

“Recently, the IT sector has re-rated based on narratives and flow without solid support from numbers. Over the past 17 years, CNXIT valuations and tier-1 IT US growth have shown a low correlation of 12% and 21% respectively with US 10-year yields,” Mehta writes.

On the contrary, he notes that both CNXIT valuations and tier-1 IT US growth tend to dip when US interest rates fall, and rise when rates increase. This is because rate cut scenarios often coincide with weakening US growth, which outweighs the valuation impact of lower rates, according to Mehta.

Geopolitical Tensions and Oil Prices

A bullish case scenario could be geopolitical tensions in the Middle East leading to a spike in oil prices, thereby boosting refining margins. Jefferies also views ONGC’s valuation as favorable. On the bearish side, despite plans to increase production from the KG Basin in Q3, the company’s poor execution track record means that execution will remain crucial, according to Investec.

Conclusion

In summary, while domestic inflows and smart retail investors provide some level of stability, high valuations and global uncertainties prompt caution. Investors are increasingly adopting a ‘sell-on-rise’ strategy, particularly in sectors like IT, where narratives do not align with numbers. Meanwhile, geopolitical factors could sway market conditions significantly, highlighting the importance of strategic and cautious investment decisions.