Amid COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, many investors seem worried. Not all are confident of the recovery in the Indian equity market since March lows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fresh skirmishes and another attempt by China<\/a> to cross the Line of Actual Control<\/a>, a 23.9% contraction in India’s GDP growth for Q1FY21 (the worst in four decades), a discouraging job scenario, weak consumer demand, the centre’s inability to pay states their GST dues, the fiscal deficit (at Rs 8.21 trillion) shooting up the annual budgeted estimates in four months through the fiscal year, downgraded sovereign credit rating, and the risk of a recession, has triggered nervousness in the Indian equity market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government appears to have shrugged off responsibility for the monumental mismanagement and instead called it ‘Act of God’. Now investors are left wondering what will happen to their investments, particularly the market-linked ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)<\/a> data revealed, investors redeeming their equity mutual fund schemes; taking money off the table (for various reasons). Some investors even discontinued their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), which in my opinion is not a prudent thing to do, particularly when it is suitable and one of the best-performing mutual fund schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that India is gradually unlocking from the COVID-19 lockdown<\/a> (although cases are rising), and numerous relaxations are given to several industries in the unlock 4.0, I see investors are even more confused-whether to buy, hold or sell equity-oriented mutual funds on the backdrop of the undercurrents explained above and stretched valuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Net buying by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the last couple of months (plus participation by certain robinhood investors) abetted by liquidity is keeping the Indian equity market afloat. The rebound in FPI inflows since March 2020 has been V-shaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Table: FPI inflows driving the markets up…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n