INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
by end-year, a Reuters poll of strategists showed, building on an election-driven rally in which investors have bet the ruling party will
retain power and continue current economic policies.The BSE Sensex index rose by its biggest amount in one day since September 2013 on
Monday after exit polls showed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a
second consecutive term.Final results are due on Thursday.Having gained 8 per cent so far this year, the index is forecast to add another
2.6 per cent by end-2019, touching an all time high of 40,000 from Tuesday's close of 38,969, the poll of nearly 50 strategists taken May
14-21 showed.All but one of the equity strategists who answered an additional question said they have factored in either the BJP winning a
majority or a victory of the BJP-led NDA in to their forecasts."I feel a stable government and more policy action to come will definitely
give a boost to the economy and that will act positive for the market," said BV Rudramurthy, managing director at Vachana Investments.Still,
the predicted rise is much smaller than the 15 per cent stock market surge in the first six months after PM Modi came to power in 2014,
suggesting some investors are less optimistic about the NDA administration than they were then.The benchmark index is forecast to hit
another fresh high of 42,250 by end-2020
Similar gains are predicted for the broader NSE Nifty.The overall optimism among investors lines up with a separate Reuters poll of mostly
financial sector economists conducted last month, which concluded that the BJP winning a majority or a BJP-led NDA government would be best
for the economy."As per the exit polls, NDA led by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is likely to easily cross the half-way mark
Markets will heave a big sigh of relief as it favours continuity and familiarity in terms of roll-out of policies," said Ajay Bodke, CEO at
Prabhudas Lilladher.The Reserve Bank of India cut interest rates twice before the elections
Like most major central banks, it is not expected to tighten policy any time soon, another factor that has kept share prices around the
world well-bid this year.However, not all respondents were optimistic.Nearly one in three contributors forecast the index to decline from
the current level by end of this year, including four participants predicting a correction - a decline of 10 per cent or more."We do expect
weakness in global equities throughout the rest of the year as the global economy disappoints," said Shilan Shah, senior India economist at
Capital Economics."For India, especially with the recent rally, they (stocks) look extremely stretchedIt is one of the reasons to think the
rally probably can't continue for much longer."Mr Shah has predicted a decline of nearly 12 per cent by end-2019 with one of the most
pessimistic calls at 34,250.Although stocks have risen about 65 per cent since PM Modi first took office in 2014, that was significantly
less compared to the previous two terms of the Congress party-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) between 2004-2014.The reason for lagging
was largely due to weak corporate earnings, which fell about 4 per cent annually during PM Modi's tenure after gaining nearly 12 per cent
under the prior government.This is also reflected by a higher average price-to-earnings ratio and lower dividend yield under PM Modi's
tenure."At present stocks are defying gravity
With the price-to-earnings ratio at an historic high of 28, the market is too expensive
My fear is if earnings don't pick up soon, the chances of a correction are high," said Mileen Vasudeo, senior equity analyst at Arihant
Capital Markets.Election Results for Lok Sabha Election 2019 will be out on May 23
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