Indian stocks best performing among Asia in Aug: Citigroup

Indian stocks have emerged as the best performing lot among Asian equities, as it recorded only a marginal loss during the month, while a majority of others in the region posted higher negative return, a Citigroup report says.     

According to the global financial major's research arm Citigroup Global markets, all Asian stocks have suffered losses this month, however, Indian stocks have performed the best among them.    

"August is proving to be another very difficult month for equities — 80 per cent of Asian stocks have posted negative returns, with the median stock losing 8.1 per cent. India is performing best with a median return of negative 0.3 per cent."    

While China stocks, despite the Olympics, performed the worst with a median loss of 15.4 per cent.    

In line with the conservative stance that investors tend to adopt in such choppy markets, large caps outperformed small caps with a spread of 2 per cent this month and same trend has been followed in the past three and 12-month period as well, the report added.    

In India, large cap stocks have given a median return of negative 0.9 per cent in the month till August 25, while the small-cap equities have given a marginal negative return of 0.1 per cent in the period, it said.    

Companies with a market capitalisation in excess of Rs 1,000 crore are generally known as large cap companies, while those with lower market valuation are termed as small-caps.     

In comparison, large cap Chinese stocks suffered the most with negative returns to the tune of 11.6 per cent, while small-cap equities posted losses as high as 16.7 per cent in the month so far.     

Meanwhile, over a 12-month horizon, all markets across the board are in negative territory, the report revealed.