BofA-ML says BSE to remain range-bound

Bank of America-Merrill Lynch expects BSE index to remain range-bound with limited upside of five per cent until regional elections in mid-November and given the prospect of "sluggish" GDP and earnings growth. Still, the bank recommends investors be ready to buy on dips at BSE levels of 19,000-19,300 points. The bank highlights rupee stabilisation at around 60 to the dollar, a normal monsoon, and potential of rate cuts later in the year are supportive of shares.

BofA-Merrill's model portfolio continues to be driven by sectors that would benefit from rupee weakness such as drug makers and interest rate sensitive stocks such as autos and banks. It also remains overweight on telecom shares.

BofA-Merrill's top buys currently are: Lupin Ltd, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, ICICI Bank Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd and Idea Cellular Ltd.

Its top sells are: Bajaj Auto Ltd, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, NTPC Ltd and Adani Power Ltd.