Investors make gains amid high volatility

Benchmark share indices gained for the fifth straight week, amid high volatility, led by rate-sensitive shares, after a sharp decline in wholesale inflation numbers in April rekindled hopes of a steeper rate cut by the central bank.

Three of the six fund managers remained active during the week. (Click here for table)

A K PRABHAKAR
Sr VP (Equity Research), Anand Rathi Financial Services
Prabhakar booked profits in Dr Reddys Laboratories, while he added another pharma name in the form of Cadila Healthcare. Currently, his portfolio consists of Cadila Healthcare, LIC Housing Finance, Reliance Capital, Bata India and YES Bank.

Prabhakar considers that the current rally in the market is likely to retain its momentum with the Nifty likely to cross 6,357 in the near future, which is a 64-month high. He also adds that one cannot rule out the possibility of Nifty touching the levels of 6,850. Prabhakar's net worth was up by 8.07 per cent at Rs 10.81 lakh.

SHARDUL KULKARNI
Head, Technical Research, Angel Broking
Kulkarni had a series of buy calls for the week. He added Lanco Infratech, Sintex Industries, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure, Jaiprakash Associates, Dredging Corp of India and Bajaj Auto to his portfolio. Meanwhile, Jubilant Foodworks and Hindustan Oil Exploration Co were cleared off.

His portfolio currently consists of L&T Finance Holdings, Lanco Infratech, Sintex Industries, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure and Bajaj Auto.

Kulkarni's net worth was up 25.13 per cent at Rs 12.51 lakh.

NAVEEN FERNANDES
Fund Manager, Centrum Wealth
Fernandes was inactive for the week. He is of the opinion that markets are likely to head north in the medium term due to inexpensive/ fair market valuations, continued reversal of the interest rate cycle, reasonable corporate earnings, strong FII (foreign institutional investor) inflows, anticipated tapering off in DII (domestic institutional investor) selling, expectation of good monsoons and expanding global liquidity. The only risk to our positive views is possible monsoon failure. His top holdings include Karur Vysya Bank, MRF, ITC, Nesco and Balmer Lawrie and Co. Fernandes' net worth stands at Rs 11.94 lakh, up 19.39 per cent.

KISHOR OSTWAL
CMD, CNI Research
Ostwal continued to remain inactive.

Ostwal is bullish with the opinion that markets are in 'long' mode. He adds action has now shifted to mid-caps with investors taking note of battered mid-cap stocks. Large cap is likely to start a fresh uptrend in the next settlement with Nifty touching the levels of 6,500.

His holdings are Indian Oil Corp, Reliance Industries, Power Finance Corp, Siemens and Karnataka Bank.

Ostwal's net worth gained 5.75 per cent to Rs 10.57 lakh.

SACHIN SHAH
Fund Manager, Emkay Investment Managers
Sachin had a single buy this week--PTC India Financial Services--while he sold off stocks like HDFC Bank, Network 18 Media and Investments and Apollo Tyres.

Shah notes that over the last few days, global flows have once again increased in emerging markets, mainly due to the softening of global commodities.

Also bond yields in domestic markets have come down quite significantly, this too helping the equity market valuations to prop up. Markets may witness some profit booking in the short term, but the overall the trend for Indian equities is getting better.

As of now, his holdings are ICICI Bank, PTC India, Cipla, Divis Laboratories and Biocon.

Shah's net worth is at Rs 11.51 lakh, up 15.08 per cent.

TAHER BADSHAH
Sr VP and co-head equities, Motilal Oswal AMC - PMS
Badshah was inactive. He believes markets are set for a gradual upmove, which is to be led by sectors like oil and gas and industrials.

His top holdings include Maruti Suzuki, State Bank of India, Tech Mahindra, United Spirits and DLF.

Badshah's net worth is at Rs 12.03 lakh, up 20.34 per cent.

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