Tone down expectations in Samvat 2074

For the new Samvat, most brokerages expect the bullish trend to continue. However the going may not be as smooth as it was in the past year

The year gone by saw key indices such as the Sensex and Nifty 50 deliver strong 17-18 per cent returns. For the new Samvat, most brokerages expect the bullish trend to continue. However, even as important structural reforms have been carried out and long-term growth triggers are in place supported by strong macros, the going may not be as smooth as it was in the past year. Headwinds in the form of slowing economy, fears of inflation rising, corporate earnings growth remaining elusive and geopolitical worries are factors investors will have to bear in mind along with global fund flows. Going ahead, while affordable housing, infrastructure, discretionary consumption and exports are key themes brokerages expect to play out, a bottom-up approach in picking stocks with strong earnings visibility is advised. Moreover, given the rally so far and high valuations, investors will also have to tone down expectations. Here are some of the top picks of brokerages, with potential to deliver decent returns in the Samvat 2074.