Equities to reap maximum returns in coming months: Survey

Pinning hopes on a stable government at the Centre, majority of investment professionals feel that investors could reap maximum returns from the stock market in the coming months, says a survey.
More than 60 per cent of the respondents anticipate the new government to initiate policy reforms that would boost growth while nearly 88 per cent expect "NDA" to assume power post Lok Sabha polls.
According to survey conducted by Indian Association of Investment Professionals (IAIP) over 70 per cent investment professionals in the country have predicted equities to give out the maximum returns over next 12 months compared to other asset class like gold, commodities and real estate.

"Investment Professionals in India expect a strong performance by equity as an asset class due to anticipation of a new and stable government," IAIP said.
"This is the most bullish view on equities we have seen over the last 6 years of survey, even higher than 2010," it added.
According to the survey, commodities are losing flavor, with both gold and oil are expected to see a declining trend.

Gold is expected to trade between USD 1,200 and USD 1,400 as on March 31, 2015, it added.
Investment professionals have pegged India's gross domestic product (GDP) between 5-6 per cent while the inflation is expected to be between 7- 8 for the new fiscal.

Moreover, the professionals have predicted the rupee to strengthen in the new fiscal, 2014-15, and go below the current level of 60 to a US dollar by March 31, 2015.
"Over 75 per cent expect the rupee to trade below Rs 62 / USD and over 42 per cent of the total participant expect rupee to be below 60/USD by March 31 2015," the survey said.
Further, 83.4 per cent of the investment professionals expect BSE Sensex to give positive returns above 22,000 mark currently, as on March 31, 2015.
"Apart from key economic variable such as GDP growth, inflation, the expectations are high on the strengthening of the Indian Rupee which has further boasted growth expectations in the future," Jayesh Gandhi, CFA, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley said.

IAIP is an association of local investment professionals, including portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisors, and other financial professionals. The association is member of CFA Institute, a global body of investment professionals.