All Things Markets HT Smartcast

The government’s fiscal policy since the pandemic began has prioritised growth and fiscal transparency over fiscal consolidation. The Budget 2022 presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman just did that. However, macro risks of executing the budget proposals remain a key concern among investors. The Union Budget 2022 indicated not only is the government likely to miss the FY22 fiscal deficit target but the target for FY23 is also pegged at a relatively high 6.4% of GDP. The difference is largely on account of a massive capex push and divestment estimates. This underlines the government's resolve to aid a cycle of investment with public capex taking the lead and crowding in private investment.

But will finance minister’s budget proposals fall short of enough Philip to drive a pandemic-induced slump in economy. Will it take markets into a tailspin? And does it increase risk of a sovereign downgrade of India? To discuss those, Mint's Nasrin Sultana is joined by Arvind Chari, CIO, Quantum Advisors.

While 2021 was all about growth and recovery, the focus of central bankers across the world has shifted towards inflation and monetary policy normalization given the context of US Fed Tapering and potential hardening of interest rates in 2022. So, will these worries amid rising Omicron variant of covid cases derail equities rally going ahead. To discuss that I am in conversation with Unmesh Kulkarni – Managing Director Senior Advisor, Julius Baer India.

Indian equities are ending 2021 with over 20% gains outperforming other peers in emerging markets. Despite the brutal second wave of covid and rising inflation, markets hit record highs multiple times during the year led by factors such as decline in covid cases in the second half of the year, a significant pickup in the pace of vaccination, and the consequent sharp recovery in economic activity.

But now, as we head into 2022, the world’s major central banks have started prioritizing inflation control over growth acceleration.

So, will liquidity tapering by global central banks in 2022 puncture the super rally in markets? What are the big market trends to watch out in 2022? What are the key risks? To discuss that, Mint's Nasrin Sultana is joined by Dhananjay Sinha, MD & Chief – Strategist, JM Financial Institutional Securities Ltd

The real estate sector made a smart recovery despite the pandemic in 2021 with segments like residential outperforming. After facing a series of structural reforms like demonetisation, GST and RERA during the last decade, the pandemic was another blow for the real estate sector. But the sector is gradually emerging. The disruption caused by the pandemic is slowing settling.

So, what will be the big trends in the real estate sector in 2022? Will home prices correct in 2022? To discuss that I am in conversation with Rajani Sinha, Chief Economist, Knight Frank India

Markets have entered into an extremely volatile phase. The Nifty ended its six-month winning streak in November, ending 4% lower, pulling back 8% from the record highs of October. Much of the market anxiety is led by global factors but a big fundraise in the primary market also had put some pressure on liquidity.

While economic activities are gradually picking up, the threat of a new covid 19 variant Omicron has emerged. So amid these mixed signals and volatility, which way will markets swing. To discuss that and more, I am in conversation with Jitendra Arora, Equity Fund Manager, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.

As Indian markets have seen a robust increase in trading volume with equities hitting record high multiple times post-pandemic, brokerage firms have made great business.

Bank-brokerages reported a strong uptick in earnings in the last fiscal but The retail broking segment has seen a significant disruption in the last few years due to the growing prominence of discount brokerages.

So, how have competitively priced offerings of discount brokers and the no-frill basic accounts and services resulted in the realignment of the pricing strategy across the industry. To discuss that I am in conversation with Samriddhi Chowdhary, Vice President & Sector Head, ICRA.