The Indian stock market is an integral part of the economy because it’s an avenue to invest, make profits and grow wealth for both companies and individuals. Consequently, the Indian Stock market has witnessed a significant boom in recent years, and several factors have contributed to this remarkable expansion over the years. A report published by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) found that the number of demat accounts in India grew from 2.3 crores in March 2010 to 5.3 crores in March 2021, showing an increase in the number of Indians trading stocks.
This visible growth and progress results from favorable government policies, structural changes, strong company earnings, and rising investor interest. In this article, we will discuss the driving forces behind the recent boom in the Indian stock market by enlightening you on the prevailing economic and market conditions. Suffice it to say that the Indian stock market has become a popular option for investors both at home and abroad.
Favorable Government Policies and Structural Reforms
The Indian government has taken many steps to increase the country’s business friendliness, attract more foreign investment, and stimulate the economy. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has united the market by doing away with numerous indirect taxes and simplifying the tax system. This has benefited the business world, increasing corporate profits and luring in new investors.
However, the valuation of Indian stocks is affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Indian rupee (INR). Hence, investors can monitor the DXY chart to track fluctuations in exchange to make profitable decisions. The DXY chart measures the value of the US dollar against a basket of major currencies. Stocks in India may look more appealing to overseas investors if the Indian rupee weakens against the US dollar.
Additionally, domestic and international investments have been encouraged as part of the “Make in India” campaign’s goals to make India a worldwide manufacturing hub. Investor confidence has been boosted due to this program, resulting in more capital flows into the stock market. The government’s emphasis on infrastructure development—including building roads, railroads, and “smart cities”—has also drawn investment in industries like construction and real estate, fueling the expansion of stocks in these areas.
Robust Corporate Earnings
Strong corporate earnings are also a major driver of the Indian stock market’s recent upward trend. Indian businesses have shown resilience in the face of economic challenges, with many maintaining increases in both sales and profits. For instance, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, a big info-tech consultancy firm, have fared very well in the boom due to pandemic-induced digitization.
Demand in several industries, including consumer products, retail, and services, has been bolstered by a growing middle class, rising disposable incomes, and higher consumer spending. Consequently, companies in these industries have seen increased sales and profits, enticing investors looking to cash in on the trend.
Further, many Indian businesses have increased their global footprint by adopting digital strategies and other technical advances. SAP’s report shows that 68% of Indian medium-scale businesses increased their IT spending in 2022, which has given them an advantage in the worldwide market and enabled them to tap into new sources of revenue. Investors’ confidence has been bolstered by the exceptional financial performance of these companies, which has increased the valuation of their stocks and contributed to market growth.
Increased Investor Participation
The expansion of the Indian stock market can be attributed to the increased involvement of both domestic and foreign investors. With more investors and a more favorable investment climate, money is flooding the market.
The Sensex 30 stock index surged over 22% last year, outpacing the Shanghai bourse, the MSCI emerging-markets index, and many rich-country indices. Significant inflows have been seen from domestic institutional investors like mutual funds and insurance firms, while retail investors have also been very active.
India’s strong economic foundations and growth potential have attracted international investors, leading to an increase in foreign portfolio investments in the country. CEIC data’s report shows that the foreign portfolio investment in India rose to $4.517bn in December 2022. Foreign investment in Indian stocks has been boosted by their inclusion in major international benchmarks like the MSCI and FTSE. Foreign investment has not only increased the market’s liquidity but also buoyed investor confidence, driving up stock prices.
Investors are feeling more optimistic about the future of the Indian economy because of the country’s prosperous corporations. Stock prices have been rising due to increasing liquidity brought to the market by the growing participation of domestic and international investors. Foreign and domestic investors alike may wish to consider the Indian stock market in light of the country’s bright economic prospects.
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