Emerging markets are seeing increased allocations from the global fund managers. Valuations in the developed markets in the US and Europe are relatively more expensive and with concerns over the economic recovery and the currency, more and more international fund managers are looking at Asia very closely and are increasing allocations. There is a strong feeling among policy makers across globe that US $ is overvalued and many currencies in the emerging markets are undervalued notably Chinese Yuan and Indian Rupee.

With surging exports of services i.e. software & BPO, pharmaceuticals, auto components, engineering equipments & textiles. India is sitting on an all time high foreign exchange reserves. The Indian rupee is likely to remain strong in the near term. India outsourcing story is not just restricted to software services but is now extended to BPO, generic pharmaceuticals, automobiles, auto components, textiles and select other manufacturing sectors. More than 100 multinational companies have set up their research labs in India and this alone will bring in vital foreign exchange and jobs opportunities within the country. India has one of the best demographics in the world. Purchasing power adjusted GDP of US $ 3 trillion makes India the 4th largest economy in the world next only to US, China and Japan. India has one of the highest savings rate and lowest level of retail debt to GDP at 6%. This along with the fact that interest rates have virtually halved over the last two years should lead to a consumption led demand growth in the economy.

Equity markets in the last five months have rallied sharply. The BSE sensex has moved up by over 1900 points in less than five months and along with it the sensex forward P/E has moved up from less than 10 times to around 14 times. Will the rally in the equity market continue is the question every investor seems to be asking? With a sharp upward movement of almost 1900 points, 10 - 15 % correction is quite likely but let us look at the basic fundamentals to address the question of whether we are close to the top?

Unlike many rally in the past, this time the rally is based on a strong fundamentals. A study of the indices along with the then prevailing P/E ratio and interest rates clearly indicates that equity market has not yet fully discounted the structural change in the interest rates and increase in the corporate earnings over the last three years. The corporate sector profitability has gone up due to restructuring exercise undertaken for last several years, significant drop in the interest rates and manufacturing rationalization. The southwest monsoon has progressed very well and the progress is one of the best in last 10 years. This will lead to further improvement in consumer confidence and buying power. The productivity of capital has gone up with indices ROE at around 18 % and cost of equity at around 11%. The bond yields are down to around 5 % whereas equity net profit yield is still around 7 %.

There is a strong feeling that the next round of growth in the world economy will come from Asia and it will be largely driven by China and India. India has carried out lot of grass root level changes that encourages businesses. There are several companies in the Software, Pharmaceuticals and Automobiles that can compete with the best companies in the world.

Best demographics, large domestic market, low interest rates, growing exports of services, pharmaceuticals, auto components and textiles, improved corporate fundamentals, attractive valuations make India an attractive proposition for the investors over the next one year.

So, the question is, how best to invest in such an opportune sector. There are several mutual funds that encompass ideal corporate stocks that embrace the growth prospects. Best to speak with your financial advisor before embarking on such a program.

This article was prepared by John Klotz. John is Vice President of Financial Services at LMS Prolink Ltd. You can reach John at johnk@lms.ca or phone (416)-595-7484 ext. 305.