Overview of Market
Equity Markets Continue to Soar
The month of July saw the new government present the Union Budget for FY2024-25. It focused on addressing concerns around employment through measures to promote skill development, support employment generation and increased focus on social development. Capex outlay remained unchanged from interim budget (3.5% of GDP), while adhering to the fiscal consolidation roadmap while projecting a fiscal deficit of 4.9% of GDP for FY2024-25. Equity markets continued scaling new heights throughout the month. Domestically, despite hike in capital gains taxes in the Union budget, the benchmark Nifty continued its march upwards, closing the month just shy of 25,000 points (which it subsequently crossed on 1st August).
Fixed-Income Markets Stabilize
In the fixed-income markets, the 10Y G-Sec softened to 6.92% on positive foreign flows and strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Rainfall volume and distribution have progressed with most regions now in surplus or marginally below their long-term monsoon averages. A strong monsoon is essential in driving a rural recovery and keeping food prices in check.
Global Monetary Policy Shifts
Globally, the Bank of England followed the ECB with a 25 bps rate cut in its July meeting. While the US Federal Reserve did not cut rates, the latest inflation readings and the comments from the US Federal Reserve have laid the groundwork for a rate cut at its next meeting in September. From a sectoral point of view, IT (~12%), Pharma (~9%), FMCG (~9%) and Auto (~6%) and Energy (~5%) were the top gainers, while Metals (~2%) and Bank (~2%) were the top losers. During the period, FIIs bought equities to the tune of Rs 5,408 Cr and DIIs bought equities to the tune of Rs 23,486 Cr. FPIs were net buyers of Indian equities to the tune of Rs 32,365 Cr.