Only 2 Months Left to Bet on India’s Growth at Bargain Prices

Investors optimistic about India’s long-term potential won’t find a better time to invest than the next two months running up to their pivotal election, according to Vishesh Raisinghani

| More on:

The Indian economy is in a dark space at the moment. After years of relentless growth and capital appreciation, India’s macroeconomic story is starting to crack under the pressure of bad debts, lack of governance, and political upheaval. The ongoing dispute with Pakistan isn’t helping much either. Matters could reach a boiling point in two months, when the public goes to the polls.

With 850 million eligible voters in 2019, India’s elections are by far the largest democratic exercise in the world. The last election in 2014 saw the voter turnout ratio hit an all-time high – 66.7%, and this year could be no different.

If you track the price action of the iShares India Index ETF (TSX:XID) over the past 10 years, you’ll notice that election results are a key catalyst.  The index is up 70% since the 2014 election, when prime minister Narendra Modi’s pro-business, pro-reform Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a landslide victory and took majority control of the parliament.

However, most experts don’t seem confident of a similar result this year. The incumbent BJP’s economic reforms have had mixed results, while the fragmented opposition parties have come together for the first time to present a united front in the upcoming race.

At the start of 2019, the chances of a hung parliament were rising steadily just as India’s economy was slowing and the stock market was plunging. The benchmark Nifty 50 index is down 8.5% from its 52-week high, some small cap companies have lost up to 90% of their market value over the same period, and growth estimates for financial year 2019 were revised down to 7%, the slowest in five years.

Meanwhile, the benchmark index trades at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 26.5. For comparison, the U.S. S&P 500 Index trades at 21.5 with less than half the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. In other words, Indian equities seem underpriced.

Meanwhile, the government’s recent stance on the conflict with Pakistan has reignited nationalist fervor and improved BJP’s chances. If Modi’s government can be re-elected with a similar mandate as they had in 2014, investor sentiment could be turned around relatively quickly.

The government’s structural reforms have already made bankruptcy proceedings more streamlined, boosted transparency and improved the country’s Ease-of-Doing-Business ranking from 100 to 77 in just the past year. More structural reforms and fiscally responsible policies could help India take over the mantle of global growth engine from China over the next few decades.

With the election just two months away, investors don’t have much time left to pour money into this relatively obvious growth story.

Bottom line

India’s general election, the largest in the world, has always been a key catalyst for the country’s capital markets, and this year’s election is as unpredictable as ever. Meanwhile, the potential conflict with Pakistan and slowing GDP growth has pushed stock prices to record lows.

If the incumbent pro-business government is re-elected in May, investor sentiment and growth prospects could be flipped overnight. I believe that investors who are optimistic about India’s long-term potential won’t find a better time to invest than the next two months.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any stocks mentioned

More on Investing

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

3 Monthly-Paying Dividend Stocks to Boost Your Passive Income

Given their healthy cash flows and high yields, these three monthly-paying dividend stocks could boost your passive income.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Investing

Are Telus and BCE Stocks a Smart Buy for Canadian Investors?

Telus (TSX:T) and BCE (TSX:BCE) have massive dividend yields, but their shares have been quite sluggish!

Read more »

investment research
Tech Stocks

Is OpenText Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Is OpenText stock poised for a 2025 comeback? AI ambitions, a 3.8% yield, and cash flow power make it a…

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

The TFSA Blueprint to Generate $3,695.48 in Yearly Passive Income

The blueprint to generate yearly passive income in a TFSA is to maximize the contribution limits.

Read more »

The virtual button with the letters AI in a circle hovering above a keyboard, about to be clicked by a cursor.
Tech Stocks

Emerging Canadian AI Companies With Big Potential

These tech stocks are paving the way to an AI-filled future, but still offer enough growth ahead for a strong…

Read more »

Young Boy with Jet Pack Dreams of Flying
Tech Stocks

Is Constellation Software Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

CSU stock has long been a strong option for high growth, high value stocks. But are there now too many…

Read more »

rising arrow with flames
Investing

2 Riskier Stocks With High Potential for Canadian Investors in November

Risky stocks such as Well Health Technologies have the potential to provide life-changing long-term returns.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

3 Ultra-High-Yield Dividend Stocks You Can Buy and Hold for a Decade

These three high-yield dividend stocks still have some work to do, but each are in steady areas that are only…

Read more »