With the change in weather, I was just beginning to take things easy and enjoy the onset of winter. Markets were in correction mode. I drew up my plans to make some purchases. Then this bounce! Markets are more confusing than ever. But then, when were we ever given a clear view to market trend?!
Some of my stocks have delivered good results. Even with the one (of course, it is a mid cap) where results were very ordinary, the stock price seems to be climbing. I guess, mid caps is the flavour of the season. I have always been a conervative as far as stock selection goes. This has resulted in me owning a number of FMCG stocks. For the moment, I am enjoying the ride!
Last week I mentioned about the hospitality sector. It has started moving. With the holiday season beginning and markets reasonably better than last year, I am sure, hotels will sell better. There is however, one thing that stands out. Markets are now very unforgiving. High valuations in frontline realty and infrastructure stocks have been given the treatment. But I feel one should keep an eye open for good quality infrastructure stocks. If valuations are reasonable, then one can make a go for them.
I am still recovering from the mistake I made when I sold a lubricants stock, which has delivered hige returns after I sold out. Anyone to give me company on that?!

Markets have been busy! 17400 levels for the sensex was a great achievement after the steep fall we have seen earlier this year. But now what! Is this fall to 16000 levels an onset of a major market fall or just another round of correction? I do not know! I think fund managers are busy evaluating their strategies and churning their portfolios. They made huge percentage gains in infrastructure and telecom stocks last few years. Now the yester year laggards have started moving, especially in the mid cap segment. FMCG stocks which were boring are suddenly looking hot! But is liquidity enough for the fund managers to take large positions in them? Maybe they are doing just that! Shifting their monies from real estate and infrastructure to defensive stocks. A closer look at these stock prices shows that the fall of over 1000 points in the sensex has not taken any sheen off them. They have hardly corrected. I think it is time to be very choosy about our stocks!
I sold one "lubricants" stock and that has delivered stupendous returns in terms of stock price after I sold out. I guess I have to be more patient and give more time for my investment to grow having been so fussy when choosing them. Anyway, I still hold on to what I have bought at lower levels. The index is very misleading. There is still a lot of activity out there. The markets are far from what we call "boring" !! Look out for the hospitality sector, maybe they are the next ones to show marked improvements in their numbers!!

The market is back with a bang!! The budget took the fizz away, but now the markets are back with a vengeance. I have been looking for some opportunities, but looking at the Feb 2009 lows all these prices seem too steep. But whoever has bought stocks at all time lows and sold them at all time highs?!! Do let me know if you know some one with a track record like that!
Would pick up more of Indian hotels if the price comes closer to 50. Also some pockets of the market do look expensive, but are the markets looking something ahead in them or just something to chew on? Better to stick to basics than to confuse oneself!! Waiting for those stocks to get a little too expensive and shoot!!

I genuinely feel that if you could find these prices at your average cost of some of your stocks which you hold and like, better to add them. Atleast I am doing that!! What say?