Market Mastery

Webinar by Vishal Malkan

Find the weak links

in your portfolio by Vishal Malkan

India's economic growth is expected to accelerate in the coming year, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, rising domestic savings and renewed interest from foreign investors, Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), said.

Speaking to ANI at the NSE during Muhurat trading on the occasion of Diwali, Chauhan said India continues to be the world's fastest-growing major economy, backed by a 7.5 per cent year-on-year GDP growth rate. He expressed confidence that the country's growth momentum would strengthen further in the coming year.

"India continues to be the fastest-growing large economy in the world," Chauhan said, highlighting India's ability to manage fiscal pressures despite global economic uncertainties and volatile crude oil prices.

He pointed out that India's dependence on imported crude oil remains a concern, as the country imports nearly 85 per cent of its oil requirements. However, he said strong tax collections and effective fiscal management have helped the government maintain stability while continuing to invest in infrastructure and job creation.

"Oil prices have traditionally been a concern for India because we import nearly 85% of the oil we consume. However, India is managing its fiscal deficit remarkably well, supported by strong tax buoyancy. This fiscal strength enables the government to invest heavily in infrastructure and job creation, boosting overall investor confidence," he said.

On domestic market liquidity, Chauhan said India's financial savings had grown substantially to nearly USD 1.4 trillion annually, making the country one of the world's largest pools of savings. He noted that domestic capital had played a crucial role in supporting the stock market and sustaining investments.

He also pointed to improving foreign investor sentiment ahead of the new Samvat year, saying foreign institutional investors (FIIs) had started showing renewed interest in Indian equities.

"Crucially, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have also started favouring Indian markets again, which serves as a very good omen for the upcoming Samvat year," Chauhan said.

Highlighting the NSE's technological progress, Chauhan said the exchange had strengthened its technology infrastructure over the past year and achieved nanosecond-level response times, positioning it as the fastest exchange globally.

"More importantly, we are deploying AI to deliver richer information, superior analytics, and better insights to retail participants," he said.

He added that the exchange was announcing major improvements to its digital platforms to enhance the experience of retail investors.

"We are announcing major upgrades today to our overall user experience, including enhanced features across our NSE website and mobile app for retail investors."

On investor protection and financial literacy, Chauhan said the NSE's physical seminars currently reach around 10 to 15 lakh investors, while the exchange is expanding its digital outreach to connect with a wider audience.

He said the NSE was using social media, traditional broadcasts and direct-connect programmes to spread financial awareness and educate new market participants about the risks associated with trading.

Urging investors to focus on long-term wealth creation instead of speculative trading, Chauhan advised market participants to understand the risks before entering intraday trading or derivatives.

"Believe in long-term investing rather than short-term tips. Avoid intraday speculative trading or derivative plays without knowing how to manage risk. Stay invested for the long run," Chauhan advised.

*With ANI Inputs