Ramesh Damani, a veteran market investor, advocates for staying invested in Indian markets, especially in public sector units (PSUs). He reflects on India’s economic evolution since liberalization in 1991, emphasizing that market timing is less critical than sustained involvement. Damani notes that Indian markets are driven by demographic expansion, digitization, and democracy, making them resilient despite volatility. For those new to investing, he advises starting now, underscoring the enduring potential of India’s growth trajectory.
Damani points to the growing Indian middle class as a powerful driver of future markets, aligning with global shifts as India's per capita income rises above $2,500. This demographic shift has created demands for better living standards, climate action, and education, fueling a "mega trend" that will shape the country’s economy and society. His strategy focuses on identifying these large-scale trends, which historically have rewarded patient investors who can navigate market cycles.
Highlighting PSUs as current market leaders, Damani credits the Modi government’s policies for revitalizing these entities, helping PSUs attract investor interest with strong dividends and order books. Damani sees particular promise in the defense and railway sectors within the PSU domain, noting significant value creation and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. He believes recent undervaluation of PSUs reflects past biases, and views this as a lesson for investors to evaluate each stock individually, rather than relying solely on broad categorizations like “quality at any price.”