Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Equity Market Outlook: Stability in 2026
The stock market has been moving up and down since September 2024, but there are signs of improvement.
Industrial activity is getting better, and prices are stable.
The market is expected to do better in 2026.
Banking, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare are good areas to invest in.
However, there are risks like global politics and government spending on welfare.
Investors should consider large cap funds for stability, especially in uncertain times.
Large cap companies are big, stable, and can handle risks better than smaller companies.
The market is currently valuing large caps more reasonably compared to mid and small caps.
Investors should think carefully about their risk tolerance and investment goals.
Three top large cap funds to consider are ICICI Prudential, Nippon India, and HDFC.
These funds have shown good returns and manage risk well.
Investors should also consider a core and satellite approach, with large cap funds forming the core of their portfolio.
Equity market expected to rebound in 2026 after being range-bound since September 2024.
Industrial activity shows improvement with strong November 2024 data and benign inflation.
Banking, financial services, and insurance sectors have strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors are appealing with steady growth and reasonable valuations.
Key risks include global geopolitics and government finances tilting towards welfare subsidies.
- Who
- Ramesh Mantri, Chief Investment Officer, WhiteOak Capital AMC and Rounaq Neroy, Financial Expert
- What
- Equity market assessment and outlook for 2026, focusing on large cap funds
- When
- Current trends and future predictions
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To provide insights on market movements, sector performance, and investment strategies
- Current Market Status
- Range-bound since September 2024
- Industrial Activity
- Picked up in November 2024
- Inflation
- Benign
- Equity Exposure
- 10% overweight
- Earnings Growth Expectation
- Low-teens in FY27
- Attractive Sectors
- Banking, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare
- Key Risks
- Global geopolitics, government welfare subsidies
- India-US Trade Deal
- Delayed but expected to be concluded
- Equity Fund Assets
- Rs 37.53 trillion in December 2025
- Mid Cap and Small Cap Inflows
- Around 11% of total equity fund inflows
- Sector & Thematic Funds Inflows
- 25% of total equity fund inflows
- Large Cap PE Ratio
- Around 22x (as of 12 January 2026)
- Mid Cap PE Ratio
- Near 33x (as of 12 January 2026)
- Small Cap PE Ratio
- Near 28x (as of 12 January 2026)
- Top Large Cap Funds
- ICICI Prudential, Nippon India, HDFC
Sources
'Equity Market Poised For Comeback In 2026'
Jio Platforms IPO, VIL capital raise, mobile tariff hikes: What BNP Paribas says
3 large cap funds to boost your mutual fund portfolio in 2026
Equities begin 2026 on positive note due to improved fundamentals