- India’s growth through whose lens: India is the fastest-growing major economy in rupee terms, but foreign investors assess growth in USD terms. When viewed in dollars, India’s growth premium over the US narrows. Global capital looks beyond headlines, focusing on currency stability, policy predictability and USD-adjusted equity returns. FII flows will return when returns adequately compensate for currency risk.
- Last and strong budget appeal to Nirmala Mam: On 1st–2nd February 2026, please reduce LTCG from 12% to 10%, STCG from 20% to 15%, and cut STT and dividend tax to revive smallcaps, midcaps and microcaps. Nearly 95% investors are frustrated by the relentless fall in cash stocks. Without relief, fresh equity and mutual fund investments may dry up, shifting flows towards FDs, gold and silver. As per market grapevine, investors who exited equities in the last 3–4 months and moved into precious metals earned bumper profits, while others remain stuck as 80–90% stocks are down 30–90% from highs, despite managed indices and steady SIP inflows.
- Market reality check: Several once-popular, fund-manager-favoured stocks are down 40–90% from their highs, cutting across sectors and market caps. The broader picture is grim—9 out of 10 stocks are negative, with deep median drawdowns, even as Sensex and Nifty remain relatively stable. As per market grapevine, indices appear managed to sustain SIP confidence, but the ground reality for cash-market investors is persistent erosion, leading to frustration and depression. If the Budget fails to offer relief in LTCG, STCG, STT, and dividend tax, fresh equity and mutual fund inflows may dry up, with investors shifting decisively towards bank FDs and precious metals.
- Money & trust: Never trust anyone blindly—not even AI. An AI tool wrongly described IGLA as a gold ETF, while it actually tracks global investment-grade bonds. This shows AI can produce confident but incorrect information. Always verify from primary sources. AI may assist research, but it must never replace due diligence when money is involved.
- Bitter truth of the Indian stock market: Sensex, Nifty and Bank Nifty are stable, yet most cash stocks are falling relentlessly. 9 out of 10 stocks are negative, with sharp median drawdowns. As per market grapevine, indices are deliberately managed to keep SIP flows intact, creating an illusion of a bullish market. The reality is harsh: 80–90% stocks are down 20–90% from highs, leaving investors frustrated and depressed. As per market grapevine, prudent investors have been exiting equities and mutual funds for the past three months and reallocating to gold and silver, earning bumper gains, while retail investors remain badly stuck.
