Best time to buy equities, may see bull market: Nirmal Jain

So, is it a time to invest when the market may see a risk-on rally? CNBC-TV18 special show Investor Camp talks to Nirmal Jain, Founder and Chairman, IIFL to get the best advice.

Jain advises that this is the best time to buy equities as historically bull markets are born out of pessimism. Though there are many macro problems plaguing India, the government is trying to get its act together. He explains that if crude price falls, India’s balance of payment deficit may get under control.

Jain is confident that India and China have the capability to drive global markets out of crisis. However, at the same time he feels that India has to deal with its own macro problems and policy reforms have frustrated India Inc. This is the first time, he continues, that corporate India has boldly stated that ‘India is working without a leader’.

On a very positive note, he points out that the individual states of India alone can take India out of the woods. Despite hostile global environment and domestic political problems, states of India have managed to post double digit growth.

To elucidate further, he cites Gujarat, Bihar and Rajasthan which have double digit gross domestic product (GDP).

Here is an edited transcript of his comments. Also watch the accompanying video.  

On Indian market

Unfortunately the market has been driven by FIIs, retail investors have been decimated and more importantly they have been followers. Therefore the FII sentiment is driven by rupee and currency movement and that is how the market has moved. But if really look at the potential of local market, it is huge. Last year, net inflow of FII money was USD 17. 4 billion and our domestic savings are USD 350 billion.