HomeNewsPodcastSimply Save | Should you take sector-specific bets during market volatility or stick to diversified mutual fund schemes?

Simply Save | Should you take sector-specific bets during market volatility or stick to diversified mutual fund schemes?

Shridatta Bhandwaldar, head-equities of Carara Robeco Mutual Fund, who oversees over Rs 33,000 crore of equity investments, talks stock markets, trouble with analysing value of cryptocurrencies, rising energy prices amid Russia-Ukraine crisis and fallacy of taking sectoral bets

March 24, 2022 / 18:39 IST
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Stock markets have been volatile due to a wide range of factors. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has triggered a price rise of Brent crude oil, which is never good news for India due to its heavy dependence on oil imports.

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In year-to-date to terms, the price of Brent crude oil is up 50 percent, trading at $116 per barrel. There has also been rise in prices of gas as supply from Russia has been impacted due to the ongoing conflict.

However, stocks of companies that are crude oil and gas producers – companies such as ONGC, Oil India and Gail – can benefit from the rising energy prices. So, does such sector-specific bets through direct stocks, sector funds or customised ETFs like smallcase, make sense for retail investors. Or should they stick to diversified mutual funds?