Global Stock Markets
Global equity markets continued to generate positive returns for the quarter as vaccination pace accelerated in most developed economies. Additionally, governments of most developed countries continued to ease COVID related mobility restrictions and activity levels picked up. This has resulted in global trade volumes showing a V-shaped bounce back and stimulus measures resulting in improved purchasing power for consumers with consumer spending already exceeding pre-COVID levels in USA.
The key risk to global growth recovery could emanate from potential re-acceleration in COVID cases leading to disruptions in coming quarters. Also, US Federal Reserve indicated that interest rate hikes could be sooner than expected due to rising inflation.
Indian Economy
RBI in its latest reports stated that “The tapering of 2nd COVID wave along with aggressive vaccination push have brightened the near-term growth prospects for the Indian economy and GDP growth for Q1’22 was estimated at 22.7%”.
Indian Stock Markets
India stock markets marched to new lifetime highs with the benchmark (NIFTY 50) crossing 16,000 mark in 1st week of August. The rally was driven by strong positive inflows, good earnings season and positive developments on the vaccine front alongwith steady decline in cases which boosted confidence in economic recovery.
