Veteran investor explains why most investors fail in markets
Most Indian investors are chasing money using broken tools and false ideas, says well-known investor Shankar Sharma. In a podcast called Exploring Minds, he shared some hard truths about why many people fail to build wealth, even when the stock market is booming.THE BIG PROBLEM? LACK OF SELF-DISCIPLINEAccording to Sharma, what keeps investors from growing rich is not their skills, but their inability to be honest with themselves.advertisementHe said many fail to ask tough questions and instead rely on myths. He was critical of the belief that great investors can see into the future, dismissing it as an unrealistic myth.NO ONE TALKS ABOUT WHEN TO SELL
One of the biggest gaps in investment education, Sharma said, is the lack of conversation around when to sell. Everyone focusses on buying and holding, but no one teaches how to exit at the right time.'I was lucky to make money and was luckier to actually sell. So, self-discipline is extremely important no matter what,' he said.HIS SIMPLE RULE FOR SELLINGSharma advises that if an investment performs three times better than the market average within three to five years, one should consider selling.He described this strategy as data-driven, not a matter of intuition.DON'T FALL FOR THE LONG-TERM INVESTING HYPEadvertisementAlthough long-term investing is widely praised, Sharma believes it isn't always realistic. He pointed out that Warren Buffett earned most of his wealth after 60, which may not be useful for someone trying to cover expenses in their 30s.According to him, long-term investing only works when combined with strong self-discipline—otherwise, it remains just an idea.MESSAGE FOR YOUNG INVESTORSSharma cautioned young market entrants that without a global perspective, true market understanding may take decades.He attributed a major shift in his own career to the moment he stopped thinking locally and started approaching the market with a global mindset.
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Hindustan Times
32 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
We're not erratic or volatile, Germany reliable partner for Indian students: Ambassador Ackermann
New Delhi, Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long time, and it is not "erratic" or "volatile" but very steady, Ambassador Philipp Ackermann said here on Tuesday, while asserting that his country wants the "smartest and the brightest" from India. His comments come in the backdrop of difficulties faced by international students, including from India, on matters related to academic admissions for higher studies in some countries, and student visa procedures. Interacting with reporters at his residence here, Ackermann said over 50,000 Indian students are currently in Germany pursuing higher studies, and "our experience is that number will rise". Without naming any country, the German envoy to India also indicated that more Indian students were likely to choose Germany as an academic destination, in view of the issues faced by them currently in the context of other countries. "In the light of... with student admissions and student visa procedures in some countries, it is maybe a good time to state that Germany is eager and happy to receive Indian students," he said in his opening remarks. He mentioned multiple times that his country has been a "reliable partner" for Indian students, and even added that "we don't check social media before you come". "We feel that Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long, long time. And, will remain so. We are interested in Indian talent, we are interested in Indian brains. We are interested in those Indians who really want to achieve something, and Germany will always be a partner for such people. So, we are not erratic, we are not volatile, we are very, very steady," Ackermann said. He also underlined that Germany offers first-class education, and those are willing to study hard to achieve it, are "welcome" and can "count on us". "And, we are eager on having talented young Indians coming to Germany," the envoy added. German universities and German research institutions have made "extremely good experiences" with students, and it has been seen that the number of Indian students is increasing every year in universities, and universities of applied sciences have also accepted a growing number of Indian students, the ambassador said. "We are talking about 50,000 plus Indian students in Germany, and our experience is that number will rise. We already now feel that more Indian students.. and that is certainly in the context of difficulty they face in other countries, and that more Indian students are interested to join German universities and German research institutions," the envoy said. Representatives of various top German universities such as Cologne University, University of Gottingen, Freie Universitaet Berlin, and research institute like the Max Planck Society and Fraunhofer were also present on the occasion. Later in an interaction with PTI Videos, the envoy said academic cooperation is a key pillar in the India-German bilateral ties. "We are searching Indian talent, and this is a time where many Indian students who had ideas to go elsewhere, now have second thoughts, and don't get where they really... wanted to go. So, what I am saying is, look at Germany, if you want a first class education, in many, many areas, above all in STEM area, German universities offer a broad range of possibilities, English-taught possibilities, with the clear perspective to join labour market in Germany after that," he said. "So, we have been a reliable partner for India in the last couple of decades... but what is important for me is to say that we want the smartest, the brightest from India," Ackermann told PTI. The envoy said the "offer is on the table", there is a clear growing interest. "Also, we want to encourage every student to individually search for universities, avoiding agents who will offer you a complete package, which sometimes is not a satisfaction," he said. Katja Lasch, Director, DAAD Regional Office, New Delhi, also interacted with the reporters. DAAD German Academic Exchange Service is marking its centenary this year, while its India office was set up 65 years ago. She said "applications to universities" have increased by over 30 per cent in the last couple of months, compared to the last academic year, citing data from DAAD. Lasch said there are about 425 universities, out of which there are 305 public universities. Germany has about 400,000 international students and it offers 2,300 study programmes in English language, she added. And, the country is among the top five destinations for Indian students along with the US, Canada, the UK, Australia. Ackermann said German education system is "widely a public good", which means most universities don't charge for studies and if they charge, the state-run universities, it's a small fee, compared to fees charged by universities in Anglo-Saxon countries. "So, its merit-based not money-based approach," he added. On a query on German visa issues, the envoy said, "There is no backlog anymore . Two years ago, we had a huge backlog.. we changed our system." Asked about the new citizenship rules by the German government, the ambassador clarified that "the government has not make a U-turn on citizenship, there was a very short way to citizenship within three years, this has been blocked now. Now, it is five years".
Mint
35 minutes ago
- Mint
Nifty 50 to reach 26,600 level by 2025-end; IT among top sectors that can create wealth: Achin Goel, Bonanza Group
Expert View: Achin Goel, PMS Fund Manager at Bonanza Group, believes that Nifty 50 can reach at 26,600 level by the end of 2025, helped by 11% EPS growth in Nifty-50 constituent companies. Furthermore, he expects the FII to remain bullish on the Indian stock market as India's solid economic growth and ongoing reforms will mitigate geopolitical risks and maintain strong foreign investor interest. Edited excerpts: India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals are acting as a powerful tailwind for the equity markets. We're seeing a combination of high GDP growth, strong tax collections, manageable inflation, and consistent government capital expenditure—all of which are laying a solid foundation for sustainable earnings growth. From an investor's perspective, this kind of macro stability builds confidence. For example, a disciplined fiscal approach and RBI's measured monetary policy help keep inflation and interest rate volatility in check, which is crucial for long-term equity flows, especially from institutional investors. Moreover, the government's emphasis on infrastructure, manufacturing through PLI schemes and digital public infrastructure is accelerating a multi-sector capex cycle. This directly benefits sectors like capital goods, construction, banking and industrials. In addition, India's demographic dividend and rising middle class continue to support domestic consumption, which strengthens sectors such as FMCG, autos and retail. Put simply, strong macros don't just support the market—they help broaden the rally and deepen sectoral participation, making India one of the attractive investment destinations among emerging markets. The recent stellar run of the smallcap index, which has outperformed the Nifty 50 and large caps with gains like 6.87% in May 2025 and double-digit returns for many stocks, is driven by strong growth potential and renewed investor interest in sectors such as railways, defense, and financials. Smallcaps benefit from their higher growth prospects and are seen as attractive for medium-to long-term investors willing to tolerate higher risk. However, this rally comes amid significant challenges: Q4FY25 smallcap profits contracted by 19%, contrasting with midcap and largecap earnings growth. Earnings downgrades, government capex slowdowns, and sector-specific weaknesses—especially in cement, private banks, consumer, and auto sectors—have raised concerns about sustainability. Thus, while smallcaps offer compelling upside due to valuation discounts and sectoral tailwinds, the earnings misses and macro uncertainties warrant caution. Investors should balance the growth potential against heightened volatility and selectivity risks amid an uneven earnings backdrop. The outlook for Indian IT sector in FY26 appears challenging, primarily due to the impact of discretionary spending cuts in the US amid rising recessionary pressures. The US, which accounts for over half of India's US$190bn software exports, is experiencing a cautious consumer sentiment with many consumers planning to reduce spending on discretionary items. This cautiousness is exacerbated by tariffs imposed by the US administration, which have fueled inflation and heightened fears of a recession. Tariffs, which is not directly targeting IT services, but indirectly affect Indian IT companies as their clients in manufacturing, logistics and retail sectors face higher costs and uncertainty, leading to delayed projects and slower deal cycles. As a result, current scenario is marked by limited new outsourcing opportunities and pressure on margin due to pricing and limited rupee depreciation benefits. However, Indian IT companies specialising in AI, Gen AI and cloud services are poised for robust growth, driven by rapid digital transformation and increasing adoption of AI-as-a-Service and hybrid cloud models. US companies, facing recessionary pressures are intensifying cost optimization efforts by prioritizing scalable, efficient cloud solutions and AI deployments that reduce operational expenses while enhancing productivity. This focus on cost efficiency is influencing Indian IT firms to offer optimized cloud and AI services that align with US clients' budget-conscious strategies. Defence and railway stocks have shown a notable upward movement recently, fueled by strong government initiatives and strategic sectoral developments. Defence stocks are signaling a potential turnaround after previous corrections, supported by India's aggressive push for indigenisation and export growth. Further, Operation Sindoor has significantly boosted investor interest defence stocks, as some of the stocks rising up to 35% shortly after the conflict began. The surge reflects expectations of increased defence spending, replenishment of military inventories and export opportunities driven by India's demonstrated indigenous military strength and technological edge. Meanwhile, railway stocks also rallied strongly on the back of a significant capex push, with government budget allocations of Rs.2.62 lakh crore for railway capital spending in 2025–26 aimed at infrastructure upgrades and electrification projects. However, given the sustained government focus on modernization, 'Make in India' initiatives and technological adoption in both sectors, the upward trend appears poised to continue in the medium term, provided macroeconomic stability and policy continuity remain intact. The ₹ 43,400 crore promoter selloff in May warrants cautious interpretation rather than outright alarm. While the timing coincides with Nifty's 12% surge, this appears driven by liquidity dynamics rather than fundamental concerns. With FIIs and DIIs injecting Rs.80,000 crore, promoters are naturally stepping in to provide supply through block deals, as individual retail investors cannot facilitate large institutional purchases. However, the dichotomy between companies guiding strong growth while promoters dump shares at high valuations does raise questions about insider sentiment. Large-cap withdrawals such as InterGlobe ( ₹ 11,560 crore) and ITC-BAT ( ₹ 12,900 crore) may indicate portfolio rebalancing, while small and midcap promoter selling may be seen with caution and may warrant a deeper analysis. While not strictly a red warning, this pattern suggests that bulls should exercise greater caution given the current values. Many leading brokerages have recently upgraded their Nifty-50 target for the year 2025, reflecting a bullish outlook based on fundamental analysis. This optimism is driven by strong corporate earnings growth, robust economic indicators, and favourable monetary policy with 50bps rate cut by the RBI. FIIs have also turned net buyers amid a weakening dollar index and volatile US bond yields, further supporting market sentiment. On the above thesis, we are also expecting ~11% EPS growth in Nifty-50 constituent companies to reach to ~Rs.1,300 in FY26. On this basis, we are expecting Nifty-50 to reach at 26,600 level, a further upside of 6.5% by end of 2025. Foreign investors have shown renewed confidence in Indian markets, pumping in ₹ 4,223 crore in April followed by a record ₹ 19,860 crore in May 2025, marking the strongest inflows this year. This enthusiasm comes from a mix of positive factors: India's GDP growth surprised everyone with a strong 7.4% in the last quarter, the weakening US dollar made Indian assets more attractive and talks of a possible US–India trade deal have boosted long-term optimism. On top of that, policy changes like easing investment rules for Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund show India's commitment to welcoming foreign capital. While the near-term uncertainties such as geopolitical risks and rising US treasury yields may reverse this trend. However, India's solid economic growth and ongoing reforms will mitigate these risks and maintain strong foreign investor interest in the months ahead. Technology and IT services are top sectors for wealth creation, driven by digital transformation and AI adoption. Renewable energy and electric vehicles benefit from strong global sustainability trends and supportive policies. The pharmaceutical and healthcare sector offers consistent growth due to innovation and export opportunities. Infrastructure development is propelled by urbanization and government projects. Financial services and FinTech are growing through digital inclusion and financial deepening. Lastly, consumer goods thrive on rising middle-class consumption and rural market penetration. Diversifying across these sectors can help investors build and preserve wealth. As of early June 2025, the Indian rupee is stable, trading between ₹ 85.80 and ₹ 86 against the US dollar. It has strengthened slightly by 7 paise, helped by foreign money coming into the country and a soft approach by the RBI. The RBI surprised everyone by cutting the repo rate by 0.5% to 5.5%—its biggest cut in five years. It also reduced the CRR by 1%. This shows the RBI is confident because inflation in India has fallen to about 3.16% in May, which is low and manageable. A weaker US dollar, lower inflation in India, and cheaper oil prices have reduced India's import costs. This helps the economy since India imports a lot of oil and goods priced in dollars. Exporters, especially in IT and pharma, could benefit as their products become more competitive globally. However, their earnings in dollars may be worth less in rupees. Upcoming US job data could also affect how strong or weak the dollar remains and influence investment into countries like India. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian woman takes parents to her Walmart office in US. Internet calls it ‘every child's dream'
A touching video of an Indian woman proudly showing her parents around her workplace in the United States has melted hearts across the internet. Devshree Bharatia, a software engineer at Walmart's US headquarters, shared the heartfelt moment on Instagram, where it has since garnered over 1.1 million views and countless emotional reactions. (Also read: Is Walmart calling employees to office to fire them? Bengaluru worker claims so) The short clip captures the joy of a milestone that many children dream of — introducing their parents to the world they've built through years of perseverance, sacrifice, and hard work. In the video, Devshree can be seen walking through the office campus alongside her parents, guiding them through meeting rooms, the gym, and the spacious, modern lobby of the Walmart facility. For Devshree's parents, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Their wonder and joy are evident throughout the video — her father's curious, wide-eyed expressions and her mother's quiet amazement speak volumes. The video is captioned: 'Indian parents visiting my Walmart Office in USA for the first time. They have never seen such lavish offices, and first time when they saw the facilities they were amazed and extremely happy. Proud parents is what a child wants.' Watch the clip here: A post shared by Devshree Bharatia (@devshree.17) The heartwarming post struck a chord online, with hundreds of users expressing how deeply they related to the moment. One user commented, 'Every son/daughter's dream,' while another said, 'Their happiness says it all.' (Also read: Walmart layoffs: 1,500 tech jobs slashed, outrage over H1B hirings) A third user wrote, 'Awww this feeling is the best ever,' while another shared, 'Beautiful!! Kudos!! One of the most proud moments for every kid!' Many also drew inspiration from the video, with one remarking, 'So nice di… they must be so proud… I aim to be like you.' Other users echoed the sentiment with comments like, 'They must be so proud of you!' and 'This made me emotional — every parent deserves this moment.'
