The year 2007 has been the landmark year with record wealth creation. The benchmark indices scaled new peaks and real estate sector has seen the phenomenal property prices. The crucial question now is what is in store in 2008? US sub-prime issues, impending recession in US, Oil at $100, strengthening rupee, slowing down in corporate earnings, election in US and India, decoupling story, India’s consumption story, various such issues and debates, make investors and the analysts confused about what lies ahead in 2008.

I guess, nobody has the perfect answer. Investors do need to stick to basics of investing. As Warren Buffett said “…that the small investor has no chance in a market now dominated by the erratic behavior of the big boys. This conclusion is dead wrong: Such markets are ideal for any investors – small or large – so long as he sticks to his investment knitting. Volatility caused by money managers who speculate irrationally with huge sums will offer the true investors more chances to make intelligent investment moves.” “… Our goal is to find an outstanding business at a sensible price, not a mediocre business at a bargain price.” (Source: The Essays of Warrant Buffett, by Lawrence Cunningham)

High returns unlikely in ‘08, but +ve on EMs: Mark Mobius
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

No bubble yet, market isn’t as expensive as it looks
Citigroup MD Ratnesh Kumar spoke with Deeptha Rajkumar about current market valuations, froth in the mid-cap & small-cap space, and how even if Fed cuts rate, risk appetite will go down, thereby impacting flows
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Source: The Economic Times

Earnings to be +ve but less spectacular: JP Morgan AMC
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Retail, real estate poised for 35-45% growth in ‘08: Assocham
94% of capital investment in retail sector is in Tier I cities (Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore); developers are intensifying their presence in Tier II and Tier III cities
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Source: Livemint.com

Largecaps may outperform other stocks in ‘08: DSP ML
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Outlook 2008: Indian Markets in a Global Economy
- Ajay Bagga, CEO, Lotus India Asset Management Co Pvt Ltd.
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Oil options at $200/barrel rise 10-fold : Bloomberg
The fastest-growing bet in the oil market these days is that the price of crude will double to $200 a barrel by year-end. ??
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Source: Business Standard

2008: The year of living dangerously
Ruchir Sharma,
Head of Emerging Markets Equity, Morgan Stanley
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Source: The Economic Times

How do fund managers view the market in ‘08?
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Tips for Investing in 2008
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

It pays to invest in reading
Smart people can also make dumb money mistakes. These titles by the finance gurus tell you why.
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Akash Prakash: India in 2008
Earnings have surprised on the upside over the last five years, and look set to continue doing so. ??
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Source: Business Standard

Twenty stocks for 2008
Stock selection will be the key factor in determining returns in 2008, given concerns of a global slowdown and premium valuations in domestic markets. ??
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Source: Business Standard

In 2008, look beyond Sensex when investing
Look beyond the index and invest in companies that are growing, and have sustainable businesses and clear competitive advantages.
MR BHAVESH SHAH, VICE-PRESIDENT (RESEARCH), ASIT C MEHTA, MUMBAI
Excerpts from the interview:
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Source: The Hindu Business Line