Despite the global economic slowdown, or perhaps because of it, IT sector companies have been relative outperformers in the Indian stock market. Devaluation of the Rupee against the US Dollar has been an added boon.
Large-cap IT stocks have done particularly well. Mid-cap IT stocks haven’t been far behind. But small-cap stocks in general have faced a rough time. In the IT sector, retaining talent is a challenge. That is where smaller companies are at a disadvantage.
IT services remain the major revenue earner. Consulting business is yet to catch on in a big way. With increasing visa impediments – particularly in the USA - the larger companies have focussed on offshore and India businesses. Software product development activity is mostly limited to MNCs.
HCL Tech
The stock has gained more than 200% since the bull run began back in Aug ‘12. Daily technical indicators have corrected from overbought conditions but showing negative divergences by failing to touch new highs with the stock price. There are rumours of a stake sale. May be a good idea to take some profits home.
Infosys
Lack of leadership and so-so performance kept the stock in a sideways range till Narayanamurthy took back the reins. Lot of top-level executive departures have put a question mark on succession issues. The market is obviously encouraged by an improvement in performance.
KPIT Cummins
After an 8 months bear phase (from Sep ‘12 to Apr ‘13), the stock is back in a bull market. Q3 result disappointed the market, causing a sharp fall. Can be added on dips.
Mindtree
The stock is in a terrific bull run, gaining 300% in the past 2 years. Founder and CEO Ashok Soota’s departure has been long forgotten. The stock is looking overbought and ripe for a correction. Dips can be used to add.
MPhasis
This stock has gone nowhere in the past 2 years. Likely drop in business from parent HP and possibility of sale of HP’s entire stake has kept the stock price in a sideways range. Avoid.
Oracle Financials
The stock price is undergoing a correction after touching 3400 in Jan ‘14 – its previous top was also 3400 touched in Jan ‘13. If the stock price falls below the support/resistance level of 2990, the possibility of a bearish double-top pattern may open up.
Tata Elxsi
After a prolonged sideways consolidation that tested the patience of most investors, the stock has broken out sharply and tripled in 5 months. Daily technical indicators are looking overbought. Part profits can be booked.
TCS
The ‘big daddy’ of IT companies has been in a steady bull market with frequent corrections that have kept the chart ‘healthy’. This is a stock that every investor should have in their portfolio. All dips are adding opportunities.
Tech Mahindra
It is a great credit of the M&M management that Satyam Computers has been so well integrated with the company, turning Tech Mahindra’s stock into an outperformer with gains of more than 200% in 2 years. Add on dips.
Wipro
Even after sorting out management issues, Wipro’s performance has been tepid. The stock has returned to a bull market, but gains have been moderate. Switch.
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