The good, the average and the ugly

In a year when the market has delivered 25% return, fishing for a decent bargain can be tough. So, it comes as no surprise that over the next year, the Street’s return expectation from Sensex stocks range between 16% and 28%. But the big alpha, as usual, is expected to come from mid-cap stocks. Some names that the Street is heavily betting on are the high beta companies, which are largely interest rates-sensitive. Analysts expect interest rates to even out and, thus, help some companies to report better earnings and share price return. The trend is similar for Sensex companies, where old economy stocks such as Tata Steel, Tata Power and L&T are seen as frontrunners. As expected, stocks with a higher downside are the ones currently trading at higher multiples — an average 36 times one-year forward. 

Surprise, surprise 

Infrastructure stocks are likely to hog the limelight

Foreign hand

Three MNC stocks are expected to lead the bunch of losers

Benchmark cues

Within the Sensex pack, Tata group stocks are likely to gain the most, while consumer favourite HUL could prove to be an under-performer