Markets choppy due to profit booking

Indian equity markets opened in the green as per the indication from the SGX, but readily slipped into the red, thanks to some listless trading fervour that seems to be more inclined towards profit-booking for the year end rather than any fresh build-ups! However, there are pockets of strength in the market, esp with newsflow around some of these – case in point is the Railway Sector – post the UPA Govt’s announcement to pursue FDI within this citadel of the government, most of the stocks that are present in this segment – the likes of KALINDEE RAIL, TEXMACO, BEML, KERNEX etc have been abuzz! Though it is difficult to correlate any direct benefit to any of these accruing from a proposal of the government to liberalise the sector since it is early days yet and there would be a lot of clarifications that would be required before any fervent buying can be envisaged. The other area of activity seems to be the mining pack – SSLT and NMDC have again started attracting some attention from investors/traders ever since some expectations on the Karnataka mining ban being lifted have surfaced. The rest of the market, barring IT and BANKING seems to be sideways and could continue this way till the resumption of serious participation by institutional investors in the new year! Investment management services and investment strategies have come to hold a lot more importance, given the present state of volatility. Financial Planning Advisors, estate planning services providers and business wealth management provders must make the most of this situation.