Mumbai: The surge in crude oil prices in the January-March period is expected to further delay a recovery in corporate earnings. The quarterly earnings season, starting this week, will determine if the ongoing rally in Indian equities will continue.
While corporate banks, cement and utilities, which have been a drag on earnings, are likely to post good numbers, performance of former champions such as metals, auto, retail, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) is likely to moderate in Q4FY19, Edelweiss Securities Ltd said in a 5 April note. If Nifty companies meet its March quarter net profit growth estimate of 18%, these companies will post 12-13% growth in FY19 versus 0% in FY18, it added. “With regards to FY20, growth numbers are still optimistic at 25-30% and are thus prone to earnings downgrades risks.”
