Analysts and fund managers are all asking us to be cautious and the bravest of the brave are asking us to nibble, by putting in around 10-20 percent of capital to work. Technical analysts are going berserk, saying they expect 2600. I read that if Nifty breaks 3800, we go straight to 2600.
But, hey, wait a minute, what is this I am hearing? Were we not being told that the Nifty at 6000 was cheap and one could buy with a 3-year timeframe in mind. All over we would be hearing the most pessimistic downward target of 5000 at worst, or best, depending on whether you were long or short. Today those targets have been halved.
The markets are driven on two pivots: fundamental and technical, i.e money flow. Surely, money was flowing inward at 6000 Nifty and it has reversed at 3900. However, at 12,750 Sensex, the PE for the Sensex would be around 12, with an expected EPS of 1050 for March 2009. Very rarely has the Sensex traded below 12 PE in the past. If we touch 9000, the Sensex would trading at 8 PE, which would be a lifetime first.
It is said that those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. At Sensex 12 PE, you are being asked to sell, and when the PE was more than 25, they were asking you to buy. Think and decide whether you want to believe the analysts or should you be using common sense instead. As they say, common sense is not commonly found.