MAD ABOUT STOCKS

December is usually the craziest of times for Wedding Photographers & Cinematographers. It was no different for us at Monks In Happiness too. But there was a special enthusiasm this time around, in our 5th year of existence, we were all set to travel to KERALA for our first ever wedding shoot. And the icing on the cake was the venue - TAJ BEKAL ( Bekal is a small town on the borders of Karnataka & Kerala). I opted for the train journey along with some of my team members. It was an eventful one :) We were slated to travel from Panvel to Mangalore and a small road trip for the final destination. That afternoon, the train was on time and once the journey started, the craziness unraveled. It took an unplanned long break at Roha ( which was the first station after Panvel), no it wasn't a 10-15 mins break, it was a 4 hrs hiatus. The same thing happened as we headed to the next stop -Khed. Long story short, we reached Mangalore the next day at 1 PM, as opposed to its ETA of 5 AM....

  If someone bought TESLA Model S in 2012, their $77,000 car would be worth approximately $40,000 today. Instead, if he had invested the same $77,000 in TESLA stocks in 2012, he would be a Millionaire today, in fact, $7 Million !! When I saw this post on Instagram a month back, it made me envious of the opportunities that US Stock Investors had. But then on researching, I realized INDIA also had given these opportunities, don't believe me ...read on! It was 2017, I was in Ladakh on a soul-searching trip after quitting my corporate career with a bunch of people, whom I had just met on the same trip. We were slated to do the picturesque ride from Leh to Nubra Valley by road. I was never into biking and had opted for a comfy trip on an SUV so that I could take some pictures from my window seat. But destiny had some other plans. In our group, one of the bikers fell sick that morning, and hence the tour organizer had an extra bike ( which he had already rented). So he checked with the S...

  Yesterday Godrej Consumer stock jumped 22%! Yes, it's not a typo, it did jump 22%. But why? No doubt they reported a good set of Q4 FY21 numbers but the main reason the market was giving a thumbs-up was - Sudhir Sitapati. Yes the ex- HUL maestro is now taking over the reins of Godrej Consumer as the CEO. While I agree the market did exaggerate with that huge move, but if you looked at history, especially when it comes to FMCG companies, a management change has mostly triggered the cash coffers! Over time we will see whether Sudhir replicates the same with Godrej Consumer also. Of the zillion factors impacting a stock's performance, if there is ONE factor that's a no-brainer and every analyst tracks it, it is this - 'Management'. There is an old saying, you can have a nice car ( Company), an amazing road ( industry positives) but if the Driver ( Management) is rogue, you will end up in an accident ( Permanent loss of capital). In my humble understanding of this wor...

  We have seen seismic shifts in India caused by the pandemic’s fog of uncertainty. One of the most surprising ones being - surge in Demat accounts in India.  2020 was the year when everyone suddenly seemed to be interested in INVESTING, specifically stock investing. However, rather than following the bandwagon, one needs to check if this world really suits them. Legendary investor PETER LYNCH has given us a tool of   3 simple questions , it's called the -   "MIRROR Test"  and if you pass it, then welcome to this world of Stocks. So without further delay, let's delve into understanding what is this Test all about? He recommends look into the mirror and ask yourself these 3 questions: Do I own a House? Do I need the Money? Do I have the personal qualities, that will bring me success in stocks? HOUSE Factor : Peter Lynch says  one should own a house, before investing in any stocks.  They say a house is a money maker - 99 out of 100 times. Either by renti...

  COVID has brought this huge country to a standstill. Fear, Sadness, and Uncertainty are widespread. Lives are being lost and in my entire life, I have never seen this country engulfed by emotions like this before! However, I would like to focus on the future and continue to believe that we will overcome this too. I am reminded of a quote from Hunger Games: " HOPE it is the only thing stronger than FEAR". This country needs to believe that this too shall pass. Amidst all this, we have realized the importance of saving lives and we now know why the profession of Doctors is considered the noblest on earth. This country will be eternally grateful for the services that our doctors have been giving - tirelessly & without any break. There are some other warriors too in this COVID. And I would like to share about the gallant efforts of this Indian PSU, which has saved countless lives already. BHEL - India's largest power equipment maker. It has risen to the occasion and wou...

My maid came late this morning, on enquiring what was the reason, she responded - 'Daughter is unwell'. Concerned, I probed further. That's when she revealed that they bought a new fridge recently and her daughter has been on a cold drinking water spree since then. Talk about joy in little things :)  I am also aware of a Carpenter, who changes his car every 3 years. On enquiring, he responded nonchalantly - I get bored out of driving the same car, hence I keep changing it every 3 years.  Welcome to the new India that's young, big, hungry for success, and will not shy away from spending their disposable income. That's the biggest opportunity the corporations of the world are observing as things unravel. Ridham Desai , MD at Morgan Stanley India shared some interesting insights on ET NOW  a few days ago. And if I have to share the biggest takeaway from that interview, it is this: " Discretionary Consumption in India is the next big thing, park your ...