Defensive Stocks

Selective FMCG stocks may rise up to 11 per cent, even if broader market loses more ground

Given the uncertainty on how the market trajectory may play out ahead, analysts believe investors can rotate allocation from high beta stocks to defensive plays albeit selectively

Amid moderation in inflation, markets seem to have moved past fears of interest rate hikes and investors are now anticipating strong foreign inflows into domestic equities, analysts said

They turn cautious and prefer defensive bets

Pharma stocks like Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, and Cipla can easily run up to 18 per cent

Stocks like TCS and LTTS may explore uncharted territories in current market volatility

The stock of Asian Paints has broken out of the resistance of Rs 3,000 levels with the up move indicating a rally towards Rs 3,150 to Rs 3,300 levels.

If the Nifty FMCG index manages to sustain above the 35,000-levels, it is expected to see a fresh breakout toward 36,200 to 36,400 levels

Activity levels, analysts at Jefferies believe, will take a significant hit across sectors such as infrastructure, real estate, discretionary, and durables as more local lockdowns are announced

India's retail inflation, according to data released this Friday, surged to a three-month high of 5.03 per cent in February, as against 4.06 per cent in the previous month

With a strong up move on March 1, 2021, the stock of Sun Pharmaceuticals now needs to cross the resistance of Rs 620 mark to see a breakout rally towards Rs 640 and Rs 655 levels

BEML, Bharat Dynamics and Hindustan Aeronautics were up in the range of 3% to 5% the BSE

Major stocks are showing upside bias with support from moving averages and technical parameters

Despite the market correction, there are some stocks from the FMCG and pharma sectors - considered classic defensive plays - that can be bought from a medium-term perspective

Here are contrarian trading strategies at a time when the overall markets are showing signs of weakness

The weight of FMCG, software and pharma companies in Nifty now at 31.5% from 25.3% in December 2017

Front runners insurance stocks have seen higher Investor Interest

Let us look at some of the unique features of defensive stocks that distinguish them as a category.