Don't panic, stay invested: NSE's Harish Ahuja advices retail investors amid global market volatility
Mumbai, March 21
Amid ongoing global market volatility linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Harish K Ahuja, Head of Sustainability, Power & Carbon Markets, Listing & Social Stock Exchange at the National Stock Exchange of India, has urged retail investors to remain patient and avoid panic selling.
Speaking to ANI on recent market movements, Ahuja highlighted that the correction is not limited to India but is part of a broader global trend.
"Most of the exchanges across the globe are seeing a correction of 7 to 10 per cent. And this up and down is a part of the very market," he said.
Addressing retail investors directly, Ahuja advised against reacting impulsively to volatility. "My suggestion to retail investors: don't panic. Show the patience, you are an investor, not a trader," he said.
He further noted that despite short-term fluctuations, India's market fundamentals remain strong.
"My understanding of the Indian market, India is growing. Indian fundamentals in terms of GDP growth, inflation, most of the indicators, be it industrial growth, electricity consumption, are very positive," Ahuja stated.
Emphasising the scale and resilience of Indian markets, he added, "India has witnessed the largest number of IPOs in the world. We are one of the largest exchanges in terms of the number of unique investors and unique accounts."
He also underlined the importance of long-term investing. "Investment means, for me, the definition of investment is once you buy a stock, at least for the next five to ten years, don't watch the stock daily," he said.
Ahuja further said that patience is key to benefiting from market growth.
"I think I am always positive about the market because I am a patient investor. Once you have patience, once you understand the fundamentals of the economy and the country as a whole, you should not panic."
According to him, disciplined and long-term investors are likely to be rewarded despite short-term geopolitical uncertainties.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Easier said than done when you see your portfolio in red! But he's right about the fundamentals. Electricity consumption, GDP growth... these are real indicators. Need to control the temptation to check my stocks every hour.
Respectfully, while the long-term view is correct, this advice feels a bit generic for the current situation. Global conflicts can have prolonged effects. Shouldn't there be more nuanced guidance for different investor profiles and risk appetites?
As a new investor from abroad looking at India, this is reassuring. The IPO activity and number of unique accounts show deep market participation. It's a good reminder to focus on the 5-10 year horizon, not daily noise.
"You are an investor, not a trader" - This line hit home. We get so influenced by social media tips and intraday movements. Time to revisit my SIPs and trust the process. Bharat ka growth story is intact! 🇮🇳
True. My mutual fund advisor says the same. Volatility is a part of the game. But it's also important to have a balanced portfolio. Not all eggs in one basket, even if the basket is India. Diversify across sectors.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.