360 ONE Asset’s chief investment officer, Anup Maheshwari, flags that equity valuations sit roughly 10% shy of their long‑term average, a gap he views as a buying window for investors. The asset‑management house, which oversees ₹1.3 billion in funds, points to a stable currency and ample liquidity as the backdrop for this dip.
But the upside is not without friction. Maheshwari cautions that escalating crude prices and tightening interest rates remain the twin levers that could tilt the market’s trajectory. Global headwinds linger, yet the domestic environment—highlighted by credit demand and liquidity—offers a cushion.
According to Maheshwari, earnings momentum is picking up, especially after the April‑June 2026 quarter, where several companies reported upgrades. He links this uptick to a potential inflow of foreign capital, provided the earnings story continues to strengthen.
For retail traders, the advice is simple: keep a five‑year horizon and ignore the short‑term jitters. He warns against splitting the market into rigid large‑cap, mid‑cap, or small‑cap buckets; instead, focus on companies and sectors that demonstrate sustained growth and scale.
HNI portfolios, he adds, remain diversified across equities, REITs, InvITs, gold, and alternatives, shielding them from short‑term volatility. The stress observed in leveraged MTF positions does not spill over into these balanced portfolios.
The market’s current stance appears to be a range‑bound lower‑end trap, poised for a breakout once earnings narratives solidify. Investors eye the next quarterly cycle for signs of a sustained upside.