Nykaa looks promising, Trent remains a risky bet: Ambareesh Baliga

In a recent conversation with ET Now, market expert Ambareesh Baliga shared his views on the evolving discretionary consumption sector in India and the performance of power ancillary companies. His insights provide a mix of optimism and caution for investors navigating these segments.

Nykaa and Trent: Contrasting Outlooks
When asked about companies like Nykaa and Trent, Baliga highlighted the strong growth potential in beauty and personal care. “Beauty and personal care is growing fast in India and will continue. Nykaa’s profits are picking up now, so the stock remains interesting,” he said.


However, his outlook on Trent was more cautious. “Trent’s recent numbers are due to cost cutting and technology upgrades. Going forward, same-store sales may pressure the stock,” he explained, indicating that structural growth may not support the stock as strongly as in the past.

Power Ancillaries: Transformers and Rectifiers
Baliga also discussed Transformers and Rectifiers, which have delivered multibagger returns over recent years. “These became multibaggers due to high expectations. But cash flow is a concern—inventory and receivables are rising. I’d wait a quarter or two before taking a call,” he noted, suggesting that investors should watch operational metrics closely before buying.

Sector-Wide Implications: Transrail Lighting
Addressing Transrail Lighting, which has seen a 12% dip in stock value, Baliga observed, “This could be a sector-wide issue, not just a company problem.” He indicated that challenges in cash flow and execution may affect other players in the same space as well.

Baliga’s insights reflect the dual nature of India’s current market landscape: strong growth in discretionary consumption driven by millennials and urban demand, alongside caution in power ancillary stocks due to operational and sector risks. For investors, the key takeaway is to balance growth opportunities in consumption with measured attention to cash flow and execution challenges in industrial sectors.