32 smallcap stocks give double-digit weekly returns as Sensex ends in red

Benchmark indices posted their biggest weekly losses in more than three months, but 32 smallcap stocks managed to give high double-digit returns with public sector banks leading the list.

Shares of UCO Bank, The Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Central Bank of India, and Punjab & Sind Bank rose more than 16-45% in the week ended December 9 and also scaled fresh 52-week highs.

Punjab & Sind Bank turned a multibagger this year, while the other three stocks have gained in the range of 54-82%.



Despite a stellar run, public sector bank stocks are far from their lifetime highs. Analysts remain bullish on the entire public sector bank pack and recommend buying them given the favourable risk-reward.

Indian public sector banks have been on the path of normalisation over the past few years and delivered their best return on asset in the past eight years.

For analysts, the most comforting factor was the broad based improvement in asset quality metrics.

“PSBs will likely continue to lag on capital, but the gap will likely narrow as the core profitability improves going forward,” BofA Securities said in a recent report.

Chakri Lokapriya, CIO and MD at TCG AMC believes that shares of Punjab National Bank can actually see another 40-50% upside, while Bank of India can move 25-30% higher from current levels.

Shares of PNB have gained more than 50% so far in 2022, and those of Bank of India by over 85%.

Besides banks, the other smallcap stocks that gave double-digit returns include TruCap Finance, Gravita India, Navkar Corp, Skipper, Future Lifestyle Fashions, Puravankara, Sadbhav Engineering, KEC International, Star Cement, Sharda Cropchem, and Jindal Stainless.



(With data inputs from Ritesh Presswala)

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)