Elevated spirits, general optimism, and an auspicious period arrive with India’s festive season. Characterized by gift-giving and robust spending on travel and other discretionary items, the festive season marks a crucial period of the year where economic activity surges. Ever wondered what impact this time of the year may have on the country’s financial markets? With the advent of online trading platforms like Zerodha, Shoonya by Finvasia, Groww, Upstox, and many more, share market experiences have increasingly become accessible, and each day, more and more people take to the world of trading in hopes of generating wealth and building towards a financially secure future. Here, we take a look at six stock market trends that investors should watch out for, this festive season:

1.       Increased Demand For Consumer Discretionary Stocks

Consumer discretionary stocks are those of companies that sell products and services that are not essential for everyday life, but are still in high demand during the festive season. Examples include companies that sell clothing, electronics, and home appliances.

Stocks of companies that sell products and services which may not be essential for everyday life, but still witness high demand during the festive season, are known as consumer discretionary stocks. These companies may be fashion clothing brands, electronic goods retailers, or retailers of other durables. Investors can expect to see increased demand for these stocks during the festive season, as consumers look to purchase new items for themselves and their loved ones.

2.       Strong Performance By Small And Mid-Cap Stocks

Small and mid-cap stocks are often more undervalued than large-cap stocks and can offer better returns. During the festive season, small and mid-cap stocks can outperform large-cap stocks as institutional investors tend to focus on large-cap stocks. Investors should consider investing in a basket of small and mid-cap stocks during the festive season to maximize their returns. Platforms like Shoonya by Finvasia, a true-blue zero-brokerage trading platform, offer advanced AI-powered tools to help investors make enhanced trading decisions, increasing their chances of achieving long-term success.

3.       Increased liquidity

Increased economic activity may lead to higher trading volumes during the festive season, further resulting in more liquidity in the financial markets. This means that it is easier for investors to buy and sell stocks, as there are more buyers and sellers in the market. This can be beneficial for investors who are looking to enter or exit positions quickly.

4.       Sectoral rotation

During the festive season, investors may rotate from one sector to another, depending on their expectations for performance. For example, investors may shift from defensive sectors such as healthcare and utilities to more cyclical sectors such as consumer discretionary and industrials. Investors should carefully consider their investment goals and risk tolerance before making any sector bets.

5.       Increased volatility

The increased trading volume and liquidity during the festive season can also lead to increased volatility in the stock market. This is because investors are more likely to react to news and events during this time, and there is more potential for price swings. Investors should be prepared for increased volatility during the festive season and use risk management strategies to protect their portfolios.

6.       Special dividend announcements

Some companies may announce special dividends during the festive season to reward their shareholders. This can lead to a spike in the price of these stocks, as investors look to buy in before the dividend is paid out. Investors should be on the lookout for special dividend announcements during the festive season, but they should also carefully consider the company’s financial health and dividend payout history before making any investment decisions.