Stocks steal a march over gold, fetch better returns in FY'15

Indian stock markets have outshined gold and silver, fetching robust returns for investors in 2014-15.

The benchmark Sensex has yielded positive returns of about 25 per cent in the fiscal under review, aided by solid foreign funds inflows.

In contrast, gold prices fell 9.3 per cent and its poorer cousin, silver, plummeted 14.28 per cent during this period. The Sensex scaled a record high of 30,024.74 on March 4 this year.

During the fiscal 2014-15, it has gone up by 5,571.22 points, or 24.88 per cent, to 27,957.49 from 22,386.27 on March 31, 2014.

Experts said precious metals have been losing their shine and the weakness has largely been due to the stellar performance by domestic equities, prompting investors to move away from safe havens and into riskier assets.

Gold has been on the back-foot for over three consecutive years now vis-a-vis equities after outperforming stock market for more than a decade, an analysis of price movements shows.

Jayant Manglik, President-retail distribution, Religare Securities, said, "After a phenomenal run in FY 2015, participants should prepare themselves for an exciting and definitely challenging new financial year."

The foundation for economic recovery was laid in the last financial year, which contributed to a significant improvement in the macro scenario, but failed to fuel credit off-take and corporate earnings so far, he said.

Gold prices have come down to Rs 26,575 per 10 grams from Rs 29,300 per 10 grams on March 31, 2014.

Similarly, silver prices have slid to Rs 37,200 per kg from Rs 43,400 per kg.

Foreign investors have infused Rs 2.7 lakh crore in the Indian stock markets in 2014-15.

Photograph: Reuters