A: Yes.

Q: What are the chances that in 2009 you go to something much beyond the old high that you saw on the index? Do you think it is conceivable? What needs to fall into place for that to pan out?

A: America needs to go for present tense. It is important that Infosys achieves this guidance it has given. What is important to the Indian economy is the value-add that software brings. If Infosys adds 25,000 employees, it translates into 25,000 cars and 25,000 homes. Then, that in turn leads to cement and steel. It is not any small value-add. If the US grows at 4%, Indian software will grow at 40%. The sentiment of investors worldwide will be extremely bullish. If you achieve earnings of say 1,030-1,040 in March 2009, then you go to 1,200 by March 2010. So, maybe in May 2009 you are going to see a very good rise.

Q: Are you looking at 25-30 P/E multiples?

A: For that we are still 4-5 years away. We will get there.

Q: We didn’t pass it in December last year?

A: That is why the top of the bull market was not made. The top of the bull market will be made when the value of the Indian Embassy in Japan is greater than the land in Delhi. If we had continued with the real estate led bull market in December 2007 we would have reached those levels.

Q: Do you sometimes feel apprehensive with your view today that 4,200 is a bottom worst case scenario can be violated and you may be surprised?

A: If it is violated, I would surely be surprised. But welcome this correction. I don’t think it is a bear market. It is a correction because had we continued at that pace we might have reached a level where we would have damaged that market beyond repair. It will still go much further. For that to happen, we have got to have this correction.

Q: How will you approach this phase if it pans out like you expected, one year of essentially rangebound movements. From your trading and investment perspective, how will you approach it?

A: I will limit my trading extremely. My trading levels will come to 10-20% of that level. We need a rangebound markets. I don’t buy anything at one price but buy at stages.

Q: What will you trade more in the next one year the Nifty or individual stocks? Where will the opportunities be?

A: Nowadays,, I tend to trade in the Nifty more because I find it very liquid.

Q: From an investment perspective?

A: I will see whatever opportunity comes. I am making investments. I made some investments in April, March, and February.

Q: Will you consider paring down some money and moving to cash in the next one-year?

A: I essentially have no debt or very little debt. So, I can always take debt if I find investments to be adequate. If I feel that I have such a great opportunity that I must invest and I don’t have the capital, I may sell some of my investments and interchange.

Q: So, your convinced that this is just a long painful correction in a bull market. It is not a bear market that you are seeing for the last three-months?

A: That’s what I think.

Q: Convinced?

A: Yes, 100%. Once America bottoms because the greater surprise is going to come from the World Cup markets. There is so much to come from India once this gas comes. More the power, more investment is needed. This will itself be such a big trigger. I cannot believe that the bull story, which is linked to India’s economy with 5-6% of Indian’s savings coming into equity and with the kind of Indian sprit and entrepreneurship, can die. If this is the end of the bull market then India really has incurred god’s wrath. But it may be long and painful.

Source : CNBC TV 18