Auto, Real estate, Banking,  infra stocks to be worst hit by the rate hike : Dr. Ravi Singh,VP & head of Research, Share india

Bhubaneswar : In line with the expectation, RBI has increased the repo rate by 50 basis points and is already discounted by the market. The Ukraine Russia war has led to an increase in inflation globally beyond tolerance level and is effecting the economic growth. However, most of the industries are already facing headwinds due to steep increase in raw materials cost and fuel prices, and a hike in the rates will further increase the burden. The Fed is also increasing the rate so there is major possibility that apart from equity market, other markets like debt market and bond market may see some outflow anytime soon.

Auto, Real estate, Banking and infrastructure stocks would be worst hit by the rate hike as loan financing is a major part of these sectors. FMCG, Insurance, Energy, Power and Utility sectors provides a cushion against rising interest rates, he said.

Rate hike on expected lines : Atul Goel, MD, Goel Ganga Group

RBI’s recent step to increase the repo rate by 50 basis points has been on the expected lines. To curb inflation, the regulatory bodies in India were required to control liquidity circulation in the economy. For a few months, the inflation rate has been above 6%, which is beyond the RBI’s safe zone. If not controlled, the inflationary pressure could destabilize an otherwise bullish Indian economy. Although the recent step will increase the home loan rates, an unstable economy is not conducive to the overall health of the real estate industry. For the industry to operate optimally, it is important that the economy continues to grow in a stable, inclusive, and steady fashion.

Repo hike to help in clamping down inflation Suren Goyal, Partner, RPS Group

We welcome the step of the apex body to increase the overall repo rates by another 50 basis points. This will help in clamping down inflation and smoothen economic growth. A rise in inflation can soften the stance on an otherwise robust real estate industry. Already raw material prices are increasing and an unbridled rate of inflation will further drive the input costs northwards, therefore resulting in cost overruns for the developer fraternity. In such a case they will have no option but to pass on the price to the homebuyers. Meanwhile, the government should also take concentrated efforts to reduce the spike in prices of raw materials such as cement, bricks, steel, etc. This will also give some relief to the sector.

Withdrawal of accommodative stance disappointing: PHD Chamber of Commerce

Hard lending from an accommodative policy stance is disappointing as it will have an impact on costs of doing business and production possibilities. Though RBI’s decision to raise the repo rate by 50 bps to 4.9% is in synchrony with its efforts to tackle persistently heightened inflation, however it will impact India’s economic growth due to dampened demand scenario and discouraged consumer and business sentiments.

Any increase in the interest rate increases the costs of doing business, which are already high vis-a-vis high raw material costs amid geo-political distress, said Sh Pradeep Multani, President, PHD Chamber.