HSBC has confirmed it is looking to bolster exposure to banking stocks in its Indian Equity Fund.

The fund has had a large underweight position in financials until recently despite Banking being the largest sector in India.

Sanjiv Duggal, investment director of equities for HSBC Global Asset Management, said the banking sector has fallen amid the market correction, and, given attractive valuations, the fund is looking to selectively add to financials, especially the public sector banks.

He explained, ‘As we have some concerns that government reforms may slow down and the investment growth cycle may be delayed, at the margin, the fund is holding back from adding to investment plays or industrial stocks.

‘Instead, the fund is shifting back to accumulating technology plays given more assured volume growth for this sector. The fund continues to pare down its exposure to metals and non-ferrous sectors.’

HSBC’s Indian Equity Fund continues to favour the consumption sector despite widespread predictions that growth will moderate, as measures by the central bank are tightened.

Duggal said, ‘Volume sales growth is forecast to remain strong at lower double digits. We think the tightening cycle in India is coming to an end and we prefer consumer discretionary even at this point.’