If you have the money, buy realty, not realty sector company stocks. Why? Because most realty sector companies lack transparency, need lots of capital, have poor governance and a tendency to take buyers for a ride. Not to forget the nexus of local politicians and the underworld that usually leads to substandard quality of construction.
In the previous bull market, the sector was a favourite of big and small investors, and provided astounding returns to some. Those glory days are long gone, and unlikely to return. If you are stuck at higher levels, use the current rally to exit or switch.
In a previous post more than a year back, brief technicals of 10 realty sector stocks were presented. Not for suggesting investment, but to point out that even in a not-so-great sector, there are a few stocks that can swim against the tide. If you are enamoured by the real estate sector, pick those few exceptions.
Hubtown (Ackruti City)
A change of name and branding hasn’t changed the fortunes of Ackruti City – now known as Hubtown. The stock has provided no returns for the past year, and is technically still in a bear market. It is showing some signs of life, but the technical indicators are pointing to a correction from overbought condition.
Ashiana Housing
In complete contrast to the Ackruti City/Hubtown stock chart, the chart pattern of Ashian Housing is in an uptrend in a bull market, and touched a 52 week high last week. Note that the Dec ‘11 low, from which the current rally started, was actually a higher bottom than those touched in May ‘11 and Oct ‘11. Technical indicators are looking overbought, but looks like there is some steam left in the rally.
DLF Ltd
The big daddy of the real estate sector, DLF has provided almost zero returns over the past year and is trying to emerge from its 15 months long bear market. The stock dropped more than 50% from its Oct ‘10 peak, underperforming the Sensex, and is looking overbought.
DS Kulkarni
The stock traded within a rectangular band between 46 and 66 during the past year, before breaking out above the 66 level on a volume spurt last week. The stock price immediately pulled back to the 66 level, but the 50 day EMA crossed above the 200 day EMA indicating a possible return to a bull market.
Ganesh Housing
This was one of the better performing stocks in 2010, but suffered badly as the bears took their toll in 2011. The stock has given no returns during the past year and is technically still in a bear market, and the bearish pattern of lower tops and lower bottoms continues. The stock had shaved off 70% from its Oct ‘10 peak.
HCC
The Lavasa controversy nearly dropped the stock into single digits, as it fell 80% from its Jan ‘10 peak. The current sharp rally, backed by strong volumes, has caused a 100% jump from its Dec ‘11 low but the stock is technically still in a bear market. Technical indicators are signalling an overbought condition.
Omaxe
This is another stock that has been in a bull market, after forming three intra-day bottoms at 120. It has climbed above its previous intra-day high touched in Nov ‘10, and is trading above all three of its rising EMAs.
Purvankara
The stock is desperately trying to get out of a strong bear grip after providing negative returns over the past year. Technically, it is still in a bear market.
Unitech
This is one stock that tried to fly too high, like Icarus, and came crashing down to lose 80% from its Oct ‘10 peak. It provided negative returns over the past year and is still in a bear market technically.
Vijay Shanti Builders
A favourite stock of small investors, it lost more than 75% from its Jan ‘10 peak. The current rally has seen a spectacular parabolic rise, but the stock is looking extremely overbought.
Bottomline? The broader market rally from Dec ‘11 lows has propelled beaten down realty sector stocks above their 200 day EMAs, but that doesn’t mean their fundamentals have improved. Caveat emptor.
