The Finance Minister was on the day of the Budget, focused clearly on the elections looming on the horizon in his Budget presentation. The giveaways mean that inflation is back as a concern, and a higher fiscal deficit number doesn't help. But there were still some winners:
FMCG: The Budget was serious in attempting to address problems for farmers in realizing minimum support prices, and the costs of electricity and water. The national health care scheme would lower overall costs for consumers in healthcare. Both of these would mean more discretionary income across rural India, and FMCG firms like HUL and Godrej Consumer will likely benefit in the coming quarters.
Fisheries: Firms like Avanti Feeds will benefit from the government's promise of the Rs. 10,000 crore allocation on the fisheries industry.
Healthcare providers: The Budget is bad for unorganized, unlicensed players and good for hospitals in the organized sector, thanks to the National Health scheme that was announced in the budget. Apollo Hospitals and others could benefit.
Infrastructure: The government's infrastructure focus continues, good for firms like Larsen & Toubro (L&T) which is already coming off a bumper quarter, and Dilip Buildcon.
