Brokers bash Monkeys. Will they be the new market kings?

It was another week of vengeance for the brokers. After stealing the limelight last week by presenting their wish-list for the Budget and besting the Monkeys, the brokers’ portfolio - 10 stocks picked by leading investment experts - basked in the glow of another victory as it gained 0.4 percent for the week ended 2 March.

In contrast, the Monkey portfolios both lost 0.4 percent. The only plus was that all three portfolios performed better than the benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty, which sank 1.3-1.6 percent.

The brokers had an even bigger reason to gloat: they came on top even for the period since inception (19 August), as they pocketed a hefty 10.6 percent gain, which matched the Nifty’s performance ( see table ). MRF was the star performer, soaring nearly 60 percent. Kotak Mahindra Bank was another winner, adding 30 percent.

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The Sensex came next with a 9.3 percent gain.

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Monkey portfolio 1, consisting of 10 randomly-selected stocks from the BSE 100 , added 8.8 percent for the 28-week period ( see table ). The standout winners were Tata Global, up 37 percent and Yes Bank, up 33 percent.

Monkey portfolio 2, comprising 10 randomly-picked stocks from the BSE 500 , however, seems to have slipped back to its losing ways, shedding 2.6 percent ( see table ). VIP Industries was the biggest drag on the portfolio as it lost 34 percent.

After briefly regaining the title of stock market kings at the start of the year, things seem to be turning sour for the Monkeys.

Word is that both simians are meeting this weekend to discuss their near-term plan of action. Firstpost has heard from sources that while Monkey 2 is itching for a confrontation with the brokers (he believes their portfolio’s performance has been rigged, although there’s no evidence of that), Monkey 1 is advising a more ‘calmer’ attitude towards their arch rivals. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,” and that sort of thing. In any case, neither Monkey is in a mood to give up. We’ll let you know whose will finally prevails…

Over the next two weeks, however, the Monkeys and brokers are expected to focus their energies on pushing their respective agendas with the finance ministry (Read what the Monkeys expect from the Budget here ). Firstpost has heard that both camps will be presenting their own reactions and quick analyses to the Budget proposals on 17 March. Preparations are in full swing, sources told us, as each side tries to outdo the other.

Come back next week to find out more.