In 2020, Kedia saw the value of his portfolio fall by as much as 26 per cent, as his portfolio stocks suffered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, much like the rest of the market. In fact, Kedia’s portfolio severely underperformed the broad market indices such as the Nifty500 last year.
By comparison, Calendar 2021 has turned out to be a stellar year for the founder of Kedia Securities, as his portfolio has grown 79 per cent in the first six months of the year to Rs 440.8 crore, the highest level in more than three years, data available on Trendlyne showed.
The performance of Kedia’s portfolio so far this year is better than other whales of Dalal Street such as Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Radhakishan Damani, whose portfolios have grown 23 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively.
The stellar show by the famed investor, who records songs about investing and financial planning on the side on his YouTube channel, has been aided by his conviction on export-oriented companies and businesses that may benefit from the unlocking of the economy. The top five holdings in Kedia’s portfolio have given a return of 34-164 per cent so far this year.
Kedia’s biggest portfolio stock Tejas Network has soared 164 per cent in the year so far and was recently acquired by Tata Sons. The stock is expected to drive further gains in the coming months as the company is looking to leverage the Tata equity to take on the global telecom gear market.
Export-oriented bets like Sudarshan Chemicals, Vaibhav Global and Repro India have soared 17-57 per cent in the first half of 2021 and boosted the returns of Kedia’s portfolio.
At the same time, the ‘unlock’ theme related stocks such as Mahindra Holidays and Cera Sanitaryware have risen 39 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively so far in 2021. Investors have in recent weeks upped their investments in sectors that have benefitted from the easing of restrictions imposed during a devastating second Covid wave earlier this year.
Kedia is also putting his money behind an impending capital expenditure revival in the country, as reflected in 1.2 per cent stake acquisition in industrial machinery company
in the June quarter.
If Kedia’s current rate of performance continues in the remainder of the year, then 2021 could end up being one of the best years in the life of the value investor.
