Uday Kotak, Shripal Shah Share Investment Outlook and Diwali Wishes for Samvat 2083

Bilkul Bazaar

Ahmedabad | 06 Nov 2026

Kotak Mahindra Bank Founder Uday Kotak highlights market resilience, AI-driven global risks and the importance of quality investments, while Kotak Neo MD & CEO Shripal Shah urges investors to stay disciplined, diversify and adopt a long-term approach.

As India celebrates Diwali and welcomes Samvat 2083, leading financial industry figures Uday Kotak and Shripal Shah have shared their perspectives on the investment outlook, emerging market opportunities and the strategies investors should consider in the year ahead.

Uday Kotak, Founder and Non-Executive Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, highlighted the resilience of Indian investors amid geopolitical uncertainties, global market volatility and substantial foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows. He noted that domestic investors have continued to demonstrate confidence in Indian equities despite challenging market conditions.

According to Kotak, the recent market correction has also improved India’s relative valuation position compared with other global markets. While India’s growth prospects remain attractive, he believes investors should closely monitor developments in global markets, particularly the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

He described AI as a transformative force for the global economy but cautioned that heavy borrowing and large investments associated with the AI boom have created concerns around valuations and leverage. A potential correction in global AI-related investments could also influence international capital flows towards markets such as India.

Kotak further identified crude oil prices and interest rates as important factors to watch, given India’s dependence on oil imports. He also indicated that the overnight repo rate could rise by another 50-75 basis points from current levels, potentially putting pressure on long-term bonds and yields.

Emphasising investment discipline, Kotak advised investors to adopt a medium-term perspective, focus on quality companies and prioritise risk management over short-term market predictions. He also cautioned derivatives traders against taking excessive risks without adequate financial capacity to withstand volatility.

Shripal Shah stresses discipline and diversification

Sharing his Diwali message, Shripal Shah, MD & CEO of Kotak Neo, expressed gratitude to customers for their continued trust and confidence. He said that improving equity valuations and encouraging earnings growth provide reasons for optimism as the new Samvat begins.

Shah emphasised that investors should focus less on timing the market and more on remaining invested through a staggered investment approach. He recommended building diversified portfolios across large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies, different asset classes, and direct equities as well as mutual funds.

He also pointed out that the evolving interest-rate environment could create attractive opportunities in debt investments, making them an important component of a balanced portfolio.

Highlighting an important milestone for the organisation, Shah noted that Kotak Securities’ rebranding as Kotak Neo reflects its evolution towards serving a new generation of investors. The unified identity aims to make investing simpler, more intuitive and accessible while building on the trust and experience of existing customers.

Concluding his message, Shah encouraged investors to remain disciplined, diversify their portfolios and maintain a long-term outlook rather than attempting to predict every market movement.

Both industry leaders extended their Diwali greetings, wishing investors and their families happiness, prosperity and new opportunities in Samvat 2083.