Public Sector Undertakings or PSU Stocks are investment opportunities in companies where majority shares, a minimum of 51%, are owned by the government of India. These companies play a major role in boosting the growth and development of an economy. How, you ask? Well, these companies are engaged in the production of essential goods and services for the general consumption of the public.
Energy, infrastructure, insurance, banking, and more are some of the key sectors where PSU companies are engaged. According to the latest listings of NSE or National Stock Exchange and BSE or Bombay Stock Exchange , currently, there are 50 PSUs operating in India as of September 2024.
Earlier, these PSU stocks were considered an attractive investment opportunity because of several factors including stability, regular earnings from dividends, and much more. However, in recent days, PSU shares have been underperforming and declining.
Wondering why are PSU stocks down? What factors contribute to this fall? Continue reading as we explore PSU stocks in detail, starting from their importance and current trends to the reasons for their decline, future, and much more.
Understanding PSU Stocks
As mentioned, PSU stocks are companies where the majority of shares are held by the government. This means by investing in PSU stocks, you get to invest in companies that enjoy government backing, making these investments comparatively safer in general. Further, investors see these PSU shares as opportunities to explore big and stable sectors like infrastructure, energy, and more.
In the Indian Stock market, PSUs are classified into three categories.
Miniratna are comparatively smaller companies that enjoy limited control. RailTel Corporation of India is a popular example.
Navratana are companies that enjoy comparatively greater autonomy. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are popular examples.
Maharatnas are bigger companies with larger sizes and more significant presence. Their market capitalisation is high and so is their presence in their respective sectors. For example, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation.
The importance of PSU stocks can be understood considering the following advantages.²
One of the most prominent features of PSUs is their robust growth potential. As the country progresses and develops, the government continues to promote sectors like banking sector, infrastructure, and more. Thus, helping investors earn from the growth potential of these companies.
Another advantage of investing in PSU shares is that you get to earn regular dividends. This makes it an attractive option for individuals looking for a consistent giving income-stream.
As mentioned, the shares of these companies are also held by the government. This is why the government often comes forward to offer regulatory and financial support to these companies. This means reduced risks and more security for investors.
The government backing of PSUs makes these companies quite stable. Additionally, the same also makes them comparatively less vulnerable to market fluctuations, offering you a financial cushion in cases of economic crises.
Additional Read: Top PSU Stocks in India
Current Market Trends Affecting PSU Stocks
Now that you know what PSU stocks are and what the advantages of investing in them same, let's move ahead. Let's try reasoning the decline in PSU shares and the factors influencing the same.
According to an analysis report by the Economic Times, 39 out of 59 PSU shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange Index have seen a major decline. Out of these 39 stocks, 30 stocks have witnessed a major down in double digits. This includes companies like Cochin Shipyard, Bharat Dynamics, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, etc. These companies saw a fall between 39% to 20% as of November 2024.
Other 8 stocks have seen a downfall in single digits over the same period. This includes companies like Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Bank of Baroda, Life Insurance Corporation, and more.³
However, some companies are also able to bag positive returns and see appreciation in their prices. For example, National Aluminium Company or NALCO, rose by 62%, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders were able to record a 49% appreciation in prices. NLC India and Oil India also saw an increase of 28%.
Factors like government policies, subsidies, and policy regulations play a crucial role in affecting the value of these stocks.
Key Reasons for the Decline in PSU Stocks
Now that you understand the meaning of PSU stocks, their advantages, and current trends, let's move ahead. Let's try answering the most heated question: why are PSU stocks down?
Not so long ago, these were looked at as attractive investment options. However, recently, these shares have struggled with a lot of scepticism. The government’s not-so-favourable regulations, political inefficiencies, and other factors have eroded the investor’s confidence in these stocks.
Here are some common reasons that have caused the recent decline in PSU shares.
The decline in PSU stocks also occurred because of a variety of economic factors. This includes factors like structural imbalances, legacy concerns, concerns around privatisation and disinvestment, struggles in specific sectors, and many more.
For instance, structural imbalances in staffing, technology updation, decision-making, and more can hinder the efficiency of performance and profits of PSUs.
Additionally, the government’s strategy to follow PSU disinvestment is aimed at enhancing the potential of the companies and involving the private players. However, such a move leaves the investors confused and overwhelmed over the company's management and ownership. This makes it hard to predict or analyse their long-term profitability.
The government backing these companies has helped them in several ways. However, this also showcases the company's limited autonomy where the majority of the company's decisions are affected by political motives instead of economic ones. This hampers their growth.
Additionally, the limited control also prevents the companies from making prompt decisions, which negatively impacts their performance and efficiency. However, on the other side, private enterprises enjoy full autonomy and are more flexible.
Further, government policies and regulations, like pressuring the PSUs to offer and enhance dividend earnings, also limit a company's capacity for long-term growth, capital expenditure, and more.
One of the major factors that causes the decline in PSU stocks comes from the tough competition it faces from private players in the respective industries. PSUs are often burdened with bureaucracy, slow growth, operational efficiency, and other concerns. On the other hand, private sector companies pay huge attention to developing their technology, encouraging more innovation, convenience, and fintech.
Further, the increasing awareness around sustainability, environmental concerns, and other modern solutions has made youth turn towards private companies.
PSU stocks, like energy, gas, and oil are also exposed to challenges coming from global economic situations. For example, companies like Natural Gas Corporation pose crucial risks in cases of price increases for customers.
Further, other factors like geopolitical unrest or instability, increase in global rates of interest, etc negatively impact the PSUs with international presence.
Impact of PSU Stock Declines on Investors
The common reasons causing the decline of PSU stocks mean the investors have to go through a variety of risks. Some of these risks are related to market volatility, operational concerns, government regulations, global economic uncertainties, and more. These risks make it important that you do thorough research, and understand the market, its volatility, and other risks involved before making a final decision about investing in the PSU sector.
However, by investing in PSU stocks, investors can capitalize on the profits of these big enterprises. You get stable performances and a stable revenue stream. Additionally, the government's focus towards public welfare and infrastructure development also enhances the prospects of these PSU stocks. Further, investors can also earn advantages from the growing trend of sustainability that can be beneficial for PSUs involved in renewable energy, social development, and sustainable services.
Additional Read: List of Maharatna Companies in India
Future Outlook for PSU Stocks
PSUs are big enterprises, they simply cannot be eliminated from the share market. Their importance in the economy cannot be undermined, either. Despite facing several lows, the government and a variety of other factors combine to build a positive outlook for PSUs.
For instance, the government's emphasis on the defence and railways sector serves as favourable factors for the market. Further, the focus on boosting and modernizing railways and improving their capacity adds another advantage to the sector.⁵
Other sectors, like defence, also witness a positive outlook with a focus on indigenisation and self-reliance. Additionally, government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ offer extended support, positively affecting the sector and the company's stocks.⁵
However, even amid the confusion and fluctuations, investors may follow a few strategies to get the best out of PSU stocks. For example, consider doing thorough research before investing. Consider investing in sectors like power and renewable energy, which align with the economy's structural change.
Conclusion
All in all, PSUs, in recent days, have been struggling with a variety of challenges. Several factors, like economic policies, competition from private companies, dividend regulations, and restricted autonomy, have been hindering the growth of these PSUs. However, despite these challenges, the government gives priority to these sectors helping them grow and thrive. Further, specific sectors like energy, power, and more continue to sustain even in competitive markets. Investors carefully need to assess these factors, understand the market volatility, and compare both the advantages and risks, and then make an informed choice.