FMCG stocks: Fundamentals continue to be strong, but valuations too high

For premiums to sustain, FMCG earnings growth must pick up in coming quarters

The BSE Fast-Moving Consumer Durables (FMCG) index fell 4.2 per cent in the last two sessions, on worries that valuations for the sector that has had a good run so far are in the bubble territory.

The FMCG index surged over 19 per cent in 2018 (till August), outpacing the 13.5 per cent rise in the Sensex.

While most analysts believe the fundamentals continue to be strong, the concern is largely on absolute valuations and the premium the sector gets, as compared to the broader markets. 

Valuations of consumer firms are now upwards of 55 times the one-year forward earnings estimate.

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