Mid-cap, small-cap cos outperform Sensex firms

The Bombay Stock Exchange's (BSE) mid-cap and small-cap companies have beaten the blue-chip firms in the current fiscal so far by growing as much as 6 per cent compared to the broader market Sensex.
    
As per a study of indices on the BSE from April 1-June25, the mid-cap index has given a return of 4 per cent to settle at 7,082.51 as on June 25. Similarly, the small-cap index has faired better and finished up nearly 6 per cent at 8,989.
    
"The investors are getting good returns from the small- cap and mid-cap stocks that is why they have shifted from the frontline Sensex stocks. This is a trend generally when the frontline stocks are in consolidation phase the investors flock towards stocks which are available at low cost," Ashika Stock Brokers research head Paras Bothra said.
    
Meanwhile, the BSE bellwether Sensex rose just 0.26 per cent to close at 17,730.24 points on June 25.
    
The mid-cap and small-cap indices look after the performance of companies with market capitalisations that are a fifth or tenth of that of blue chip firms.
    
During the period reviewed, the mid-cap index saw its highest closing level at 7,184.78 points on April 30, whereas the small-cap index reported the highest closing at 9,245.03 points on April 26.
    
Similarly, the BSE index Sensex also settled at its high at 17,970.02 points on April 7.
    
"The valuation gap between the mid-cap, small-cap firms and large-cap was significant. The improvement in the economic conditions and hence corporate performance, made the small and mid-cap asset class an attractive bet, thus aiding them to outperform the large caps," Bothra added.
    
In terms of wealth, mid-cap index companies saw their combined valuation surging at about Rs 50,028.25 crore, while the gains of small-cap firms have been at about Rs 13,701.75 crore during the period.
    
While, Sensex companies have gained about Rs 44,983.25 crore due to the surge in the overall market. The total market capitalisation of the Sensex stands at nearly Rs 26,69,520.75 crore till June 25, 2010.