RURAL THEMATIC:
Strategy & Economy: Has ‘rural’
India been overhyped?
Whilst the cyclical
drivers of rural demand at this stage are evident, will the rural story persist
beyond 2HFY14? We highlight five fundamental changes that have unfolded in rural
India over the past five years and are likely to systematically lend greater
fervour to India’s rural demand story. These fundamental changes (in order of
importance) include: (1) The boom in road connectivity, (2) The rise in rural
teledensity, (3) The dramatic increase in land prices in rural India, (4) The
rise and rise of blue-collar wages, and (5) The increase in social spending by
states and the Centre. We highlight Idea, Dish TV, Ramco Cements and M&M as
compelling plays on this underlying theme.