How to Prepare for Budget Day?

On budget release date 2024, the Indian stock market awaits with bated breath, enveloped in anticipation and the possibility of heightened volatility. For investors and traders alike, this day serves as an annual assessment of their quick thinking and strategic insight. However, fret not, as adept preparation can be the crucial factor in successfully navigating this financial roller coaster and potentially coming out on top. Let’s dissect the pre-budget routine into practical steps, ensuring that you are well-prepared when the gavel finally falls.

Understanding the macro landscape

1. Sector Spotlight: The influence of the union budget extends beyond individual companies, casting a broad impact across entire sectors. Identify sectors positioned to benefit from favorable conditions, such as infrastructure focusing on development or technology under skill-building initiatives. Conversely, pinpoint sectors that might encounter challenges due to policy changes.
2. Beneficiaries in the Spotlight: Companies operating in favored sectors, as per research, are poised to witness a surge in demand and revenue growth. Seek out potential beneficiaries of tax breaks, subsidies, or infrastructure projects.
3. New Age Champions: The budget frequently introduces special schemes for emerging sectors such as AI, renewable energy, or electric vehicles. Evaluate which companies are poised to benefit from these initiatives and assess their investment potential.
4. Meeting Expectations: Examining previous budgets aids in establishing realistic expectations. Have previous announcements resulted in tangible benefits for the targeted sectors? This historical context can guide your investment decisions and mitigate unrealistic optimism.

Indian budget process

The finance minister, with the support of numerous advisors and bureaucrats, formulates the budget. Before its preparation, the finance minister seeks input from industry leaders and economists. Various accounting and finance-related organizations submit their opinions and suggestions. The process of budgeting in India is predominantly steered by bureaucrats who play a crucial role in participating and influencing the outcomes.

Typically, the union budget-making process commences in the third quarter of the financial year and consists of four stages: (1) the estimation of expenditures and revenues, (2) the initial assessment of the deficit, (3) the reduction of the deficit, and (4) the presentation and approval of the budget.

Tips to plan a budget

Among the various events that impact the Indian stock market, budget 2024 stands out as the most crucial. Whether you’re an investor or a trader, closely tracking the announcements made during the budget presentation is highly advisable. To facilitate this, it is imperative to make thorough preparations for budget day. If you’re uncertain about the steps to take, fear not—we’re here to assist you. Here are some actions you should take on the day before and, on the day, when the Union Budget 2021 is presented.

Ensure that you have strong internet connectivity 

If there’s one scenario, you’d want to avoid on budget release date 2024, it’s the inability to access the internet. This is especially crucial if you intend to stay updated on the budget announcements through a live blog on the internet. Frequent disruptions in connectivity can result in missing key announcements, putting you at a disadvantage.

However, even if you plan to follow the Union Budget on TV, having a reliable internet connection as a backup is a prudent idea. Aim to stay connected to your home Wi-Fi whenever possible. For mobile internet users, ensure you have sufficient data balance and position yourself in an area with strong network connectivity.   

Make sure that your devices are fully charged 

After taking all the necessary steps to guarantee robust internet connectivity, the last thing you’d want is for your devices to power off during the budget presentation unexpectedly. To avert this scenario, make sure to let your electronic devices, such as your smartphone and laptop, charge overnight.

Once you have charged your devices overnight, spend a few minutes on the morning of budget release date 2024 to confirm that they are fully charged. Even if you believe your devices have sufficient battery charge to last through the budget session, it’s always wiser to err on the side of caution.

Have a notebook and a pen handy

It’s perfectly acceptable not to comprehend every single announcement made during the budget presentation. However, if you encounter a term you don’t understand or are unaware of the implications of a particular announcement, be sure to take note of it. Later, you can revisit those specific terms or announcements, attempting to understand them by exploring various explanations available on the web. 

Ensure that you have everything that you need by your side

Given that last year’s budget speech lasted approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes, it’s conceivable that we can anticipate the Union Budget to be similarly lengthy, if not longer. Consequently, it is essential to be ready for an extended presentation.

Make sure you have all the necessary essentials at your side, such as a calculator and a water bottle. This way, you won’t have to take a break in between, thereby reducing the likelihood of missing out on any of the budget speech announcements. 

Maintain adequate funds in your trading account

Examine the fund balance in your trading account the budget 2024 before the budget session commences. If you find it to be insufficient, replenish it with additional funds to ensure ample liquidity. The stock market often experiences significant movements during the budget presentation.

Having sufficient funds in your trading account allows you to engage in trades and capitalize on the price swings. Announcements related to changes in the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) and Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) taxation system are among those that could have a considerable impact.

The market doesn’t play by the rules on the budget day

Aligning yourself with the right mindset is crucial for thorough preparation for Budget date. The stock market can exhibit volatility, and its movements can be unpredictable during budget day. Consequently, your usual trading strategies, technical indicators, and other techniques may not yield the expected results.

As the market will be predominantly influenced by public perception and sentiment on the day of the Union Budget, it’s advisable to simply follow the trend and attempt to capitalize on short-term price swings. Exercise caution and meticulousness when entering trades, ensuring that you set appropriate stop-loss levels.

Seek professional help 

If you’re uncertain about which aspects of the budget to focus on or which announcements to watch out for, it’s always advisable to seek advice from a professional. Finance experts, such as chartered accountants and taxation specialists, possess the qualifications and expertise needed to guide you through the budget process. Therefore, do not hesitate to enlist the assistance of a professional when dealing with budget-related matters.

Conclusion

Having learned how to ready yourself for budget 2024, your next step is to tune in precisely at 11 A.M. on the 1st of February. While the budget speech typically commences with an opening statement from the finance minister, you may be tempted to skip it. However, it’s not advisable to do so.

The introductory speech provides a concise overview of the budget’s theme and offers insights into the state of the nation’s economy, making it both informative and helpful.

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