Banks, pharma, IT: Where this CIO is placing his bets right now

Ajit Banerjee, CIO of Shriram Life Insurance, says weak monsoon forecasts, rising food inflation and elevated crude oil prices could keep markets volatile in the near term. Despite global uncertainty, he remains cautiously optimistic on India, favouring large-cap banks, pharma, IT, FMCG and upstream oil & gas stocks. Banerjee believes India can still deliver returns if crude remains in the $85-90 range and earnings growth improves.