Too early to call market bottom; prefer gradual investing via SIPs and funds: Anand Shah

Anand Shah of ICICI Prudential AMC, which manages funds worth ₹28,318 crore as of February 28, 2026, advises investors to avoid deploying cash aggressively as markets may not have bottomed yet. He recommends gradual allocation through SIPs or staggered investments, using a mix of ETFs and mutual funds rather than direct stock picking. Amid inflation, rising energy prices, and global shifts, Shah prefers value over growth and asset-heavy businesses. Commodity producers may benefit, while consumers like autos could face pressure.