Economy likely to log in a tepid 6% growth next fiscal: CRISIL

CRISIL sees the economy averaging a growth rate of 6.8% over the next five fiscals and it further said it expects the corporate revenue to log in double-digit rise again next fiscal.

The economy is likely to log in a tepid 6% growth next fiscal, in line with the consensus estimates, rating agency CRISIL said on March 16. The agency also sees the economy averaging a growth rate of 6.8% over the next five fiscals.

CRISIL further said it expects the corporate revenue to log in double-digit rise again next fiscal. The National Statistical Organisation (NSO) had pencilled in a 7% growth for the outgoing fiscal — something most analysts consider to be an ambitious number because for the economy to close the year with 7% growth, it will have to grow at more than 4.5% in the present quarter of fiscal 2023, which looks ambitious.

In its annul growth forecast, CRISIL chief economist D. K. Joshi said a complex interplay of geopolitical events, stubbornly high inflation — and sharp rate hikes to counter that — have turned the global environment gloomier.

On the domestic front, he said, the peak impact of the rate hikes — 250 basis points since May 2022, which has pushed interest rates above pre-COVID levels — will play out more in the next fiscal.

“Consumer inflation is expected to moderate to 5% on average in fiscal 2024 from 6.8% in fiscal 2023, owing to high-base effect and some softening of crude and commodity prices. However, a good rabi harvest would help cool food inflation, while the slowing economy should moderate core inflation. The risks to inflation are tilted upward, given the ongoing heat wave and the World Meteorological Organization's prediction that an El Niño warming event is likely over the next couple of months, Mr. Joshi said.

Joining him, Amish Mehta, the agency's managing director, said the country's medium-term growth prospects are healthier. Over the next five fiscals, "we expect GDP to grow at 6.8% annually", with the next fiscal delivering 6%, driven by capital and productivity increases.

He further said what is also good to see is the increasing sustainability footprint of capex. At present, nearly 9% of the infrastructure and industrial capex is green. "We see this number rising to 15%" by this fiscal.