Abhijit Lele, Sundar Sethuraman

Stories by Abhijit Lele, Sundar Sethuraman

Broad-based corporate capex recovery unlikely in FY26: India Ratings

Broad-based corporate capex recovery unlikely in FY26: India Ratings

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2025

India Ratings on Thursday said that any broad-based or strong recovery in corporate capital expenditure was unlikely in the upcoming financial year 2026 (FY26) due to uncertainty of domestic and external demand. The uncertainty is adversely affecting the overall corporate sector capex. Interest rates on credit are not the primary deterrent to decisions about capital expenditure, said Soumyajit Niyogi, director, core analytical group, Ind-Ra, in a webinar on the credit market outlook.

Best Dec for IPOs since 1996: 15 firms collectively raised Rs 25,425 cr

Best Dec for IPOs since 1996: 15 firms collectively raised Rs 25,425 cr

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2025

Fifteen companies have launched their initial public offerings (IPOs) in December 2024, making it the best month for public offerings since 1996. Collectively, they have raised Rs 25,425 crore, which also made December the best month in terms of the quantum of funds raised. In December 1996, 33 companies had raised Rs 931 crore.

How Dr Singh Changed Stockmarkets

How Dr Singh Changed Stockmarkets

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2024

'He will be remembered more for what he did as finance minister -- as someone who functioned well when the political fallout was taken care of.'

Stocks Crash: Worst Week in Years

Stocks Crash: Worst Week in Years

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2024

The week's losses wiped out investor wealth worth Rs 18.43 trillion, with the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms now at Rs 441 trillion.

Mobikwik leads IPO debut with 90% surge; Vishal, Sai Life gain around 40%

Mobikwik leads IPO debut with 90% surge; Vishal, Sai Life gain around 40%

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2024

All the three companies that made their stock market debut on Wednesday delivered huge day-one gains for investors. Shares of digital payment major One Mobikwik Systems surged 90 per cent, while that of fashion retailer Vishal Mega Mart and pharma firm Sai Life Sciences gained around 40 per cent each. These stellar debuts came despite the benchmark indices logging continuous declines since their initial public offerings (IPOs) closed on Friday.

FPIs account for 46.6% of shares sold in anchor category; highest since '21

FPIs account for 46.6% of shares sold in anchor category; highest since '21

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2024

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have invested Rs 25,300 crore through the anchor book for IPOs in 2024, surpassing the Rs 20,351 crore invested by domestic mutual funds (MFs). FPIs accounted for 46.6 per cent of shares sold in the anchor category, the highest share since 2021, according to PRIME Database.

Investors return to IPOs with Rs 2.2 trillion bids across three offerings

Investors return to IPOs with Rs 2.2 trillion bids across three offerings

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2024

It is not just the secondary market that is witnessing a revival in fortunes. Even the initial public offering (IPO) market have roared back to life, with investors submitting bids worth over Rs 2.2 trillion on the three IPOs that wrapped up on Friday. Fashion retailer Vishal Mega Mart (VMM)'s IPO (fifth largest of the year) garnered 27.3x subscription, with bids exceeding Rs 1.6 trillion.

What Are New RBI Governor's Challenges?

What Are New RBI Governor's Challenges?

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2024

'Challenge is basically near-term growth as the outlook has turned a bit adverse.'

'Har Ghar Lakhpati': SBI's new mantra for deposit accretion

'Har Ghar Lakhpati': SBI's new mantra for deposit accretion

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2024

At a time when banks are finding it challenging to mobilise resources, State Bank of India (SBI)-the country's largest lender-has devised a three-pronged strategy to boost deposit accretion. First is an aspirational product that promises to make depositors lakhpatis by helping them grow their deposits to Rs 1 lakh through recurring deposit (RD) schemes.

As markets gather steam, small, midcaps pip bluechips

As markets gather steam, small, midcaps pip bluechips

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2024

Small and midcaps are leading the charge in the latest market rebound. Since November 21, when the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex and the National Stock Exchange Nifty hit their recent lows and slipped into correction territory, the Nifty Smallcap 100 index has risen by 8 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 has gained 5.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 index has risen by 4.7 per cent during this period.

How Bank of India Plans To Counter Deposit Woes

How Bank of India Plans To Counter Deposit Woes

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2024

A grooming branch network for servicing HNIs is a stepping stone for a full-fledged wealth management business.

Global fund managers' India euphoria fizzling out

Global fund managers' India euphoria fizzling out

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2024

The recent global fund flow data suggests that one big cycle of foreign fund allocation into India may have come to an end and the trend could remain soft for a longer time, according to a report by Elara Capital. The note said last week's outflow of $302 million from India's dedicated funds is the largest since June 2022.

'Uncertainty related to inflation has not gone'

'Uncertainty related to inflation has not gone'

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2024

'In addition, we have geopolitics and politics and all the other things that will affect commodity prices.'

Vedanta slumps from Sept 30 peak: Is it a good entry point?

Vedanta slumps from Sept 30 peak: Is it a good entry point?

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2024

After climbing to a record high of Rs 523 on September 30, shares of commodity major Vedanta have come off over 15 per cent amid a fall in the overall markets. The Anil Agarwal-led firm's latest slump comes after its stock price doubled over the past one year. Is it a blip or a trend reversal?

'Lending rate cut still some time away'

'Lending rate cut still some time away'

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's call for making lending rates affordable may not resonate anytime soon as banks still struggle with margin compression, and await clues from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on liquidity and rate action. Hinting that any lending rate cut was some time away, State Bank of India (SBI) managing director Vinay M Tonse said there was still some aggression in the market regarding deposit pricing.

FPI flows stumble on trail, edge closer to precipice

FPI flows stumble on trail, edge closer to precipice

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2024

After a brutal selloff since October, foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows for the year-to-date (YTD) in 2024 have turned negative. In early September, YTD FPI investments peaked at a record Rs 22,000 crore ($2.6 billion). This wave of selling has also pulled down benchmark indices, with the Nifty's YTD returns declining to 11 per cent from their high of 21 per cent in September.

Are The Markets Headed For A Bubble?

Are The Markets Headed For A Bubble?

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2024

'The problem is that the bubble may not only be in valuations, but also in investors' minds.'

At Rs 1.2 trn, IPO mopup set to hit new high in 2024

At Rs 1.2 trn, IPO mopup set to hit new high in 2024

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2024

The calendar year 2024 is set to go down as the best year for initial public offerings (IPOs) in terms of funds raised. Following the IPOs of food delivery major Swiggy and two other companies slated for next week, this year's total will reach nearly Rs 1.2 trillion, going past 2021's record tally of Rs 1.19 trillion. Swiggy's Rs 11,327 crore IPO, the sixth-largest in India, and solar energy firm Acme Solar Holdings' Rs 2,900 crore IPO opened on Wednesday (Nov 6), while health-tech firm Sagility India's Rs 2,106 crore IPO opened a day earlier.

Market riptide pulls ADR below 1, charting course of unease

Market riptide pulls ADR below 1, charting course of unease

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2024

The advance/decline ratio (ADR) - a gauge of market breadth - has remained negative (below 1) for a second consecutive month. In other words, the number of stocks declining is outpacing those rising, as a brutal selloff by overseas investors and lofty valuations weigh on sentiment. According to BSE data, the ADR for October stands at 0.98 for the second month in a row.

Friday's Sensex Crash: Anything To Worry?

Friday's Sensex Crash: Anything To Worry?

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2024

'The economy is clearly at a very soft spot, and earnings growth is disappointing every day.' 'After three great years, the Indian economy has hit a rough patch.'