Lawyers say compensation may be an uphill task for investors because of a lack of judicial precedent and broader institutional difficulties.
Companies providing portfolio management services (PMS) had a tough time beating the benchmark index in January, with more than half of the schemes invested in large companies underperforming in the run-up to the Union Budget. The Nifty 50 index was down 2.5 per cent during the month. Only around 44 per cent of PMS schemes did better, among the schemes investing in large-cap companies. The analysis is based on data from industry tracker PMS Bazaar. Half the mid-cap schemes outperformed, while the rest underperformed.
The Union Budget 2021-22 has made it easier for sovereign wealth funds and pension funds to invest in Indian infrastructure projects, but some of the new rules may need more clarity, experts said. The proposed regime requiring investments through holding companies may have adverse tax implications for such funds and may create an arbitrage between the new and old projects, they said. Besides, the ownership structure of holding companies through which investments are to be made requires further clarification, they added.
As per the Budget proposals, migration of a fund to a fund in IFSC will not be regarded as transfer if done on or before March 31, 2023. Transfer of units will be tax neutral. Grandfathered investments of the fund to continue to enjoy capital gains exemption on future sale by the IFSC fund. There is no impact on carry forward of losses for the investee company.
Companies wanting to consider treaty benefits and deducting tax at a lower rate will have to examine the qualitative factors. They will have to consider whether FPIs are liable to tax and whether they are the beneficial owner of dividend income.
While the market may remain volatile this year, analysts expect equities to deliver positive returns by outperforming inflation and government bonds, supported by the fiscal stimulus in the US.
Acquisitions may have played a role in much of the increase.
'Rationalising TDS on dividends for FPIs to reduce it to treaty rates ranging from 5 to 15 per cent, depending on the country of residence of FPIs from current rate of 20 per cent will provide a big cash flow relief for FPIs.'
Faster account opening, which allows investors to start trading without ever leaving their homes or visiting a physical branch of their local brokerage has played a role in the surge.
Market participants are hoping for a few tweaks on the taxation front which will encourage consumers and businesses to spend.
'If an investor is ready to stay put for the next five years, one can consider investing in mid- and small-cap funds, but through SIPs.'
Companies are looking to combine risk management with strategy.
Last year's Budget had created uncertainty about the quantum of tax to be withheld on dividends paid to non-residents, as the exact tax rate was not specified under section 195.
Outflows are likely to continue, experts say, till such time as the markets see a significant correction.
There was no postal intimation to unitholders who didn't have a registered email address, according to a letter that Midas Touch Investors Association sent to Sebi.
Equities in India saw record FPI inflows of $16.8 billion in November and December, taking the benchmark indices to new highs.
Indian equities are no longer cheap vis-a-vis global markets, and only a short distance away from being the most expensive they have ever been.
The country's m-cap is now 4.3x India's, whose m-cap grew just 17 per cent to $2.5 trillion in CY20 -- 2.4 per cent of the global m-cap.. Ashley Coutinho reports.
More people seemed to be returning to their workplaces towards the end of the year, even as railway and electricity numbers disappointed. Most other indicators held on to their gains.
According to the new proposals, resident promoters or a foreign promoter from a FATF jurisdiction can set up a market infrastructure institution.