Joydeep Ghosh &Amp; Raghavendra Kamath In Mumbai

Stories by Joydeep Ghosh &Amp; Raghavendra Kamath In Mumbai

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

The move is expected to give high retail exposure to its products in innumerable kirana stores in the country, without having to spend much on advertising and marketing expenses apart from generating business volumes. When contacted, Reliance Retail spokesperson said: "As a policy, we do not comment on speculation." In a recent reshuffle at the company, Reliance Fresh head Gunender Kapur was made head of private labels business in the company.

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2009

The managing director of a US-based pension fund blamed the fall on the carnage in stock markets globally and the heavy pullout by investors. "Last year saw unprecedented pullouts by hedge funds as they faced huge redemption pressure. Lots of investors believed they had paid too much and sold off. Most of the funds were listed in 2006 when realty prices were high. But now, prices have come down in most parts of the world."

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

Valuations of projects dated, says valuer. Also, angry shareholders could come together to oppose the proposed reverse merger.

Property firms see buyers back in market

Property firms see buyers back in market

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2009

Property developers expect to boost sales of homes and borrow funds at lower rates after the Reserve Bank of India on Friday reduced its key benchmark rate and cut the cash-reserve ratio requirement in a bid to help banks lower interest rates and lend more to cash-starved sectors, including the real estate. They are hopeful of attracting more overseas investment in projects as demand revives.

Loan rangers should hold their horses

Loan rangers should hold their horses

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2008

While the fall in rates is certainly a good signal, is it a great idea to take a loan to purchase a home or car? Most experts felt that this may not be the right time to do so.

MFs, life insurers eye pension business

MFs, life insurers eye pension business

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2008

Most mutual fund players and life insurance companies are planning to bid for appointment as pension fund managers for all citizens after the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) today decided to seek expression of interest from prospective fund managers.

Banks begin to revalue properties as prices fall

Banks begin to revalue properties as prices fall

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2008

With a sharp dip in property prices, leading banks, including State Bank of India, are reassessing the value of properties against which loans have been granted.Sources familiar with the developments said that banks are worried that the recent fall could impact their risk valuation, if asset prices continue to fall.Banks are now worried that if rates fall further buyers may lose interest in the property, especially if they are not living in it.

Equity funds still the best

Equity funds still the best

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2008

Data from Value Research, a Delhi-based fund tracking firm, show that the category average returns from equity-diversified funds have been 14.5 per cent a year over this period. Banking funds, which invest in banking and other financial sector companies, have given returns of 23.66 per cent.

Equity funds still the best

Equity funds still the best

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2008

The category average returns from equity-diversified funds has been 14.5 per cent a year over this period. Banking funds, which invest in banking and other financial sector companies, have given returns of 23.66 per cent. Other categories that have done well are fast moving consumer goods, tax planning and hybrid (equity-oriented) funds.

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2008

The retail arm of the Mukesh Ambani-led group had almost halted its expansion plans as a credit crunch roiled markets across the globe forcing companies to withhold new projects. The company also froze fresh recruitment.

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Six infotech special economic zone projects of the Unitech Group, which owns the country's second-biggest real estate company, have been delayed by as much as three years owing to slowing demand and delays in government approvals, sources said.

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

After launching mid-income houses, real estate companies are now targeting low-priced homes in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) category to improve cash flows and beat the slump in the property market that has been driven by high borrowing rates.

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2008

Retailers, who are already reeling under the economic slowdown, were forced to keep their shops shut in the southern and central parts of Mumbai as terrorists holed up in plush hotels and buildings of the city continued to battle military commandos.

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2008

Several malls and retailers downed shutters in the commercial capital city of Mumbai. Kishore Biyani's hypermarket chain Big Bazaar closed two stores its stores in Mumbai Central and Parel, which are half-an-hour's drive from South Mumbai.

Global retailers come calling

Global retailers come calling

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

At least 35 per cent, or $400 billion worth of goods, that are sourced from China could shift to countries such as India, Thailand, Vietnam among others over the next 10 years, according to a study by US-based retail and supply chain solutions firm DCB and Company. India is expected to take the lion's share of volume shift compared to its counterparts in the region, the study says, due to its IT prowess, infrastructure and agents network.

Debt fund norms to be overhauled

Debt fund norms to be overhauled

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

The proposal to scrap 'indicative portfolios' has arisen because investors have sometimes found deviations of as much as 80 per cent between the indicative and actual portfolios. In some cases, the entire corpus has been invested in a single instrument. Sebi will also consider Amfi's suggestion of a 3 to 6 per cent exit load for FMPs, a minimum tenure of three months and a faster processing of redemption payouts,

Banks may not ease lending to real estate

Banks may not ease lending to real estate

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

Even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the risk weightage on loans to commercial developers and cut general provisioning for commercial real estate, commercial banks may not start lending to the sector immediately.

Red tape may be cut for FIIs

Red tape may be cut for FIIs

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2008

Sebi likely to come out with a policy paper soon.

Crisis time? Companies turn spiritual

Crisis time? Companies turn spiritual

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2008

Many companies and their executives are seeking solace from new-age motivational gurus.

Retail players leverage falling rentals

Retail players leverage falling rentals

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2008

With store rentals dropping as much as 35 per cent in the last one year, retailers say opening stores in certain locations has become profitable. As a result, some retailers plan to roll out their bigger format stores and others are booking retail spaces that will come up in two years at a much lower cost.