Manojit Saha And Samie Modak

Stories by Manojit Saha And Samie Modak

RBI Flags Concern Over Illegal Accounts

RBI Flags Concern Over Illegal Accounts

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2024

'We found certain banks having lakhs of such accounts with apparently no valid reason.'

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2024

Commercial banks have turned cautious in lending to smaller microfinance institutions (MFIs), which has compelled the latter to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at much higher rates. Recently Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao slammed micro lenders for increasing their margins "disproportionately" and said these lenders were quick to pass on the increased cost to the borrowers but reluctant to pass on the benefits under the new regime, where margins are not capped.

Can the 'new' HDFC Bank reclaim its old glory?

Can the 'new' HDFC Bank reclaim its old glory?

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2024

For over a decade, HDFC Bank consistently outperformed industry growth rates in both deposits and advances, maintaining impeccable asset quality. Amid a landscape where other banks struggled with soaring non-performing assets (NPAs), HDFC Bank thrived, eventually surpassing ICICI Bank to become the largest private sector lender in India. Its net interest margin (NIM) remained stable in the range of 4.1-4.4 per cent.

'High real repo rate can have adverse effects on demand as well as supply'

'High real repo rate can have adverse effects on demand as well as supply'

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2024

'The real repo rate is very high in terms of core inflation.'

Nifty may sport new look after Sebi's F&O tweak, expand to over 200 firms

Nifty may sport new look after Sebi's F&O tweak, expand to over 200 firms

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2024

The Nifty 50 index is poised for a revamp as the revised futures and options (F&O) stock selection criteria is seen paving the way for newly listed companies to join the benchmark index, which is tracked by passive funds with combined assets under management of more than ~3.5 trillion ($44 billion). For the first time in six years, the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has tweaked the stock selection process for the derivatives segment that clocks a turnover of ~400 trillion daily.

Promoters Sold Rs 87,000 Crore Of Shares

Promoters Sold Rs 87,000 Crore Of Shares

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2024

Prominent exits by promoters included a Rs 15,300 crore share sale in Indus Tower by Vodafone Plc, a Rs 9,300 crore share sale by the Tata group in Tata Consultancy Services.

'Indian rupee best-performing Asian currency this year'

'Indian rupee best-performing Asian currency this year'

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2024

'India represents one of the top opportunities with robust growth, solid fundamentals, and openness to foreign investment.'

Unlisted Shares Market Is Buzzing

Unlisted Shares Market Is Buzzing

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2024

The dealers operating in the space have jumped nearly three times over the past two years.

'I Hope We Don't Get A Bubble Too Soon'

'I Hope We Don't Get A Bubble Too Soon'

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2024

'China is struggling to get out of its property bubble.' 'Japan took 35 years to walk out of its equity bubble.' 'Bubbles can be difficult to forecast.'

'No Hurry To Convert To Universal Bank'

'No Hurry To Convert To Universal Bank'

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2024

'Have a long way to go even as a small finance bank, both in terms of size, and in terms of fulfilling our aspirations for financial inclusion.'

Voting advisory firms divided over FMCG major ITC's hotel demerger move

Voting advisory firms divided over FMCG major ITC's hotel demerger move

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2024

Three leading domestic voting advisory firms are not on the same page over the proposed demerger and separate listing of ITC's hotel business, ITC Hotels. Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) has recommended a vote "against" the resolution, while InGovern and Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) have advised their clients to vote in favour. Voting on the resolution is currently underway.

'Climate shocks' add uncertainty to inflation outlook: RBI annual report

'Climate shocks' add uncertainty to inflation outlook: RBI annual report

Rediff.com   31 May 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified "climate shocks" as a risk to food inflation rates and overall price rise while stating that the outlook for the country's economic growth remains bright. In its Annual Report for 2023-24, released on Thursday, the central bank said easing supply-chain pressures, broad-based softening in core inflation, and early indications of an above-normal southwest monsoon meant well for the inflation outlook in 2024-25. "The increasing incidence of climate shocks, however, imparts considerable uncertainty to the food inflation and overall inflation outlook," said the RBI while noting headline inflation moderated by 1.3 percentage points on an annual average basis to 5.4 per cent in 2023-24.

US Treasuries drive RBI's bumper surplus to Centre

US Treasuries drive RBI's bumper surplus to Centre

Rediff.com   31 May 2024

A combination of factors, including heavy investments in US Treasury bonds and dollar sales at a healthy profit, facilitated the Indian central bank in transferring a record surplus of Rs 2.11 trillion to the government for 2023-24 (FY24). The RBI's dollar purchases increased in FY24, supported by robust capital inflows endorsing the economy's health.

'Market Assumes Modi's Easy Re-Election'

'Market Assumes Modi's Easy Re-Election'

Rediff.com   29 May 2024

'We emphasise the importance of not basing investment decisions solely on electoral outcomes.' 'Instead, focusing on investing in high-quality businesses capable of prospering regardless of the political landscape is paramount.'

Bluechips Drive Markets To $5 Trillion

Bluechips Drive Markets To $5 Trillion

Rediff.com   23 May 2024

The top 100 companies have accounted for 63% of the gains (Rs 51 trillion out of Rs 81 trillion), while firms beyond the top 100 have contributed 37 per cent (Rs 30 trillion).

Inflation seen closer to target in FY26: RBI report

Inflation seen closer to target in FY26: RBI report

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) state of the economy report observed that any durable alignment of headline retail inflation with the target of 4 per cent could recommence in the second half of FY25 and sustain until numbers closer to the target are seen during the course of FY26, dashing hopes of any reduction in the policy repo rate in the current financial year. The report, authored by RBI staffers, including Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy Michael Patra, said though headline numbers may fall in July and August due to base effect, it is likely to reverse in September.

ARC chiefs to meet RBI deputy guvs for seeking clarity on bank borrowing

ARC chiefs to meet RBI deputy guvs for seeking clarity on bank borrowing

Rediff.com   16 May 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will meet top executives of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) on Friday to take stock of the sector. During the meeting, ARCs will also seek clarity from the regulator on bank borrowing. While there is no regulatory ban in place, ARC sources said banks often refuse funding.

'MSMEs, mid-corporate will be focus for loan growth'

'MSMEs, mid-corporate will be focus for loan growth'

Rediff.com   15 May 2024

'As these segments are growing at 25 per cent for the last three years, credit quality has been extremely good.'

BSE now corners a fifth of derivatives market share

BSE now corners a fifth of derivatives market share

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) has seen its market share go past the critical 20 per cent mark in the derivatives segment, intensifying its battle with bigger rival - the National Stock Exchange (NSE) - which, less than a year ago, had a monopoly in this space. In April, the average daily trading volume (ADTV) for BSE stood at Rs 89 trillion, accounting for 20.6 per cent of the overall ADTV of Rs 432 trillion (based on notional volumes for options).

Fund houses' ticker-tape parade of fiscal success on the D-Street

Fund houses' ticker-tape parade of fiscal success on the D-Street

Rediff.com   6 May 2024

The financial numbers for 2023-24 (FY24) of the four pure-play listed asset management companies (AMCs) have enthused the Street. All firms listed robust growth in net profit and revenue both during the January-March quarter (Q4) of FY24, as well as in full FY24. The strong performance comes amid a positive growth environment for the sector, led by tailwinds such as sharp growth in assets under management (AUM) and robust performance in equity offerings.