Neha Pandey, Tinesh Bhasin &Amp; Joydeep Ghosh

Stories by Neha Pandey, Tinesh Bhasin &Amp; Joydeep Ghosh

Look at two-year FDs for now: Experts

Look at two-year FDs for now: Experts

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2009

For instance, in early December, SBI was offering 10.5 per cent on a 1,000-day FD. This was lowered to 10 per cent in mid-December. A fortnight later, in January, the bank is offering only 9 per cent for the same tenure. For investors, who missed the bus in October and November, this is certainly bad news. However, all isn't lost. There are some segments still where the rates on offer still look interesting.

Raju family pledged Maytas assets as collateral

Raju family pledged Maytas assets as collateral

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2009

According to sources, the family has pledged majority of its shareholding and real estate assets to various institutions. Two institutions, Maharashtra government's financial arm, Sicom, and IFCI, confirmed that Maytas promoters had pledged shares around a year ago to raise resources. IL&FS too has similar exposure to Maytas, said sources. However, this could not be confirmed.

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.

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.

Plan to buy a home? Things look brighter

Plan to buy a home? Things look brighter

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2008

In the last six months, things have changed for the better for the home buyer. Most of the cities are witnessing a sharp drop in prices, almost back to where they stood in December 2006. While most developers and brokers are unwilling to admit this, sit across the table to negotiate and you just might be surprised.

Have idle cash? Invest in bond funds

Have idle cash? Invest in bond funds

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2008

If you are sitting on idle cash, it's better to invest the same in income funds and earn over 10 per cent returns, say investment advisers. They believe that falling interest rates will jack up returns from bonds and investors can earn high returns if they deploy the money with a horizon of six months to a year.

Buying forex? Banks are the best

Buying forex? Banks are the best

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

An official of one of the biggest travel agencies in the country said that internationally, exchanging currency at the airport is most expensive as they charge higher rates. This is because travel agencies have to pay higher lease rentals at the airport. Also, the authorities share revenues.

Your 6 transactions that the taxman tracks

Your 6 transactions that the taxman tracks

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2008

Experts explained that normally, the IT department sends notices to only those people whose yearly credit card transactions cross Rs 200,000.

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,

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.

Good news: Banks are willing to lend

Good news: Banks are willing to lend

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2008

However, the norms have become extremely stringent. The overall tight situation in the credit market has hit consumers quite badly.

Don't get cheated online... here's how

Don't get cheated online... here's how

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2008

Security experts say the first rule to avoid falling into a hacker's trap is to never give out passwords, pin and other personal details to anyone or any website. Never respond to emails that seek personal information. When you access your net-banking facility, check for security certificates. Change your password often.

FMPs: Upset with mutual funds, investors shy away

FMPs: Upset with mutual funds, investors shy away

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2008

Though the fund houses have garnered over Rs 1,500 billion from investors, only 8-10 would declare their monthly FMP portfolios till a few months ago. Instead, they gave 'indicative portfolios' and 'indicative returns' to the potential investor. This month, all fund houses declared the portfolios of their schemes because of the half-yearly results. And, to the horror of many investors, the real portfolios were 80-90 per cent different from the 'indicative portfolios.'

Tips to get out of a debt trap

Tips to get out of a debt trap

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2008

When EMIs exceed your salary, it means trouble. Here's some help.

Realtors double broker commission

Realtors double broker commission

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2008

In upmarket areas like Bandra and Khar, the going brokerage is as high as 4 per cent

Liquid-plus funds see negative NAVs

Liquid-plus funds see negative NAVs

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2008

Last week was unprecedented in the history of the Indian mutual fund industry-- the net asset values (NAVs) of nearly a dozen liquid-plus funds fell.