Samie Modak &Amp; Manojit Saha

Stories by Samie Modak &Amp; Manojit Saha

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2022

Inflation trajectory, domestically as also globally, is what will shape the economy, and therefore the market, over the next couple of quarters.'

How Madhabi Puri Buch Is Changing Sebi

How Madhabi Puri Buch Is Changing Sebi

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2022

Industry players credit Sebi's first woman chairperson with putting special emphasis on cyber security, use of tech and data, areas where Sebi is trying to 'stay ahead of the curve'.

Fired fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund could be banned from markets

Fired fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund could be banned from markets

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2022

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) could soon issue interim orders imposing a market ban on the two former fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund (MF) for suspected front-running of trades, said people with knowledge of the development. "The market regulator has gathered prima facie evidence that demonstrates that the duo has violated the integrity of the market. "While a detailed investigation is still pending in the matter, Sebi could take action under Section 11 (4) to prevent further harm to the investors and the securities market," said a source.

Excess liquidity in banking system back to pre-Covid levels

Excess liquidity in banking system back to pre-Covid levels

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2022

Concerned over inflationary pressures in the economy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is bringing down surplus liquidity in the system rapidly. It has fallen to pre-Covid levels and almost 2 per cent of banks' net demand and time liabilities (NDTL). NDTL shows the difference between the sum of demand and time liabilities (deposits) of a bank (with the public or the other bank) and the deposits in the form of assets held by the other bank.

FPI concerns remain as shift to T+1 settlement cycle nears: Analysts

FPI concerns remain as shift to T+1 settlement cycle nears: Analysts

Rediff.com   31 May 2022

Overseas investors, as well as other key stakeholders, such as brokers, custodians, and clearing corporations, are yet to iron out critical issues, even as the shift towards a shorter trade settlement cycle approaches new phases. Several industry players said foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) are still facing impediments over the trade confirmation timelines, foreign exchange (forex) bookings, and pre-funding requirements. This could potentially act as a roadblock when it comes to moving entirely to the new T+1 settlement cycle from next year.

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

Rediff.com   31 May 2022

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 17 had announced that State Bank of India (SBI) would extend a term loan of $1 billion to Sri Lanka, fully guaranteed by the Indian government, and this was part of India's financial aid to the troubled island nation. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted saying by news agency PTI that the loan would be used for importing food, medicines, and other essential items. "India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and we will continue to extend all possible support at this juncture.

MPC members argued for front-loading rate hikes in view of inflation

MPC members argued for front-loading rate hikes in view of inflation

Rediff.com   26 May 2022

Most members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) argued for front-loading interest rate hikes in view of rapidly rising inflation during the off-cycle monetary policy review earlier this month - the minutes of the meeting published on Wednesday showed. In early May, the rate setting committee met unscheduled and unanimously decided to hike the repo rate by 40 bps. This was the first repo rate hike in four years, and an inter-meeting hike in more than a decade.

Prices of food items continue to rise in May, says RBI report

Prices of food items continue to rise in May, says RBI report

Rediff.com   18 May 2022

Prices of food items like cereals, pulses, and edible oils rose or remained steady in May, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report said, indicating there could be another higher inflation print. However, it observed that the Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC's) surprise move to increase interest rates bodes well for its credibility. The RBI's monthly State of the Economy report, released on Tuesday, citing high frequency food price data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for the period May 1-12, said the increase in the prices of cereals was primarily because of the surge in wheat prices.

Sebi scanner on more front-running ops by fund managers

Sebi scanner on more front-running ops by fund managers

Rediff.com   17 May 2022

Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is examining allegations of front-running and other irregularities against a host of domestic fund managers across the asset management industry, said people in the know. Developments at Axis Mutual Fund have prompted the regulator to speed up probe to ensure that there is no drop in confidence in the Rs 39-trillion mutual fund (MF) industry. "We have received complaints against a few fund managers and are looking into possible violations, including those related to code of conduct," said a regulatory source, refusing to divulge names of fund houses as things are at a preliminary stage.

Sebi mulls launch of confidential IPO filings to address privacy concerns

Sebi mulls launch of confidential IPO filings to address privacy concerns

Rediff.com   13 May 2022

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has mulled introduction of confidential initial public offering (IPO) filings and "pre-filing" of offer documents, a move aimed at giving issuers flexibility and alleviating concerns around privacy. Industry players said the concept, if implemented, would give a fillip to the domestic capital markets, ease the process and encourage more companies to go public. To be sure, the proposals are still at a discussion stage with Sebi just floating a consultation paper seeking public feedback.

'Investors should allocate more towards large-caps and defensives in the current risk-off scenario'

'Investors should allocate more towards large-caps and defensives in the current risk-off scenario'

Rediff.com   13 May 2022

'For the next two years, we expect the bulk of earnings growth contribution from sectors like financials and energy, where the outlook remains positive, while the sectors which are linked to domestic consumption and are currently witnessing strains on margins have low salience for Nifty earnings.'

Delhivery's IPO will be second biggest this year after LIC

Delhivery's IPO will be second biggest this year after LIC

Rediff.com   9 May 2022

Logistics services provider Delhivery is likely to launch its downsized initial public offering (IPO) this week, said people in the know. The Softbank-backed firm may trim its issue size from Rs 7,460 crore to Rs 5,500 crore to align with the volatile market conditions, sources said. Sources added the fresh issue component of the IPO could be reduced to Rs 4,500 crore and the OFS component to Rs 1,000 crore.

Money pulled from China finds way to Asean countries, not India

Money pulled from China finds way to Asean countries, not India

Rediff.com   4 May 2022

The outbreak of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and unprecedented lockdowns in China have roiled its equity market and also that of Hong Kong. After the crisis-hit Sri Lanka, China and Hong Kong are the worst-performing stock markets in Asia on a year-to-date basis.

LIC's $2.7-billion IPO set to be the fifth-biggest globally in CY22

LIC's $2.7-billion IPO set to be the fifth-biggest globally in CY22

Rediff.com   3 May 2022

LIC's $2.7-billion initial public offering (IPO) shall be the fifth-biggest globally in CY22. South Korean EV battery maker LG Energy Solution holds the record for the year's largest IPO at $10.8 billion, while Chinese mobile communications provider China Mobile IPO, which raised $8.6 billion, comes second. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA's) $6.1-billion IPO in March is currently the third biggest public offering for the year, followed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation's (CNOOC's) IPO; the firm had raised $5.1 billion by issuing shares in Mainland China after delisting from the American bourses.

4 unique features of LIC IPO

4 unique features of LIC IPO

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2022

Domestic capital market will see the launch of India's largest-ever initial public offering (IPO) next week. Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC's) landmark Rs 21,000-crore IPO will open for subscription on Wednesday. Here's a look at some unique features of this mega offering, which are not typically seen in other IPOs.

Majority of Future group's secured creditors reject Reliance deal

Majority of Future group's secured creditors reject Reliance deal

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2022

Shareholders of the six listed Future Group companies voted on Wednesday. Bankers said all the large lenders had rejected the proposal.

What acquisition of Citi's retail biz means for Axis Bank

What acquisition of Citi's retail biz means for Axis Bank

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2022

Axis Bank's acquisition of Citibank's consumer finance business for Rs 12,325 crore - the second biggest deal in the Indian banking sector - is seen as a good deal at a good price. The acquisition enables Axis Bank to close the gap with competition in some key segments such as credit cards. At the same time, there are some key issues that are crucial for the deal's success, apart from the fact that it will take some time for Axis to reap the full harvest of its investment.

Investment bankers see 58% decline in earnings

Investment bankers see 58% decline in earnings

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2022

Experts say companies wanting to launch IPOs will have to scale back their expectations given the fall in valuations.

Tata Sons garners over Rs 11K cr from TCS buyback

Tata Sons garners over Rs 11K cr from TCS buyback

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2022

Tata Sons has pocketed Rs 11,164 crore by tendering 24.81 million shares in the Rs 18,000-crore share repurchase programme by the group's flagship firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). State-owned insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) tendered 1.17 million shares to take home Rs 528 crore. Small shareholders - those holding shares worth up to Rs 2 lakh - tendered 25.3 million shares in the buyback, 4.22 times the 6 million shares reserved for them in the buyback.

RBI won't buy or sell dollars till rupee falls below 75

RBI won't buy or sell dollars till rupee falls below 75

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2022

After selling dollars for the past few months, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may take a hands-off approach before its annual account closing by not trying to prop up the rupee as geopolitical tensions show signs of stabilising with global crude oil prices easing from its $140 peak. The central bank was a net buyer of dollars between April and September, and then turned a net seller in the following months, the data released by the RBI showed. The RBI continued to be a net buyer of $36.6 billion in this fiscal year - between April and January. In 2020-21, it purchased $68 billion on a net basis.