Samie Modak And Neha Alawadhi

Stories by Samie Modak And Neha Alawadhi

NSDL statement prevents a $500-million sell-off in Adani group stock

NSDL statement prevents a $500-million sell-off in Adani group stock

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2021

The clarification by the National Securities Depository (NSDL) - which is tasked with monitoring foreign portfolio investor (FPI) investment in domestic stocks - that the accounts of top investors in Adani group stocks remain 'active' has helped prevent a $500-million selloff of shares. Analysts said a freeze of the FPI accounts, as reported by some media outlets, could have prompted global index providers to cut weighting of four Adani group companies from their global indices. Brian Freitas, an analyst at independent research provider Smartkarma, said if the FPI accounts were indeed frozen, FTSE and MSCI would have reduced weighting of Adani group companies at the next rebalance, since it would have meant that the large part of the free float was not tradeable.

Dilution norms for large IPOs tweaked

Dilution norms for large IPOs tweaked

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2021

Easier dilution norms for mega initial public offerings (IPOs) have come into effect. Companies with post-listing market capitalisation (m-cap) of more than Rs 1 trillion will not be required to dilute a minimum of 10 per cent. The move to relax dilution norms is seen as a precursor to Life Insurance Corporation's IPO. The central government has said companies with an m-cap exceeding Rs 1 trillion will have to dilute Rs 5,000 crore and at least 5 per cent of their m-cap. Experts said the earlier framework discouraged large companies from listing since they were forced to offload a large volume of shares during the time of their IPO.

UN's special rapporteurs ask govt to review new IT rules

UN's special rapporteurs ask govt to review new IT rules

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2021

The submission was made by the UN Special Rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan; on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Clement Nyaletsossi Voule; and the right to privacy, Joseph Cannataci.

Decoded: What went wrong with the six schemes of Franklin Templeton

Decoded: What went wrong with the six schemes of Franklin Templeton

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2021

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has directed Franklin Templeton MF to pay Rs 5 crore as penalty, return over Rs 450 crore collected as 22-month investment management and advisory fees, and imposed a two-year ban on launching new debt schemes for alleged irregularities in running six of its debt schemes that were shuttered last year.

How to Defeat Pirates who STEAL Films

How to Defeat Pirates who STEAL Films

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Intelligent tools are being deployed to detect content pirated from OTT platforms.

Paytm to raise $1.5 bn via primary issue of shares ahead of IPO

Paytm to raise $1.5 bn via primary issue of shares ahead of IPO

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

Paytm will look to raise up to $1.5 billion as part of primary share sale, leading up to its initial public offering (IPO), which is planned for November, a person familiar with the developments said. The company is looking to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by July, according to sources. According to this person, though the details of the listing are being worked out, Paytm may take the qualified institutional buyer (QIB) route to list and issue fresh equity to raise funds.

Indian equity markets join elite list; record new all-time highs

Indian equity markets join elite list; record new all-time highs

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

Domestic equity markets are in elite company. In May, Indian markets joined select developed markets (DMs) such as the US, UK and Germany to record new all-time highs. Among emerging markets (EMs), Brazil is the other market to have logged new highs this month. Asian peers such as South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand are currently between 2 per cent and 10 per cent below their previous highs made earlier this year. The domestic markets were among the worst-performing major global markets in April amid a lethal second-wave of covid-19 infections.

Upper limits for mid-, small-caps zoom amid markets rally

Upper limits for mid-, small-caps zoom amid markets rally

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

With India's market capitalisation surpassing the $3-trillion mark, stocks across the board are adding heft. The upper limit for qualifying as a mid-cap stock -under the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) definition for mutual fund reclassification - has hit an all-time high of $5.4 billion. In 2013, amid the taper tantrum sell-off, it had dropped to just $1 billion, shows an analysis done by ICICI Securities.

IPO-bound Paytm narrows losses to Rs 1,701 cr

IPO-bound Paytm narrows losses to Rs 1,701 cr

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

As it readies for its initial public offering (IPO) later this year, digital payments firm Paytm is honing its strengths to remodel itself from being a payment wallet to becoming a financial services provider, and is working towards narrowing its losses, evident from its most recent Annual Report. Unlike many of its peers, Paytm has started expanding its merchant payment ecosystem. It has realised that though it can take the maximum share of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions, from a revenue generation point of view it will not have any impact.

The man with the Rs 100 crore salary

The man with the Rs 100 crore salary

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2021

'Personally, I have reached that stage where I think material things can't give you any satisfaction.'

Stock broking giant Zerodha's FY21 profit more than doubles to Rs 1,000 cr

Stock broking giant Zerodha's FY21 profit more than doubles to Rs 1,000 cr

Rediff.com   31 May 2021

Zerodha will not raise external funds now or in the future, because it is profitable and has zero debt.

Paytm plans mother of all IPOs, to raise $3 billion

Paytm plans mother of all IPOs, to raise $3 billion

Rediff.com   28 May 2021

Digital payments provider Paytm is all set to make its market debut as early as this year, with an aim to raise $3 billion (around Rs 22,000 crore). If successful, this could be the biggest initial public offering (IPO) by an Indian company, breaking Coal India's 2010 record of Rs 15,475 crore. According to media reports, the board of One97, parent company of Paytm, is all set to meet this Friday to formally approve the IPO plan.

M-cap of BSE-listed companies at record $3 trillion

M-cap of BSE-listed companies at record $3 trillion

Rediff.com   25 May 2021

The country's dash to a $3-trillion market cap is more a case of teamwork, than a few members doing most of the heavy lifting. Sample this: The share of top 100 companies to India's total market cap (BSE-listed companies' m-cap) is 67.3 per cent currently, less than what it has been when the nation hit previous milestones, such as $1 trillion, $1.5 trillion in 2007 or $2.5 trillion more recently in December 2020. In 2007, when India's m-cap topped the $1-trillion mark for the first time, the top 100 companies accounted for three-fourths of the total m-cap; at $1.5 trillion, the share was almost 80 per cent.

How start-ups, IT cos helping staff tackle Covid blues

How start-ups, IT cos helping staff tackle Covid blues

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

As the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, startups and technology firms are realising the burnout effect it is having on employees. Many have shortened their work weeks to four days, while others have made provisions for more time off for employees to help them rejuvenate or care for loved ones.

Big relief for Indian IT as Biden administration removes H-1B visa curbs

Big relief for Indian IT as Biden administration removes H-1B visa curbs

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

The US government has removed a regulation proposed by former president Donald Trump's administration that sought to narrow the definition of "specialty occupation" under the H-1B visa regime. The change comes as a relief for Indian information technology firms, which are among the largest users of such visas. "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally vacated a regulation that would have redefined the H-1B specialty occupation, restricted off site placement of H-1B employees, and otherwise increased employer compliance obligations. "The vacatur follows a federal court ruling that set aside the regulation because the agency did not have good cause to bypass notice and comment rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act," explained immigration law firm Fragomen.

Rs 1-trillion m-cap club now has 42 members with 13 new entrants

Rs 1-trillion m-cap club now has 42 members with 13 new entrants

Rediff.com   17 May 2021

Thirteen companies have joined the Rs 1-trillion-plus market capitalisation club this year, so far. This even as the benchmark Sensex has gained less than 3 per cent on a year-to-date basis, underscoring the bullish undercurrent in the broader market. The trend shows a harsh second wave of Covid-19, subsequent lockdowns, and hit to the economic activity has made little dent into India Inc or shareholders' wealth. At the start of the year, there were 29 companies with a market value of more than Rs 1 trillion.

Is Zomato's Deepinder Goyal up for a challenge?

Is Zomato's Deepinder Goyal up for a challenge?

Rediff.com   12 May 2021

With scrutiny that comes with a public listing, Deepinder Goyal's leadership could face its sternest test yet.

Change in tax structure prompted India Inc to favour buybacks again in FY21

Change in tax structure prompted India Inc to favour buybacks again in FY21

Rediff.com   3 May 2021

In 2020-21, Indian firms offered to buy back shares worth Rs 39,295 crore, or 97% more than Rs 19,972 cr proposed in the previous financial year.

$1-bn outflows: FPIs turn wary of India on worsening Covid virus crisis

$1-bn outflows: FPIs turn wary of India on worsening Covid virus crisis

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2021

Covid-19, US yields, dollar to weigh on equity flows in the near term.

Zomato's revenue from operations doubles to Rs 2,604 cr amid pandemic

Zomato's revenue from operations doubles to Rs 2,604 cr amid pandemic

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2021

Zomato said it has consistently gained market share over the last four years to become the category leader in the food delivery space in India in terms of gross order value from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.