Samie Modak And Sachin P Mampatta

Stories by Samie Modak And Sachin P Mampatta

UBS buy gives Credit Suisse India employees a glimmer of hope

UBS buy gives Credit Suisse India employees a glimmer of hope

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2023

UBS stepping in to save Credit Suisse with a $3.2-billion acquisition has provided the beleaguered Swiss bank's India employees a glimmer of hope. The surprise deal - engineered by the Swiss government - has triggered optimism of fewer job losses at Credit Suisse's India unit and better synergies at key verticals, such as wealth management and investment banking. "UBS is a much stronger hand. Coming within its fold will give Credit Suisse's wealth management and investment banking divisions a good home.

Covid: Employment Shows Lingering Effects

Covid: Employment Shows Lingering Effects

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2023

The unemployment rate is higher among urban women as was the case before the pandemic.

Equities outpace bonds in ultra-long marathon

Equities outpace bonds in ultra-long marathon

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2023

Equities are the go-to asset class as far as ultra-long-term returns are concerned. Over the past 123 years, global equities have provided an annualised real return of 5 per cent in US dollar terms, while bonds have delivered 1.7 per cent and short-term bills just 0.4 per cent, according to Credit Suisse's Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023. In collaboration with the London Business School, Credit Suisse has analysed over 100 years of returns for key asset classes in 35 countries.

With IPOs losing steam, Sebi steps in with 'hard underwriting' move

With IPOs losing steam, Sebi steps in with 'hard underwriting' move

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

The Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) proposal to re-introduce "hard underwriting" is seen as step to boost India's moribund initial public offering (IPO) markets. The regulator has proposed that in case an IPO fails to garner full subscription, the investment banker or a third-party can buy the unsubscribed shares. This practice was common during fixed-price issues prior to 1999. However, under the new book building regime, underwriting is allowed only to the extent of shortfall due to technical rejection of bids - this is referred to as "soft underwriting" and is rarely invoked.

Why Are Indians Obsessed With Overworking?

Why Are Indians Obsessed With Overworking?

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2023

Never mind work-life balance: this generation spends more time on the job than ever before.

Indian investments in foreign stocks, property at record high in Dec

Indian investments in foreign stocks, property at record high in Dec

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2023

The amount of money Indians invested in foreign securities, property, and deposits in 2022 was likely the highest on record. At $2.1 billion, it was the largest spend for any 12-month period according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) data going back over a decade. The amount spent for each individual segment was also the highest.

In a month, LIC stock down 15%, out of top 10 in market capitalisation

In a month, LIC stock down 15%, out of top 10 in market capitalisation

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2023

Shares of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India hit fresh record lows amid sustained decline in Adani Group stocks. Its stock finished at Rs 567.8, down 2.9 per cent over its previous close. The state-owned insurer's market value is now down Rs 2.4 trillion, or 40 per cent, compared to initial public offering levels.

Practice of permanent board seats at listed companies likely to end

Practice of permanent board seats at listed companies likely to end

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2023

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed to put a stop to the practice of certain directors occupying permanent board seats at listed companies. The regulator has suggested that the directorship of any individual serving on the board should be subject to periodic approval from shareholders, at least once in five years. In a discussion paper issued on Tuesday, Sebi said a few promoters enjoyed permanency on the board, giving them an undue advantage, prejudicial to the interests of public shareholders.

More than two dozen companies do the vanishing act

More than two dozen companies do the vanishing act

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2023

The companies on the list are from sectors including trading, finance, packaging, textile, realty, and others. Trading and finance companies account for half-a-dozen companies each.

Will Foreign Universities Set Up Campuses In India?

Will Foreign Universities Set Up Campuses In India?

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2023

The 38.5 million enrolled for higher education in 2019-2020 outnumbered Canada's entire population of 38.2 million.

As wealth inequality grows, is it time for an Indian inheritance tax?

As wealth inequality grows, is it time for an Indian inheritance tax?

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2023

Billionaire Bill Gates, in a 2019 interview, supported bringing back a regulation in the US to require the super-rich to pay a 55 per cent tax when they inherit their family fortune. Proponents of an inheritance or estate tax say it reduces inequality and creates a meritocratic society by chipping away at the enormous advantages the children of the wealthiest families enjoy by an accident of birth. Many large economies levy such a tax on their richest citizens; India does not.

India moves to T+1 settlement from Friday: Here's what experts say

India moves to T+1 settlement from Friday: Here's what experts say

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2023

Friday will be a landmark day for domestic markets, with all the listed stocks entering the professed T+1 (trading plus one day) settlement cycle. About 200 stocks, which account for more than 80 per cent of India's market capitalisation, will be settled on a next-day basis, with effect from January 27. This will evidently complete the transition to the T+1 cycle that started in February 2022 with the bottom 500 stocks in terms of market value.

How Much Assets Companies Added Since Pandemic

How Much Assets Companies Added Since Pandemic

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2023

The Adani Group led in adding net fixed assets, which are up more than 90 per cent since September 2019 or before COVID-19.

Debt as investment avenue is more appealing for the wealthy

Debt as investment avenue is more appealing for the wealthy

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2023

Debt as an investment avenue for the wealthy has been attracting more assets than equity. The portfolio management service (PMS) industry, whose services require a minimum investment of Rs 50 lakh, has seen a 4.4 per cent decline in equity assets since March 2022.

Capex Crosses Rs 6 Trillion In December

Capex Crosses Rs 6 Trillion In December

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2023

'If private capex has to kick in, there should at least be 2-3 years of visibility.'

Want To Know What A CEO/MD Earns?

Want To Know What A CEO/MD Earns?

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2022

The average top executive monthly compensation is Rs 1 crore. The median employee salary is now Rs 820,000.

63.3% IT Returns Filed For Rs 5 Lakh Or Less

63.3% IT Returns Filed For Rs 5 Lakh Or Less

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2022

Assessment year 2020-2021 saw returns filed fall to 69.7 million and stood at 71.4 million in assessment year 2021-2022.

Key challenge for Sundararaman Ramamurthy, the new BSE chief

Key challenge for Sundararaman Ramamurthy, the new BSE chief

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2022

Sundararaman Ramamurthy has been an interesting choice for the publicly-listed BSE, which has seen its chief move to bigger rival -- the National Stock Exchange (NSE) -- in July. Having spent nearly two decades at the country's largest bourse, Ramamurthy is among the early architects of NSE and understands all the cogs of the exchange wheel like only a few others in the country. Just like NSE's core team, which includes its founder RH Patil, the 59-year-old Ramamurthy has worked at the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) before moving to NSE in 1995.

'$33 billion was taken out of India -- the highest-ever'

'$33 billion was taken out of India -- the highest-ever'

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2022

'Yet the market didn't do all that badly because it was cushioned by domestic inflows.'

Companies see slowdown in growth of temporary, contract and casual jobs

Companies see slowdown in growth of temporary, contract and casual jobs

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2022

Some of India's largest companies have seen a slowdown in the growth of temporary, contract and casual jobs, as compared to the increase in their total workforce. The absolute number of such jobs is up 30 per cent between financial year 2017-18 and 2021-22 (FY18-22), shows an analysis of data collated from the annual reports of S&P BSE 100 companies. Forty-eight firms were considered for the final analysis based on the availability of uniform data across the last five years. In comparison, the total workforce numbers are up 36 per cent in the same period.