Samie Modak And Subrata Panda

Stories by Samie Modak And Subrata Panda

Apple to stop storing card information on file for Indian customers

Apple to stop storing card information on file for Indian customers

Rediff.com   20 May 2022

Technology giant Apple has informed its customers in India that it will no longer store their card information on file and will not be accepting payments made by debit cards and credit cards for purchases or subscriptions on the App store or other Apple services. The decision has been taken by the US-based company in view of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) card data storage guidelines, which will kick in from July 1. The deadline for implementing these norms was extended twice.

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.

'How Long Should I Wait For An IPO?'

'How Long Should I Wait For An IPO?'

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2022

'Had there been no war, maybe, we would come out with a 7.5 per cent stake sale.' 'At this point in time, a 3.5 per cent stake sale looked good.'

HDFC Bank shifts tack to focus on wholesale loans

HDFC Bank shifts tack to focus on wholesale loans

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2022

Defying trends, the country's largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, has shifted its asset mix significantly towards high-rated segments. As a result, its wholesale-to-retail mix has tilted heavily in favour of wholesale, even at the cost of margins. Further, it is even looking to ramp up its branch network, with an aim to service clients within a 1-2 km radius rather than the current 5-6 km radius.

Light at the end of the tunnel for PMC depositors?

Light at the end of the tunnel for PMC depositors?

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2022

'The money is readily available to the depositors.'

Fall in HDFC-HDFC Bank share prices is short term: Keki Mistry

Fall in HDFC-HDFC Bank share prices is short term: Keki Mistry

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2022

We have not been able to communicate in a very articulate manner and clear manner on the merger as earnings were due, says HDFC CEO.

RBI caps lending limits of NBFCs to bring them on par with banks

RBI caps lending limits of NBFCs to bring them on par with banks

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2022

In yet another move to close the regulatory gap between banks and shadow banks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated exposure limits to the non-banking finance companies, in line with commercial banks. In the large exposure framework released on Tuesday, the regulator capped aggregrate exposure of NBFCs which are in the upper layer toward one entity at 20 per cent of capital base. The limit can only be extended by another 5% with board's approval. For a particular borrower group, the cap is at 25 per cent, with additional 10 per cent if exposure is towards infrastructure.

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.

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2022

The insurance regulator wants the removal of the minimum entry capital requirement of Rs 100 crore for setting up an insurance business in a bid to facilitate the entry of multiple players such as standalone micro insurers and niche players. Debasish Panda, chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), said it should be left to the regulator instead to decide what should be the entry fee for interested players, depending on the size of the business and operations. According to the current norms, insurers are required to have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore.

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.

How Policybazaar-LIC Tie-Up Is Working Out

How Policybazaar-LIC Tie-Up Is Working Out

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2022

'From our perspective, it will bring additional customers and from their perspective, it will get them younger customers.'

Citi credit card business losing steam in India

Citi credit card business losing steam in India

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2022

At a time when banks are engaged in a fierce battle to gain market share in the credit card segment, Citibank India has been losing its share, both in terms of outstanding cards and spends in the last few years. Still, average spends on Citi cards are higher than any other Indian bank. Last year, the global banking behemoth announced exit from its consumer banking franchises in 13 markets across Europe, Middle East and Asia, including India, citing lack of scale.

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.

HDFC Bank plans digital launches in 2-3 qtrs

HDFC Bank plans digital launches in 2-3 qtrs

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2022

With the banking regulator lifting restrictions on HDFC Bank's digital initiatives, the largest private sector lender is now girding up to launch a clutch of customer-facing applications (apps), which will act as stepping stones in its journey to morph into a technology (tech)-led bank from a conventional one. Following repeated outages in its digital offerings, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had barred HDFC Bank from issuing new credit cards in December 2020 and prevented it from going ahead with its digital launches. The embargo on issuing credit cards was lifted in August 2021 and the ban on digital launches was lifted last week.