Samie Modak, Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Samie Modak, Ishita Ayan Dutt

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.

Despite its FMCG push, for D-Street ITC is still a tobacco play

Despite its FMCG push, for D-Street ITC is still a tobacco play

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2021

Most of the changes have come about in the last four years and ITC is now reaping the dividends - standalone revenues from the non-cigarettes FMCG business have grown 40 per cent from FY17 to Rs 14,728.21 crore in FY21 and pre-tax profits 30 times to Rs 823.69 crore. The business accounted for 30.58 per cent of gross revenues and 4.85 per cent of pre-tax profits in FY21. "In the last four years, our margins in FMCG have gone up by 640 basis points (bps) and EBITDA margins have been moving up consistently. "We created levers that enabled a sustained growth trajectory," said ITC chairman and managing director Sanjiv Puri. Puri took charge as the chief executive officer in 2017; in 2018, he was redesignated managing director and effective May 2019, he became chairman.

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.

Is Darjeeling Tea Losing its Fizz?

Is Darjeeling Tea Losing its Fizz?

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

Scanty rainfall, last year's lockdown, growing competition from Nepal and the disaster of the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation are steadily weakening exports and sales of Darjeeling tea.

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.

Why Alapan Bandyopadhyay matters in Mamata's Bengal

Why Alapan Bandyopadhyay matters in Mamata's Bengal

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

Those who know Alapan Bandyopadhyay describe him as measured, tactical and extremely focused on achieving what he sets out to do. To many it came as a surprise that he would cut short a meeting with the prime minister.

Hesitant at first, people rush to vaccination centres amid 2nd wave

Hesitant at first, people rush to vaccination centres amid 2nd wave

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2021

'Everyone wants to take a vaccine. The last time a camp was held, there were 1,000 people for 500 doses. People are waiting and returning disappointed. At times, it is creating problems. The demand is much more than the supply.' Ishita Ayan Dutt reports on how the West Bengal countryside is reacting to the vaccination drive.

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.'

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.

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.

Centre-Bengal ties may hold key to investments

Centre-Bengal ties may hold key to investments

Rediff.com   6 May 2021

Though the mandate is seen largely an outcome of Banerjee's welfare schemes, she has promised to industrialise at a faster pace, or so read the manifesto.

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.

Modi's Covid mismanagement helped Mamata

Modi's Covid mismanagement helped Mamata

Rediff.com   3 May 2021

'The last three phases, the Trinamool gained more than expected due to Covid mismanagement by the Centre.'

Vaccinating 70% of 18-44 year olds to cost Rs 300 bn

Vaccinating 70% of 18-44 year olds to cost Rs 300 bn

Rediff.com   1 May 2021

UP Rs 50 billion, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal which may need close to Rs 25 billion for the massive task.

$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.

Wipro, Tata Steel may dislodge ONGC from BSE Sensex

Wipro, Tata Steel may dislodge ONGC from BSE Sensex

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2021

The 30-share bluechip index is rebalanced on a semi-annual basis with next rejig slated for June 18.

Adani stocks may escape MSCI 'extreme price increase' threshold

Adani stocks may escape MSCI 'extreme price increase' threshold

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2021

While the stocks met various other inclusion parameters, there were fears they may still get disqualified given the sharp run up in their stock prices.

India Inc lends a hand amid shortage of oxygen

India Inc lends a hand amid shortage of oxygen

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2021

Over the weekend, many companies stepped in to ease the bottleneck in supply and transportation of oxygen, as demand ran high with the surge in cases.