Sundar Sethuraman, Ajinkya Kawale

Stories by Sundar Sethuraman, Ajinkya Kawale

How Dr Singh Changed Stockmarkets

How Dr Singh Changed Stockmarkets

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2024

'He will be remembered more for what he did as finance minister -- as someone who functioned well when the political fallout was taken care of.'

Small ticket transactions drag avg retail payments value by 48% in 3 years

Small ticket transactions drag avg retail payments value by 48% in 3 years

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2024

The average value of retail digital payments dropped 48 per cent from Rs 8,769 in March 2021 to Rs 4,560 in March 2024 due to a growing preference to use digital modes of transactions for small value payments, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) report on the trend and progress of banking in India.

Crypto wrap 2024: Bitcoin, altcoins remain popular among Indian investors

Crypto wrap 2024: Bitcoin, altcoins remain popular among Indian investors

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2024

The majority of crypto investors in the country have invested in mainstream virtual digital assets (VDAs) such as Bitcoins, altcoins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Ethereum, followed by non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and stablecoins, a compilation of year-end reports of crypto majors CoinDCX and CoinSwitch revealed. The crypto exchange platform CoinDCX reported that 14.6 per cent of total investments on its platform were allocated to Bitcoin, while CoinSwitch saw the share of the VDA at 7 per cent.

Stocks Crash: Worst Week in Years

Stocks Crash: Worst Week in Years

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2024

The week's losses wiped out investor wealth worth Rs 18.43 trillion, with the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms now at Rs 441 trillion.

Mobikwik leads IPO debut with 90% surge; Vishal, Sai Life gain around 40%

Mobikwik leads IPO debut with 90% surge; Vishal, Sai Life gain around 40%

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2024

All the three companies that made their stock market debut on Wednesday delivered huge day-one gains for investors. Shares of digital payment major One Mobikwik Systems surged 90 per cent, while that of fashion retailer Vishal Mega Mart and pharma firm Sai Life Sciences gained around 40 per cent each. These stellar debuts came despite the benchmark indices logging continuous declines since their initial public offerings (IPOs) closed on Friday.

NPCI Lists Digital Scam Warning Signs

NPCI Lists Digital Scam Warning Signs

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2024

UPI-related frauds have accounted for a cumulative loss of Rs 2,145 crore across 2.7 million reported incidents.

Bad loans in P2P more than doubles to Rs 1,163 cr in FY24

Bad loans in P2P more than doubles to Rs 1,163 cr in FY24

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2024

Bad loans in the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending industry more than doubled in financial year 2024 (FY24) to Rs 1,163 crore from Rs 472.1 crore in FY23, said a financial services company on Monday. Non-performing assets (NPAs), as such loans are officially called, were a modest Rs 14.7 crore at the end of FY19 when P2P lending was in its nascent stage, according to Capitalmind Financial Services that accessed data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through a right to information application.

FPIs account for 46.6% of shares sold in anchor category; highest since '21

FPIs account for 46.6% of shares sold in anchor category; highest since '21

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2024

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have invested Rs 25,300 crore through the anchor book for IPOs in 2024, surpassing the Rs 20,351 crore invested by domestic mutual funds (MFs). FPIs accounted for 46.6 per cent of shares sold in the anchor category, the highest share since 2021, according to PRIME Database.

The ambitious plans of Flipkart-backed super.money

The ambitious plans of Flipkart-backed super.money

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2024

Flipkart-backed super.money is on an expansion spree and plans to expand its range of offerings in credit and wealth management after launching its operations in July this year. The Bengaluru-based fintech company is on track to roll out credit products such as credit on Unified Payments Interface (UPI), unsecured credit cards, and personal loans within the first half of the next calendar year (2025).

Investors return to IPOs with Rs 2.2 trillion bids across three offerings

Investors return to IPOs with Rs 2.2 trillion bids across three offerings

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2024

It is not just the secondary market that is witnessing a revival in fortunes. Even the initial public offering (IPO) market have roared back to life, with investors submitting bids worth over Rs 2.2 trillion on the three IPOs that wrapped up on Friday. Fashion retailer Vishal Mega Mart (VMM)'s IPO (fifth largest of the year) garnered 27.3x subscription, with bids exceeding Rs 1.6 trillion.

Bitcoin at $100,000: Milestone likely to boost Indian investors' rush

Bitcoin at $100,000: Milestone likely to boost Indian investors' rush

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2024

The recent Bitcoin rally, which saw the cryptocurrency surge past the $100,000 mark on Thursday, is drawing Indian investors in droves. Cryptocurrency platforms in India are experiencing a significant uptick in activity and user sign-ups, driven by the optimism surrounding "crypto-friendly" Donald Trump's US presidential election victory.

UPI Frauds Cost Indians Rs 485 Crore

UPI Frauds Cost Indians Rs 485 Crore

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2024

In FY24 alone, 1.34 million fraud cases were reported, amounting to losses of Rs 1,087 crore.

As markets gather steam, small, midcaps pip bluechips

As markets gather steam, small, midcaps pip bluechips

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2024

Small and midcaps are leading the charge in the latest market rebound. Since November 21, when the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex and the National Stock Exchange Nifty hit their recent lows and slipped into correction territory, the Nifty Smallcap 100 index has risen by 8 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 has gained 5.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 index has risen by 4.7 per cent during this period.

'1,800 Mosques Are Disputed In This Country'

'1,800 Mosques Are Disputed In This Country'

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2024

'Unless Justice Chandrachud's judgment is (over)turned, there is no end to it.'

FACE's ambitious goal: Uniting 75% fintech players

FACE's ambitious goal: Uniting 75% fintech players

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2024

The Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE), the only self-regulatory organisation for financial technology/fintech (SRO-FT) companies, is aiming to secure membership from at least 75 per cent of players across all key fintech categories within the next three years, according to a senior executive. The total number of members in the organisation has increased to 110, up from around 60 when it received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an SRO-FT in August.

Will Poll Gamechanger Laadki Bahin Continue?

Will Poll Gamechanger Laadki Bahin Continue?

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2024

'I wonder if they will keep it up after the elections.' 'I fear they'll start questioning eligibility -- income, age, bank accounts -- and eventually stop the scheme altogether.'

Global fund managers' India euphoria fizzling out

Global fund managers' India euphoria fizzling out

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2024

The recent global fund flow data suggests that one big cycle of foreign fund allocation into India may have come to an end and the trend could remain soft for a longer time, according to a report by Elara Capital. The note said last week's outflow of $302 million from India's dedicated funds is the largest since June 2022.

Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime

Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2024

User protection and a proposal for a licensing framework for companies seeking to operate in the cryptocurrency area will be part of an upcoming consultation paper on the sector, said a senior industry executive. Even as specific regulations around crypto are yet to take shape, companies are setting up baseline user protection processes, including a redressal mechanism, fraud detection, regular filing of suspicious transaction reports (STRs), among others.

Vedanta slumps from Sept 30 peak: Is it a good entry point?

Vedanta slumps from Sept 30 peak: Is it a good entry point?

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2024

After climbing to a record high of Rs 523 on September 30, shares of commodity major Vedanta have come off over 15 per cent amid a fall in the overall markets. The Anil Agarwal-led firm's latest slump comes after its stock price doubled over the past one year. Is it a blip or a trend reversal?

Maharashtra farmers seek better pricing for produce

Maharashtra farmers seek better pricing for produce

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2024

A group of onion traders gathered at the Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), near Nashik, to inspect one of the season's final harvests of red onions as they look to place their bids. They were surrounded by farmers, who brought their produce here from different parts of the district. Farmers have reasons to be optimistic.