Sundar Sethuraman, Business Standard

Stories by Sundar Sethuraman, Business Standard

HDFC Bank-led FPI selloff: The fifth-highest weekly exit since 2008

HDFC Bank-led FPI selloff: The fifth-highest weekly exit since 2008

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 20,170 crore ($2.4 billion) recently. This marked the fifth-highest weekly outflow from overseas funds since the beginning of 2008 and the largest since the last week of March 2020. Due to the Covid scare, FPIs had sold shares worth Rs 21,951 crore during that week, causing the market to decline by nearly 20 per cent.

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Although India-US relations have strengthened significantly in recent years, partly because of the security situation in the region, the Indian policy establishment would have to be prepared to protect India's interests in a world that could get more unpredictable.

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Certain changes in the past two or three years could have a long-term structural impact on the IT services market.

Delivery-based trades drop amid valuation concerns

Delivery-based trades drop amid valuation concerns

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2024

Investors are reluctant to take long-term positions this year after the spectacular gains in 2023. The delivery-based trades on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) have declined to below 36 per cent this year from an average of 38.1 per cent in 2023. Investors tend to seek delivery for stocks where they see a long-term investment opportunity or tactical positional trade.

Record buyback of Rs 47,810 cr by 48 firms in 2023, highest in 6 yrs

Record buyback of Rs 47,810 cr by 48 firms in 2023, highest in 6 yrs

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2024

As much as Rs 47,810 crore was spent on share buybacks by 48 companies in 2023 -- the highest amount since 2017. This surge in value was largely driven by a few large-sized issues, including those by Tata Consultancy Services (Rs 17,000 crore), Larsen & Toubro (Rs 10,000 crore), and Wipro (Rs 12,000 crore). In 2022, 58 companies had repurchased shares worth Rs 38,305 crore, according to data from Prime Database.

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The five warmest years in Indian weather history have occurred in the past 14 years -- the others being 2009, 2017 and 2010, in order of intensity.

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The biggest bounce is in the realty sector, where the industry index jumped 80%. There's been a turnaround also in automobiles and ancillaries (up 45%). The pharma and health care indices have a welcome return of roughly 35%.

A fourth of FPI inflows in 2023 went into primary markets, shows data

A fourth of FPI inflows in 2023 went into primary markets, shows data

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2024

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) pumped in Rs 1.7 trillion into domestic stocks in 2023, one of the highest net inflows ever witnessed during a calendar year, of which 25 per cent went into the direct buying of stocks. Data provided by depository NSDL revealed that Rs 44,950 crore of the total FPI flows last year went into primary issuances. A large portion of the FPI investments through the stock exchange route went into block deals, thereby reducing the actual investments made via direct buying of stocks. Last year saw selldowns or block deals worth Rs 2 trillion.

The IPL's Pay Problem

The IPL's Pay Problem

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2024

Lower-paid IPL players, domestic or foreign, should be able to try their luck in other T20 tournaments.

Good News For Android App Developers

Good News For Android App Developers

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2023

For many developers, it may not be a sufficient saving to make it worth creating and maintaining alternatives.

Second best December for IPOs since 1996, 11 companies raise Rs 8,182.7 cr

Second best December for IPOs since 1996, 11 companies raise Rs 8,182.7 cr

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2023

Eleven companies have launched their initial public offerings (IPOs) in December 2023, making this month the second-best December for public offerings since 1996. Collectively, they are raising Rs 8,182.7 crore this month. In December 2021, 11 companies raised Rs 9,534 crore. However, excluding December 2021, this month marks the best December for IPOs since 1996.

Nifty could see another 8-10% upside in 2024: HDFC Securities

Nifty could see another 8-10% upside in 2024: HDFC Securities

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2023

The benchmark Nifty and Sensex could see another 8-10 per cent from the current levels, said HDFC Securities in its outlook for equity markets in 2024. The brokerage said that the market movement in the next year will not be linear, and there will be more volatility. When asked about the market reaction to the General Elections in 2024, Dhiraj Relli, managing director and CEO of HDFC Securities, said more than the outcome of the elections, the market movement in the next three to four months will decide the market trajectory post elections.

FPI gross purchases hit a high in 2023 on strong earnings, economic growth

FPI gross purchases hit a high in 2023 on strong earnings, economic growth

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2023

A combination of strong earnings and economic growth, and hopes of the Federal Reserve ending the rate-hike cycle have pushed gross buying of Indian equities by foreign portfolio investors (IPO) to a new high. In 2023, FPIs have been gross buyers of shares worth Rs 25.5 trillion, the highest ever in a calendar year. FPIs also sold shares worth Rs 23.9 trillion. On a net basis, they were net buyers to the tune of Rs 1.6 trillion, the highest since 2020.

Street Signs: Nifty50 enters 'overbought' zone

Street Signs: Nifty50 enters 'overbought' zone

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2023

Going 'long' is becoming an overcrowded trade on Dalal Street, and any negative trigger could lead to a sharp correction, warn experts. However, given the strong momentum, particularly in IT stocks, the downside could be protected in the immediate term. "With the Nifty50 surging to new life-time highs, the bulls remain in control. Further upsides are likely once the immediate resistance of 21,492 is taken out.

IPO rush ahead of FPI holiday season

IPO rush ahead of FPI holiday season

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2023

More than half a dozen companies will hit the market with their initial public offerings (IPOs) between now and the end of next week. The cumulative amount raised from these IPOs is expected to be around Rs 8,000 crore. Stationery products firm DOMS Industries and home financier India Shelter Finance's IPOs - of Rs 1,200 crore each - got off to a flying start on Wednesday (December 13), with the former garnering over six times the subscription and the latter getting 1.5 times subscribed.

Banks lead QIP revival in 2023: Listed cos raised Rs 53,070 cr so far

Banks lead QIP revival in 2023: Listed cos raised Rs 53,070 cr so far

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2023

Fundraising through qualified institutional placement (QIP) has revived this year, led by commercial banks, after a lacklustre 2022. According to data compiled by Prime Database, Indian companies have raised Rs 53,070 crore in 2023 so far, of which seven banks - Union Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of India, Federal Bank, IDFC First Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and J&K Bank - account for Rs 21,290 crore, or about 40 per cent. If other financial institutions are included, the figure surges to Rs 26,690 crore.

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2023

If they wish to have any chance next year, the Congress and the alliance must quickly settle all issues, draw up an alternative agenda, and create a cohesive campaign.

PE firms cash out amid market surge

PE firms cash out amid market surge

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2023

Global private equity (PE) firms are successfully offloading large equity stakes in domestic companies in the open market, taking advantage of buoyant conditions. Strong domestic liquidity support and an upward trending market have underpinned over a dozen PE exits worth $2.5 billion, data compiled by Business Standard shows. The figures exclude PE exits during maiden share sales and shares sold by strategic investors, such as SoftBank and Ant Group in new-age companies.

Equity markets likely to extend gains on BJP's Assembly poll wins

Equity markets likely to extend gains on BJP's Assembly poll wins

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2023

The domestic equity markets are expected to extend gains following the strong showing of the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state elections - a crucial precursor to the general elections in May. The BJP decisively secured victories in three of the four key states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. While the battles in these three states were closely contested, the scale of the BJP's triumph has surprised many, heightening expectations for regime continuity in 2024 - a positive catalyst for the markets.

India Inc net profit share in GDP now just shy of 5% after robust Q2

India Inc net profit share in GDP now just shy of 5% after robust Q2

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2023

India Inc's net profit as a percentage of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is just shy of reaching 5 per cent, bolstered by strong earnings growth in the second quarter of 2023-24. Analysts interpret this as an indication that a corporate profit upcycle is in progress, with projections suggesting that this share could exceed 8 per cent within the next five years, driven by bullish earnings growth expectations. "We believe we are only halfway through a profit cycle, with the profit share in GDP rising from a low of 2 per cent in 2020 to about 5 per cent currently, and likely heading to 8 per cent in the coming four to five years. "This implies about 20 per cent compounding of earnings growth. "Underscoring this forecast is the start of a new private capex cycle, under-geared balance sheets, a healthy banking system, lower corporate tax rates, improving terms of trade, and structural consumption demand outlook albeit somewhat offset by likely consolidation in government deficit," said Ridham Desai, managing director, head of research, Morgan Stanley India in a note.