ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company has set a price band of Rs 2,061- Rs 2,165 per share for its Rs 10,600-crore initial public offering (IPO) that will open on Friday. At the upper end of the band, the country's largest asset manager will command a valuation of Rs 1.07 trillion.
With several $500 million-plus deals in the pipeline -- including ICICI Prudential AMC, Lenskart, PhonePe, Groww, PhysicsWallah, Meesho, Pine Labs, and Zepto -- investment bankers look poised for another year of hefty bonuses in 2025.
'We operate in an economy that is structurally positioned for long-term growth. As market levels rise over time, our AUM grows in line.'
This marks the strongest DRHP filing tally since 1996, when 428 firms sought to enter India's equity markets.
More than a third of 83 mainboard IPOs this year ended their debut sessions in the red, with losses of up to 35 per cent.
State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender in the country, has launched a share sale to institutional investors to raise upto Rs 25,000 crore, the biggest qualified institutional placement (QIP) so far by an Indian firm, and has set a floor price of Rs 811.05, which is at a 2.5 per cent discount on Wednesday's closing price.
As regards mid-caps and small-caps, analysts suggest investors buy only those stocks of those companies where there is earnings visibility for at least a few quarters and where the valuations have become reasonable.
'Value index funds are most appropriate for long-term investors who can withstand deeper drawdowns.'
Equity-focused schemes may perform better in a bull market, while debt-oriented ones may offer greater stability during volatile periods.
Opinions vary, but fund managers remain bullish.
Mutual fund houses have been on an equity buying spree in the past three months as they have invested a net amount of Rs 55,000 crore in them between January and March 2023. The number is more than double the amount deployed in the preceding three months (October to December), signalling improved valuations and favourable economic indicators. The valuations, which had peaked in October 2021, returned to its long-term average in March 2023.
The Covid winter seems to be finally ending for debt-oriented mutual fund (MF) schemes as interest rates peak, especially for those that invest in shorter-maturity papers. In the past two months, shorter-horizon debt schemes - ultra-short, low-duration, and money-market - have together raked in net inflows of Rs 48,000 crore, the highest for two months since April-May 2021. These schemes invest in shorter-maturity papers ranging from three months to a year.
We believe equity markets in 2011 will be volatile. However, for investors, volatility will provide investment opportunities.
The surge in volatility across the globe sparked by Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to an increase in prices of gold and silver - considered to be safe-haven investment bets. In the past month, silver funds have delivered returns of 7.34 per cent, while gold funds on an average have risen around 6 per cent. In comparison, the benchmark Nifty has declined 4 per cent. Fund managers say precious commodities act as a good hedge against inflation and phases of geopolitical uncertainty.
The mutual fund (MF) industry has seen a fair number of new entrants in the last 10 years but none of them have proved to be much of a challenge for the larger players. The list of top 20 fund houses, which manage over 90 per cent of the industry's total assets, continues to be dominated by players who have been in the business for more than a decade. Bajaj Finserv MF may change that, say experts.
"There is a large workforce working as agents for life insurance companies and other banking and financial products who require specialised training as financial advisers," ICICI Prudential AMC, head -- retail sales and distribution, Vikram Kaushal said. Of the estimated 68,000 financial advisers available in the country, almost 38,000 are working for ICICI Prudential, he said.
Our partnership with ICICI Bank continues to remain strong. We have an exceptional relationship with them, says group CEO of Prudential.
ICICI Prudential AMC has launched the ICICI Prudential Micro Systematic Investment Plan (MSIP) with a minimum investment of just Rs 50 per month.
Nilesh Shah aired his views on the sub-prime crises, after effects of the Budget and FIIs. He thinks Brazil is the best bet amongst upcoming markets due to its natural resources.
Since infrastructure projects have long gestation periods, investors need to enter them with a long horizon of at least 10 years.
'There will be a series of rate hikes, but the pace and quantum will depend on how the economy in the US and the rest of the world behave.'
Analysts attribute this withdrawal trend to the nervousness ahead of US presidential elections and the fact that the markets raced ahead even as the economic recovery remained fragile back home.
'In 2022, active management, long-short strategies, multi-asset strategies, and asset allocation strategies need to be considered to meet long-term investment goals.'
Both indices are down nearly 9 per cent from their all-time highs in mid-January. A sharp reversal seems difficult this time as the peak impact of the virus is yet to play out.
Retail investors have matured and have moved away from investing in only in-vogue products, says the managing director and chief executive officer of ICICI Prudential AMC.
At the start of 2016, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, L&T and Axis Bank were the top five picks of fund managers
Since you are betting only on a few stocks, the risks are high.
The tax filing season is here, and mutual funds have launched tax-saving products.
In a growth market, these funds should not form more than 10-15% of your portfolio. Invest with a horizon of at least 5 years
'If an investor is ready to stay put for the next five years, one can consider investing in mid- and small-cap funds, but through SIPs.'
HDFC Equity, the largest equity fund, also managed by Prashant Jain, with a corpus of Rs 10,445 crore, has 9.4 per cent of its assets in SBI.
Investor folios exceed 2 million, assets more than double since FY14.
Balanced funds are suitable for investors who have low-risk appetite or are new to equities.Those with more than seven-year investment horizon should look at funds that have higher equity exposure.
Unfavourable secondary market conditions aren't a big concern for IPOs by good quality companies.
These numbers show overall exposure and are not a reflection that all loans are going to be impacted.
Balanced funds may be a good option for first-time investors.
The hard truth is that unless you start investing for your children in advance, in appropriate investment avenues, you are risking their future aspirations.
Ajit Mishra, vice president, Research, Religare Broking, answers your queries.
Credit profiles have turned healthier from a year ago
You may invest even at current market levels provided you have an investment horizon of five years or more.
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