News for 'Office of Financial Research'

GDP likely to grow at 18.5% in Q1: SBI report

GDP likely to grow at 18.5% in Q1: SBI report

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at around 18.5 per cent with an upward bias in the first quarter of the current financial year, according to SBI research report Ecowrap. This estimate is lower than the Reserve Bank of India's GDP growth projection of 21.4 per cent for the April-June quarter. "Based on our 'Nowcasting' model, the forecasted GDP growth for Q1 FY22 would be around 18.5 per cent (with upward bias)," the report said. Higher growth in Q1 FY22 is mainly on account of a low base.

Retail inflation spurts to 7-month high in Jan

Retail inflation spurts to 7-month high in Jan

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

The retail inflation rate breached the 6 per cent upper tolerance limit of the RBI for the first time in seven months in January, while the wholesale price index stayed in double-digits for the 10th month in a row, showed two sets of data released by the government on Monday. Retail inflation, the key input for the RBI while reviewing the repo rate every two months, soared during the month mainly because of a spike in certain food items. The previous high for retail inflation was 6.26 per cent in June 2021.

54 companies wait in the wings with IPOs worth Rs 1.4 trn

54 companies wait in the wings with IPOs worth Rs 1.4 trn

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Fundraising activity in the upcoming financial year 2022-23 may even surpass FY22 when 52 Indian companies raised a record Rs 1.11 trillion via initial public offerings (IPOs). According to a note by PRIME Database, 54 companies (including LIC) plan to raise Rs 1.4 trillion and currently hold the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) approval. Another 43 companies, the note said, are looking to raise about Rs 81,000 crore but waiting for Sebi nod.

'India is in the mid of a compelling investment cycle'

'India is in the mid of a compelling investment cycle'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

'Good investment opportunities should not be missed.'

MHA issues fresh guidelines on lockdown exemption

MHA issues fresh guidelines on lockdown exemption

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

The guidelines listed several services including government and private offices that will be out of bounds during the period, while exempting establishments such as hospitals, ration shops, dairies, banks, insurance offices, and print and electronic media. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce has also been exempted from the purview of the lockdown.

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

Rediff.com22 May 2022

In a first, the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) officers reached out to several ministries in the last week of April as part of a confidence-boosting measure. The meeting brought the CAG officials and those from the ministries across the table to discuss the pain points in their relations. CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu took this novel step because of growing tensions between those audited and the auditor.

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

From Covid-19 essentials, such as Vitamin C supplements and thermometers, to bicycles, laptops, and personal weighing scales, demand for certain items galloped during last financial year as the pandemic altered what Indians used on a day-to-day basis. Imports of outdoor sports equipment, handbags for women, and dentures, among others, plummeted. With outdoor activities coming to a halt last year and schools functioning virtually, imports of sports goods witnessed a decline, while inbound shipments of laptops and battery chargers saw a sharp uptick, according to the import data for the financial year 2020-21.

HR GURU: 'I have to sack my friend'

HR GURU: 'I have to sack my friend'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

HR Guru Mayank Rautela offers practical advice.

Borrowers spoilt for choice as banks cut loan rates

Borrowers spoilt for choice as banks cut loan rates

Rediff.com4 Mar 2021

Low home loan rates by banks could put large players in an advantageous position over smaller non-bank players, believe analysts.

Investors bet big on cyclicals as economic recovery gathers pace

Investors bet big on cyclicals as economic recovery gathers pace

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

sharper-than-expected economic recovery back home, analysts say, can fuel a further rally in domestic cyclicals, industrials, and financials as global central banks continue with their easy money policy.

Work from home forever

Work from home forever

Rediff.com3 Jun 2020

'Employees may well be expected to be on call at almost all times -- much like the standard Indian approach to the workday,' points out Mihir S Sharma.

Tata Sons arm to acquire controlling stake in Tejas Networks

Tata Sons arm to acquire controlling stake in Tejas Networks

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

Tejas Networks, a telecom and network firm, on Thursday said an arm of Tata Sons will acquire controlling stake in it for nearly Rs 1,890 crore in a multi-step deal. The company has executed definitive agreements with Panatone Finvest, a subsidiary of Tata Sons (Tata group holding firm), it said in a statement. As part of the agreement, the company will make a preferential allotment of 1.94 crore equity shares at a price per equity share of Rs 258 per share aggregating to Rs 500 crore to Panatone.

Nifty achieves another milestone as valuation hits all-time high of 40x

Nifty achieves another milestone as valuation hits all-time high of 40x

Rediff.com13 Jan 2021

This is first time in 25 years that a benchmark equity index in India is trading at a P/E multiple of 40x or higher.

Mutual funds add over 3 cr folios in FY22 on sharp rally in equity market, digitisation

Mutual funds add over 3 cr folios in FY22 on sharp rally in equity market, digitisation

Rediff.com17 Apr 2022

Increasing awareness about mutual funds, ease of transactions through digitisation and sharp surge in equity markets have aided asset management companies to add a staggering 3.17 crore investor accounts in 2021-22, with experts saying the trend is likely to continue this fiscal as well. This was a significant rise from 2020-21 when 81 lakh accounts (or folios in mutual fund parlance) were opened, data with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) showed. The ongoing financial year too appears to be promising in terms of folios as increase in investor accounts will enable people to move beyond fixed deposits and savings accounts, said Priti Rathi Gupta, founder of LXME, a financial platform for women.

Paytm to raise $1.5 bn via primary issue of shares ahead of IPO

Paytm to raise $1.5 bn via primary issue of shares ahead of IPO

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

Paytm will look to raise up to $1.5 billion as part of primary share sale, leading up to its initial public offering (IPO), which is planned for November, a person familiar with the developments said. The company is looking to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by July, according to sources. According to this person, though the details of the listing are being worked out, Paytm may take the qualified institutional buyer (QIB) route to list and issue fresh equity to raise funds.

Valuation of top IT firms way above earnings growth trend

Valuation of top IT firms way above earnings growth trend

Rediff.com25 May 2021

India's top IT companies have shown a hiatus between their performance on the bourses in the pandemic period and earnings growth. The combined market cap of the top five IT companies - Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Tech Mahindra - is up 87 per cent since the end of March 2020. In comparison, the benchmark BSE Sensex is up 68 per cent during the period. So the industry beat the broader market by a big margin in the last one year.

How SonyLIV BEAT Netflix and Amazon

How SonyLIV BEAT Netflix and Amazon

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

'There is so much talk about Netflix and what they should be doing.' 'In two years, SonyLIV has done what Netflix should be doing.'

Why restaurants are dumping Swiggy, Zomato for others

Why restaurants are dumping Swiggy, Zomato for others

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

"It went up to 20-odd per cent in 2019 and to 25 per cent a year later. "That's when we decided to pull the plug; it was not sustainable for our business," says Chadha. Madison & Pike, instead, turned to Mumbai-based start-up Thrive, which provides third-party delivery services to restaurants at a much lower commission - three to five per cent.

Small-cap index at new high; analysts advise caution

Small-cap index at new high; analysts advise caution

Rediff.com9 Apr 2021

Shares of small-cap companies have been on a roll with the S&P BSE Small-Cap index hitting a new high in intra-day deals on Thursday. The rally has been fueled by an up move in stocks of chemicals, cement, graphite electrode makers, pharmaceuticals and information technology (IT) shares. In the past two weeks, since March 25, the index has outperformed the market by gaining 7.3 per cent. In comparison, the S&P BSE Midcap index was up 6.1 per cent, while the S&P BSE Sensex gained 3.6 per cent during the same period.

Jio's cashback offer to escalate competition

Jio's cashback offer to escalate competition

Rediff.com7 Oct 2021

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has introduced a 20-per cent cashback offer on select prepaid plans, intensifying competition in the Indian telecommunications (telecom) market. Jio is the largest telecom service provider in India, with 443 million subscribers as of July. Jio's cashback offer will drive cross-selling across Reliance's various retail businesses, but the move is also being seen by some analysts as a signal that tariff hikes may not be around the corner just yet.

What To Check Before Studying Abroad

What To Check Before Studying Abroad

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

While most universities and colleges are genuine about what they offer, applicants need to verify the claims to check for authenticity and red flags if any, alerts Piyush Kumar, regional director, (South Asia), IDP Education, an overseas education consultancy.

Indian firms to gain from Brexit only in the long run, say analysts

Indian firms to gain from Brexit only in the long run, say analysts

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

Auto, pharma, IT, chemicals among sectors with significant reliance on UK and European nations with Tata Motors, Motherson Sumi, Tata Steel, TCS, Wipro, Infosys and Tech M among key names.

Feb retail inflation at 8-mth high of 6.07%

Feb retail inflation at 8-mth high of 6.07%

Rediff.com14 Mar 2022

Retail inflation hit an eight-month high of 6.07 per cent in February, remaining above the RBI's comfort level for the second month in a row, while wholesale price-based inflation soared to 13.11 per cent on account of hardening of crude oil and non-food item prices, government data showed on Monday. The previous high for retail inflation was 6.26 per cent in June 2021. The consumer price index (CPI) based retail inflation, which is taken into account by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) while deciding its monetary policy, rose mainly because of costlier food items, as per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

Trump admn allows travel ban exemptions for IT, healthcare sectors

Trump admn allows travel ban exemptions for IT, healthcare sectors

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

The US state department, which issued the revised travel advisory, on Wednesday said that the exemptions have been given under the national interest category.

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

While she primed up spending on infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic activity, Sitharaman did not tinker with income tax slabs or tax rates. Her Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 2022 proposed a massive 35 per cent jump in capital expenditure to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, coupled with rationalisation of customs duty, an extension of time for setting up new manufacturing companies and plans for starting a digital currency and tax crypto assets.

Time to book PROFITS in stock markets?

Time to book PROFITS in stock markets?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2021

Even if the bull run may continue, most experts say some profit booking is called for, points out Sanjay Kumar Singh.

India ready to produce over 5bn Covid vaccines next year: Modi at G20

India ready to produce over 5bn Covid vaccines next year: Modi at G20

Rediff.com31 Oct 2021

The prime minister in his intervention at the session on "global economy and global health" also flagged the issue of facilitating international travel and talked about the mechanism of mutual recognition of vaccine certification as a means of achieving this, according to the text of his intervention shared by his office.

17 of 24 small-cap funds deliver more than 100% returns

17 of 24 small-cap funds deliver more than 100% returns

Rediff.com24 May 2021

The BSE SmallCap index gained 106 per cent in the one year ended May 12, 2021.

Infosys Q3 net profit up 11.8% at Rs 5,809 cr

Infosys Q3 net profit up 11.8% at Rs 5,809 cr

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

The Bengaluru-based company had registered a net profit (after minority interest) of Rs 5,197 crore a year ago, a regulatory filing said. Infosys' revenue grew 22.9 per cent to Rs 31,867 crore in the quarter ended December 2021 from Rs 25,927 crore in the year-ago period, it added.

Nutanix bets big on govt clients, defence projects after Nasdaq debut

Nutanix bets big on govt clients, defence projects after Nasdaq debut

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

In India, the company serves customers such as stock exchanges, brokers, non-banking financial companies, financial services and insurance, IT and IT-enabled services.

Retailers defy pandemic woes to add new stores

Retailers defy pandemic woes to add new stores

Rediff.com26 Oct 2020

Real estate experts say rentals have corrected by 5-10 per cent across formats, including office, retail and housing, with a pick-up expected over the next few quarters as the economy recovers.

Why BSE capped the price movement of select scrips

Why BSE capped the price movement of select scrips

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

The latest circular from BSE that sought to cap the price movement of select scrips, especially the mid-, small-cap segments, traded on the exchange is not without a reason. A quick calendar year-to-date price check on the stocks from the categories put under 'Add-on Price Band Framework' by the BSE reveals a total of 210 stocks have seen their market price more than double. Among individual stocks, SC Agrotech, Adinath Textiles, Waaree Renewable Technologies, Steel Strips Infrastructure, Unistar Multimedia, Texel Industries, Raja Bahadur International and Hindustan Everest Tools from the BSE's X and XT group have rallied over 500 per cent during this period. Topping the charts is Gita Renewable Energy, which has zoomed 3,964 per cent to Rs 272.35 now from Rs 6.7 as on December 31, 2020.

Equity MFs see all-time high net inflow of Rs 28,463 cr in Mar

Equity MFs see all-time high net inflow of Rs 28,463 cr in Mar

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

Equity mutual funds attracted an all-time high net inflow of Rs 28,463 crore in March, on continued interest by retail and HNI investors, who used market correction as a good buying opportunity.

Sentiment in real estate turns optimistic in Oct-Dec

Sentiment in real estate turns optimistic in Oct-Dec

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

The sentiment in the real estate industry turned optimistic during October-December 2020 and the outlook for the next six months is positive on the back of revival in demand for both residential and office properties, according to a survey by Knight Frank India-FICCI-Naredco. The 27th edition of 'Real Estate Sentiment Index Q4 2020 survey' of developers, banks, financial institutions and private equity players operating in the sector was released on Monday in a video-conference. As per the report, the 'Current Sentiments Score', for the first time in 2020, entered the optimistic zone at 54 points in Q4 (October-December) 2020, a significant jump of 14 points over the previous quarter.

Wipro, not TCS or Infy, to kickstart Q4 results season

Wipro, not TCS or Infy, to kickstart Q4 results season

Rediff.com12 Apr 2020

While Wipro will announce its fourth quarter (Q4) results along with annual financial statements on April 15, market leader TCS will hold its board meet the next day (April 16) for approval of its financial statements. Infosys is yet to inform investors the date it will announce its Q4 earnings.

Pogonotrophy & the Joy of being 'Beardiful'

Pogonotrophy & the Joy of being 'Beardiful'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2021

Will the beard continue to be in vogue once WFH wraps up? asks Sandeep Goyal.

How to stay secure as cybercrime runs rampant in India

How to stay secure as cybercrime runs rampant in India

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

Like software-as-a-service (SaaS), CaaS has emerged as a well-orchestrated ecosystem for cybercriminals.

What The Future Holds For MBAs In India

What The Future Holds For MBAs In India

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

Will MBA hybrid model be the focus for B-schools? Should B-schools focus on long distance programmes?

COVID-19: Rajnath asks armed forces to help states

COVID-19: Rajnath asks armed forces to help states

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

It was decided that the senior-most Army officer in a state would get in touch with the chief minister to understand the requirement and take forward the process, including offering to treat civilians wherever possible

Weak Rs to make India Inc's foreign debt repayment costly

Weak Rs to make India Inc's foreign debt repayment costly

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

RBI is expecting the rupee to stay close to Rs 75 to a dollar, as COVID-19 forces foreign funds to withdraw from emerging markets.