Interest

Indian stock markets

Time for laggards to catch up

Markets have been touching new 52-w highs over the last one month, NIFTY touching a high of 18887.  We may see some profit booking, given the global economic situation, though improving, is still in a precarious position. With inflation easing marginally in the US, we are close to peak interest rates globally. In India this …

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global headwinds

Global headwinds restrain equities

Markets have been trading with a negative bias around 17000 levels. Globally high interest rates, high inflation, energy crisis in Europe & fears of recession are indicating to some tough times ahead. The dollar index has gone up to a two decade high of 113. Prices of crude among other metals & mining commodities are …

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inflation spooks markets

Runaway inflation spooks markets

Markets are trading with a negative bias as index hit fresh 52-week lows ~15,300 NIFTY levels. Higher interest rates & inflation globally have led to fears of stagflation. RBI increased repo rate by 50 bps on 6th June while FED increased rates by 75 bps on 15th June, the highest hike since 1994, to control …

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stagflation

Universal Stagflation

Markets corrected sharply over the last fortnight as higher interest rates & inflation globally have led to fears of stagflation. Stagflation refers to an economy that has inflation, a slow or stagnant economic growth rate, and a relatively high unemployment rate. It presents a dilemma for economic policy, since actions intended to lower inflation may exacerbate unemployment. …

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RBI rate hike

RBI Policy Review – No more accommodative

In an off-cycle meeting, the RBI raised the policy rate by 40 bps to 4.40%. Consequently, the SDF rate was increased to 4.15% and MSF rate to 4.65%. Yesterday’s surprise move is perhaps instigated by a couple of factors. Firstly, the 50 bps FED rate hike which came yesterday night. Secondly, the upcoming April inflation …

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budget 2020-21

Union Budget 2020-21- High expectations

The Union Budget 2020-21 was presented on 1st February 2020 amidst a very challenging economic environment. Although it was not acknowledged explicitly, the budget appears to have realized the fiscal limits. Not surprisingly then, it did not excite the market, where expectations were running very high. There were evidently a lot of expectations from the …

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bank mergers

What customers have to do with bank mergers?

Last month, the Finance Minister announced a spate of bank mergers. This consolidation will bring down the total number of public sector banks (PSBs) in the country to 12 from 27 in 2017. The question on everyone’s mind is how this will affect customers & what action customers need to take for a smooth transition. …

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advance tax

Pay advance tax on personal income- save interest

Income Tax Department strives to make it as easy and convenient for citizens to comply with advance tax payments. So, one has the option of paying it in 4 installments over the financial year. However, if you default, there are some consequences in the form of interest penalty. While salary is subject to tax withholding …

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bonds

Should investors invest in bonds now?

Bond investors have been hit hard over the past one-and-a-half year. For those in fixed deposits, the interest rates have been low and bonds/debt fund investors have been hit by tepid returns on account of rising bond yields. Currently the preferred strategy remains corporate credit, with exposure to both accrual and credit opportunity strategies. The 10-year …

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