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In Maharashtra’s Thane district, police have registered a case of alleged fraud involving two construction company owners accused of deceiving a family of ₹1.2 crore. The incident came to light after a 28-year-old woman from Thane’s Rabodi area lodged a complaint against the two accused, who are brothers. The accused allegedly persuaded the woman, her mother, and her sister to invest the substantial sum in their construction company based in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Promises were made of a significant payout within five years or, alternatively, the option of acquiring two or three apartments in the city’s prime real estate zone. According to the complaint, the woman’s family entered the deal on December 31, 2022, convinced by assurances of either a return of ₹3 crore over five years or property options in Bandra. To meet the required investment amount, the family borrowed funds from various sources, entrusting their money with the accused based on the lucrative promises. The police official handling the case noted that the family, enticed by the seemingly profitable terms, had not foreseen the outcome that would follow. In May 2023, however, when the family attempted to reclaim their funds and the anticipated profit, the accused allegedly declined the request. The complainant stated that the brothers not only refused to pay but also reportedly threatened the family, citing powerful connections that would shield them from legal repercussions. This behaviour alarmed the family, leading them to seek legal recourse. The Rabodi police have filed a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 420 for cheating, Section 406 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 506 for criminal intimidation. Additionally, charges were filed under Section 34, indicating common intention, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act. The case highlights the dangers that investors may face when lured by high-return promises in unregulated sectors. Fraudulent schemes in real estate and construction have been known to target individuals and families looking for profitable investments, often leaving them with financial losses and emotional distress. Authorities are continuing investigations, with the Rabodi police closely monitoring the case to gather further evidence. This incident is expected to bring more attention to regulatory practices within the real estate industry and underscore the need for stricter oversight to protect potential investors from falling prey to deceitful operators. (with PTI inputs)

Thane family loses Rs 1.2 crore as they get cheated by construction company, details here

In the last two years, there has been a rapid rise in scams in India and a lot of people have lost their hard-earned money after trusting strangers for financial advice. Be it a fraudulent app, being added to a shady WhatsApp group, or receiving phone calls from strangers that sound too good to be true, many cases have come to light. Now, in a new incident, a doctor from Thane, Maharashtra, was misled by three Karnataka-based suspects who promised earnings via a municipal contract to supply medical equipment, costing him ₹3.84 crore. Despite investing over a three-year period, he saw no returns and reported the crime to the Naupada police, who have registered a case but made no arrests. Thane doctor tricked by false municipal contract According to a PTI report, a 39-year-old doctor in Thane, Maharashtra was deceived by three men from Karnataka. These fraudsters offered him lucrative returns through a supposed municipal contract for supplying medical equipment. Convinced by the promise of reliable profits, the doctor began investing heavily in December 2020, making significant contributions until March this year. The doctor’s substantial investment – totalling ₹3.84 crore – was made over multiple transactions from December 2020 and March this year, in anticipation of high returns that never materialised. Suspicion finally arose after the doctor had seen no profits despite his repeated investments. Recognising he may have been defrauded, he reached out to the Naupada police station, who registered a case under charges of cheating. While no arrests have been made so far, authorities have launched an investigation to track down the perpetrators and recover the funds if possible. A police official told PTI, "The man approached police after he did not get profits or any return on investment. We have registered a case of cheating but have not arrested anyone." Ahmedabad gynaecologist duped in <keyword id="21361161" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="stock-market-scam" source="keywords">stock market scam</keyword> In a similar incident, a gynaecologist from Ahmedabad lost ₹1.1 crore to a scam that began with a social media advertisement. Attracted by the potential for substantial stock market returns, the doctor engaged with a group promising expert tips and was subsequently added to a WhatsApp group where members shared investment insights. Through this group, he was introduced to a web link for stock and IPO investments, along with an application that required his banking details and identification documents. A PTI report revealed that the doctor’s initial investment of ₹50,000 yielded a profit of ₹10,000, which he successfully withdrew. This initial success encouraged him to make larger investments, transferring ₹1.1 crore through multiple transactions in pursuit of higher gains. When he later attempted to withdraw his funds, he was unexpectedly asked to pay 20% of his total profits. After refusing this demand, he was removed from the WhatsApp group and realised the extent of the deception. He contacted Cybercrime police in February, and after months of waiting, a formal case was registered against unknown suspects under charges of breach of trust and cheating, alongside provisions of the <keyword id="20003647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology-act" source="keywords">Information Technology Act</keyword>.

Thane doctor gets cheated of ₹3.84 crore, was promised high financial returns by 3 men

The deluge of funds in sectoral, or <keyword id="20296225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thematic-Funds" source="keywords">thematic funds</keyword> continued unabashed in September, with investors pouring in Rs 13,254.63 crore via 183 schemes into this category, as <keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AMFI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AMFI">AMFI</keyword> data showed. In August too, investors had put in Rs 18,117.18 crore via 179 schemes here. The trend has been going strong since July, 2024, which saw <keyword id="20444306" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sectoral-Funds" source="keywords">sectoral funds</keyword> garner Rs 18,386.35 crores via 174 schemes. In August, 5 new thematic funds were launched on the momentum, which raised Rs 10,202 crore. Last month saw the launch of 4 new sectoral schemes, which garnered around Rs 8,000 crore. However, inflows into <keyword id="21366551" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Equity-Schemes" source="keywords">equity schemes</keyword> fell by 10% in September to Rs 34,419 crore, as compared to Rs 38,239 crore in August 2024. Between April and June 2024, equity <keyword id="19929240" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mutual-Funds" source="keywords">mutual funds</keyword> had seen a total inflow of Rs 94,222.27 crore, out of which inflows in sectoral funds (Rs 46,731.17 crore) alone were a whopping 50%. While the quantum of inflow in equities, and sectoral funds certainly seems to have tapered down a bit, it continues to remain significantly strong, indicating heavy <keyword id="20354507" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Investor-Interest" source="keywords">investor interest</keyword> in this largely risky segment. Over the last year, AMCs have been pumping out more and more NFOs in this space in a bid to get a bigger chunk of investor's money, and also regulations restrict them from launching new schemes under other categories. However, with the ongoing geopolitical concerns in Middle East, and rising prices of crude oil, the equity markets are set for volatile, uncertain times ahead. However. thematic funds have had a good run so far this year, with YTD (yield to date) of 28.69%, and returns worth 44.71% over the past year. Says Deepak Ramaraju, Senior Fund Manager, Shriram AMC, "On the prima facie, it looks like investors are concerned about the valuation, increasing geo-political uncertainty and moderation in earnings and hence, we have seen redemption from funds. But we will have to wait for how the global events play out – like the Chinese stimulus, the Fed Decision and the RBI’s MPC policy stance in the months to come". As such, you should think twice and carefully assess the risks involved before dipping your hands in the gush of sectoral funds right now. While they may be all the rage, identifying the right sector or theme at the right time is a job best done by professionals. <h2>Don't ignore the risks involved</h2>Siddharth Alok, AVP Investments, Multi Ark Wealth-Epsilon Money explains that sectoral funds come with high risk, since they are more vulnerable to sector-specific downturns. This might not suit the risk palate of many investors. "All markets have cycles, where some sectors naturally outperform while some underperform in the short to medium term. For instance, industrial and consumer discretionary sectors may perform well in a growing economy, while defensive sectors like utilities or healthcare may perform better during downturns". "To make the most of your investments in sectoral funds, it is essential to time your entry and exit in these sectors, which is a difficult job for a regular investor", he continued. In order to maximise your returns in thematic funds, either investors i.e. you should understand the dynamics of the underlying sector or theme, or you should have qualified and experienced advisors who can help you take the right decision with regards to such investments. As a matter of fact, you should approach any new funds only after comparing them with similar existing offerings and ensuring their aptness in your portfolio. As an astute investor, you should understand that such funds offer a very high-risk high return investment proposition and may not fit in the portfolio of every investor. Investing in every <keyword id="20498936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NFO" source="keywords">NFO</keyword> (New Fund Offering) without assessing the sector's viability and future growth, merely on the back of its current hype is unadvisable.

The newest fad in mutual fund multiverse: Sectoral Funds. Here's why you should not over-invest in them

Indian banks are expected to have steady growth in earnings and returns over the next 3–4 years, according to a recent report by Jefferies. It expects a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in loan growth for banks between FY24 and FY27, helmed by a supportive environment and expected adjustments in interest rates. "We expect steady growth in earnings and stable returns, Over FY24-27, the banks we cover should see 13% CAGRin loans We factor 25-50 bps cut in rates, &amp; depending on timing, NIMs will move," the report said. Depending on the timing, these rate cuts could impact banks' <keyword id="20076541" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-interest-margins" source="keywords">net interest margins</keyword> (NIMs), which measure the difference between interest income generated and interest paid to depositors. The report also notes that banks' net interest income (NII), a critical metric that is reflective of how much a bank earns from its lending, could grow at a steady 12% CAGR, which would support overall earnings growth. <h2>Rate cuts probable next year</h2>Per SBI Mutual Fund's monthly outlook for November 2024, while markets were initially speculating possible rate reductions in December this year or February next year these chances now stand dampened due to two reasons. First, elevated CPI numbers in September, which stood at a nine-month high, underlined the stickiness of food inflation. Secondly, RBI governor Das recently highlighted his hawkish stance at a conference, stating that "rate cuts at this stage would be premature and risky’. The report further adds that February 2025, or even April, would be a better time to discuss repo rate cuts in India. Even <keyword id="19985925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bank-credit-growth" source="keywords">bank credit growth</keyword> has continued to outpace deposit growth for two years now. However, they seem to be inching closer in the recent past. For instance, in October 2024, while bank credit growth remained at 12.7%, the deposit growth rate followed closely at 11.8%. This also means that banks are witnessing an elevated bank credit-to-deposit ratio, standing at 77% in October. <h2>Risks in unsecured lending </h2>However, Jefferies noted some areas of caution that could influence growth in other revenue streams, particularly fees. Growth in fees may be at risk due to expected declines in the disbursal of unsecured loans, which generally carry higher interest rates and generate higher fees for banks. October saw stress and defaults rising in the unsecured lending space, prompting the RBI to intervene. As a result, unsecured loans by banks have only grown by 12.1%, the lowest since the pandemic. Despite these risks, the report expects banks' return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) to remain healthy, underscoring the sector's stable profitability potential. The report also highlights that while the Nifty Banks index has risen by 19% over the past year, it has still underperformed the broader Nifty index, which delivered 27% returns in the same period. BSE Bankex has been along similar lines, generating returns worth 19% over one year. While the Nifty banks' index has a YTD (yield to date) of 7.63%, it continues to trail Nifty's YTD of 11.30%

Indian banks to have steady growth in earning over next 3-4 years, fees from unsecured lending may dip, notes Jefferies report

Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

Consumer goods, auto and healthcare sector to expand but energy may face challenge in 2025: Report

Dear reader, Another week comes to an end, and with it, a fresh roundup of stories shaping the business and finance landscapes. This week, we explored data that challenges the idea that large IPOs automatically lead to large returns—18 of India’s biggest IPOs fell short of expectations. On the investment front, experts debunked the popular advice of ‘<keyword id="23577643" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="buying-the-dip" source="keywords">buying the dip</keyword>’ and suggest a better approach for long-term success. And in the world of <keyword id="19963428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quick-commerce" source="keywords">quick commerce</keyword>, recent incidents like bizarre notifications and uncalled-for freebies piqued social media's interest. For stargazers and romantics, the upcoming <keyword id="22852367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hunters-Moon" source="keywords">Hunter’s Moon</keyword> offers a beautiful setting for a moonlit night. And for career climbers, we have insights from a <keyword id="21560867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="product-manager" source="keywords">product manager</keyword> who landed a $180,000 role at <keyword id="19904352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cisco" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Cisco" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Cisco">Cisco</keyword>, sharing <keyword id="21767233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="resume-tips" source="keywords">resume tips</keyword> to help you stand out. Dive in, and enjoy this week’s highlights! <h2>Top stories of the week</h2> Do large IPOs guarantee large returns? Data suggests that 18 of India's biggest 30 IPOs did not generate solid returns A study of India’s top 30 IPOs reveals that a majority—18 of them—failed to deliver substantial returns to investors. Despite the hype surrounding large public offerings, data shows that a company’s size or popularity doesn’t always correlate with strong post-IPO performance. Investors are urged to manage their expectations and conduct thorough research before jumping into large IPOs, as high-profile launches don’t guarantee hefty returns. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/do-large-ipos-guarantee-large-returns-data-suggests-that-18-of-indias-biggest-30-ipos-did-not-generate-hefty-returns/articleshow/114302378.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Free tomatoes to i-pill notification, recent quick commerce incidents that sparked outrage Recent incidents in India’s quick commerce sector have sparked widespread outrage, ranging from offering free tomatoes as promotional giveaways to sending unsolicited I-Pill notifications to customers. These occurrences highlight issues around <keyword id="19999043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-privacy" source="keywords">consumer privacy</keyword>, safety, and inappropriate marketing strategies. As rapid delivery services continue to expand, so do concerns about their ethical and operational practices. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/free-tomatoes-to-i-pill-notification-recent-quick-commerce-incidents-that-sparked-outrage/articleshow/114315992.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Why "buying the dip" is not always good advice, and the right time to start is now The age-old investment advice of ‘buying the dip’ may not always hold true, especially in unpredictable markets. Experts argue that waiting for stocks to drop before investing could result in missed opportunities, as market timings are nearly impossible to predict. Instead, the best strategy for long-term investors may be to focus on consistent investing, with the right time to start being now. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/why-buying-the-dip-is-not-always-good-advice-the-right-time-to-start-is-now/articleshow/114253456.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Why this week's Hunter's Moon is the ultimate backdrop for the perfect moonlit date night The upcoming Hunter’s Moon, which will grace the skies this week, offers the perfect opportunity for a romantic, moonlit night. This full moon is not only visually stunning but also holds cultural significance, symbolizing harvest and abundance. For those seeking an atmospheric, nature-infused experience, this celestial event promises to be the ultimate backdrop for a memorable date night. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/article/why-this-weeks-hunters-moon-is-the-ultimate-backdrop-for-the-perfect-moonlit-date-night/articleshow/114317181.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> A product manager shares the résumé that helped him transition from consulting and land a $180,000 role at Cisco Transitioning from consulting to a high-paying role as a product manager at Cisco, one professional shared the resume that helped him land the $180,000 job. His strategic approach included tailoring his CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences, positioning himself as the perfect candidate for the tech giant. Aspiring product managers can take notes on crafting resumes that stand out in competitive job markets. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/a-product-manager-shares-the-rsum-that-helped-him-transition-from-consulting-and-land-a-180000-role-at-cisco/articleshow/114232654.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> <h2><h2>Web Stories </h2> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/india-canada-tussle-a-timeline-of-escalating-tensions-under-trudeaus-regime/slidelist/114283096.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India-Canada Tussle: A timeline of escalating tensions under Trudeau’s regime</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/india-canada-tussle-a-timeline-of-escalating-tensions-under-trudeaus-regime/slidelist/114283096.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/the-weirdest-guinness-world-records-ever-set/slidelist/114288059.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">The weirdest Guinness World records ever set</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/the-weirdest-guinness-world-records-ever-set/slidelist/114288059.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/from-amber-to-gagron-indias-unesco-world-heritage-forts-to-explore/slidelist/114282776.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Amber to Gagron: India’s UNESCO world heritage forts to explore</a> </h2>

Weekend wrap: IPO myths, quick commerce gone wrong and more

Imagine waking up to a sunlit morning, where the sky is painted with vibrant hues of blue and the air feels crisp and invigorating. For some, this might be the perfect weather to go for a refreshing walk or plan a picnic in the park; for others, it could be a nudge towards making riskier financial decisions! No, really. New research by the University of South Australia has unearthed a fascinating connection — one which links pleasant weather to higher investment in lottery-like stocks. Its findings shed light on how sunny skies and clear weather conditions significantly influence investors to engage more in high-risk investments. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The sunny side of investing" comment="subhead" text="The sunny side of investing">The sunny side of investing</cmsannotation> This study was conducted by Dr Bradrania, Senior Lecturer of Finance and a member of UniSA's Center for Markets, Values and Inclusion, alongside PhD student Ya Gao. Together, they meticulously analysed 36 years' worth of weather data, including hourly sky cloud cover, wind speed, rain depth and air temperature from major weather stations across US cities. They also examined price data of common stocks from this extensive period, ranging from 1983 to 2019. Their findings indicate that on days with favourable weather, investors are more prone to be risk-taking and optimistic, leading to increased investment in lottery-like stocks. This surge in demand drives the prices of these stocks higher initially, but their prices eventually adjust, often resulting in significant losses for investors. Such lottery-like stocks are typically inexpensive compared to other stocks and are perceived as opportunities for substantial gains, much like lottery tickets. However, the likelihood of a high return is minimal, categorising them as high-risk investments. Given that a good mood can encourage risk-taking behaviour, the researchers sought to find if weather conditions are linked to the demand for these <keyword id="21956496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="high-risk-stocks" source="keywords">high-risk stocks</keyword>, and they did — a finding that could have significant implications for financial markets. “Over-optimism is associated with overconfidence in many cases and investors who are overconfident tend to trade lottery-like stocks more. The research suggests weather relates to gambling preference and influences our judgement and choices. It also provides some guidance on investment decisions depending on weather conditions,” Dr. Bradrania said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The curious link between weather and human behaviour" comment="subhead" text="The curious link between weather and human behaviour">The curious link between weather and human behaviour</cmsannotation> Studies in psychology have delved into the profound impact of weather on human emotions and behaviour, suggesting that it can explain around 40% of our daily mood fluctuations. Sunshine, in particular, can have a huge impact on how we feel, Dr. Reza Bradrania adds. Previous research has even underscored the broader implications of weather patterns on financial markets, indicating a tendency for stock prices to rise on sunny days and dip during cloudier periods. Weather dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping consumer spending habits as well, notably leading to increased sales during warmer weather, particularly in sports equipment and apparel sectors. Moreover, seasonal transitions have been found to wield considerable influence over our emotional state — a phenomenon well-documented in <keyword id="19978647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="seasonal-affective-disorder" source="keywords">Seasonal Affective Disorder</keyword> (SAD). This condition manifests as recurring episodes of depression, typically coinciding with the onset of a fall and persisting through the winter months. The diminished sunlight during these seasons disrupts the body's natural rhythm, contributing to feelings of melancholy and lethargy. From affecting our emotional well-being to our financial situation, weather can have a significant impact on humans, often in ways that might not be immediately obvious to us. Therefore, being aware of these subtle effects could go a long way in helping us make well-informed decisions and navigate daily challenges effectively. The research is published in the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance and can be accessed <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S221463502400025X">here</a>.

Blue skies, bold investments: Pleasant weather drives investors to buy more high-risk stocks, study finds

Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Sebi" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Sebi">SEBI</keyword> has asked the <keyword id="20677983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-fund-industry" source="keywords">mutual fund industry</keyword> to proactively conduct stress tests, a key component of <keyword id="20383727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="risk-management" source="keywords">risk management</keyword> for the financial sector, which will help strengthen the ecosystem, its whole-time member Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan said on Friday. The regulator's stress testing emphasizes the need to assess and manage liquidity risks, especially in small and midcap equity schemes. Speaking at a mutual fund event, Gopalakrishnan highlighted the importance of modelling stress scenarios not just for individual schemes or fund houses, but for the entire mutual fund ecosystem. "It is also important to model stress scenarios for the entire composite mutual fund ecosystem. I would strongly encourage the industry and <keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AMFI" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="AMFI">AMFI</keyword> to take the lead and proactively conduct objective and credible industry wide stress tests. themselves," Gopalakrishnan said. He also emphasized the need to find better ways to communicate the risks associated with different mutual fund schemes. The SEBI official mentioned that while the current risk measurement system is straightforward and has had a significant impact, it doesn't fully capture the differences in risks among various investment schemes. According to him, many schemes are just labelled as high risk, even though they have different kinds of risks. The goal is to improve this system to better reflect those differences, while keeping it simple and easy to understand. One possible approach is to consider the portfolio's volatility and liquidity from stress tests to give a clearer picture. "While ensuring simplicity and ease of understanding remains a key objective, perhaps the underlying volatility of the portfolio along with the liquidity of the portfolio from stress tests could be used to provide better colour all around," he added. This comes at a time when the holdings of mutual funds by <keyword id="20234284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="domestic-institutional-investors" source="keywords">Domestic Institutional Investors</keyword> (DIIs) and individuals have risen from about 54.3% of free float of all mid cap and small cap companies, as of March 2020 to 60.6% as of March 2024. Several fund houses have proactively stopped lump sum investments in some small-cap schemes and also capped the amount that can be invested through <keyword id="20675888" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="systematic-investment-plan" source="keywords">Systematic Investment Plan</keyword> (SIP) into small-cap schemes. He also highlighted the potential mismatch between the demand for paper and the supply of fresh paper coming into the ecosystem. Gopalakrishnan said the industry can make more progress in streamlining operations and improving efficiency for investors. "At a time when instantaneous fund transfers have become ubiquitous in our country, perhaps we should look to improve our internal processes and the security settlement ecosystem, to ensure that funds are passed on to investors on the day of the settlement itself, rather than a day after or two days after," he added. Over the last few years, the mutual fund industry has made impressive strides, and is now playing a crucial role in channeling financial savings towards risk capital formation. This was driven by stable macros, increased formalization, robust corporate earnings, digitisation and user friendly access. Moreover, the number of mutual fund investors has grown significantly from about 2 crore as of March 2019 to nearly 4.7 crore as of June 2024, an impressive compounded annual growth rate of 18% during that period. Gopalakrishnan mentioned that several exciting initiatives are in the works, developed with input from all stakeholders. These include a proposed low-ticket SIP, further breaking down regular SIPs into smaller, more accessible units (sachetisation and tokenization), and the introduction of "mutual funds lite" regulations. These new regulations will simplify rules for passively managed funds, reducing the compliance burden and encouraging competition and innovation. Additionally, a new class of higher-risk schemes is proposed for investors with a greater capacity to handle risk.

SEBI asks mutual fund industry to proactively conduct stress test

The Comptroller and Auditor General (<keyword id="19900713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAG" source="keywords">CAG</keyword>) has asked the <keyword id="19900485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Finance Ministry" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Finance Ministry">Finance Ministry</keyword> to identify <keyword id="22837132" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="high-risk-taxpayers" source="keywords">high risk taxpayers</keyword> in the <keyword id="20981418" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST-composition-scheme" source="keywords">GST composition scheme</keyword> on a periodical basis and verify from other sources, including third parties, their declared <keyword id="22837745" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="value-of-sales" source="keywords">value of sales</keyword> to check <keyword id="20121097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-evasion" source="keywords">tax evasion</keyword>. Based on an analysis of 8.66 lakh composition taxpayers under the central jurisdiction between 2019-20 to 2021-22 fiscals, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that a significant number of <keyword id="19951327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst" source="keywords">GST</keyword> taxpayers have a high risk of crossing the <keyword id="22837744" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="turnover-threshold" source="keywords">turnover threshold</keyword> for composition levy scheme (CLS). These high risk taxpayers were identified by audit from the data contained in GST returns viz. GSTR-4A, GSTR-7 along with third party data sources such as IT returns, 'Vahan' database etc. The GST composition scheme is available to taxpayers whose aggregate turnover, in the preceding financial year, has not exceeded Rs 1.5 crore. For taxpayers in special category states, this limit is Rs 75 lakh. The CAG said two major risk areas in respect of CLS taxpayers are under-declaration of the 'value of outward supply' by the taxpayers to continue in the scheme; and non-fulfillment of eligibility conditions for availing CLS. The audit also observed that there were certain CLS taxpayers who were continuing in the Scheme despite not fulfilling the eligibility criteria prescribed in the Act and the Rules, and a substantial number of CLS taxpayers were not discharging their obligatory responsibilities of filing returns and payment of tax under reverse charge. "The Ministry should identify high risk taxpayers in the CLS on a periodical basis using a risk-based approach and verify their declared value of outward supply from other sources including third parties to minimize the possibility of misuse by ineligible persons," the CAG said in a report tabled in Parliament recently. The official auditor also suggested that the Finance Ministry may develop a system of identifying ineligible taxpayers and take action to exclude them from the CLS in order to prevent misuse of the intended benefits of the scheme.

Finance Ministry should identify high risk taxpayers in GST composition scheme: CAG

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars into tech overseas in recent years.</li><li>The kingdom is now looking for overseas tech companies to invest in it, according to Bloomberg. </li></ul>In his ascendance to power, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-mbs-2023-10">Mohammed bin Salman</a> spent years investing Saudi Arabia's oil money in the global tech sector. The crown prince's kingdom appears to be ready for some of that favor to be returned.Rather than prioritizing investments in overseas tech companies, Saudi Arabia is looking to them to bring investment and resources to the Middle East as it seeks to capitalize on the AI boom and become a force of its own in the rapidly growing sector.The latest signs of this shift came on Wednesday after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-06/saudis-plan-100-billion-ai-powerhouse-to-rival-uae-s-tech-hub">Bloomberg reported</a> that Saudi Arabia had plans for an up to $100 billion AI project that aims to not only prioritize the local tech industry but also encourage large tech companies to "put resources in the country.""Project Transcendence," as it is known, aims to make Saudi Arabia a place with all the components needed to advance AI: data centers housing the GPUs that train and run AI models, well-resourced startups at the cutting edge of innovation, and a globally sourced talent pool. According to the Bloomberg report, it also aims to build a "national champion" in AI. The crown prince, known as MBS, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ai.sa/">initiated a national AI strategy in 2020,</a> well before the current boom. But several factors have emerged since then for his nation to think hard about what it can do to accelerate the development of a resilient AI industry at home — and who it can get some help from.<div type="image" title="MBS" height="3043" width="4300" msid="115061833" hostid="261" sizebytes="382254"></div>One reason is that there has been an investment step-up in AI since the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chat-gpt-2023-1">launch of ChatGPT</a> in late 2022, raising the stakes for Saudi Arabia as it battles neighboring rivals like the UAE for regional supremacy. Emirati state Abu Dhabi, for instance, is home to G42, a domestic company with an advanced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.g42.ai/resources/news/meet-jais-worlds-most-advanced-arabic-llm-open-sourced-g42s-inception">Arabic large language model</a>. It has also attracted $1.5 billion of investment from Microsoft. Bloomberg's report said Saudi Arabia planned to build its own version of G42.Another reason is weakening oil demand, a resource that has made the kingdom the central economic force of the Middle East for the better part of a century.An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2024/09/03/Saudi-Arabia-2024-Article-IV-Consultation-Press-Release-Staff-Report-and-Informational-Annex-554530">IMF report in September</a> highlighted the ongoing decline in the country's oil revenue as the calendar speeds through to 2030; a decade-high of 857 billion riyals in 2022 ($228 billion) is projected to fall to 778 billion riyals ($207.1 billion) by 2029. Signs of weakening demand showed themselves this week, too, as state-owned oil giant <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aramco.com/-/media/publications/corporate-reports/reports-and-presentations/2024/q3/saudi-aramco-q3-2024-interim-report-english.pdf">Saudi Aramco reported a 15.3% year-on-year decrease</a> in third-quarter net income from $32.6 billion to $27.6 billion.Diversification away from oil has been a front-and-center issue for the kingdom's leaders for some time. It is a central focus of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-vision-2030-projects-trillion-value-neom-2024-9">grand Vision 2030 project MBS launched in 2016</a>, which includes mega-infrastructure projects like Neom. It is also a top priority for decision-makers at the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's giant sovereign wealth fund.The fund — chaired by MBS — has served as a crucial diversification tool for Saudi Arabia, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-public-investment-fund-global-investment-spree-2024-8">leading an investment charge into top tech names</a> like Uber and SoftBank's first Vision Fund, a venture capital vehicle that bet on over 90 companies with $45 billion from the Saudis. The kingdom doesn't seem to want to keep up the pace of overseas spending it has previously had, however.Last month, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan told attendees of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh that the fund was preparing to allocate just 18 to 20% of its capital to overseas opportunities, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/5004fbc6-23e2-4b9f-9885-14e1ea724ce2">the Financial Times reported</a>. That's a notable drop from the 30% allocated at the start of the decade.Overseas investment in AI looks set to continue, though. In March, The New York Times reported that the PIF was in early talks with Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/business/saudi-arabia-investment-artificial-intelligence.html">$40 billion AI fund.</a> Should that materialize, it would be a significant force in the global AI investment space. <div type="image" title="Yasir al-Rumayyan" height="852" width="1093" msid="115061832" hostid="261" sizebytes="47602"></div>It remains to be seen how Project Transcendence might play out, but it could lead to Saudi Arabia announcing new developments, companies, and projects alongside key names from beyond its borders to bolster its AI activity at home.There are already examples of the country turning to overseas tech companies. California-based AI company Groq, for instance, <a target="_blank" href="https://groq.com/unleashing-the-power-of-fast-ai-inference-groq-and-aramco-digital-partner-to-establish-world-leading-data-center/">unveiled a partnership</a> with an arm of Saudi Aramco in September that will oversee the development of an AI data center in the country. In October, Google Cloud and the PIF announced a partnership to develop an AI hub in the kingdom that, if approved, would see the two conduct joint research on Arabic language models and train "millions" of students and professionals.Saudi Arabia will want others to work with it, too, as it gets serious about becoming the Middle East's main stage for AI.

Saudi Arabia spent years investing in global tech firms. Its domestic AI push hopes they'll return the favor.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Investors should favor stocks over bonds as the economy supports risk-on sentiment, Goldman analysts say.</li><li>The US economy is in a pro-risk, late-cycle environment due to Fed easing and a strong economy.</li></ul>Risk-on sentiment is back after a brief flight to safety over the summer, and that should support stocks over bonds in the coming months, Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note Tuesday. They write that the US stock market is set to deliver more attractive returns than bonds as the economy supports higher risk in a late-cycle environment.A late-cycle backdrop—in which the economy nears its peak and policy eases to prepare for potential slowing ahead—is typically pro-risk, unless growth momentum slows or inflation accelerates to spark policy tightening.The analysts say the reverse has been true in recent months amid accelerating growth and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-september-cpi-consumer-price-index-federal-reserve-interest-rates-2024-10">easing inflation</a> in the US, with strong economic data and policy easing fueling a more risk-supportive environment.In July, the analysts shifted their rating to neutral on stocks and raised their rating to neutral on bonds after bullish sentiment and slowing growth momentum sparked concerns of a correction, but stocks bounced back quickly, they noted."After the summer 'risk off', risky assets quickly recovered due to a dovish Fed pivot, China stimulus, and better-than-expected US data," the analysts said.The analysts have now returned equities to overweight and credit to underweight, explaining global equities now face lower risks."Global equities had a roundtrip and are roughly flat since. Better US data and supportive policy have helped lower downside risks near-term," they said.Fed cutting cycles in general tend to support risky assets as long as the economy avoids a recession, the analysts say. Recession risk appears low amid <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/september-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-nonfarm-payroll-growth-federal-reserve-2024-10">strong labor market data</a> and the Fed's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-cuts-interest-rates-how-much-september-fomc-powell-inflation-2024-9?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;_gl=1*1b7jz2v*_ga*MTY3OTgyNjg0MS4xNzIxMDE2MDM2*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcyOTAwMjgzNi4yNjkuMS4xNzI5MDAyOTM1LjM3LjAuMA..">jumbo 50 basis point rate cut</a> last month, with the odds of a recession in the next year down to just 15%, they forecast.This risk-on, late-cycle backdrop means stocks will benefit from higher earnings growth and valuations as bonds face downside risks, the analysts say."During late-cycle backdrops, equities can deliver attractive returns driven by earnings growth and valuation expansion, while credit total returns are usually constrained by tight credit spreads and rising yields," the analysts said.The analysts add that while the current environment supports more risky investments, there remains potential for volatility due to geopolitical conflicts, the US election season and unfavorable moves in growth and inflation.But even this uncertainty could boost risky assets, they say."We think that uncertainty relief could also support risky assets into year-end – this is why we prefer to be long with selective hedges rather than staying neutral equities," they said.

Stocks beat bonds as risk-on returns amid Fed easing and strong economic data, Goldman Sachs says

<keyword id="19895437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment" source="keywords">Investment</keyword> in <keyword id="20300870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="equity-mutual-funds" source="keywords">equity mutual funds</keyword> surged over five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June 2024 quarter against Rs 18,358 crore a year ago, driven by a strong <keyword id="21477327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-environment" source="keywords">economic environment</keyword>, supportive <keyword id="22575274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-fiscal-policies" source="keywords">government fiscal policies</keyword>, <keyword id="19900618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investors" source="keywords">investors</keyword> confidence and robust <keyword id="21990858" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stock-return" source="keywords">stock return</keyword>. This has also pushed the industry's assets under management (<keyword id="20019621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AUM" source="keywords">AUM</keyword>) by 59 per cent to Rs 27.68 lakh crore in June from Rs 17.43 lakh crore a year ago, data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (<keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords">AMFI</keyword>) showed. The robust gain in the asset base was also replicated in the growth of investors in equity mutual funds, with the number of folios closing at 13.3 crore, adding an investor base of over 3 crore. The significant gain in equity folios indicates broader participation across investor segments, driven by improved <keyword id="19929245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-literacy" source="keywords">financial literacy</keyword> and accessible investment platforms, Trivesh D, COO of stock trading platform Tradejini, told PTI. According to the AMFI data, equity-oriented mutual fund schemes invested Rs 94,151 crore in the quarter ended June 2024. This comprises Rs 18,917 crore in April, Rs 34,697 crore in May and Rs 40,537 crore in June. The investment in equity-oriented mutual funds jumped five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June quarter from Rs 18,358 crore in the quarter ended June 2023 and increased 32 per cent Rs 71,280 crore witnessed in the preceding March 2024 quarter. "The confluence of political stability, supportive government policies, and a favourable economic environment has significantly contributed to the impressive inflows into equity mutual funds, signalling a positive outlook for the sector," Trivesh said. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals, bolstered by supportive government fiscal policies like higher-than-budgeted tax collection growth, reduced revenue expenditures, and increased capital spending have helped in increasing the allocation to equity mutual funds, Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth, told PTI. He further said that investors' confidence in the markets and historically strong returns given by Indian equities with relatively low risk also helped investors to move towards equity mutual funds. Additionally, the shift was further fuelled by a transition from traditional investments like deposits to mutual funds in pursuit of higher returns. "The long-term outlook remains positive, with expectations of 11-13 per cent annual returns for Indian equities, and equity mutual funds potentially delivering even higher returns," Azeez said. Within the equity segment, sectoral or thematic category attracted Rs 46,731 crore during the quarter under review, followed by Multi-cap (Rs 10,077 crore), Flexicap (Rs 8,387 crore), Large &amp; Midcaps (Rs 7,948 crore), Smallcap (Rs 7,197 crore) and Midcap (Rs 6,927 crore). Large-cap funds witnessed an infusion of Rs 1,991 crore during the April-June quarter of the current financial year (FY25). Moreover, inflows into the systematic investment plan (<keyword id="19956399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIP" source="keywords">SIP</keyword>) have been rising continuously for the past several months. The monthly SIP contributions crossed the Rs 21,000 crore mark in June, with the total inflow reaching an all-time high of Rs 21,262 crore. This shows investors' commitment to disciplined and long-term investing. The fund infusion through the SIP route was Rs 62,537 crore in the April-June quarter of FY25, a remarkable surge from Rs 43,211 crore in the same quarter preceding the fiscal.

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