07 December 2007

10% pvt PFs in stocks may get nod: Rediff article

10% pvt PFs in stocks may get nod

The government may double to ten per cent the ceiling of retirement funds managed by private organisations for investing in listed companies, a move that could further boost the already bullish stock markets.The finance ministry is likely to take a final decision next week on allowing private provident funds, superannuation funds and gratuity funds to invest up to 10 per cent of their funds in listed shares.

"We had invited public comments on the proposed investment pattern for non-government provident funds, and would take a decision in this regard next week after studying the comments," a senior Finance Ministry official said on Friday.

If these guidelines are followed by private provident funds that have an aggregate investible amount of nearly Rs 300,000 crore (Rs 3000 billion), employees could expect higher yield on their savings as against the present rate of 8.5 per cent. The stock markets have given an average of 25-40 per cent returns in recent years.

The official said the investment pattern guidelines for non-government provident funds would be revised after about two-and-a-half years.The finance ministry has proposed that provident funds operated by firms could be allowed to invest their funds in shares of companies that have an investment grade debt rating from at least one credit rating agency or companies listed on BSE Sensex or NSE Nifty 50, besides in equity linked schemes of mutual funds regulated by SEBI.

Under the 2005 guidelines, these funds are allowed to invest up to five per cent of their funds in equity market. The union government had earlier given a go-ahead to the central public sector enterprises to invest up to 30 per cent of their surplus funds in the equity market.The finance ministry has maintained that keeping in view the developments in the stock market and tightening of regulations by SEBI, investment pattern of employees provident funds that are operated by employers need to be changed.

Notably, the Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund had earlier rejected the finance ministry's suggestion to invest even up to five per cent of funds in stock market.
Sources said the finance ministry may also raise the limit of provident funds to invest in central and state government securities from 25 per cent to 35 per cent, besides in mutual funds which solely invest in government securities.

The finance ministry is also expected to allow private provident funds to invest up to 25 per cent of their money in bonds and term deposits of private sector banks as against only in public sector banks.However, it has proposed that these private banks where money would be deposited, should meet conditions of continuous profitability for three years and should not have non-performing assets more than 5 per cent of its net advances.

Private banks where employees money could be parked will also have to meet the condition of minimum net worth of Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion), sources added.
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Highlights of the Mid-Term Review

High growth sustained in first half of FY'08 at 9.1 pc
Must manage capital flow without hurting growth, prices
Must focus on agriculture and employment
Inflation eases below 4 per cent after 68 weeks
Percentage of 'Below Poverty Line' people declines to 22%
4.7 crore additional jobs created between 1999-2005.
Holding to growth with macro-economic stability a challenge
Improving competitiveness of industry, services a challenge
Must focus on disadvantaged groups not touched by growth
Consensus must for streamlining food, oil, fertilizer subsidy
Cost of neutralising capital flow impact Rs 8,200cr in FY08
Rupee rose 15.1 per cent against the dollar between Oct 2006-07.




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Indian economy booms at 9.1% in H1: Rediff.Com

The Indian economy grew by 9.1 per cent in first half of 2007-08, says the Mid-Term Review tabled in Parliament on Friday.Striking a cautious note, the review said that managing copious capital flow, without hurting growth and price stability in the short-term would be a major challenge for the country.

The government warned that inflow of foreign funds was more than what the economy can absorb and was leading to appreciation of rupee, a situation that could endanger growth and price stability."Increased capital inflows can impact macroeconomic aggregates through the exchange rate, trade and monetary variables. This was particularly manifest in the first half of the current financial year and thus the management of capital inflows has been and is likely to remain an important issue," the Mid-Year Review 2007-08 said.

The review, tabled by Finance Minister P Chidambaram in Parliament, said that the Indian economy has been witnessing a robust growth for four years in a row now and buoyancy in the first half of this fiscal has reaffirmed continuation of this momentum.Even as the economy has been expanding at 9 per cent and above, the government admitted that growth needs to become more inclusive so that benefits of upswing could be shared by all sections of the society.

While the impetus to growth would continue to be provided by industry and services, growth in agriculture and absorption of labour in productive areas would need focused attention, it said.
Highlighting some of the key features, the Mid-Year Review said the Indian economy grew at 9.1 per cent in the first half of 2007-08 and inflation eased below 4 per cent after 68 weeks.
The growth has generally been inclusive, with the percentage of persons below poverty line declining from around 36 per cent of the population in 1993-94 to 28 per cent in 2004-05, it said.

More on............. Indian economy booms at 9.1% in H1 and
Highlights of the Mid-Term Review


Other Top Stories @ www.rediff.com

Sensex zooms & other highlights
Cheapest term-insurance plans
India added 168 new billionaires
Top 10 computer threats for 2008
Why stock traders lose money
Delhi has most millionaires in India

Information You Can Use
JBIMS: Part-time PG prog
TAPAI offers PGDM for 2008-10
NIFT: August 2008 admissions
Manmohan Singh scholarships
Admissions: Manipal University




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Sensex gains 170 pts at close: Sify India

Sensex gains 170 pts at close

NSE 5974.30 19.60
BSE 19966.00 170.13

A rousing start notwithstanding, equities found the going very tough and choppy as participants, appearing quite clueless about the direction of the market, traded in a somewhat listless manner today. Global cues were strong to begin with and that prompted a buoyant start. As the session progressed, investors turned a bit cautious as Asian markets shed early gains and drifted lower. Inflation rate eased to 3.01% from the previous week's figure of 3.21%. But concerns voiced by the government about surging capital inflows forced a section of participants on to a defensive mood.

As many as 15 of its components, including heavyweights Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro, ended in the red today, but strong gains posted by IT, telecom and banking sector heavyweights lifted the Sensex up to a highly positive close.

While the Sensex ended with a big gain of 170.13 points or 0.86% at 19,966, the Nifty, which hit a new all-time high at 6042.10 this morning, closed with a gain of 0.33% or 19.60 points at 5974.30. The Sensex, which opened with a positive gap of nearly 280 points at 20,063.50 and moved on to 20,094.56 in early trade, tumbled to a low of 19,706.43 around mid afternoon.
IT bellwether Infosys Technologies stood firm almost right through the session and ended with a handsome gain of 5.1% at Rs 1718.15 today. Tata Consultancy Services (2.65%), Wipro (1.85%) and Satyam Computer Services (1.6%) took time to settle down but rallied smartly in afternoon trade to finish with smart gains.

Realty stock DLF moved up by 4.15% to Rs 1011.35. ICICI Bank (4.05%), HDFC Bank (2.1%) and State Bank of India (1.7%), housing finance major HDFC (3.85%), pharma stock Ranbaxy Laboratories (2.35%) and telecom stocks Reliance Communications (2.2%) and Bharti Airtel (2.1%) also rose sharply on sustained buying interest. Hindustan Unilever, NTPC and Maruti Suzuki ended with small gains.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries eased by 1.1%. Hindalco and Tata Steel, the metal majors, lost 2.5% and 1.6% respectively. ITC slipped 1.95% to Rs 188.90. Cement stocks ACC, Grasim Industries and Ambuja Cements closed lower by 1.6%, 1.05% and 1% respectively.
BHEL went down by around 1.5%. Cipla, Bajaj Auto, Larsen & Toubro, Reliance Energy, Mahindra & Mahindra lost 0.5% - 1% while ONGC closed with a small loss.

VSNL, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Tata Power, ABB and Punjab National Bank closed with sharp to moderate gains. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, SAIL, GAIL India and MTNL ended with sharp losses. Zee Entertainment, BPCL, Sterlite Industries and Siemens also finished on a weak note. Unitech, which opened firm and moved up further in subsequent trade, lost its way a little past mid afternoon and ended in the negative territory with a marginal loss.

Tech Mahindra was the biggest gainer from the IT index. NIIT Technologies rallied by over 7%. Moser Baer spurted 6.2%. i-Flex Solutions (5.8%), MphasiS (5.5%), Aptech (5.25%) and Patni Computers (3.7%) closed with impressive gains. HCL Technologies gained 2.45%. NIIT and Rolta India also closed on a high note.

Though the indices ended with sharp gains, the market breadth was just neutral as several midcap and smallcap stocks wilted under pressure and surrendered their gains. Out of 2909 stocks traded on BSE today, 1460 stocks closed with gains. 1406 stocks ended in the negative territory and 43 stocks ended at their previous closing levels.
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Know About: ConocoPhillips, AIG

ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is an international energy corporation with its headquarters located in Houston, Texas. It was created through the merger of Conoco Inc. and the Phillips Petroleum Company on August 30, 2002. Headquarters are based in Houston, Texas in the United States, and offices are located worldwide. It is one of the six "supermajor" vertically integrated oil companies.

ConocoPhillips employs approximately 38,700 people worldwide in more than 40 countries. As of 2006, their 12 U.S. refineries had a combined crude processing capacity of 2,208,000 barrels per day (BPD) making it the second-largest refiner in the United States. Worldwide, they have a combined crude processing capacity of 2,901,000 BPD making it the fifth-largest refiner in the world.

More @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ConocoPhilips

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American International Group [ AIG ]

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) (NYSE: AIG; TYO: 8685) is a major American insurance corporation based in New York City. It has its European HQ in Croydon in London, England, UK and its Asian HQ in Hong Kong, China. AIG is the sixth-largest company in the world according to the 2007 Forbes Global 2000 list. The company became a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average on April 8, 2004. It is also the sponsor of Manchester United F.C. On December 11, 2006 it was announced that a division of AIG would purchase from Dubai Ports World disputed North American ports.

More @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIG


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Personality of the Day: Venugopal Dhoot, Videocon

Venugopal Dhoot

Venugopal Dhoot (Born 1944 in Mumbai, India) is an Indian business tycoon. He is an alumni of prestigious Sydenham College, Mumbai. He was born into a wealthy farming family. He is married, and has two children. His personal fortune is estimated as the equivalent of 1.6 Billion United States dollars, making him a billionaire. His father, the late Nandlal Madhavlal Dhoot, set his sons up in his business, Videocon Electronics. The company's major breakthrough came when it received one of India's first licenses to make color televisions. As of 2006, Venugopal is its chairman, and it now makes a wide range of electric and electronic items. His company recently bought a color picture tube unit from the French company Thompson SA, and a refrigerator business from Swedish company Electrolux. According to Forbes, he is the eighteenth richest man in India. His brother, Rajkumar, is a member of the Indian Parliament.

More @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venugopal_Dhoot




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06 December 2007

Economic Times Headlines

Bosch plans to invest Rs 850 cr in India; to rename MICO
Dabhol power plant may be fully operational by February: Deora
Gujarat architect firm Karan Grover and Associates wins US award
Times Financial, RCom arm tie up for mobile money transfer
House of Pearl acquires 50 pc in UK-based marketing firm
Kuwait Petro in JV talks with Reliance Industries
Biocon to launch oral insulin drug by 2010

Maharashtra Seamless to buy Romanian plant
REL, DLF, 16 others bid for Ganga Expressway
Unitech to invest Rs 20,000 cr to develop 48 malls in 6 years
Small steel stocks up on 'Heavy Metal' JVs
Infosys won't make you a millionaire anymore
Soaring stock prices scuttle cos' open offer plans
Sun Pharma settles Exelon patent case with Novartis

Unitech to hive off retail business, may list on AIM
Birla Sun Life infuses Rs 123 cr into base-capital
BSE feels the jitters as NSE ramps up F&O segment
GVK approves 10-for-1 stock split

More news@ www.theeconomictimes.com



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World News: AOL, ET

http://money.aol.com


Bush to Unveil Mortgage Relief Plan
President Bush is expected to outline a plan to freeze mortgage rates for five years for many homeowners facing sharp increases in their monthly payments, sources say. Officials fear that if nothing is done, half-a-million borrowers risk losing their homes.

Jobless Claims Make Big Drop
Coca-Cola CEO Isdell Steps Down in July
Retailers Post Sluggish November Sales
Toll Brothers Drops to 4th-Quarter Loss
5-Year Mortgage Rate Freeze Looms
Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates
ECB Holds Steady After BoE Cuts Key Rate

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Economic Times.Com


China Baosteel, Sinosteel ink raw materials deal
China wants rich nations to support tech fund
London woos Indian firms with 'free space'
UK home prices fall in November
US airlines to cut capacity
EU slaps fines on 5 chemical giants
US Treasury chief urges China to revalue currency
East Asian trade strategy seen as wake up call for US
Global techology spending growth to slow in 2008: IDC
GE says wants to continue alliance with Safran
Arcelor Mittal plans $700 mln Kazakh investment: CEO


Slovenia paint producer Helios buys Ukrainian Avrora
Climate talks: Japan's pro-US stance draws flak
US regulators, lenders may opt for five-year freeze on subprime rate
China may tighten money market to cool economy
South America plans rival to IMF, World Bank
Bush set to unveil plan to battle subprime crisis
Bush for freezing certain subprime rates for 5 yrs
RBS profits to beat forecasts, $2.5 bln writedown
Russian steel maker NLMK buys $600 mn Maxi stake
Taiwan's Acer to become Olympic sponsor
Dell expands retail push, to sell PCs at Best Buy



Source: Above sites. We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information.

Myiris, Moneycontrol Updates

MoneyControl.Com

Omaxe likely to announce $5 bn deal: Sources
Bank of England cuts key interest rates by 25 bps

New fund flows to propel mkts higher: Experts
Top midcap picks: Riddhi Siddhi, KEI
Bullish on GBN, Hind Zinc: Pranav Sec
CESC raises $150 m via QIP issue: Sources

Steel stocks hog limelight; Bhuwalka Steel star performer
Knock-out performers of last 3 days
Silverline Tech, a dangerous phoenix
Shikha Sharma is CNBC-TV18 Woman Biz Leader of Yr!
BMVSS bags CNBC-TV18 Social Enterprise of Yr Award

Sun Ph bags CNBC TV18 First Gen Entrepreneur of Yr
CNBC-TV18 IBLA'07 honours Bickey Oberoi, Late Aditya Birla
Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Airtel win IBLA'07 Award
Maruti marketshare up at 59%
Indian power cos in stake race for 3 S'pore-based cos

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Myiris.Com

Brokers` Outlook: Market likely to trade sideways on Friday
FIIs remain net buyers in equities worth Rs 10,813 mn on Dec. 5
Union Bank of India to venture into life insurance
Omaxe, GVK & NCCL applies for projects worth Rs 300 billion
Ranbaxy to manufacture & market ARV combination in India

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar commences operation at two new sugar plants
Jubilant arm collaborates with Forest Laboratories Holdings
ICICI direct recommends `Outperformer` on Oriental Bank of Commerce
House of Pearl acquires 50% stake of FX Imports (update)
Active Stock: Silverline Technologies surges 1183.84% on relisting at BSE

Transformers & Rectifiers IPO opens on Dec. 7
HB Stockholdings hikes stake in DCM Shriram to 14%
Active Stock: Alchemist Realty surges 5% on news of bonus in the offing
Maharashtra Seamless in last lap to acquire Romanian plant (Update)
Govt. approves SBI`s Rs 100 bn rights issue

RIL may strike alliance with Kuwait oil major
CVC acquires 7% stake in Shiv-Vani Oil for Rs 1 bn
Apar Industries inks pact with Italian co.
Wipro`s Infocrossing bags USD 400 mn contract




Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com and www.myiris.com. We thank (will be grateful to) the owners of the above articles/sites/sources/Govts for allowing/referring this. We are just providing the link/information of business updates from the leading sources for the benefit of readers. Viewers are strictly advised to take own decision in Stock buying and make verification about the information. Blog is not responsible for any faulty information.

VC, PE updates from VCCircle.com, Indiape.com

VCCircle.com

Citigroup Venture Capital Invests Rs 130 Crore In BGR Energy Systems Pre-IPO
IDG Ventures Puts In $2.5 Million In Network Security Startup iViZ
Istithmar, Sindicatum To Raise $600 Million Cleantech Fund; To Invest In India Too

Biyani Meets Chandra: Indivision Invests Rs 250 Crore For 4.9% In Dish TV
ICICI Venture, ICICI Bank To Raise $8 Billion For Private Equity Investments
Kanwal Rekhi’s Inventus Capital Partners Ready To Kick Off

Japan’s Mizuho Corporate Bank Eyes Indian Leveraged Buyout Market
Life Sciences VC MPM Capital To Start Making Investments In Six Months
Citigroup Venture Capital Invests $25 Million In Shiv-Vani Oil & Gas

Exclusive: Blackstone To Invest $50 Million In Pipavav Shipyard
Jobs: Product Manager, Four Interactive, Bangalore

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IndiaPE.Com

Axon Infotech acquires 51% stake of Quasar Innovations
Ybrant buys Israeli firm for $13 mn
Jacob Cap, JM Fin eye 10% in Sayaji Hotels
Global PE investors to increase exposure to Indian market

Intelenet buys two companies from Blackstone for USD 75 mn
Indiareit to raise Rs 4,500 cr
BGR raises Rs 190cr from Citi VC, Reliance MF
Rapaport Buys 50% Stake in Indian Magazine




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