This week, several companies including Coal India, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), and REC Ltd are scheduled for record dates related to dividends, bonus issues, and stock splits. Shareholders must own stocks before the ex-date to be eligible. Notable dividends include Rs 24 by Colgate-Palmolive, Rs 15.75 by Coal India, and Rs 28 by Ajanta Pharma.
Next week the primary market anticipates the IPO of Swiggy, along with four other offerings. Included are Acme Solar Holdings, Sagility India, and Niva Bupa Healthcare. Neelam Linens will debut in the SME segment. Swiggy aims to utilize IPO proceeds for investment in subsidiary Scootsy, technology, cloud infrastructure, and brand marketing.
On Diwali, the NSE introduces the NSEIndia mobile app and expands its website to support eleven regional languages, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for Indian investors. The app provides market insights, personalized watchlists, and derivatives market data, aiming to empower investors with intuitive tools and real-time information.
Gold has historically served as a hedge against inflation and economic distress, offering returns and mitigating risks when included in portfolios. While physical gold has drawbacks like storage risks and purity concerns, Sovereign Gold Bonds and Gold ETFs present viable alternatives with added benefits, including liquidity and lower costs.
EMA Partners India plans to launch an IPO worth up to Rs 100 crore, making it the first executive search firm to be listed in the country. Proceeds will be used for leadership team augmentation, IT infrastructure upgrades, debt repayment, and potential acquisitions. EMA's net worth is Rs 70 crore with a significant profit increase as of March 2024.
India is positioning its chemical and petrochemical industry to become a global leader. The sector aims to increase its output to USD6 trillion. This growth will be driven by strategic partnerships, investments in sustainable practices, and innovation. Various states are key contributors, with policies and projects enhancing production and exports. The industry's expansion is crucial for India's economic goals.
SEBI's technology-driven efforts have accelerated IPO timelines significantly, reducing them from months to days. Reevaluating the mandatory 50% allocation to retail and HNI investors could further streamline IPO processes and improve market efficiency, suggesting alternatives like increased institutional involvement or mutual fund schemes for retail investors.
The Federal Reserve's recent decision to lower interest rates significantly impacts Indian investors with US market exposure. Lower rates can present opportunities in US stocks, especially in dividend-paying equities. It is essential for investors to stay vigilant, bearing in mind currency fluctuations and inflation concerns while maintaining exposure to both US and Indian markets.
Nifty index fell by over 2,000 points from its peak within a month, impacted mainly by foreign portfolio investors' net outflows. Meanwhile, domestic investors kept investing in the market. Historically, markets often regain a significant portion of these outflows quickly, suggesting potential recovery ahead.
Three equity mutual fund categories offered over 50% return in the last one year. These 3 were sectoral and thematic fund categories. (Source: Value Research)
