Saturday, 3 September 2016

Confused b/w Equity & Debt? Strike the right balance with Balanced Funds-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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Balanced Funds(The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)

In times of volatile markets and turbulent scenarios, one should opt for a judicious mix of risk and return. In such scenarios, balanced funds may be the right choice for investors. Also termed hybrid funds, these products offer a cushion of safer investments in debt, to compensate for the riskier equity part.
The 3- and 5-year returns of balanced funds are on par with other good performing large-cap funds.
Balanced funds are safer when compared to pure-play equity funds.
Equity-oriented balanced funds offer a distinct tax advantage to the investors, as holding on to equity investments for more than a year, renders the redeemed amount tax free.
The benefit of investing in balanced funds becomes more apparent when the market is volatile.

Friday, 2 September 2016

As savings continue to decline, does India need a rate hike? -The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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2 September 2016
 
Rate Hike (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)
India’s savings rate is declining. The private sector, including households and corporates are the main driver of total savings, while the public sector has been a drag. Within the private sector, households are the main source of savings. This component has, however, emerged as a key drain, with its share in total savings falling to 60% in FY2014-2015 from 70% four years earlier. 
 
Household Accounts (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)
In a report, DBS Bank Ltd, says, "The fall in savings needs to be arrested given India’s investment needs. Relying on foreign savings puts pressure on the current account and the returns from that investment go abroad as well. Corrective measures are underway to lift savings and investment, but a quick turnaround is unlikely." The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


There is a combination of factors are behind this slowdown, the report says adding, low incomes are one, which along with extended periods of high inflation, pushed households to set aside a bigger proportion of incomes for consumption, thus impinging on savings. Not surprisingly, household savings now make less than a quarter of their disposable incomes, from above 30% earlier, it added.


DBS says, besides incomes, interest rates, inflation and demographics also drive household savings. Even though India’s demographics are amongst the most favourable in the region, years of high inflation and negative real rates have dented savings. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


While interest rates were raised in response to high inflation in 2011-13, real deposit rates were still negative (see chart below). Back then, wholesale price index (WPI) inflation was a policy target, rather than a much elevated consumer price index (CPI) inflation, which meant real deposit rates were deeper in red and for longer, than earlier understood.
 
Real Deposits rate (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)

In addition to falling households’ savings, DBS says, its composition is imbalanced. In 2012-13, two-thirds of household savings comprised of physical assets like gold and property. This was driven by a need to offset inflation, though it led to a ballooning current account deficit (CAD) driven by gold imports. Not only did this hurt the current account, it lowered investment into the real economy. 

"More recently, some of this imbalance has corrected, but physical assets continue to dominate the savings mix. The marginal increase in financial savings has also been concentrated in shares and debentures, insurance and retirement funds rather than bank deposits," the report says. (See chart below)

Breakdown Financial Savings (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions) 

According to the research note, India's savings rate is caught in a cyclical rather than structural slowdown. It says, "Unlike much of Asia where rising incomes have been accompanied by a fall in savings, India’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is still amongst the lowest in the region. Despite this level of incomes, savings have been falling (See chart below).


"We reckon this is more a function of low incomes, tough economic conditions, falling real returns and high inflation, rather than structural impediments of a rising dependency ratio or a fall in working age population," DBS Bank says. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


The report endorses demographics as one of India's key strengths. It says, "While Japan, China and many Western countries grapple with ageing populations, India’s dependency ratio is declining. The working age group (15-64 years) makes up close to two-thirds of the overall population. Growth in the working age population will exceed overall population growth for at least two more decades, pointing to a sustained fall in the dependency ratio. Although structural tailwinds are in place, the savings rate continues to stagnate, pointing to cyclical hurdles."

 
Per Capita Income (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)
In the near-term, DBS says, Indian authorities need to continue encouraging households’ to shift from physical savings to financial avenues. "This is important not only to meet investment spending needs, but also ensure efficient savings for growth and limit external imbalances," it added.

On policy, the report says, further significant rate cuts are thereby unlikely in the interest of maintaining positive real and nominal deposit rates. IT says, "We look for 25 basis points (bps) cut in December, before rates plateau, contingent on sharp disinflation to or below 5% and dovish monetary policy committee." The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions



"Further out, concerted efforts to lift incomes and job creation are crucial structural tailwinds to lift the savings rate. Work is in progress on this front, under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, skills development, ensuring education access and improving the ease of doing business. Until the domestic private sector is able to pick the baton, we expect public sector and foreign direct investments to drive the initial part of the capex cycle," the report from DBS concluded. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Piramal Fund invests Rs 2,320 crore in Lodha Group's projects-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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2 September 2016

In the largest debt transaction within the real estate funding space, Piramal Fund Management (PFM) has invested Rs 2,320 crore across several projects of Lodha Group in the city to replace existing debts. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

"The use of proceeds will ensure completion of what we believe to be marquee projects in Central and South Mumbai," said PFM's Managing Director Khushru Jijina.

The deal has been structured as a fixed return debt investment with periodic coupon payments and has an appropriate security mechanism in place, including hard asset cover as well as an escrow of receivables, a statement said. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


"We are seeing momentum building up in our business with sales, deliveries and collections all moving up. This transaction will further strengthen our balance sheet and give us room to further improve our growth," said Group's Managing Director Abhishek Lodha.The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Piramal Fund invests Rs 2,320 crore in Lodha Group's projects-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Contact Your Financial Adviser Money Making MC
2 September 2016

In the largest debt transaction within the real estate funding space, Piramal Fund Management (PFM) has invested Rs 2,320 crore across several projects of Lodha Group in the city to replace existing debts. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

"The use of proceeds will ensure completion of what we believe to be marquee projects in Central and South Mumbai," said PFM's Managing Director Khushru Jijina.

The deal has been structured as a fixed return debt investment with periodic coupon payments and has an appropriate security mechanism in place, including hard asset cover as well as an escrow of receivables, a statement said. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


"We are seeing momentum building up in our business with sales, deliveries and collections all moving up. This transaction will further strengthen our balance sheet and give us room to further improve our growth," said Group's Managing Director Abhishek Lodha.The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Piramal Fund invests Rs 2,320 crore in Lodha Group's projects-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Contact Your Financial Adviser Money Making MC
2 September 2016

In the largest debt transaction within the real estate funding space, Piramal Fund Management (PFM) has invested Rs 2,320 crore across several projects of Lodha Group in the city to replace existing debts. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

"The use of proceeds will ensure completion of what we believe to be marquee projects in Central and South Mumbai," said PFM's Managing Director Khushru Jijina.

The deal has been structured as a fixed return debt investment with periodic coupon payments and has an appropriate security mechanism in place, including hard asset cover as well as an escrow of receivables, a statement said. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


"We are seeing momentum building up in our business with sales, deliveries and collections all moving up. This transaction will further strengthen our balance sheet and give us room to further improve our growth," said Group's Managing Director Abhishek Lodha.The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Radiologists on strike; ultrasound, MRI centres closed in Agra-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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2 September 2016

More than 200 ultrasound, CT scan, MRI centres, alongwith over 50 X-ray clinics in the city are closed as members of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association began their indefinite strike on Thursday to demand modifications in the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT). The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

The national president-elect of the association, Dr. Bhupendra Ahuja said the provisions under the act are draconian and arbitrary. For minor paper-work lapses, these centres are sealed and doctors booked. This situation has to change. 

The patients, meanwhile, were put to a lot of difficulty looking for ways out. "In particular, road accident victims who urgently need CT scan reports are in trouble due to the strike which could continue for long," said an employee of a diagnostic centre at Hari Parbat.

The strike is total with more than 12,000 doctors across India joining it, the association activists said. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


Other organisations like the Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians and the Indian Medical Association were also extending support to radiologists.The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Government notifies National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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2 September 2016

The government on Thursday notified the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to offer financial incentives to employers. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

"The Scheme has an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore with a target of 50 Lakh apprentices to be trained by 2019-20. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in a statement here said that apprenticeship training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for the country. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

"It provides for an industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training. The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India," government said. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions


The policy proposes to work pro-actively with the industry including MSME to facilitate tenfold increase opportunities in the country by 2020. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Nifty, Sensex buck the weakness, head higher – Weekly closing report-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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2 September 2016

I had mentioned in last week’s closing report that Nifty, Sensex were looking weak. The major indices of the Indian stock exchanges made good gains over the week including hitting their new 52-week highs. The trends of the major indices in the course of the week’s trading are given in the table below:  The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions
 
Major Indices (The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions)

Indian equity markets traded flat during the mid-afternoon session on Monday prompted by mixed global cues and lower crude oil prices. Selling pressure was witnessed in information technology (IT), healthcare and banking stocks. The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bears -- with 1,465 declines and 1,216 advances. On the NSE, on Monday, there were 636 advances, 821 declines and 69 unchanged. State-run Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) on Sunday said it will seek the approval of its shareholders on September 21 for raising Rs50,000 crore through non-convertible debentures (NCDs). The company’s shares closed at Rs227.30, down 1.37% on the BSE, on Monday.  The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

On Tuesday the markets were buoyed on strong buying support across sectors, coupled with positive global cues during the mid-afternoon session on Tuesday. In fact, almost the entire gain of the week came on Tuesday. Healthy buying was witnessed in automobile, banking and healthcare stocks. The BSE market breadth was skewed in favour of the bulls -- with 1,631 advances and 1,081 declines. On the NSE, on Tuesday, there were 891 advances, 491 declines and 81 unchanged. Pointing to solid growth in household spending and a strengthening job market, Yellen said the US economy is "now nearing" the Fed's statutory goals of maximum employment and price stability. Analysts said it's possible for the Fed to hike interest rates as soon as September.  The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

The government in India on Tuesday announced to issue the fifth tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds, the subscription of which will be open from September 1-9. The Bonds will be issued on September 23.  The Sovereign Gold Bond, a financial asset, was launched by the government last year as an alternative to purchasing the metal gold. Accordingly, four tranches of issuances have been undertaken during 2015-16 and 2016-17 so far.

On Wednesday, Nifty and Sensex hit their new 52-week highs again. The benchmark indices initially opened on a flat-to-positive note on Wednesday prompted by mixed cues from Asian and European markets. Market awaited the announcement of the gross domestic product (GDP) data for the first quarter of 2016-17, among others. The indices marginally capped gains due to a sharp up-move in the dollar index and lower crude oil prices and pulled the markets back from their morning peak levels. However, gains in the rupee's value kept the market sentiment buoyed to close with appreciable gains.  The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Following the big ticket announcement by Reliance Industries on Jio commercial launch, key Indian stock market indices were trading flat on Thursday afternoon. Most telecom stocks were trading lower. Selling pressure was seen in telecom, technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and realty sectors, while good buying was observed in auto, metal and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors. On the NSE, on Thursday, there were 479 advances, 993 declines and 50 unchanged.  The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Taking the tariff war and competition in Indian telecom a new level, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday said domestic voice calls on the Jio network will be free forever, and unveiled a four-month introductory offer of free voice and data services. "The era of paying for voice calls is ending," Ambani told the Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries (RIL) in Mumbai. "No Jio customer will ever have to pay for voice calls again," he added. Bharti Airtel shares closed at Rs310.50, down 6.43% on the BSE. Reliance Industries shares closed at Rs1,029.15, down 2.73% on the BSE.


On Friday, the major indices of the Indian stock markets staged a minor rally to close with small gains of around 0.40% over Thursday’s close. With NSE trading volumes on the lower side on Friday, investors were clearly cautious before the week-end and market holiday on Monday. On Friday, there was also a general strike called by the Leftists all over India; but the response to the strike call was at a minimum in most parts of the country. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

Thursday, 1 September 2016

Global Markets & News-The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

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1 September 2016

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

Sep E-mini S&Ps (ESU16 +0.15%) are up +0.16% and European stocks are up +1.00% at a 2-week high amid positive signs for global growth. Manufacturing activity in China unexpectedly expanded at the fastest pace in nearly 2 years last month and manufacturing activity in the UK expanded at the fastest pace in 10 months. Mining stocks are leading gains in the overall market with Glencore Plc and Rio Tinto up over 1% as signs of stronger global manufacturing activity boosts copper prices. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan +0.23%, Hong Kong +0.81%, China -0.72%, Taiwan -0.75%, Australia -0.32%, Singapore -0.15%, South Korea -0.33%, India -0.10%. Despite the stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data, Chinese stocks closed lower on speculation the stronger data will reduce the chances of additional government stimulus. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index climbed to a 2-1/2 week high as exporter stocks rallied after USD/JPY rose to a 1-month high, which improves the earnings prospects of exporter companies.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.03%) is down -0.03%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.08%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.25% at a 1-month high.
Dec T-note prices (ZNZ16 -0.16%) are down -8 ticks.

The UK Aug Markit manufacturing PMI rose +5.0 to 53.3, stronger than expectations of +0.8 to 49.0 and the fastest pace of expansion in 10 months.
The China Aug manufacturing PMI unexpectedly rose +0.5 to 50.4, stronger than expectations of -0.1 to 49.8 and the fastest pace of expansion in 1-3/4 years. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) Aug Challenger job cuts (Jul -57.1% y/y), (2) weekly initial unemployment claims (expected +4,000 to 265,000, previous -1,000 to 261,000) and continuing claims (expected -2,000 to 2.143 million, previous -30,000 to 2.145 million), (3) revised Q2 non-farm productivity (expected -0.6%, prelim-Q1 -0.5%) and revised Q2 unit labor costs (expected +2.0%, prelim-Q2 +2.0%), (4) final-Aug Markit U.S. manufacturing PMI (expected unch at 52.1, prelim-Aug -0.8 to 52.1), (5) Jul construction spending (expected +0.5%, Jun -0.6% m/m), (6) Aug ISM manufacturing index (expected -0.6 to 52.0, Jul -0.6 to 52.6), (7) Aug total vehicle sales (expected 17.20 million, Jul 17.77 million), and (8) USDA weekly Export Sales.
Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: Campbell Soup (consensus $0.50), Cooper Cos (2.28), VeriFone (0.40), lululemon athletica (0.38), Broadcom (2.76), Piedmont Natural Gas (-0.10), Hain Celestial Group (0.56).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: none.

Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: none. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Charter Communications (CHTR +0.46%) rose nearly 4% in after-hours trading after it was announced that it will replace EMC in the S&P 500 after the close of trading on Wednesday, September 7.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN -0.92%) is up over 3% and Las Vegas Sands (LVS -1.47%) is up nearly 2% in pre-market trading after data showed Macau gross gaming revenue unexpectedly rose +1.1% in Aug, better than expectations of a -1.5% decline.
Ctrip.com International Ltd (CTRP unch) reported Q2 revenue of $683.5 million, above consensus of $656.7 million.

Box (BOX +3.15%) rallied 4% in after-hours trading after it raised guidance on full-year revenue to $394 million-$396 million from a prior view of $391 million-$395 million.

Semtech (SMTC +1.29%) gained over 2% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 35 cents, higher than consensus of 33 cents.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings (OLLI -1.17%) climbed 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 21 cents, better than consensus of 18 cents, and then raised guidance on full-year adjusted EPS to 88 cents-90 cents from a prior view of 85 cents-87 cents.

salesforce.com (CRM -0.51%) tumbled over 8% in after-hours trading after it said it sees Q3 adjusted EPS of 20 cents-21 cents, below consensus of 24 cents.
Shoe Carnival (SCVL +0.64%) fell nearly 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 22 cents, weaker than consensus of 27 cents, and then said it sees fiscal year comparable sales up +1.5% -2.0%, below a May 19 view of up 1% to 3%.
Impinj (PI +0.31%) rose 5% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 6 cents, double consensus of 3 cents.

Five Below (FIVE -0.56%) slid over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 comparable sales rose +3.1%, below consensus of +3.4%.

Oxford Industries (OXM -2.01%) jumped nearly 10% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS continuing operations of $1.48, better than expectations of $1.38. The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions

MARKET COMMENTS

Sep E-mini S&Ps (ESU16 +0.15%) this morning are up +3.50 points (+0.16%). Wednesday's closes: S&P 500 -0.24%, Dow Jones -0.29%, Nasdaq-0.10%. The S&P 500 on Wednesday closed lower on the -4.3 point decline in the Aug Chicago PMI to 51.5, weaker than expectations of -1.8 to 54.0. There was also weakness in energy producer stocks as crude oil tumbled -3.56% to a 2-week low. In addition, there was increased concern about a Fed rate hike after the Aug ADP employment report showed an increase of +177,000 and July was revised upward to +194,000 from +179,000.

Dec 10-year T-notes (ZNZ16 -0.16%) this morning are down -8 ticks. Wednesday's closes: TYZ6 unch, FVZ6 +0.50. Dec T-notes on Wednesday closed little changed. T-note prices were undercut by the slightly larger-than-expected increase in the Aug ADM employment report of +177,000 and by the stronger-than-expected U.S. July pending home sales report. T-notes received a boost from the slide in stocks and the weaker-than-expected Aug Chicago PMI.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.03%) this morning is down -0.033 (-0.03%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0009 (-0.08%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.26 (+0.25%) at a new 1-month high. Wednesday's closes: Dollar index -00324 (-0.03%), EUR/USD +0.0015 (+0.13%), USD/JPY +0.47 (+0.46%). The dollar index on Wednesday climbed to a 3-week high but fell back and closed slightly lower. The dollar was boosted by the stronger-than-expected Aug ADP employment change and weakness in the yen after USD/JPY soared to a 1-month high on expectations for further BOJ stimulus measures in September. The dollar shed its advance after the Aug Chicago PMI fell more than expected.


Oct crude oil (CLV16 -0.13%) this morning is down -3 cents (-0.07%) and Oct gasoline (RBV16 -0.94%) is down -0.0124 (-0.93%). Wednesday's closes: CLV6 -1.65 (-3.56%), RBV6 -0.0356 (-2.59%). Oct crude oil and gasoline on Wednesday sold off to new 2-week lows and closed lower. Crude oil prices were undercut by the rally in the dollar index to a 3-week high and the +2.28 million bbl increase in EIA crude inventories, more than expectations of +1.5 million bbl.The Total Investment & Insurance Solutions