Author: Aruna Kaim

Indian term life insurance protection plans can be 50–60% cheaper for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) compared to international policies in several foreign markets (e.g., UAE, US, UK). However, cost is only one factor when deciding where to buy. 1. Key Advantages of Buying in India 50–60% Cost Savings: Pure term insurance policies in India generally feature significantly lower premiums than international policies for comparable coverage. 0% GST Advantage: Recent tax reforms in India eliminated the 18% GST burden on all individual life insurance policies (reducing tax to 0%), benefiting both resident Indians and NRIs. Remote Purchase & Onboarding: NRIs can complete…

Shriram Finance Limited—India’s second-largest non-banking financial company (NBFC) by market capitalization—has sufficient capital reserves and internal accruals to fund its growth plans for the next five years without needing equity dilution. Key Takeaways No Fresh Capital Requirement: CEO Parag Sharma confirmed that Shriram Finance will not need to raise fresh equity capital for the next five years, supported by strong internal capital generation and adequate capital buffers. Growth Outlook: The company projects a sustained 18% to 20% annual credit growth, driven by steady expansion across its primary lending segments in semi-urban and rural markets. Robust Capital Adequacy: Strong earnings retention…

Leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are lobbying the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reconsider proposed restrictions prohibiting non-bank lenders from offering revolving credit facilities. Executives from major NBFCs gathered to formulate a formal representation through the Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), the industry body representing the sector. Background & Proposed Regulations Draft Circular Limits: In a draft amendment to the Credit Facilities Directions, the RBI proposed that NBFCs should strictly offer term loans with fixed principal amounts and pre-determined repayment schedules. Credit Restructuring: Under the proposed framework, once a principal loan amount is repaid, the credit line cannot be…

Non-banking financial company (NBFC) JMJ Fintech Limited reported strong financial performance for the first quarter (Q1) of the current financial year (April–June), driven by solid growth in its asset base and expanded digital lending initiatives. Key Financial Highlights Net Profit Surge: Net profit jumped 72.48% year-on-year (YoY) to ₹1.97 crore, up from ₹1.14 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. On a sequential basis, net profit grew by 13%. Revenue Growth: Total Q1 revenue reached ₹5.36 crore, marking a 5.66% YoY increase. AUM Expansion: Assets Under Management (AUM) expanded 82.11% YoY (and 9.12% quarter-on-quarter) to reach ₹78.23 crore. Key Strategic…

Prior to N. Chandrasekaran’s announcement that he would step down as Chairman of Tata Sons, both he and Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata held separate, confidential briefings with senior government functionaries regarding growing internal strife within the conglomerate. Key Highlights Separate Briefings: Outgoing Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata individually met with senior government officials to outline the escalating tensions over strategic direction, governance, and leadership appointments. Core Concerns: The discussions touched upon governance disagreements, the uncertainty surrounding Chandrasekaran’s potential re-appointment, financial strain from loss-making ventures like Air India and Tata’s digital initiatives, and investments…

Eurozone government bond yields remained near 15-year highs as ongoing Middle East conflict-driven energy price pressures raised expectations for European Central Bank (ECB) rate hikes, weighing heavily on global sovereign debt markets. Key Developments Benchmark German Bunds: Germany’s 10-year Bund yield held steady around 3.20%, continuing to trade near multi-year peaks driven by hawkish rate recalibrations. Widening Italy-Germany Spreads: Yield spreads between Italian government bonds (BTPs) and German Bunds expanded, reflecting increased investor sensitivity to fiscal deficits and geopolitical risks across peripheral Eurozone nations. Inflation & Rate Hikes: Surging oil prices caused by Middle East trade disruptions and shipping bottlenecks…

Emerging Asian currencies and equity markets rallied as a softer U.S. dollar, supported by cooling Fed tightening expectations and softer U.S. economic data, bolstered risk sentiment across the region. Key Highlights Record Multi-Asset Gains: The MSCI Emerging Market Currency Index advanced 0.2% to reach a new record high, while the MSCI Emerging Market Equities Index rose 0.7% to its highest level since mid-July. Taiwan Dollar Leads the Rally: The Taiwan dollar climbed 0.5% to a six-week high, buoyed by strong foreign inflows into semiconductor and AI-related tech stocks. Taiwan’s benchmark stock index advanced 0.8%, extending its year-to-date gains to nearly…

Eurozone government bond yields reached multi-year peaks as escalating Middle East conflict and rising energy prices intensified market concerns over persistent inflation and expanding fiscal debt. Key Highlights German 10-Year Bund Yield: Increased to 3.21%, touching its highest level since May 2011. Two-year yields held largely steady near 2.79%. French 10-Year OAT Yield: Rose to 4.05% (peaking at 4.058%), hitting a level not seen since June 2009. The 30-year yield advanced to 4.86%, its highest since September 2008. Italian 10-Year Bond Yield: Up to 4.00%, with the 30-year yield touching 4.82%—a peak since late 2023. Yield Spread: The risk premium…

When the Reserve Bank of India introduced the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) in February 2004 with a $25,000 annual limit, investing abroad required extensive physical paperwork. The allowance steadily expanded to $250,000 by May 2015, but the operational process remained anchored in physical documentation: Manual Form A2 Declarations: Investors had to print, sign, and hand-submit physical Form A2 declarations at bank branches during working hours to buy foreign currency. Onboarding Friction: Opening an overseas trading account required completing physical forms for foreign broker partners, FEMA declarations, LRS declarations, and executing power of attorney for bank settlements. Domestic Requirements: Local demat…

Chinese and Hong Kong equities traded higher on Monday, driven by a strong surge in semiconductor and technology shares following upbeat corporate earnings. However, gains were tempered by weakness in consumer staples and liquor stocks as investors braced for key economic data. Key Market Indices at Midday Index Level / Performance Primary Driver Shanghai Composite Up 0.8% to 3,960.19 Tech outperformance CSI 300 (Blue-Chip) Up 0.8% Semiconductor rally Hang Seng Index Up 1.6% to 25,521.99 Broad technology gains Hang Seng Tech Index Up 2.0% Regional tech strength STAR 50 Index Up 3.0% Strong chipmaker earnings ChiNext Composite Up 1.3% Growth…