DPDP Act 2023: IRDAI forms task force on implementation in insurance sector
Hyderabad: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted a taskforce to examine the impact of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 on the insurance sector. 

Key questions you should ask to avoid becoming an insurance misselling victim
 

Want guaranteed long-term returns? Consider non-par insurance plans
The chairman of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, Siddhartha Mohanty, in a recent interview to Business Standard, said that the insurer is keen to enhance the premium contribution from non-participating (non-par) plans in its premium mix. Buyers need to make an informed choice when opting for these insurance plans.

Tata AIG introduces ‘Health Supercharge’ offering enhanced coverage for overall well-being; all you need to know
TATA AIG General Insurance Company introduced “Health Supercharge" with the aim of offering a fivefold enhancement in health insurance coverage, addressing the dynamic nature of health-related uncertainties. This new plan caters to the varied healthcare requirements of families residing in Tier I to Tier IV locations.

Sebi proposes changes in regulatory framework for Special Situation Funds

Defaulting promoters cannot misuse 'special situation funds' to surreptitiously buy into their companies to retain control. Market regulator Securities and Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday proposed that if the investment in the special situation fund (SSF) is by a defaulter, then the fund should not invest in a company where the investor is also a promoter or a shareholder.

NPS subscribers can now choose preferred fund managers for different asset classes: PFRDA
New Delhi: Pension regulator PFRDA has sweetened the deal for NPS subscribers in the ‘All Citizen Model’ and ‘Corporate Model’ categories. Such subscribers have now been given the added option to select their preferred fund managers for different asset classes. Put simply, NPS subscribers’ choice has been widened and they can now opt for the best fund manager in the industry at an asset class level—equity, corporate debt and gilts.

Union Mutual Fund launches Union Children’s Fund; all you need to know
Union Mutual Fund announced the launch of the Union Children’s Fund, an open-ended equity scheme following a solution-oriented theme.

RBI move on consumer lending is a brake we needed
On November 16, 2023, RBI notified banks to increase the capital buffers for lending to certain forms of unsecured consumer credits, including via credit cards and NBFCs. This comes in light of the high growth seen across consumer lending in the system, along with some concerns being highlighted on higher delinquencies in smaller ticket sized loans. This move by the RBI improves capital buffers and puts caution in action, which bodes well for the asset quality cycle in the medium term, and ensures credit growth is met with higher risk awareness and financial stability.

How Unifi Capital is set to navigate the MF universe
Mumbai: The investment landscape in the country is loaded with a bevy of mutual funds, but there is always space for more. And, many asset management companies (AMCs) are lining up to launch more funds, albeit with different investment strategies and themes. The latest to join the bandwagon is Chennai headquartered Unifi Capital. That is not a name many investors are familiar with. The AMC, though, is one of the biggest players in the portfolio management service (PMS) space but has shied away from the limelight so far.

India to ease capital, disclosure rules for passive funds - sources
India's markets regulator plans to lower capital and disclosure requirements for fund houses that run passive investment schemes, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Franklin Templeton elevates Rengaraju as CIO
He takes over from Anand Radhakrishnan who will be leaving the firm on January 12 to pursue other opportunities. Rengaraju will report to Sukumar Rajah, Senior Managing Director & Director of Portfolio Management – EME Asian Equity.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund launches Baroda BNP Paribas Gold ETF; all you need to know
Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund announced the launch of the Baroda BNP Paribas Gold ETF. The scheme opened for public subscription on November 28, 2023, and will close on November 30, 2023. The scheme re-opens for continuous sale and purchase within five days from the date of allotment.

Axis India Manufacturing Fund, three other NFOs open this week; should you invest?

Four mutual fund NFOs or new fund offers are open for subscription this week. Baroda BNP Paribas Gold ETF, Union Children’s Fund are open for subscription. Axis India Manufacturing Fund and WOC Large & Mid Cap Fund will open for subscription later this week.

Actively managed equity funds beat benchmark on widespread market rally
Mumbai: After a long gap, the percentage of actively managed equity mutual fund schemes beating their benchmarks has improved due to dispersion in market performance. Nearly 70-80 per cent of actively managed equity funds have outperformed their benchmarks over 10 years, while the share of equity funds beating benchmarks over five years and three years has improved to 55-60 per cent and 45-50 per cent against 35-40 per cent and 35-40 per cent logged last September.

FPIs investment in debt market hits 2-yr high at Rs 12,400 cr in Nov
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have infused about Rs 12,400 crore into the Indian debt markets in November so far, making it the highest inflow in more than two years, on attractive yields offered by the country’s debt.

Companies pay more for debt fundraise as liquidity's tight

Mumbai: Bereft of the extra funds sloshing about within the financial system during the Covid pandemic, top-rated companies are now paying more to raise money through bond markets, with the pricing of issues by even the likes of Reliance Industries reflecting the divergence between sovereign and corporate debt.