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Market watchdog SEBI has come out with a consultation paper in a bid to ease the functioning of <keyword id="22476006" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ESG-Rating-Providers" source="keywords">ESG Rating Providers</keyword> (ERPs), pushing for the development of a <keyword id="23760035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="subscriber-pays-model" source="keywords">subscriber-pays model</keyword>. As of July 2024, nine ERPs are registered with SEBI to operate in the country. These include <keyword id="23760037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CRISIL-ESG-Ratings" source="keywords">CRISIL ESG Ratings</keyword> &amp; Analytics, ESG Risk Assessments and Ratings, GlobeTrend Climate Impact Institutional Investor Advisory Services, <keyword id="23760038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE-Sustainability-Ratings" source="keywords">NSE Sustainability Ratings</keyword> and Analytics, PGS Impact, Pragati Development Consulting, CARE ESG Ratings, and SES ESG Research. Per the paper's proposal, ERPs won't be required to disclose ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings to the bourses, provided they confirm that there is no non-public information that could potentially affect the rating. Another proposal was the simultaneous sharing of the ESG rating reports both to the rated companies and to the subscribers who pay to access these reports. ERPs should ensure that rated entities, their group companies, or associates cannot subscribe to their own ESG ratings, SEBI said in its consultation paper. Some of the other suggestions put forth by SEBI include: 1. Companies will have a specific timeframe to respond to the ESG report, and any such comments should be included in the report as an addendum. 2. In case the ERP does not agree with the remarks issued by the rated company, they can add their comments to the report as well. 3. ERPs can rate unlisted issuers or other products, provided they meet specific guidelines from relevant regulators. SEBI is receiving public comment on these proposals until November 15, 2024. <h2>Steady returns </h2>Of the 11 ESG mutual fund schemes available to Indian mutual fund investors, the Quant ESG Equity fund has generated the highest returns of about 45.44% over one year, data from ValueResearch showed. Simply put, had you invested Rs 10,000 every month in this fund for three years, you would have accumulated a corpus of Rs 5,47,525. Over three years, the returns on this fund come to around 26%. This was followed by the ICICI Pru ESG Exclusionary Strategy fund, which yielded 44.73% returns over the same period. However, over ultra-short terms, i.e., 1-3 months, ESG funds have largely delivered negative returns, underscoring their suitability only as a long-term investment avenue. Only the SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Direct Fund and Quantum ESG Best In Class Strategy Direct Fund have been around for 5 years, during which they have generated returns of about 16.67% and 18.7%, respectively. <keyword id="23760036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ESG-mutual-funds" source="keywords">ESG mutual funds</keyword> typically select and invest in companies that are ESG-compliant, i.e., who weave in environmental conversation, social welfare, and robust <keyword id="20392393" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="corporate-governance" source="keywords">corporate governance</keyword> practices into their working philosophy and work ethos, while simultaneously generating decent financial returns for stakeholders as well.

SEBI mulls measures to facilitate ease of doing business for ESG Rating Providers (ERPs)

Rupee appreciated 7 paise to 84.22 against the US dollar in morning trade on Tuesday, on a sharp rebound in domestic equities amid improved investor risk appetite. Forex traders said the <keyword id="21663515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MSCI-equity-index" source="keywords">MSCI equity index</keyword> rebalancing significantly boosted sentiment for Indian equity markets as <keyword id="19932515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-institutional-investors" source="keywords">foreign institutional investors</keyword> broke a 40-session streak of net selling by purchasing Rs 9,947 crores on Monday, lending robust support to the rupee. Moreover, the win by the incumbent government in Maharashtra, further fueled investor confidence in economic stability, sparking a rally in equity markets. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.27 and moved in a tight range and touched an early high of 84.22 against the greenback, registering a gain of 7 paise over its previous close. On Monday, the rupee appreciated 12 paise to close at 84.29 against US dollar. "While Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies loom large, the rupee's outlook remains cautiously optimistic. The <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</keyword>'s projection of a GDP growth rebound to 7.6 per cent in Q3 has infused fresh confidence in India's economic trajectory. Additionally, a surge in capital inflows is likely to provide robust support," CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said. Pabari further said that the RBI's vigilant stance will be critical in managing volatility, with interventions likely at key levels to maintain stability. "Given the factors, the USDINR pair appears to face resistance around the 84.50 level, with expectations of trading within a range of 83.80 to 84.50, leaning toward a downside bias," he said. On the global front, US Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent's fiscal deficit reduction agenda capped US Treasury yields, Pabari said. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading higher by 0.28 per cent at 107.11. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose by 0.33 per cent to USD 73.25 per barrel in futures trade. In the domestic equity market, the 30-share equity benchmark Sensex jumped 167.76 points or 0.21 per cent to 80,277.61 points in early trade, while Nifty jumped 55.80 points or 0.23 per cent to 24,277.70 points. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned net buyers in the capital markets on Monday, purchasing shares worth Rs 9,947.55 crore, according to exchange data. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-open-oxygenos-15-update-now-rolling-out-with-flux-themes-improved-ai-features-and-more/articleshow/115657313.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-open-oxygenos-15-update-now-rolling-out-with-flux-themes-improved-ai-features-and-more/articleshow/115657313.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus Open OxygenOS 15 update now rolling out with Flux Themes, improved AI features and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/microsofts-ai-powered-recall-feature-is-now-rolling-out-to-copilot-pcs/articleshow/115654136.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/microsofts-ai-powered-recall-feature-is-now-rolling-out-to-copilot-pcs/articleshow/115654136.cms" target="_blank">Microsoft’s AI-powered Recall feature is now rolling out to Copilot+ PCs</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-airtel-and-vi-lost-nearly-11-million-subscribers-in-september-2024/articleshow/115565541.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-airtel-and-vi-lost-nearly-11-million-subscribers-in-september-2024/articleshow/115565541.cms" target="_blank">Jio, Airtel and Vi lost nearly 11 million subscribers in September 2024</a>

Rupee rises 7 paise to 84.22 against US dollar in early trade

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President-elect Donald Trump said he would implement tariffs on imported goods.</li><li>Economists said the proposals could boost inflation and raise prices for consumers.</li></ul>One of the first policies President-elect <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-results-trump-harris-presidential-election-2024-11">Donald Trump</a> is expected to enact after being sworn into office is imposing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-expensive-goods-price-impact-presidential-election-scenarios-trump-harris-2024-10#imported-goods">taxes on imported goods</a>.Many economists say these tariffs, as well as some of his other proposals, could kick-start another bout of inflation and interest-rate hikes.Trump has said that his proposals would not impact US prices. "I am going to put tariffs on other countries coming into our country, and that has nothing to do with taxes to us. That is a tax on another country," he said in an August speech.Some experts have argued <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tax-plan-tarriffs-benefits-top-earners-study-2024-10">otherwise</a>. Economists and investors project that taxes imposed on imports will be passed on to American consumers in the form of higher prices. In an economic chain reaction, households would then pay higher interest rates on borrowing of all kinds as the Fed moves to tame that newly rekindled inflation.<h2 id="28eee089-e5e3-42d1-bc61-18122840af26">Ramping up tariffs from Trump's first term is expected to eat into Americans' wallets</h2>On the campaign trail, one of Trump's cornerstone proposals was a 60% <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-does-trump-vance-stand-on-china-tariffs-inflation-taxes-2024-7">tariff</a> on goods imported from China and a 10% to 20% tariff on imports from other countries.The US Census Bureau reported that broad tariffs would likely affect the prices of automobiles, drugs for human and veterinary use, food and beverages, furniture, and household appliances.Trump could announce these changes as soon as he takes office because they would not require congressional approval, but because implementation could take time, consumers would not see higher prices immediately.An <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.piie.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/wp24-20.pdf">analysis</a> from the nonpartisan Peterson Institute examined Trump's proposed 60% tariff on goods imported from China and estimated that it would boost inflation by 0.4 percentage points in 2025. The estimate does not include Trump's proposal for a 10% to 20% tariff on other imports.Markets are also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/bonds/surging-treasury-yields-after-trump-win-show-borrowers-may-not-get-relief-2024-11">expecting higher inflation</a> under Trump; bond yields surged following Trump's victory. That led to the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising, meaning homebuyers are on track to see higher interest rates on loans.An <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/tpc-trump-tariffs-would-raise-household-taxes-and-slow-imports">analysis</a> by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found that Trump's policies would decrease posttax incomes by an average of $1,800 in 2025. A separate <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/trumps-tariff-would-cost-the-typical-american-household-roughly-1500-each-year/">analysis</a> by the left-leaning Center for American Progress said that his tariff plans could cost the typical American household an extra $1,500 a year.Tariffs are typically used to raise government revenue and bolster domestic manufacturing. Trump enacted them in his first term as part of his "America First" policies, including a 25% tariff on Chinese goods that ultimately <a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariff-trade-war-risk-china-exports-great-depression-economy-2024-5">led to a trade war</a> between the two economies. While they did not significantly impact inflation, they did raise taxes for consumers. The Tax Foundation <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-does-trump-vance-stand-on-china-tariffs-inflation-taxes-2024-7">estimated</a> that Trump's tariffs during his first term amounted to a nearly $80 billion tax increase on Americans buying Chinese imports.Trump's win is also expected to influence the Federal Reserve's upcoming decisions on interest rates. While it's too soon for the Fed to make any adjustments since Trump has not yet implemented any tariffs, members of the Federal Open Market Committee will likely begin discussing how Trump's future economic policies could affect consumers — including whether the central bank would need to hike interest rates in the future in response to inflationary pressure.The Fed is expected to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interest-rate-cuts-federal-reserve-election-jerome-powell-inflation-jobs-2024-11">cut interest rates by 25 basis points</a> on Thursday, and Fed chair Jerome Powell will likely offer some insight into the Fed's direction following Trump's victory.However, the future of the Federal Reserve <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interest-rate-cut-trump-fed-powell-reaction-independence-history-2024-9">is uncertain under Trump</a>. The president-elect has previously suggested that he would like to have a say over interest-rate decisions, something presidents do not currently have. This raises the question of whether the central bank would continue to remain politically independent.Americans will likely learn more about what to expect from Trump as the year comes to a close. While Trump has maintained that his policies will help the economy and leave Americans better off, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-presidency-policies-inflation-economy-americans-joseph-stiglitz-letter-2024-6">previously told Business Insider</a> that the "general consensus" among experts is that "the Trump administration would be more inflationary.""The broad assessment of the consequences of that is that the Fed would be forced to raise interest rates, and all that combined would still serve to increase inflation even as unemployment increased and GDP slowed," he said.

Get ready for inflation and interest rates to rise again

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Billionaire investor Ray Dalio says he is worried by global debt levels and central bank policy.</li><li>Returning to "artificial low real rates" could cause a depreciation in debt value, Dalio said.</li></ul>Yesterday, the Federal Reserve made a jumbo rate cut, its first cut in over four years as the central bank shifts its focus from fighting inflation to holding the job market together. Yet, billionaire investor Ray Dalio isn't convinced that the Fed and other central banks' moves to lower rates will address the big problem: surging debt levels. Dalio said the amount of debt held by governments around the world is historically unprecedented, and could lead to a depreciation of debt as central banks push borrowing costs lower.Dalio is increasingly worried by "the enormous amount of debt that is being created by governments and monetized by central banks," particularly in the US, he said in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia."Global debt held by governments, companies, and individuals is estimated to be around $315 trillion, according to data from the Institute of International Finance."Those magnitudes have never existed in my lifetime," he said.And the value of debt could depreciate if central banks keep lowering interest rates, Dalio said."I see a big depreciation in the value of that debt through a combination of artificial low real rates, so you won't be compensated," he said.The US has accumulated debt totaling $35.3 trillion, which Dalio called " enormous.""The challenge of the Federal Reserve is to keep interest rates high enough that they're good for the creditor, while keeping them not so high that they're problematic for the debtor," he said.Dalio said the US will likely continue monetizing its debt, and likened the trajectory to that of Japan, which kept rates low, depreciating the yen. "I think as time goes on, the path will be increasingly toward monetizing that debt, following a path very similar to Japan," he said."The value of a Japanese bond has gone down by 90% so that there's a tremendous tax through artificially giving you a lower yield each year," he said.

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warns debt is being devalued as governments pile it up and central banks keep rates artificially low

<keyword id="19991358" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-markets" source="keywords">Indian markets</keyword> are navigating choppy waters as global economic shifts, from rate cuts to evolving political climates, create new pressure points across the financial landscape, according to a recent report by ANI attributed originally to the Union Bank of India. The domestic stock and bond markets showed signs of strain, with <keyword id="19910363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bond-yields" source="keywords">bond yields</keyword> witnessing slight adjustments. India’s 10-year government bond yield dipped to 6.82%, a decrease from the previous session, reflecting cautious investor sentiment as the markets react to shifting global indicators. Meanwhile, the 5-year bond yield remained steady at 6.76%, a signal of lingering hesitation amid economic unpredictability. In the currency market, the rupee faced a notable decline, ending the day at ₹84.3725 against the US dollar, slipping from its prior close of ₹84.2800. Market analysts point to significant capital outflows as a key factor, with investors moving funds to perceived safer assets overseas. This migration has weighed heavily on the rupee, underlining the currency’s vulnerability in an environment of global economic flux. India’s stock market bore the brunt of this volatility, with key indices falling over 1%, effectively erasing the gains of a previous rally. This abrupt drop reportedly reflects renewed investor anxiety, largely triggered by the recent <keyword id="20189882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-presidential-election" source="keywords">US presidential election</keyword> results. Experts suggest that the election has introduced a fresh layer of uncertainty, not only for the US economy but for global markets, impacting everything from policy decisions to investor sentiment. Analysts are also keeping a close eye on upcoming decisions by central banks, which will likely shape the path forward for the Indian equities market. Commodities showed contrasting trends, with Brent crude prices falling on lower demand expectations, as economic indicators point toward cautious spending globally. Gold, on the other hand, experienced a modest rise as investors sought refuge in safe-haven assets, highlighting a shift towards risk aversion among market participants. Globally, major central banks made coordinated efforts to sustain economic growth, with the Bank of England (BoE) announcing a 25 basis-point cut, lowering its benchmark rate to 4.75%. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) largely backed this move to counter inflation, which has been declining, albeit gradually. Across the Atlantic, the US Federal Reserve mirrored this action with its own 25 basis-point cut, a sign of confidence in the ongoing economic recovery. Both rate cuts, though modest, signal a global trend towards caution as economies work to balance growth with stability. In Asia, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) maintained its supportive stance. Governor Pan Gongsheng sought to reassure foreign investors by reaffirming the PBoC’s commitment to growth-oriented policies. Pan emphasized enhanced communication and pledged to open China’s financial services sector further, aiming to attract more international participants. Europe, meanwhile, faced mixed economic signals. Germany reported a steep 2.5% drop in industrial production in September, signalling a slowdown in manufacturing, while the Eurozone saw a mild 0.5% rise in retail sales, reflecting cautious consumer optimism in the region. Adding another layer to the global economic landscape, the European Union’s Climate Change Service warned that 2024 could be the hottest year on record, underscoring urgent climate challenges just as the UN COP29 climate summit approaches. The summit, set to take place in Azerbaijan, aims to rally increased funding for climate action, though tempered expectations linger in light of recent US political shifts. On the domestic front, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam spoke about India’s potential role in pivotal global trade agreements, specifically the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These partnerships, Subrahmanyam suggested, could bolster India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, which currently accounts for 40% of India’s exports, offering a strategic advantage for Indian trade in an interconnected world. As the Indian markets digest these developments, experts believe continued volatility could be the theme for the coming months. (with ANI inputs)

Indian markets under pressure as global rate cuts stir uncertainty, new report says

Economists at the country's largest lender, SBI, today said they see India's Q2 real GDP growth slowing down further to 6.5% in the September quarter of this fiscal year. Amid concerns over the country's economic growth rate and whether it is slowing down, the analysts said they expect FY25 growth to come "closer to" 7%. SBI analysts join a long line of agencies like Fitch, ADB, IMF, Moody, World Bank, S&amp;P, and even RBI in forecasting India's GDP growth for FY25 in the range of 6.8% to 7.2% for FY25, driven by robust consumption and investment. SIP inflows have been at an all-time high, and so has QIP (qualified institutional placement) fundraising. As many as 71 companies raised Rs 88,678 crore this year through QIPs. Activity in Indian primary markets also remained robust, with 78 mainboard IPOs in 2024; this is a 111% rise from just 38 listings in FY23. Between April and June 2024, India's real GDP grew by 6.7%, the lowest growth seen in 15 quarters, pushing experts to believe that India is caught in a cycle of slowdown. "There is some incipient pressure evident on the domestic economy. Based on our analysis of 50 meaningful leading indicators (both consumption and demand-centric), a dip looks plausible across select cohorts of agriculture, industry, and services in Q2," the <keyword id="22337294" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SBI-economists" source="keywords">SBI economists</keyword> added. Stating that they track 50 indicators to gauge economic activity, SBIs note said the proportion of indicators showing acceleration declined to 69% in Q2 FY25, as against 80% in Q2 FY24 and 78% in Q1 FY25. However, things might be changing now, given that rural demand has started looking up amidst muted urban demand. SBI also explained that the ongoing regulatory tightening on unsecured lending and roadblocks that are hindering rollover/refinancing of debt through unsecured credit are dismantling the unwarranted exuberance that had built up post-pandemic, especially in the urban areas. Madhu Lunawat, CIO &amp; Fund Manager, Bharat Value Fund states that the overall investment environment remains strong due to favorable economic conditions supporting government policies &amp; reforms. "The sustainable inflow from domestic investors is going to support the Indian equity market in any kind of correction. The long-term bullish structure of Indian economy will continue to attract new domestic &amp; global investors to participate in India’s growth story through various Investment avenues.” <h2>Rate cuts not on cards</h2>RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das clarified today that changing the monetary policy stance to 'neutral' does not mean a rate cut is imminent in the central bank's next policy announcement. Notably, RBI MPC is set to meet between December 4 and 6, 2024, to decide if the prevailing repo rate of 6.5%, which has stayed unchanged for the last 2 years, should be brought down or not. In its last meeting, The <keyword id="20501100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI-monetary-policy" source="keywords">RBI monetary policy</keyword> committee had shifted its stance to 'neutral' indicating that it is open to adjusting interest rates based on economic conditions. "It should not be assumed that we have done this, so therefore the next step is a rate cut. A change in stance doesn't mean that the next step is a rate cut in the very next meeting. It's not so," Das said. Das also cautioned that inflation remains a key factor, and inflation and CPI prints for October are expected to stay high.

SBI economists see Q2 GDP growth slowing down to 6.5%; FY25 growth to be closer to 7%

New Delhi: Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">Sebi</keyword> has proposed allowing Real Estate Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="REITs" source="keywords">REITs</keyword>), Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186403" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="InvITs" source="keywords">InvITs</keyword>) to use <keyword id="21737868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate-derivatives" source="keywords">interest rate derivatives</keyword> for <keyword id="23778373" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hedging-risk" source="keywords">hedging risk</keyword>. Also, the regulator has suggested approving locked-in units for REITs and InvITs to be transferred among sponsors and their groups, similar to rules for promoters in listed companies, to help sponsors manage their holdings without compromising "skin in the game". Additionally, Sebi has suggested permitting fixed deposits to be considered as cash equivalents when calculating leverage for REITs and InvITs, clarifying credit rating requirements for REIT and InvIT borrowings, and setting a timeline for filling vacancies on their boards and expanding the asset base for REITs and SM REITs. The regulator has also proposed to permit REITs to invest in liquid mutual funds. It has suggested measures to facilitate ease of doing business for REITs and InvITs, along with investors' protection. According to its consultation paper, Sebi is considering allowing REITs and InvITs to hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using derivatives like interest rate swaps. This could help stabilise cash flows, reduce risks, and protect unitholder interests, especially for long-term infrastructure projects. It is also proposed to define "Common Infrastructure" for REIT regulations. To enhance business flexibility for REITs, it has been proposed to clarify that facilities like power plants, heating/cooling systems, water treatment, and waste treatment plants -- serving one or more REIT assets -- will qualify as "common infrastructure" under REIT rules. This applies even if these facilities are not located within a single project due to their technical requirements. These facilities should supply and be used exclusively by REIT assets. For power plants, however, any excess power can be sold to the state utility/grid as per regulations, with any credits or payments going towards the benefit of REIT assets. To improve transparency, it has been proposed to amend the governance norms for quarterly reporting of InvITs. Currently, quarterly results for the investment manager and its business segments are presented to the investment manager's board, but there is no direct requirement for InvITs to report their performance. The proposed amendment would clarify that quarterly results should specifically reflect the performance of the InvITs themselves, not just the investment managers. This change aligns InvIT regulations with REIT regulations, where the focus is on the quarterly results of the REIT itself. Also, it has been suggested to align the composition of NRCs in REIT and InvIT managers with listed companies under the LODR regulations. Currently, all NRC members for REITs and InvITs must be independent directors. The proposal allows a mix of independent and non-executive directors, similar to listed companies. To enhance investors' protection, Sebi has suggested reviewing conditions for InvITs to borrow beyond the 49 per cent limit, assessing REIT investments in unlisted equity shares and outlining the roles and responsibilities of trustees for REITs, InvITs, and SM REITs. In a separate consultation paper, the regulator has proposed a regulatory framework for "restricted return InvITs" to provide infrastructure investors with predictable returns by setting limits on both upside gains and downside protection. The proposed framework for restricted return InvITs is designed to provide investors with structured returns, capped at both minimum and maximum levels to offer stability. Restricted return InvITs would include downside protection -- a minimum assured return -- and/or an upside restriction, a cap on returns -- depending on the arrangement. These investments would be limited to sophisticated investors who meet high minimum investment thresholds, with each unit priced at a minimum of Rs 500 crore and total InvIT assets of at least Rs 50,000 crore. Investors would be required to sign a waiver and undertaking form, acknowledging their understanding of the structured returns and risks involved, including the transfer of any excess returns to the sponsors. This waiver should be submitted before purchase in both primary and secondary markets, with compliance overseen by merchant bankers or brokers. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sought public comments on both consultation papers by November 13.

Sebi proposes to allow InvITs, REITs, SM REITs to use interest rate derivatives for hedging risk

Australia has significantly ramped up efforts to manage its surging immigration numbers, with international students caught in the crossfire. Effective July 1, the cost of applying for a student visa skyrocketed from A$710 (Rs 40,000) to a hefty A$1,600 (nearly Rs 90,000). This more than doubles the previous fee and makes Australia's student visa the most expensive among major study destinations. This move is part of a broader government strategy to address Australia's record-breaking migration rates, which have put a strain on housing and infrastructure. Official figures show net immigration soared 60% to an unprecedented 548,800 people in the year ending September 2023. The increased visa fees are just one piece of the puzzle. Australia is also closing loopholes that previously allowed students to extend their stay indefinitely by applying for new student visas. This comes after a significant rise in students on their second or subsequent student visa, with numbers exceeding 150,000 in 2022-23. This tightening of <keyword id="22248321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="student-visa-regulations" source="keywords">student visa regulations</keyword> follows a series of similar measures implemented since late 2023. Earlier actions included stricter English language requirements and an increase in the financial resources international students must demonstrate to qualify for a visa (from A$24,505 to A$29,710). The higher costs and stricter rules haven't found favour with everyone. <keyword id="22248320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Universities-Australia" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Universities Australia" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Universities Australia">Universities Australia</keyword> CEO Luke Sheehy expressed concern that these changes could damage Australia's competitive edge in attracting international students. "This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees," Sheehy stated. International education is a major contributor to the Australian economy, generating A$36.4 billion in the last financial year. While the government aims to manage immigration and ease pressure on housing, it remains to be seen how these policies will impact Australia's long-term standing as a premier destination for international students.

Australia cracks down on International students; more than doubles student visa fees!

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank is unlikely to cut the benchmark <keyword id="20071327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate" source="keywords">interest rate</keyword> in its forthcoming bi-monthly monetary policy review later in the week as <keyword id="19999652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-inflation" source="keywords">retail inflation</keyword> is still a cause of concern, and there is a possibility of the Middle East crisis deteriorating further, impacting crude oil and commodity prices, say experts. Earlier this month, the government reconstituted the Reserve Bank's rate-setting panel -- <keyword id="19913109" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Monetary-Policy-Committee" source="keywords">Monetary Policy Committee</keyword> (MPC). The reconstituted panel, with three newly appointed external members, will commence its maiden meeting on Monday. MPC Chairman RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will reveal the outcome of the three-day discussion on Wednesday (October 9). The <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (RBI) has kept the repo or short-term lending rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent since February 2023, and experts think some easing could only be possible in December. The government has tasked the central bank to ensure that Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation remains at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side. In the current context, experts feel that the RBI may not follow the US Federal Reserve, which lowered the benchmark rates by 50 basis points, and the central banks of some developed nations, which have reduced the interest rates. "We do not expect any change in the <keyword id="20094323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="repo-rate" source="keywords">repo rate</keyword> or stance by MPC. The reason is that inflation for September and October will be above 5 per cent, and the present low inflation is due to the base effect. Besides, core inflation is inching upwards," said Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda. Further, the recent Iran-Israel imbroglio can intensify, and there is uncertainty here, he said. "Hence, the status quo is the most likely option even for new members. Inflation forecast may be lowered by 10-20 bps and no change in GDP forecast likely," said Sabnavis. The central bank last hiked the repo rate to 6.5 per cent in February 2023 and since then, it has held the rate at the same level. Icra Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said that given the undershooting in the initial first quarter GDP growth relative to the MPC's forecast and the likely sizeable undershooting in the second quarter CPI inflation print as well, "we believe a stance change to neutral may be appropriate in the October 2024 policy review". This could be followed by a shallow rate-cutting cycle of 25 bps each in December 2024 and February 2025, she added. "The abundant monsoon offers some insurance for crop inflation. The impact of global political developments and geopolitical uncertainty on the growth inflation dynamics remains a risk," Nayar added. An HSBC report said three developments stand out -- softer growth numbers have trickled in recently, inflation has been falling, and the external environment has moved from rate hikes to cuts. "We believe the RBI doesn't gain from waiting any longer. We think it will change its stance from a hawkish 'withdrawal of accommodation' to 'neutral' in the upcoming 9 October policy meeting, followed by repo rate cuts of 25 bps each in the December and February meetings, taking the repo rate to 6 per cent," the report said. The RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent in its August bi-monthly review amid risks from higher food inflation. This was the ninth consecutive MPC meeting, which decided to maintain the status quo on the rate front. Pradeep Aggarwal, founder and chairman, Signature Global (India) Limited, said while the real estate industry, developer community, and homebuyers are hoping for an interest rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy review, the RBI is likely to hold on to the interest rate cuts for the tenth consecutive time. "The apex bank still seems uncomfortable with the overall retail inflation scenario, particularly food inflation. As such, it is expected to maintain the status quo. The recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve has ignited similar hopes even in India, but the domestic scenario is very different," he added. SBM Bank India Head Treasury Mandar Pitale believed that the MPC has persistently advocated a restrictive policy until inflation aligns durably towards the 4 per cent target. "With the unfavourable base effect taking the next couple of CPI prints near 5 per cent plus or minus, it will pose a major challenge for MPC to start easing from the October meeting," Pitale said, adding that the MPC is also expected to deliberate upon the global factors like growth-inflation behaviour in developed economies. The government has appointed Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya, and Nagesh Kumar as external members of the MPC. They have replaced Ashima Goyal, Shashanka Bhide, and Jayanth R Varma. Apart from the Governor, the other internal members are the RBI Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy Michael Debabrata Patra and the Executive Director monetary policy department of RBI Rajiv Ranjan. In an off-cycle meeting in May 2022, the MPC raised the policy rate by 40 basis points and it was followed by rate hikes of varying sizes, in the subsequent meetings till February 2023. The repo rate was raised by 250 basis points cumulatively between May 2022 and February 2023.

Status-quo on interest rate likely, say experts ahead of RBI's policy review

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Declining birth rates are a huge problem for Asian countries like Japan and South Korea.</li><li>Some cities are implementing radical measures, like funding a dating app to raise fertility rates.</li></ul>Vanessa Lee, 28, knows what kind of parent she wants to be if she ever has kids."I want to be very hands-on. I want to be able to give my child whatever they want," said Lee, who got married last year.These expectations, however, have steered Lee and her husband away from starting a family in Singapore."If the child is going to come and tell me, 'Oh mommy, I want you to stay at home with me all the time' — that's not something we can give the child because both of us have full-time jobs and we are not willing to give up our jobs to be stay-at-home parents," Lee said.Declining birth rates have been a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/asia-countries-worry-fertility-rate-affect-armies-few-soldiers-experts-2024-6">huge bugbear for Asian countries</a> like Japan and South Korea.On Wednesday, Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry revealed that the country's total population has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-population-decline-births-foreign-5de77bda9305476d0baf020889094a60">declined for the 15th straight year</a> in 2023.Likewise for Korea, which has the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/09/asia/south-korea-government-population-birth-rate-intl-hnk/index.html">world's lowest fertility rate,</a> at 0.72 births per woman for 2023.The double whammy of an aging population and a shortfall in births have raised alarm bells among their governments, which seek to avert the economic and social consequences that come with a demographic crisis.Years of pro-natalist policies, however, have barely lifted their birth rates. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have started to roll out extreme measures to encourage people to start making babies — but demographic experts caution that such policies may address the symptoms, but not the roots, of the problem.<h2 id="6dcc3088-9dc1-4c13-98ac-7cd140b84e1f">Asian governments really, really want their people to have kids</h2>Earlier this month, Tokyo's government said it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tokyo-government-launching-dating-app-marriage-rates-population-decline-japan-2024-6">invested $1.28 million in a dating app</a> for its residents, per the local newspaper <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15292637">The Asahi Shimbun</a>. The app is expected to be launched this summer."We hope that this app, with its association with the government, will provide a sense of security and encourage those who have been hesitant to use traditional apps to take the first step in their search for a partner," a Japanese official told The Asahi Shimbun.The dating app has even caught the attention of billionaire <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, who has often <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-warns-developed-world-to-have-more-babies-italy-2023-12">warned of the disastrous consequences</a> that come with low fertility rates."I'm glad the government of Japan recognizes the importance of this matter. If radical action isn't taken, Japan (and many other countries) will disappear!" Musk wrote in an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1798360824853282923">X post</a> in June.Meanwhile, in Seoul, the South Korean government is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/south-korea-pay-reverse-vasectomy-tubal-ligation-birth-rates-low-2024-5">offering up to $730 in incentives</a> to people looking to reverse their vasectomies or tubal ligations.This is on top of the country's extensive policies to encourage childbearing, which include <a target="_blank" href="https://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-metropolitan-government-to-increase-subsidies-for-citizens-in-their-20s-seeking-egg-freezing-and-double-the-number-of-beneficiaries-across-all-age-groups/">subsidies for women to freeze their eggs</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-parents-south-korea-seoul-750-per-month-population-declines-2024-2">an allowance system for parents with newborns</a>."These, in a way more radical proposals, are probably a result of policymakers feeling this sense of desperation," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://faculty.smu.edu.sg/profile/paulin-tay-straughan-1431">Paulin Straughan</a>, a sociology professor at the Singapore Management University, told BI. "All the traditional ideas that we had don't seem to work. So we have to try more novel ideas to push the needle."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/our-people/faculty/tan-poh-lin">Poh Lin Tan</a>, a senior research fellow at Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies, says there still could be some value in rolling out micro-interventions like Tokyo's and Korea's."It may actually be rational to pursue policies at the fringe, due to the high difficulty of engineering the societal change that addresses root causes, and instead look for low-hanging fruit in the form of low-cost interventions that can make a difference," Tan said.Countries who find themselves turned off by the financially onerous policies implemented by Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland — including heavily subsidized childcare and housing allowances — may want to score a bigger bang for their buck through one-off handouts.And it doesn't have to be as radical as making a dating app. Countries like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.madeforfamilies.gov.sg/support-measures/raising-your-child/financial-support/baby-bonus-scheme">Singapore</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3264045/hong-kong-gives-out-hk35-million-baby-bonuses-experts-say-raising-birth-rate-requires-policy-rethink">Hong Kong</a> have given families cash bonuses when they welcome a newborn.In Singapore, parents can receive $11,000 each for their first and second child and $13,000 for each subsequent child.But such measures do not seem to appeal to young women like Lee, who believe that having a child is a big commitment.<div type="image" title="Vanessa Lee (left) and her husband, Jonas Hue (right), both 28. The couple got married in 2023." height="427" width="640" msid="112094071" hostid="261"></div>Lee, who owns two dogs and a cat, said that governments may be overestimating the effectiveness of one-off interventions in bolstering birth rates."Sure, you can get more people to get married, and then the chances of people having kids maybe will increase a little bit. But I think unless you solve the main issue of making it easier for parents to care for their kids sustainably, it will still be hard," Lee said.She added that a shift in societal mindsets toward work and family needs to occur for her peers to consider having children."It's not just about popping a kid out. It's about becoming a parent and thinking long term — how will I take care of the kid?" she continued.Some would-be parents are put off by the financial costs of starting a family, which aren't solved by one-off baby bonuses."I wouldn't choose to spend a part of my income on children because it's expensive," content creator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/women-china-not-having-kids-tell-us-why-2024-2">Emily Huang</a>, 29, told BI earlier this year."The biggest thing on my mind right now is how I am going to fund my retirement. I feel like with my current income level, I can't retire comfortably anytime soon," she continued.<h2 id="34e2b598-f664-4326-89db-9a50f3b91029">Governments need to rethink their approach to the demographic crisis</h2>Experts that BI spoke to said that while the measures may be well-meaning, they are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/throwing-money-schemes-wont-solve-global-fertility-crisis-demography-experts-2024-6">unlikely to reverse their countries' demographic trajectory</a>.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://iems.ust.hk/people/faculty-associates/gietel-basten-stuart">Stuart Gietel-Basten</a>, a social science and public policy professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said that governments are tackling the "wrong problem" if they think that low birth rates are simply due to people not having sex."Of course, it's the wrong problem. Most people in order to have children have sex, that is true. But it also doesn't guarantee that having sex brings children and that not having sex is the only reason why people are not having children," Gietel-Basten said."We've got plenty of policies which have been designed to increase birth rates, and there is very little, if hardly any, evidence at all to show that these policies have worked," he added.SMU's Straughan said that countries would be better off trying to realize the potential of their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-retirement-crisis-pensions-aging-population-social-security-workforce-2024-5">aging and graying populations</a>."At some point, we have to accept that there's going to be a greater proportion of people who want to stay single. That's okay," Straughan said. "But concurrently, we then have to say, if we're going to have more seniors now, then what do we need to do differently in order to maximize their potential?"Having more seniors, Straughan said, need not be a bad thing for societies. They can still contribute to society as volunteers, even after retirement, she said.But governments should not brush aside their dwindling fertility rates entirely.Low birth rates, according to HKUST's Gietel-Basten, are a "barometer of the challenges in society" and should thus be seen as "symptoms of problems in a society.""Just hectoring and bullying young people into having more children is not the answer, right? Because people don't have children for the state, and people certainly don't have children to save a pension system," he said."We have to listen to young families and genuinely try to support them. And until that happens, we're not going to get anywhere by coming up with funny ideas and imposing them in a top-down way," he added.

Asia's governments think people not having sex or dating may be tanking their birth rates. That's not the full picture.

In a major step toward protecting students and their families, the Indian government has issued new guidelines aimed at curbing misleading advertisements by coaching centres. The Centre's crackdown addresses exaggerated claims like “100% selection” or “guaranteed job security” — promises that often lead to disappointment among students who invest time and money expecting a near-certain outcome. <h2>Protecting consumers, not shutting down coaching</h2>On Wednesday, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) rolled out these guidelines in response to numerous complaints from the National Consumer Helpline. According to <keyword id="20003684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-affairs" source="keywords">Consumer Affairs</keyword> Secretary Nidhi Khare, the government’s goal is not to shut down coaching centres but to ensure their ads don’t “undermine consumer rights.” “We have seen coaching centres deliberately concealing information from prospective students,” Khare said. “Therefore, we have come out with the guidelines to provide guidance to people involved in the coaching industry.” So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to violators and imposed penalties of around Rs 54.60 lakh. <h2>What’s prohibited?</h2>The guidelines lay out strict boundaries on what coaching centres can — and cannot — say in their ads. Here’s what the guidelines address: <ul><li>False Claims: Ads should not make unsubstantiated promises about “100% selection” or “100% job security.”</li><li>Course Details: No exaggerating or omitting information about courses, their duration, or outcomes.</li><li>Faculty Credentials: Qualifications of teachers must be presented accurately, with no fake credentials.</li><li>Fees and Refunds: All fees and refund policies must be transparent.</li><li>Selection Rates and Ranks: Coaching centres cannot claim high selection rates or exam rankings without proof.</li></ul>Additionally, they are not allowed to use successful candidates’ names, photos, or testimonials in ads without written consent from these individuals. Khare advised students to double-check the information provided by coaching centres. “Many UPSC students clear prelims and mains on their own and take only interview guidance from coaching centres,” she explained, encouraging students to verify the course details actually taken by successful candidates. The guidelines go beyond the broad term “coaching.” They define coaching as academic support, education, guidance, study programs, and tuition — but they exclude counselling, sports, and creative activities. The purpose of this definition is to keep the focus on academic and career-oriented programs, which are most prone to misleading ads. <h2>Full disclosure and consequences for violators</h2>Transparency is now mandatory, as coaching centres must display disclaimers and reveal essential course details. Facilities, infrastructure, and resources must be represented accurately, along with any required approvals or recognitions from authorities like AICTE or UGC. Khare, who also serves as the CCPA chief, stressed that coaching centres should accurately present the service, resources, and infrastructure provided. For instance, if they advertise “fully-equipped classrooms,” the guidelines require this to be an honest description. These guidelines come as a supplement to existing laws and are enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act. This means violators will face penalties, potentially similar to the Rs 54.60 lakh already imposed by the CCPA. The government hopes these new standards will push coaching centres to keep their ads honest, helping students and families make better-informed decisions. (With inputs from agencies)

No More False Promises: Government sets rules to prevent misleading and exaggerated coaching centre ads

<ul><li><keyword id="122724" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-securities" source="Orion">Government securities</keyword> are considered among the safest investment options due to the sovereign guarantee attached to them. </li><li>Most brokers allow trading of existing <keyword id="6371629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="g-secs" source="Orion">G-secs</keyword> on the secondary market through their platforms.</li><li>Investing in G-sec-focused mutual funds allows a diversified portfolio within Government securities and low-ticket investments. </li></ul>Government securities, commonly known as G-secs, are <keyword id="166233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="debt-instruments" source="Orion">debt instruments</keyword> issued by the Government of India to raise capital. These securities serve as a way for the government to borrow money from the public or institutions. G-secs come with fixed <keyword id="6371181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rates" source="Orion">interest rates</keyword> and predetermined maturity dates. They are considered among the safest investment options due to the sovereign guarantee attached to them, ensuring repayment of the principal amount and interest upon maturity. The credit risk on G-secs is thus minimal. Government bonds also boast high liquidity and can be traded easily in the secondary market. This flexibility provides an opportunity to earn improved returns on the bonds and allows for exiting at any desired time before the maturity date as well. How G-secs work Investing in g-secs involves purchasing these bonds at face value, and the interest, also known as the coupon, is paid periodically, typically semi-annually or annually, until the maturity date. The interest rates on g-secs are influenced by various factors, including market demand, inflation, and the monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of India (<keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>). Consequently, the prices of G-secs fluctuate inversely with the prevailing interest rates in the market. When interest rates rise, the value of existing G-secs falls, and vice versa. These securities are traded in the primary and secondary markets. In the primary market, they are directly issued by the government through auctions, while in the secondary market, they are bought and sold among investors. How to invest G-secs are available in various tenures, ranging from short-term (Treasury bills) to long-term (Government bonds). The Retail Direct Scheme by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rolled out in 2021 enables individual investors to directly invest in government securities without requiring intermediaries such as brokers or mutual funds. The NSE goBID platform allows retail investors to participate in auctions for new G-sec issuances through your broker. It offers a non-competitive bidding process, meaning you specify your desired amount, and if your bid is accepted, you'll get allotted securities at the cut-off price. Most brokers allow trading of existing G-secs on the secondary market through their platforms. This offers flexibility to choose specific securities and exit positions when needed. Steps to invest `Here are the steps to invest in G-secs. <ol><li>Log in to your brokerage account </li><li>Navigate to the bids section: Locate and click on the "Bids" tab or section within the platform.</li><li>Select government securities: Once in the Bids section, find and select the option for "Govt. securities."</li><li>Initiate the bid: Look for the option to "Place bid" and click on it.</li><li>Enter bid Amount: Input the specific amount you wish to bid for the government securities.</li><li>Finalise the bid: After entering the amount, confirm the bid by clicking on the "Place bid" button.</li></ol>Investing in G-secs through the mutual fund route One can also take the mutual funds route to invest in G-secs. “Investing in G-sec focused mutual funds allows a diversified portfolio within Government securities and low ticket investments,” says Marzban Irani, chief investment officer, fixed income, LIC Mutual Fund. This can be suitable for passive investors or those seeking exposure without actively managing individual bonds. “It is always easy for investors to buy subscription or redemption requests in a mutual fund, compared to looking out to buy or sell securities in the fixed income market. Also, one may buy and hold but in between prices can fluctuate. Many people may not understand the drivers of those price fluctuations,” says Pankaj Pathak, fund manager, fixed income, Quantum AMC. Interest rate risks G-secs do carry one particular risk, that of interest rate fluctuations in the broader market. When rates rise, existing G-Secs with lower rates lose value compared to newer securities offering higher rates. Conversely, falling rates increase demand for older G-Secs, potentially raising their value. Longer-term G-Secs are more prone to rate change risks than short-term ones. Investors holding G-Secs until maturity aren't affected by price fluctuations but can lose potential earnings if rates rise after purchase. “A sudden increase in interest rate can impact return. So one is advised to invest into G Secs only for long-term goals,” says Abhishek Kumar, founder and chief<a href="https://business.outlookindia.com/invest/investment"> </a>investment advisor at SahajMoney, a financial planning firm. Is this a good time to invest? Government securities (G-Secs) typically attract conservative investors seeking a steady income from their investments. Moreover, investors often include G-Secs in their portfolio's debt allocation, which comprises diverse assets like equities, fixed-income instruments, and safe havens such as gold. At present, we are at the peak of the interest rate hike cycle. Developed economies like the US are expecting rate cuts going ahead in 2024. On the domestic front, the core inflation seems to be under control. “The interest rates are holding steady and might even start going down from the second half of next year,” says Kumar. So, going forward, retail investors can expect to improve their returns on G Sec investments. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

A case for investing in Government securities

As the <keyword id="19938590" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="NDA" source="keywords">NDA</keyword> is all set to form the government, <keyword id="19949381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fitch-Ratings" source="keywords">Fitch Ratings</keyword> on Thursday said <keyword id="21935526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coalition-politics" source="keywords">coalition politics</keyword> and a <keyword id="21957811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weakened-mandate" source="Orion">weakened mandate</keyword> could make it challenging to pass legislations on ambitious reforms. "We believe major reforms to land and labour laws will remain on the new government's agenda as it seeks to enhance India's manufacturing sector, but these have long been contentious and the NDA's weaker mandate will complicate their passage further. This could reduce the potential upside to India's medium-term growth prospects," <keyword id="19950093" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fitch" source="keywords">Fitch</keyword> said in a statement. The <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bjp" source="keywords">BJP</keyword> fell short of a single-party majority in the 543-seat lower house of parliament for the first time since its latest period in government that began in 2014. But Fitch expects it to secure enough support from allied parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form a government with Narendra Modi remaining Prime Minister. The outcome should support broad policy continuity, with the government continuing to prioritise infrastructure capex, improvements to the business environment, and gradual fiscal consolidation, Fitch Ratings said. "However, coalition politics and a weakened mandate could make it challenging to pass legislation on the more ambitious parts of the <keyword id="21957445" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-reform" source="keywords">government reform</keyword> agenda," it said in a detailed note post the Lok Sabha election results which were announced late on Tuesday. The NDA appears set to retain power with a narrower majority after India's recent election, following a weaker performance by its dominant member, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "We do not think that the government's losses at the ballot box will lead to substantial policy adjustments, but the post-election budget in July should provide greater clarity on its economic reform priorities and fiscal plans over the coming five years," Fitch said. It said implementation of <keyword id="20404815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-reforms" source="keywords">economic reforms</keyword> during the first two NDA terms was mixed, but some positive measures were passed including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law and Bankruptcy Code in 2016. The government also increased public infrastructure investment significantly, helping to put India among the fastest-growing major economies in recent years, with real GDP growth reaching 8.2 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 2024 (FY24). Fitch expects growth to remain rapid at 7 per cent in current fiscal (April-March). "We expect India's medium-term growth performance to remain around our trend estimate of 6.2 per cent through FY28, despite the government's slimmer majority. The continued public capex drive to address infrastructure gaps, ongoing digitalisation efforts, and improved bank and corporate balance sheets - relative to the pre-pandemic situation - should facilitate a strong outlook for private investment," Fitch said. The rating agency expects the Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme to remain intact, which will help attract FDI in target sectors, such as electronics. However, private investment has not yet accelerated meaningfully, which represents a risk for the outlook. Fitch believe land and labours laws reforms will continue to advance at the state level in some parts of the country. There is also some potential for judicial reforms that would look to lower costs and speed resolution of court cases. Weaker fiscal metrics relative to peers are a significant constraint for India's sovereign rating, which we affirmed at 'BBB-' with a Stable Outlook in January 2024. "The next government's ability to address high fiscal deficits and reduce debt will be important considerations for the rating in the next few years. "Sustained deficit reduction, particularly if underpinned by durable revenue-raising reforms, would be positive for India's sovereign rating fundamentals over the medium term," Fitch added. The government has improved its record on achieving deficit targets and has advanced fiscal consolidation gradually over the past few years. We expect this focus on gradual consolidation to broadly be sustained. The FY24 budget deficit came in at 5.6 per cent of GDP, below the revised budget estimate of 5.8 per cent (which matched Fitch's estimate). Fitch expects the 5.1 per cent deficit target for FY25 to be attained, and said government's goal of reducing the deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP in FY26 appears increasingly achievable, although the election marginally increased risks of higher spending or slippage in capex to accommodate greater social spending.

You Searched For "government rates" and got 13 results

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Status-quo on interest rate likely, say experts ahead of RBI's policy review

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Asia's governments think people not having sex or dating may be tanking their birth rates. That's not the full picture.

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No More False Promises: Government sets rules to prevent misleading and exaggerated coaching centre ads

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A case for investing in Government securities

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