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[1/2] A bird flies past the new logo of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) at its headquarters in Mumbai, India, April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File PhotoAug 14 (Reuters) - India's market regulator has sought 15 more days to complete its probe into the Adani group's dealings, it said in a filing before the country's Supreme Court. SEBI has sought more information from other regulators and foreign jurisdictions to plan a further course of action. The group's listed companies lost more than $100 billion in market value earlier this year after U.S.-based Hindenburg Research raised several governance concerns. Reporting by Jayshree P Upadhyay in Mumbai; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, SEBI, Jayshree, Savio D'Souza, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Securities and Exchange Board of India, REUTERS, The Securities, Exchange Board of India, Hindenburg Research, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India

☆ Morgan Stanley upgrades India to "overweight", terms it top pick among emerging markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Indian flag flies in front of the new logo of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) at its headquarters in Mumbai, India, April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File PhotoBENGALURU, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley has upgraded its view on Indian markets to "overweight" from "equal weight", citing easing valuations as compared to October 2022, when the global brokerage identified the onset of a new bull market in Asian and emerging market equities. India is now the top ranked, most-preferred market among emerging markets (EMs), rising from the sixth spot, due to supportive foreign inflows, macro stability and positive earnings outlook, the brokerage said in a note late Wednesday. Sectorally, the brokerage remains overweight on financials, consumer discretionary and industrial segments in India, and has an "add" rating on Larsen & Toubro and Maruti Suzuki India in its Asia Pacific focus and Global Emerging Markets lists. "We think returning India to an "overweight" rating and downgrading China to "equal weight" is warranted," analysts said, referring to the Indian markets' outperformance over China as a sign of a structural breakout in favour of India.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Morgan Stanley, Larsen, Bharath Rajeswaran, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Securities and Exchange Board of India, REUTERS, Toubro, Maruti Suzuki, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, BENGALURU, Asia, China, Bengaluru

☆ India regulator says no proposal to curb retail derivatives trades -statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 29 (Reuters) - India's market regulator said on Saturday there was no proposal to curb retail participation in equity derivative markets but that it was considering a client risk assessment. Reuters reported on Friday that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), seeking to reduce risks for retail investors, would propose linking the amount of equity derivatives they may trade to their wealth. Citing what it said were speculative media reports, SEBI said in a statement, "It is clarified that there is no proposal to curb retail participation in derivative markets". But it said it was examining whether existing requirements for participating in the derivative markets could be extended to include a risk assessment of clients. "SEBI’s focus has always been on adequate risk management, while ensuring ease of doing business and compliance, rather than on placing any curbs on trading," the regulator said.

Persons: SEBI, Jayshree, William Mallard Organizations: Reuters, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Thomson

☆ Exclusive: India regulator seeks curbs to limit retail investors' derivatives risk -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Retail investor participation in the equity derivatives market jumped 500% in the three years through March, according to data from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Once a broker discloses an investor's net worth and income, exchanges could monitor the person's exposure to futures and options contracts across brokerage firms, the other source said. SEBI had proposed a similar framework in 2017 but dropped the idea when brokers cited difficulties in assessing the net worth of their clients. The regulator revived the idea of curbs because of the study showing widespread losses on equity derivatives trades, the sources said. South Korea's financial markets regulator in 2011 introduced entry barriers for retail investors to trade in equity derivatives, including a minimum deposit and compulsory training.

Persons: SEBI, Jayshree, William Mallard Organizations: Securities and Exchange Board of India, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, India

Speaking at the Adani Enterprises' annual general meeting, Adani said the Hindenburg short-seller report was a "deliberate and malicious attempt aimed at damaging our reputation and generating profits through a short-term drive-down of our stock prices." "While the Securities and Exchange Board of India is still to submit its report, we remain confident of our governance and disclosure standards," billionaire Adani said. The short-seller report had also forced Adani Enterprises to shelve its key $2.5 billion share sale in February. Adani Enterprises shares climbed over 4% on Tuesday, while Adani Transmission (ADAI.NS) and Adani Green Energy (ADNA.NS) rose 4.7% and 5.7%, respectively. He also added that Adani Ports (APSE.NS), in the next 12-24 months, will commission India's largest transshipment hub.

Persons: Gautam Adani, Adani, Chris Thomas, Nallur, Savio D'Souza, Nivedita Organizations: U.S, Adani Enterprises, Securities and Exchange Board, Green Energy, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, India, Bengaluru

☆ India's Adani confident of governance and disclosure standards, chairman says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Signage of Adani Group at Adani Defence and Aerospace booth during the Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru, India, on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. India's Adani Group is confident of its governance and disclosure standards after a top court panel found no lapses at the conglomerate, its chairman said on Tuesday, while detailing the fallout of a U.S. short-seller's scathing report that jolted its stocks. The panel report "confirmed the quality of our group's disclosures and found no instance of any breach," Adani Chairman Gautam Adani said in his first comments on the findings, in a shareholder address at Adani Enterprises' annual general meeting. "While SEBI is still to submit its report, we remain confident of our governance and disclosure standards, Adani said, referring to the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Adani Enterprises shares climbed over 4% on Tuesday.

Persons: India's, Gautam Adani, Adani, SEBI, Hindenburg Organizations: Adani Defence, Aerospace, Aero, Air Force, Adani Enterprises, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Adani Group Locations: Bengaluru, India

☆ India's Vedanta slips after Foxconn pulls out of semiconductor JV
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BENGALURU, July 11 (Reuters) - India's Vedanta (VDAN.NS) fell over 2% on Tuesday, a day after Taiwan's Foxconn (2317.TW) said it withdrew from a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with the metals-to-oil conglomerate. The companies partnered last year to set up semiconductor and display production plants in Gujarat state. S&P Global Ratings said that Vedanta's planned semiconductor business does not increase immediate liquidity pressure, adding that it believes there is no immediate sizable funding commitment for the semiconductor project, pending government approval. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country's market regulator, had imposed a 3 million rupee($36,430.76) fine nearly two weeks ago on Vedanta for disclosure requirement violations regarding the Foxconn venture. Shares of Vedanta fell as much as 2.6% to 275 rupees apiece, after having already fallen over 24% as of last close, since the partnership was announced in February last year.

Persons: Taiwan's Foxconn, Narendra Modi's chipmaking, Varun Vyas, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Reuters, Indian, Securities, Exchange Board of India, Vedanta, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Gujarat, Bengaluru

☆ Adani case threatens watchdog’s rising credibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Shritama Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In June the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the country’s markets regulator, disciplined two media tycoons for alleged wrongdoing and strengthened disclosure norms for foreign investors. Going all-in on the Adani case would entail working with other law enforcers, such as the Directorate of Enforcement and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Unless Buch’s team pulls out all the stops, the regulator’s toughest test under her leadership so far is a threat to its rising credibility. The markets regulator on June 12 barred Zee Entertainment Enterprises CEO Punit Goenka and Chair Emeritus Subhash Chandra from holding key managerial positions in any listed company. In a separate order dated June 22 Sebi barred Eros group Managing Director Sunil Arjan Lulla and three group entities including Eros International Media from the securities market, citing accounting irregularities.

Persons: Puri, Gautam, Punit Goenka, Subhash Chandra, Breakingviews, Sebi, Sunil Arjan Lulla, Antony Currie, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Reuters, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Eros International, Reuters Graphics Reuters, of Revenue Intelligence, Securities, Exchange Board, India, Eros International Media, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI

In the fiscal year 2022 through 2023, HDFC raised 784.15 billion from the debt market, higher than the 500 billion rupees a year before. It has raised 460.62 billion rupees since April this year. Mutual funds hold around 270 billion rupees of HDFC's bonds as of May 31, data from information service provider Prime Database showed. Rival LIC Housing Finance may be the biggest beneficiary of HDFC exiting the market, fund managers said. Other competitors such as ICICI Home Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Tata Capital Housing Finance and Shriram Housing Finance could also see an increase in demand for their debt issuances, they said.

Persons: HDFC, Raju Sharma, HFCs, Ajay Manglunia, Laukik Bagwe, Bagwe, IDBI Mutual Fund's Sharma, Dharamraj Dhutia, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Housing Development Finance Corp, HDFC Bank, Reuters, IDBI Mutual Fund, Securities and Exchange Board of India, JM Financial, AAA, Mutual, LIC, Finance, ICICI Home Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Tata Capital Housing Finance, Shriram Housing Finance, Mutual Fund, IDBI Mutual, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, India, HDFC

☆ Exclusive: Mutual funds may not get holdings waiver post HDFC Bank - HDFC merger - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HDFC Bank and HDFC - both heavily owned by mutual funds - are set to conclude a merger in the next few weeks to create India's second-largest financial institution by assets after the State Bank of India. At least 60 equity mutual fund schemes will see their combined exposure to HDFC Bank and HDFC overshoot the 10% cap as of Wednesday. The matter has been referred to the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), according to two mutual fund executives. "HDFC Bank and HDFC are fairly liquid stocks and have a lot of demand. Shares of HDFC Bank have risen 6.5% since April 1, 2022, but have still underperormed the broader BSE Bankex, which is up 17%.

Persons: SEBI, Deven Choksey, Jayshree, Varun, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: HDFC Bank, Reuters, HDFC, State Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Association of Mutual Funds, KRChoksey Holdings, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, India

☆ Sony’s India deal episode hits fresh cliffhanger
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, June 13 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Sony's (6758.T) Indian unit keeps running into fresh plot twists. The deal, in the works since late 2021, has already overcome multiple hurdles. Zee has weathered shareholder calls for a rejig of the company’s board and from creditors to declare it insolvent. After all, it is a strategic combination designed to take on Disney (DIS.N), Reliance Industries (RELI.NS), Netflix (NFLX.O) and others. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Punit Goenka, Subhash Chandra, Goenka, Shritama Bose, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Zee Entertainment, Securities, Exchange Board, India, Sony, Disney, Reliance Industries, Netflix, Zee, Twitter, Brookfield, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, London, Teck, China

☆ Indian ports will test tycoons' safe harbour
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Pranav Kiran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For the public market wannabe, it tees up a tricky benchmark in a global industry with few listed giants. JSW Infrastructure is closely aligned to India’s growth story. More than half of cargo handled at Indian ports last year was coal, petroleum oil and lubricants. JSW Infrastructure grew revenue 92% in the three years to March 2022, three times as fast as its rival. JSW Infrastructure, India’s second largest commercial ports operator by cargo handling capacity, in May filed for an initial public offering in Mumbai to raise up to 28 billion rupees ($340 million).

Persons: Gautam Adani, Sajjan Jindal, Adani, JSW, ”, Una Galani, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Reuters, Hindenburg Research, Deloitte, JSW, Infrastructure, Deloitte Haskins, Securities and Exchange Board of India, JM Financial, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, HSBC, Credit Suisse, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Mumbai, Goa, Tamil Nadu, West, JSW

☆ India regulator proposes curbs on derivative-linked share moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MUMBAI, May 21 (Reuters) - India’s market regulator proposed measures to contain extreme price movements in shares on which futures and options trade, including longer trading suspensions and restricting price movements. The group collectively lost more than $100 billion in market value soon after the Hindenburg report was published. If shares are flagged for additional surveillance and monitoring should there be a daily limit for price moves, the regulator said. "From the perspective of market stability, risk management and protecting the interest of investors, it is desirable to have safeguards against such extreme price movements, SEBI said. Reporting by Jayshree P Upadhyay and M. Sriram; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ India regulator proposes halving IPO listing time
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MUMBAI, May 21 (Reuters) - India’s market regulator proposed halving the time needed to list shares on the nation's stock exchanges from the closure of initial public offerings (IPOs) to three days. The proposed reduction in timelines for listing and trading of shares would benefit issuers and investors, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in a consultation paper on its website late on Saturday. "Issuers will have faster access to the capital raised, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business, and the investors will have opportunity for having early credit and liquidity of their investments," SEBI said. SEBI invited comments on the proposed change until June 3. Reporting by Jayshree P Upadhyay and M. Sriram; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Shares of companies of the coal-to-airports conglomerate, controlled by billionaire Gautam Adani, were up between 1.2% to 7% in late trade on Friday in a largely flat wider market. The group's listed companies lost more than $100 billion in market value earlier this year after U.S.-based Hindenburg Research raised several governance concerns. The court on Wednesday granted SEBI additional time until Aug. 14 to complete its investigation into possible violation of securities law and regulatory disclosures by the Adani group. Beside flagship Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS), other group companies include edible oils business Adani Wilmar (ADAW.NS), Adani Ports (APSE.NS), Adani Green Energy (ADNA.NS), Adani Transmission (ADAI.NS), Adani Total Gas (ADAG.NS), Adani Power (ADAN.NS), broadcaster NDTV (NDTV.NS) and cement units ACC Ltd (ACC.NS) and Ambuja Cements (ABUJ.NS). The panel said, citing SEBI, there was evidence of a build-up in short positions on Adani group stocks ahead of the Hindenburg report.

MUMBAI, May 17 (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Wednesday granted the country's market regulator additional time till August 14 to complete its investigation into possible violation of securities law and regulatory disclosures by the Adani group. Hindenburg Research had raised several governance concerns around the Adani group, leading to a loss of more than $100 billion in the market capitalisation of companies in the group founded by billionaire Gautam Adani. Following this, the Supreme Court had asked SEBI to probe some of the allegations made and submit a report to a court-appointed panel. Adani group companies are being probed for violation of this law. The Supreme Court directed the market regulator to place on record its findings so far relating to the investigation on violation of public float by the Adani group.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in a filing, said it has approached 11 overseas regulators for information relating to whether the Adani group has violated any norms regarding its publicly available shares. India's Supreme Court is hearing an appeal from SEBI to give it an additional six months to complete its probe into the Adani group. However, the Supreme Court, in oral arguments, said that it was inclined to give a three-month extension. Oral arguments do not necessarily match the final court order, which will likely be given on Monday. Ahead of that order, SEBI, in its filing, reiterated that the Adani group's transactions highlighted by Hindenburg for violating Indian laws are highly complex and included many sub-transactions across numerous jurisdictions.

☆ India’s SEBI to regulate platforms offering fractional ownership of real estate assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, May 13 (Reuters) - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed regulating all online platform that offer fractional ownership of real estate assets, in a bid to provide protection to small investors. Fractional ownership typically refers to small investment holdings of real estate assets. The minimum investment on these platforms typically range from 100,000 rupees to 250,000 rupees. The underlying real estate assets offered on these platforms are similar to the real estate or property defined under the REIT Regulations, said SEBI in the discussion paper. Globally such fractional ownership has been in existence since 2015 in markets such as the United States and United Arab Emirates.

MUMBAI, NEW DELHI, April 29 (Reuters) - India’s market regulator has asked for a six-month extension to complete its probe into possible lapses in securities market laws and regulatory disclosures by billionaire Gautam Adani's Adani group, according to a court document seen by Reuters. SEBI and the Adani group did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Supreme Court asked the regulator to conduct an inquiry into Adani after U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research raised concerns around its governance practices in a January report. In its application, the regulator said it needed more time "to conduct a proper investigation and arrive at verified findings". The regulator said that it had received information from several Adani group entities.

☆ Indian regulator plans to allow mutual funds with performance-based fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

According to the plan, the base fees currently charged for mutual funds would be reduced and additional charges would be based on performance. If introduced, India would be one of a handful of major markets to introduce performance-linked fees for mutual funds. "An option for additional charges could act as an incentive for funds to give better returns," the source said. There is a need for transparency on charges levied by mutual funds, SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said on March 28. To curb this, SEBI will only allow funds to charge additional fees if an investor is buying any mutual fund for the first time, the document showed.

☆ India NSE's IPO plan stumbles at market watchdog's door - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has formed an internal view that due to the pending cases it won't approve NSE's application made last year for an IPO, the sources said. “Till the legal and regulatory issues are cleared there is no chance that SEBI will approve NSE's IPO plans,” said one of the sources, who is a senior regulatory official. A delayed NSE IPO will test the patience of its core shareholders - banks, insurance companies and foreign funds - who have been waiting for an exit opportunity in rising markets. The regulator's reluctance to approve NSE's IPO has not been previously reported. These include whether certain brokers made unfair gains due to preferential access to NSE’s trading systems and another lapse in NSE’s trading architecture, the source said.

☆ Exclusive: India regulator probing some Adani offshore deals for possible rule violations-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

An Adani Group spokesperson said Vinod Adani is a member of the Adani family and is part of the promoter group, but he does not hold any managerial position in any of the listed Adani entities or their subsidiaries. Vinod Adani could not be reached for comment. Hindenburg's report eroded more than $100 billion in the value of shares in Adani group of companies. India's Supreme Court asked SEBI in March to investigate the Adani Group for any lapses related to public shareholding, related party rules or regulatory disclosures. SEBI's investigation into Adani's possible 'related party' transactions with offshore entities with links to Vinod Adani has not been reported before.

☆ Indian skincare firm Mamaearth's parent puts IPO on hold - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( M. Sriram | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, March 27 (Reuters) - Indian skincare startup Mamaearth has put its initial public offering (IPO) on hold because of weak market conditions, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, a month after two other Indian companies also scrapped their share sales. Mamaearth planned to start marketing the IPO and begin initial talks with investors by the end of January, but that has not happened yet, the sources said. The company has until December to receive approval for the IPO from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and file its final prospectus. He added that its largest investor, Sequoia, would not be selling any shares in the IPO and the founders would own more than 97% of their shares after the IPO. Last month, Indian apparel retailer Fabindia, backed by billionaire Azim Premji's fund, and jewellery retailer Joyallukkas scrapped their IPOs due to poor market conditions.

☆ Indian market watchdog speeds up action against social media stock tips - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Jayshree P Upadhyay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Securities and Exchange Board of India's rules say that only advisers registered with it can offer investment advice. Companies potentially facing enforcement action are digital investment platforms which offer financial products and investment advice without appropriate regulatory licences, the sources said. "This is a part of series of enforcement actions that the regulator is taking to tackle unsolicited investment advice being peddled on social media," said the second source cited above. The regulator will consult the market participants on ways to regulate social media financial influencers more broadly. These influencers could be required to make disclosures and disclaimers on their social media platforms before they offer any public advice.

☆ India's financial crime agency searches Franklin Templeton execs, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

India's federal financial crime agency on Thursday conducted searches on Franklin Templeton India's former and current officers in Mumbai in relation to the closure of some funds in 2020, two sources told Reuters on Thursday. The searches are in connection with Franklin Templeton closing six debt schemes in April 2020, which it had blamed on the lack of liquidity due to Covid-19's impact on the markets. Vivek and Rupa Kudva were held guilty of withdrawing their own investments ahead of the winding of the schemes. A spokesperson for Franklin Templeton did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments. Vivek and Rupa Kudva could not be immediately reached for comment.

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