India’s property market has attracted nearly $80 billion in institutional investments over the past 15 years, establishing itself as a preferred asset class. Foreign investors have been the primary contributors, but domestic capital is increasingly gaining traction, especially post-pandemic.
The Delhi government is gearing up to launch its Pink Card initiative by mid-October, offering women lifetime free bus travel as a Bhai Dooj gift. Registration for the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ will be online, requiring KYC verification through selected banks.
China is easing gold import/export licensing, aiming to diversify reserves from the US dollar. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) plans to broaden the use of faster “multi-use permits” by increasing authorized ports and extending permit validity. This builds on a 2016 initiative to streamline gold trade.
China has introduced a two-year plan to stabilize its car industry amidst price wars and trade tensions. The initiative, spearheaded by eight government departments, focuses on price monitoring and boosting domestic demand. It sets a target of 15.5 million new energy vehicle sales in 2025, while addressing challenges posed by EU and Mexican trade barriers.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs provides clarity on Goods and Services Tax. GST will not apply to post-sale discounts offered by manufacturers to dealers for competitive pricing. However, GST applies if discounts link to specific promotional services by dealers. This clarification addresses representations on secondary discounts under GST.
Urban Company’s Rs 1,900-crore IPO saw overwhelming investor demand, being oversubscribed 103.63 times. The IPO, priced at Rs 98-103 per share, aims to raise funds for technology development, marketing, and general corporate purposes. The platform offers diverse home and beauty services across India, the UAE, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.
SEBI has approved a series of reforms aimed at broadening market participation and enhancing investor protection. These changes include easing IPO norms for large firms, increasing anchor investor allocations, and simplifying market access for trusted foreign institutions. The regulator also eased AIF framework, reclassified REITs, and strengthened governance standards for market intermediaries.
Infosys has announced a significant Rs 18,000 crore share buyback at Rs 1,800 per share, a 19% premium over the previous closing price. Market experts view this as a “buy on dips” opportunity, with analysts suggesting accumulation for potential short-term gains. The buyback, conducted through a tender route, anticipates strong retail participation and could boost
The US Treasury is pushing G7 and EU partners to impose tariffs on Chinese and Indian imports of Russian oil, aiming to cut off funding for Putin’s war in Ukraine. While Trump has already levied tariffs on Indian goods, he’s hesitant to do the same with China due to trade sensitivities.
Indian equity valuations, while slightly below historical averages, remain expensive compared to regional peers amid slowing earnings growth. This has led foreign investors to reduce exposure, as India becomes less appealing with weakening nominal GDP growth. Some global fund managers are shifting allocations to cheaper markets like China, Europe, and Japan.
