Demat accounts adding up on IPO rush even as some swing to safety

The number of demat account openings at domestic broking firms in India has increased during FY24 due to the stock market rally, low brokerage fees, and a surge in IPOs. However, the active client base has shrunk as market participants reduce trading due to volatile swings. The total number of demat accounts as of August 31 reached 12.65 crore, a 10.7% increase from March 31. Brokers expect this growth to continue, particularly in smaller cities and towns.

HDFC Bank set to get a boost from a wider branch network

HDFC Bank, India’s most valued lender, has seen a decline in its stock value in the past three months, raising concerns about its impact in the banking sector. The bank’s performance has been relatively subdued compared to public-sector lenders, and uncertainties surrounding its merger with its home-financing parent have weighed on the stock. However, HDFC Bank has been focusing on expanding its branch network in areas with limited competition from private banks, allowing it to compete with public-sector banks for deposits. This strategy is expected to benefit the bank in the coming years and drive earnings growth.

Changes in PB ratio calculation make Nifty valuations cheaper

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has changed the methodology for calculating the Price to Book (PB) ratio of the Nifty index, leading to a decrease in its valuation measure. The PB ratio dropped by nearly 20% without the index falling, making Nifty’s valuations cheaper. The change involves factoring in the net worth of each index constituent at the consolidated level in the annual financials, as opposed to standalone earnings. The PB ratio compares market price per share to book value per share and helps investors determine whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued.

Azad Engineering files Rs 740-cr IPO papers with Sebi

Azad Engineering is one of the key manufacturers of their qualified product lines supplying global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the aerospace and defence, energy, and oil and gas industries, manufacturing highly engineered, complex, and mission and life-critical components.