Sebi board OKs stricter disclosure rules for FPIs

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved stricter disclosure rules for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to prevent misuse of overseas investment routes and violations of shareholding regulations. The new rules require FPIs to make additional disclosures on ownership, economic interest, and control of funds. The move comes amid SEBI’s ongoing investigation into allegations of infringements by the Adani Group. SEBI also approved a proposal to reduce the interval for listing shares after a public offering to three days, instead of the current six days. The revised timeline will be implemented in two phases.

Overnight rates shoot past RBI repo corridor on low liquidity

The overnight call money rates in India surged above the Reserve Bank of India’s repo rate, indicating a shortage of funds among banks. The weighted average call rate closed higher than both the Marginal Standing Facility rate and the prevailing repo rate. The increase in money market rates is due to a decline in surplus liquidity in the banking system. The hardening rates have led to an increase in the cost of funds in the banking system and the broader economy. Advance tax outflows are a major factor behind this movement.

F&O Ban: L&TFH, Manappuram Finance under ban on Wednesday

On June 28, 2023, L&T Finance Holdings (L&TFH) and Manappuram Finance stocks were placed under the F&O ban. However, they were still available for trading in the cash market. The ban is imposed when the open interest on a stock exceeds 95% of the market-wide position limits, and is lifted when the open interest falls below 80%. These bans do not affect traders who trade in indices. The stocks were banned due to their high open interest, with L&TFH experiencing a significant increase from the previous session.

Gold flat as Russia jitters, hawkish Fed outlook weigh

Gold prices remained steady on Tuesday, slightly above their three-month low, while the US dollar gained strength, with traders opting to hedge against political chaos in Russia and the Federal Reserve’s hawkish outlook. Spot gold traded at $1,923.94 per ounce, while US gold futures remained flat at $1,933.90. Safe-haven investments such as gold and the dollar surged following the aborted mutiny in Russia over the past weekend. Economic data, rate-hike trajectory from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and the quarterly refresh of JPMorgan’s nearly $16 billion Hedged Equity Fund’s options positions are being observed by the market closely.

Asian stocks teeter as Russia, rates and China risks weigh

Asian stock markets were hesitant on Tuesday as investors awaited signals on the interest rate outlook. They were also concerned about potential risks to China and geopolitical turmoil following an aborted mutiny in Russia. MSCI’s Asia Pacific stocks minus Japan index gained 0.08%, while Japan’s benchmark Nikkei average fell by as much as 1%. S&P Global has reduced China’s economic growth forecast to 5.2% from 5.5% for 2023, representing the first time a major credit ratings agency has cut China’s forecast this year, further maligning China’s uneven recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Dollar holds firm ahead of U.S. durable goods, housing data

The US dollar was steady against major currencies as traders looked ahead to US data that may determine the timing of interest rate hikes. The crisis in Russia had pushed the greenback to a 15-month high against the rouble, whilst U.S. data released this week includes new orders for durable goods, housing figures, and consumer surveys from The Conference Board and University of Michigan. Commenting on the expected US dollar performance, Masafumi Yamamoto, chief currency strategist at Mizuho Securities, said, “If the US economic data comes out on the strong side, then further pricing in for the two rate hikes will push up the dollar.