Banks boost equity investments by 49% in FY25 amid retail FOMO
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Mumbai: Retail investors may have entered the equity market driven by the fear of missing out, or FOMO, but for banks, the move was more strategic. Their treasury operations saw an opportunity to diversify, leading to a sharp rise in equity investments in FY25.An analysis by ET covering 16 banks - together accounting for 90% of the lending market - showed that their investments in stocks rose 49% to ₹49,572 crore.Investments by State bank of India (SBI) tripled to ₹22,000 crore over the previous year, while equity commitments by Bank of Baroda Canara Bank and UCO Bank more than doubled.Retail participation in the markets also grew in the same period, as investor accounts on NSDL surged to 39.5 million (35.8 million in the previous year). Retail presence on CDSL grew to 153 million (115.6 million the year ago).Investments in equities by banks are part of their treasury operations that include both fresh and existing commitments in their subsidiaries and affiliates. Equity investments also rose as banks implemented fair value treatment accounting norms, which came into effect from April 1, 2024.In FY25, the BSE Sensex touched an all-time high of 85,978 points on September 27, 2024. However, through FY25, it climbed just 5.1%, opening at 73,968.6 points on April 1, 2024, and closing at 77,414.9 points on March 28, 2025 - the last trading day of the previous fiscal year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
2 minutes ago
- India Today
Perplexity move to buy Chrome is more bluster and less reality
If you look at tech headlines right now, you will see one news item dominating everything else: Perplexity AI wants to buy Google Chrome. What what? Yes, that is the right reaction to it, whether you don't know what this strange move is from Perplexity, which is helmed by CEO Arvind Srinivas, or whether you know about it all and are wondering what kind of magic trick Mr Srinivas is trying to pull here on Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The news in itself came out of the blue and caught people, even those who are in the know, by surprise. But the strangest part of the whole conversation is that it also seems totally are a number of reasons why the stunt from Perplexity is just that — a stunt. And probably a well-executed PR exercise. That is because Google Chrome is not on sale. Well, not yet. But the whole issue is also big enough, complete with a big figure of $34.5 billion on the table, to demand our attention. So, let's give it some. Is Google Chrome on sale? This is the first question we have to answer before we can talk about how the Perplexity bid to purchase Chrome for $34.5 billion is a bluster. On the face of it, Google Chrome is not for sale. Google Chrome is part of Google, and not a separate public company that can be acquired in a hostile takeover. If it has to be sold, then it will have to be sold by Google, and for now, Google has made no indication that it is going to offload its Chrome division. So, why at all is Perplexity making such a public offer? That is because of the antitrust ruling against Google, which forms the backdrop to this bid. According to The Wall Street Journal, US District Judge, Amit P Mehta — Srinivas, Pichai and Mehta, a lot of Indian-origin people are involved in this story — recently found that Google acted illegally to preserve its monopoly, mainly by paying billions of dollars to make its search engine the default on browsers and devices. The judge is now considering remedies, which could in theory include forcing Google to sell Chrome. Google, on its part, has said it will appeal. Until that appeal has been exhausted, there is little chance of an imminent forced but the chance is there. And it is this crack that Perplexity is exploiting as it makes its public bid. However, the ground realities also mean that it is nearly impossible for Perplexity to buy Chrome even if it were available. The key bit here is that Perplexity is just too small. The company has so far raised $1 billion from various sources, and its entire private valuation is estimated to be around $18 billion. In such a scenario, how it will fund a purchase of Chrome for $34.5 billion becomes an interesting question. The only way for the company to manage this would be with the help of borrowings or some sort of largesse from a bigger tech company. But that brings another question? Why would someone lend money to a (relatively) small company like Perplexity to purchase something like Chrome, which outside of Google, might not even be all that valuable? There are no good answers at the moment. A bluster and PR exerciseadvertisementInstead of being a serious bid, the move from Perplexity seems like a classic bluster that the Srinivas-led company makes from time to time. This three-year-old AI company is known for making bold public moves, and it is no stranger to headline-grabbing announcements. Earlier in late January, it wanted to buy TikTok's US operations. But that didn't go anywhere. More significantly, such announcements from Perplexity help it create a lot of buzz. One X user said that Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has essentially bought himself 'free press' by getting millions of people to search for what Perplexity is. In the process, the company sets a price floor for Chrome if any real negotiations ever occur. Even if it never comes close to raising the money, it has already achieved a marketing is a view also endorsed by M G Siegler, a tech blogger and former partner at Google Ventures. Siegler is well-connected in Silicon Valley. On his website, Siegler wrote, 'Perplexity's move is clearly a publicity stunt, and I respect the hustle to continually get (media) to write about your company. And it has the added benefit of adding pressure to the antitrust case, trying to showcase to the judge that others would be willing to buy Chrome from Google.'Yes, that impact on the antitrust case that Google is fighting is another valid angle. Several commentators, including Siegler, have highlighted this. 'The Perplexity offer could be an attempt to signal to the judge that there is an interested buyer, should he force a sale,' he wrote on his another user on social media suggests the offer is really a 'stalking horse bid' designed to influence the antitrust case. The idea is that Perplexity's public interest in Chrome could weaken Google's argument that no viable buyer exists, subtly increasing the odds of a forced divestiture — a result that would benefit Perplexity even without a there you have it. Although the tech circles are busy with buzz around Perplexity and Chrome, a sale is not going to be possible at the moment. But chances are that the sale was also not the aim of Aravind Srinivas when he wrote his letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Instead, the objective was likely to create buzz. And on that count, Perplexity has succeeded.- Ends
India Today
2 minutes ago
- India Today
Sensex ends 304 points higher, Nifty above 24,600; pharma stocks lead gains
Benchmark indices closed higher on Wednesday, buoyed by strong gains in pharma stocks following robust Q1 results from Apollo S&P BSE Sensex rose 304.32 points to 80,539.91, while the NSE Nifty50 added 131.95 points, finishing at 24,619.35. Broader market indices also ended the session in the green, as investor sentiment was lifted by favourable inflation data from both India and the Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, said, 'Indian equities experienced broad-based optimism as CPI hit an eight-year low, boosting hopes for a revival in discretionary spending, led by autos and metals. Midcaps outperformed, reflecting strong investor appetite." "Globally, sentiment improved on the extension of China's tariff deadline and easing oil prices. Despite uncertainties around Trump's trade stance and global risks, India's growth-inflation dynamics remain favourable for FY26 with risk to marginal downgrade based on tariff updates," he also said that India is looking forward to the Trump-Putin meet on August 15, and investors on Dalal Street are awaiting a positive outcome.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tally MSME Honours 2025: Stories of resilience, innovation, and purpose
A silent force is at work in the story of India's growth into an economic superpower. It is reshaping markets and redefining success. It is a movement not born in boardrooms but in workshops, kitchens, and start-ups operating across the length and breadth of the country. It is the story of India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and it is nothing short of a revolution. Celebrating the dreamers, doers, and disruptors — MSME champions from across India who are proving that big impact often starts with one bold idea. Figure this: In Kolkata, Raghav Agarwal of Umay Benaras is weaving heritage Bararasi traditions into high-street global luxury fashion. By blending age-old weaving traditions with modern design sensibilities, he has created a brand that not only commands a premium but also restores dignity for local artisans who are its heart. In Darbhanga, Shravan Kumar Roy turned a humble superfood 'makhana' into a gourmet snack brand by fusing his food-tech expertise with regional pride. His focus on value addition and smart packaging created new markets for a traditional product, making it aspirational and accessible. Gaurang Agashe's journey with Unbox Your Desire is one of bold reinvention. Starting with food delivery, he has now pivoted into a tech-first platform for pharma logistics and home services, proving that a single, purpose-driven idea can be the foundation for an entire ecosystem of solutions for real-world needs. In Burdwan, Nandini Bhattacharyya of APN Industries defied deep-seated social biases in the manufacturing sector to build a successful electrical components business. Her story is a powerful reminder that quality and persistence can overcome any prejudice. In Gurugram, Utkarsh Khandelwal's Infloso AI is not just building a business – it is defining the future of marketing. His AI-powered marketer, Molly, is already working with global giants and government bodies, showing that an Indian MSME can be a global leader in the most cutting-edge of fields. With 1.5M+ users, 11,000+ brands on the waitlist, and successful pilots with global giants like Lowe's USA, Suzuki, Panasonic, Zepto, and government bodies in Japan and India, Infloso is scaling rapidly across five countries. These are some of the stories that the fifth edition of Tally MSME Honours, held across 7 cities in early July, brought to light. Each of the 20,000+ entries was a powerful story of transformation, rooted in resilience, innovation, and purpose. They show that across India, MSMEs are not just surviving. They are innovating and proving that our country's economic future is not being built just by a few corporate giants, but the hard work of millions of small businesses who are dreaming big. From Tech Transformers, who are reimagining operations through digital tools, to inspiring participation from Tier 2 towns like Karad, Sivakasi, and Bhilwara, the scale and depth of transformation were noteworthy. 'One of the most striking trends from this year's Tally MSME Honours 2025 was the digital transformation led by legacy businesses, many of them run by seasoned entrepreneurs in their 60s - 70s. Particularly within the Tech Transformer category, it was inspiring to see these long-established business leaders embracing technology not as a disruption, but as an essential step to stay relevant and future-ready,' said Jayati Singh, Chief Marketing Officer & Interim India Business Head at Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd. Using digital as an enabler MSME's today contribute to about 30 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and account for almost half of the country's total exports. 'Digital transformation has become a vital enabler for MSMEs, helping them scale, stay resilient, and compete in an increasingly dynamic economy. From automating financial operations to leveraging digital channels for customer engagement, technology is no longer a choice; it's a necessity for sustained growth,' Singh added. This shift is particularly empowering in smaller towns and emerging regions, where businesses are now able to overcome the limitations of manual processes and limited market access. Going digital allows MSMEs to operate with agility, tap into data for better decision-making, and integrate more easily with formal financial and regulatory systems. Pressure points However, despite being engines of innovation and employment, MSMEs continue to face several fundamental challenges, including limited access to formal financing and digital infrastructure, as well as a lack of exposure beyond their immediate markets, particularly in non-metro and remote regions. Many still operate in silos, making it difficult to scale or gain visibility outside their local ecosystems. However, change is coming, and MSMEs are seeking new means to scale. A shift is being witnessed where an increasing number of businesses are building resilience, taking small but significant steps toward digital adoption, seeking visibility, and exploring new ways to grow. There has also been a rise in women-led enterprises and businesses emerging from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, pointing to a more inclusive and representative growth story. Key drivers of change There are three main levers powering growth for MSMEs and driving change – the government, corporates and technology providers. Each of these stakeholders brings something unique to the table, from the right policies to access, innovation, or visibility. Governments can make a deeper impact by tuning into real stories and ground realities to create targeted and effective policies. 'Udyam Registration is a gateway for all MSME schemes of the government. One of the biggest issues seen with MSMEs is that of cash flows and delayed payments. Towards this, the ministry introduced a Delayed Payments Act for MSMEs where any vendor who delays payments is liable to pay three times the bank interest as a penalty. Further, buyers cannot delay payments beyond 45 days, as stipulated by the government,' said Praful Umare, Assistant Director, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, at the Mumbai event. Furthermore, corporates can enable market access, offer mentorship, and create opportunities for collaboration, especially for MSMEs in underserved geographies. Strategic alliances with financial institutions can also help extend credit access to where it's needed most. Technology providers can play a pivotal role in simplifying tools, improving affordability and enabling digital adoption through education and localised support. Beyond access, inclusivity is essential, supporting women-led businesses, sustainability-focused enterprises, and first-time entrepreneurs is critical to building a more balanced ecosystem aligned with MSMEs. Spotlighting success stories Initiatives like Tally MSME Honours are a step in the right direction as they aim to spotlight success stories, not just to celebrate them, but to surface inspiration, build community, and encourage others to take that next step forward. 'We saw incredible stories in categories like Wonder Woman and NewGen Icon, where MSMEs were not just creating jobs but championing inclusive, purpose-led entrepreneurship. Equally inspiring were the Champions of Cause, businesses that are placing social impact and sustainability at the heart of their growth. Their stories reinforce our belief at Tally: that real change often starts small, but when supported, can ripple across economies and communities,' she further added. Beyond the recognition The Tally MSME Honours platform goes beyond just recognition. Winners from each edition are engaged throughout the year across multiple platforms. They are invited to participate in knowledge-sharing sessions, panel discussions, ecosystem events, and networking forums curated by Tally. Many also get the opportunity to represent their regions and sectors on larger platforms, helping amplify their voice and inspire others. 'Our intent is to foster a thriving community of entrepreneurs who can learn from one another, share their expertise, and continue growing together. Our larger goal is to build a connected ecosystem where small businesses don't just get recognised but are empowered to thrive,' Singh concluded.
