Solvency buffers at insurers thinning; general insurance sector more of a concern

The Reserve Bank of India’s latest report highlights concerns over thinning capital in the insurance sector. While life insurers remain compliant, their buffers are shrinking. The general insurance segment faces a more serious challenge, with three public sector firms persistently falling below the minimum solvency requirement for over a year, posing a direct financial stability…

Sebi moves to standardise consent rules for AIFs

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is proposing significant governance changes for alternative investment funds. The regulator aims to standardize investor consent, enhance oversight of conflict-of-interest deals, and introduce a uniform 75% approval threshold for key decisions. This move seeks to address inconsistencies in current rules and ensure greater transparency and fairness for investors…

Kotak to buy Deutsche’s India retail, wealth business

Kotak Mahindra Bank is set to acquire Deutsche Bank’s retail, private banking, and wealth management operations in India. This significant deal, involving approximately ₹29,000 crore in loans and ₹16,000 crore in deposits, will bring around 150,000 new customers and 1,000 employees to Kotak. The acquisition aims to bolster Kotak’s focus on affluent and SME clients,…

US stocks today: S&P 500, Nasdaq post best quarter since 2020 despite Iran war

Indian markets closed the quarter on a high, mirroring global trends with significant gains for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, driven by optimism around economic and earnings growth. Despite geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning the Middle East conflict, investor sentiment remained robust. Technology stocks led the charge, with the Nasdaq celebrating a substantial 21% surge fueled…