Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Monday announced the launch of unit-linked, regular premium, individual life insurance plan Index Plus. The plan offers life insurance cover-cum-savings throughout the term of the policy, LIC said in a statement. There is an option to partially withdraw the units at any time after the five-year lock-in period subject to conditions, it said.

Indian benchmark indices faced selling pressure in a volatile session as financials pulled back from recent gains and the possibility of an early US rate cut decreased. The Nifty 50 fell 0.38% while the Sensex dropped 0.49%, after initially rising during the session. Analysts warn of a double-top pattern on the daily chart for the Nifty, with resistance at 22,200 and support at 21,650.

Anarock, a real estate consultancy, has received Rs 200 crore investment from 360 ONE Asset Management. The funds will be used to expand their business and improve their Proptech platforms. This investment will also help Anarock take advantage of the thriving real estate market and offer more diverse services. Anarock aims to capitalize on the current real estate market and diversify its services.

India's stock market, valued at over $4 trillion, is attracting significant investments from both domestic and foreign investors due to its growth potential and as an alternative to China. Despite risks such as high valuation and uncertainty surrounding upcoming elections, investors remain optimistic about the long-term potential of the market.

The Bombay Stock Exchange saw a significant increase in profits and revenue for the quarter ended in December, with net profit up by 123.25% and revenue up by 82.51%. This was driven by higher transaction charges and an increase in average daily turnover in the futures and options segment. BSE's market share in this segment has been improving since bringing back weekly index options in May.

The medium small and micro enterprises (MSME) of India have experienced an uptrend in delayed payments to their lenders in November indicating stress on their cash flows, according to a report. "The average payment delays experienced by businesses indicates an uptrend in delayed payments, averaging to over 30 days for micro-enterprises in November 2023," according to MSME Sampark.

LIC of India to consider interim dividend payout and approved quarterly results at board meeting on Feb 8. Shares of company jump 5.3%, reaching all-time high of Rs 1,028 and market cap of Rs 6 lakh crore, making it India's most valued PSU. Exemption from minimum public shareholding until 2032 reduces potential for government offer for sale. In May 2022, government sold 3.5% stake in LIC.

11 crore PAN cards are not linked with Aadhaar numbers, according to the Ministry of Finance. If not linked by June 30, 2023 (extended deadline), these PANs will become inoperative and can only be reactivated by paying a penalty of Rs 1,000. As of January 31, 2024, the government has collected Rs 601.97 cr as penalties from over 60 lakh people who linked their PAN and Aadhaar after the deadline.

The Indian bond market is currently basking in the glow of optimism, fuelled by the anticipation of a fiscally prudent budget. Investors and bond traders are eyeing potential shifts in monetary policy as New Delhi’s borrowing plan, unveiled last week, proved to be a pleasant surprise. The buzz began when the Indian government revealed a borrowing plan that was below market estimates.

Crisil Ratings upgraded the ratings on Adani Power's bank loan facilities to 'AA-', citing a strong improvement in the company's business and financial risk profiles. This was driven by successful commissioning of power plants, recovery of pending regulatory dues, and improved receivables. The majority of regulatory investigations into Adani Group have been completed.

The Q3 results of two large consumer electrical companies were disappointing, but the street's reaction was not to punish them. This could signify an end to the overhyping and overowning of these stocks, with a potential for positive reactions in the future. The macro change in the power sector has led to increased demand for consumer products, causing some companies to grow.

Oil prices remained stable on Monday despite drops last week due to tensions in the Middle East and a strong U.S. job report. Brent and WTI futures were down slightly, with both benchmarks seeing a 7% decrease at the end of last week. The U.S. Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts after a positive jobs report, which could affect market expectations.

Turkey's economic outlook is looking up for foreign investors as the country shifts towards more orthodox financial policies and sees a change in economic governance. With the return of experienced leaders and promising signs of stability, the potential for foreign investment is growing. However, Turkey still faces challenges such as high inflation, budget deficits, and political risks.

Ashu Shinghal of Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) stated that blending CBG with CNG and PNG would not affect their prices as the quantity of CBG blended will initially be small. The government has made CBG blending mandatory, but it is not expected to have a major impact on prices due to the small quantity. MGL is setting up a CBG plant in partnership with BMC which will help meet budget requirements.

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