nism update november january 2013

or Journalist

Volume 4 / Issue 21

November-January 2013

NISM Update November-January 20132

Foreword

NISM Update November-January 2013 3

I am happy to inform you that National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) organised Financial Literacy Quiz for the first time for the school students in Mumbai region on January 25, 2013. Eight school teams participated in the Quiz after short-listing through the process of written test. Three teams were awarded the cash prizes and trophies. The Programme was aired by one of the TV channels. More such quiz contests at various levels are expected in the future.

This is one more step taken by NISM to spread financial literacy among school children. The total number of school teachers trained under Pocket Money Programme, under which the teachers impart financial literacy to students, has exceeded 600 and is expected to touch 700 by March 2013, as against 631 in the previous year.

New test centers have been opened to make it convenient for the candidates to pass certification examinations in various cities. On the advice of NISM, NSE has opened 47 new test centers. As a result, the examinations are now available at 151 centers as against 104 earlier. Also, Continuous Professional Education (CPE) is now being conducted at 75 locations as against 43 earlier.

More than 500 Resource Persons (who impart financial literacy to various segments of society) have already been trained in various districts in the current financial year as against 168 during 2011-12. Two more training programmes for such persons are in the pipeline. This would help in providing financial literacy to more and more people in the country in the future.

A simplified foundation certification examination as well as CPE has been launched for new category of mutual fund distributors in January 2013. This would help in enhancing the reach of mutual funds to more people in the country. Certification on compliance of securities markets laws for non-fund category has also been launched. Equity Derivatives Certification Examination which was recently introduced on voluntary basis has now been made mandatory for the stock brokers by SEBI. Certifications for merchant bankers, investment advisors and new securities market professionals - foundation level, are expected to be introduced in March 2013.

Continuous Professional Education (CPE), apart from the existing mode of class room training, would also be conducted through the computerised mode (e-learning) shortly.

NISM and SEBI organized a workshop on Securities Markets for Journalists on November 24, 2012 at Mumbai. Earlier, such workshop was conducted in New Delhi. The idea of such workshops is to provide knowledge on various aspects of securities markets to the journalists enabling them which would help them in their reporting in a professional manner. Details of other conferences organized by NISM are given in this bulletin.

The first batch of the new course called Certificate in Securities Laws (CSL) was launched in December 2012. Admission process for the next batch to be started in July 2013 is underway.

NISM has recently started to carry out a study on trends in the performance of the corporate sector and PE ratios on quarterly basis. An analysis is included in this bulletin.

NISM plans to introduce many short term courses on various subjects in financial sector in the near future.

With Best Wishes

P K Nagpal

Director

Pre-trade Risk Controls

Oversight of Members (Stock Brokers/Trading Members/Clearing Members of any segment of Stock Exchanges/ Clearing Corporations)

Review of the Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) Framework

Mini derivative (Futures & Options) contract on Index (Sensex & Nifty)

(CIR/MRD/DP/34/2012 dated 13-12-2012)

(CIR/MIRSD/13/2012 dated 07-12-2012)

(CIR/MRD/DP/30/2012 dated 22-11-2012)

(CIR/DRMNP/4/2012 dated 20-11-2012)

To mitigate disruption of trading at the exchanges SEBI has decided to prescribe a framework of dynamic trade based price checks.▪ Value/Quantity Limit per order: Any order with value exceeding 10 crore per order shall not be accepted by the

stock exchange for execution in the normal market.▪ Cumulative limit on value of unexecuted orders of a stock broker: Stock exchange are directed to ensure that stock

brokers put-in place a mechanism to limit the cumulative value of all unexecuted orders placed from their terminals to below a threshold limit set by the stock brokers.

▪ Dynamic Price Bands (earlier called Dummy Filters or Operating Range): decided to tighten the initial price threshold of the dynamic price bands. Stock exchange shall set the dynamic price bands at 10% of the previous closing price for the following securities;

· Stocks on which derivatives products are available, · Stocks included in indices on which derivatives products are available, · Index futures, · Stock futures.▪ Risk Reduction Mode: Stock exchanges shall ensure that the stock brokers are mandatorily put in risk-reduction

mode when 90% of the stock broker's collateral available for adjustment against margins gets utilized on account of trades that fall under a margin system.

In consultation with Stock Exchanges and the associations of stock brokers, SEBI has decided:

▪ The Stock Exchange or the Clearing Corporation, as the case may be, shall, in consultation with SEBI, formulate a policy for annual inspection of their members in various segments and follow up action thereon.

▪ The Stock Exchange or the Clearing Corporation, as the case may be, shall conduct inspection of their members in various segments in terms of the above policy and in case of members who hold multiple memberships of the exchanges, the Stock Exchanges shall establish an information sharing mechanism with one another on the important outcome of inspection in order to improve the effectiveness of supervision.

SEBI has modified the framework for SLB as under:

▪ Any lender or borrower who wishes to extend an existing lent or borrow position shall be permitted to roll-over such positions. The roll-over shall be conducted as part of the SLB session.

▪ Rollover shall not permit netting of counter positions, i.e. netting between the 'borrowed' and 'lent' positions of a client.

▪ Liquid Index ETFs shall be eligible for trading in the SLB segment.

▪ An Index ETF shall be deemed 'liquid' provided the Index ETF has traded on at least 80% of the days over the past 6 months and its impact cost over the past 6 months is less than or equal to 1%.

With a view to ensure that small/ retail investors are not attracted towards derivatives segment, SEBI has decided to discontinue mini derivative contracts on Index (Sensex and Nifty). However, the existing unexpired contracts may be permitted to trade till expiry and new strikes may also be introduced in the existing contract months.

`

The policy shall also cover various kinds of risks posed to the investors and market at large on account of the activities/business conduct of their members.

INITIATED BY SEBI

Regulatory Changes


Participation of Mutual Funds in Credit Default Swaps (CDS) market as Users (“Protection Buyers”) and in repo, in corporate debt securities (CIR/IMD/DF/ 23 /2012 dated 15-11-2012)

Arbitration Mechanism in Stock Exchanges (CIR/MRD/ICC/29/2012 dated 07-11-2012)

Debt allocation Mechanism for FII (CIR/IMD/FIIC/22/2012 dated 07-11-2012)

SEBI has decided to permit mutual funds to participate in CDS market, as per the guidelines issued by RBI from time to time. ▪ Mutual funds shall participate in CDS transactions only as users (protection buyer). Thus, mutual funds are

permitted to buy credit protection only to hedge their credit risk on corporate bonds they hold. They shall not be allowed to sell protection and hence not permitted to enter into short positions in the CDS contracts.

▪ Mutual funds shall buy CDS only from a market maker approved by the RBI and enter into Master Agreement with the counterparty as stipulated under RBI Guidelines. Exposure to a single counterparty in CDS transactions shall not exceed 10% of the net assets of the scheme.

▪ The cumulative gross exposure through credit default swap in corporate bonds along with equity, debt and derivative positions shall not exceed 100% of the net assets of the scheme.

▪ The total exposure related to premium paid for all derivative positions, including CDS, shall not exceed 20% of the net assets of the scheme.

▪ In order to encourage growth of the corporate bond market, SEBI has decided that base of eligible securities may be expanded, for mutual funds to participate in repo in corporate debt securities, from AAA rated to AA and above rated corporate debt securities.

A client, who has claim/ counter claim up to Rs. 10 lakh and files arbitration reference, shall be exempt from the deposit. Expenses thus arising with regard to such applications shall be borne by the Stock Exchanges.

With a view to provide operational flexibility, beginning January 01, 2014 SEBI has decided that the FIIs/ Sub Accounts can re-invest during each calendar year to the extent of 50% of their debt holdings at the end of the previous calendar year.

▪ The time period for utilization of the Government debt limits (for both old and long term limits) allocated through bidding process shall be 30days while the time period for utilization of the corporate debt limits (for both old and long term infra limits) allocated though bidding process shall be 60 days.

▪ FII/ Sub-Accounts may avail limits in the corporate debt long term infra category without obtaining SEBI approval till the overall FII investments reaches 90%, after which the auction mechanism shall be initiated for allocation of remaining limits. SEBI will put in place a mechanism to monitor the utilization of the limit.

INITIATED BY RBI

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy – Review of all-in-cost ceiling RBI/2012-2013/338 dated 14-12-2012)

▪ Considering the developments in the global financial markets and the fact that borrowers were experiencing difficulties in raising ECBs, RBI has decided that the all-in-cost ceiling as specified in A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 99 dated March 30, 2012 will continue to be applicable till March 31, 2013 and subject to review thereafter.


INITIATED BY PFRDA

FIMMDA Code of Conduct for usage of Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching (NDS-OM) and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Market (RBI/2012-2013/316 dated 06-12-2012)

Bank finance for purchase of gold (RBI/2012-2013/296 dated 19-11-2012)

Corporate Bond Market - Permission to banks for membership in SEBI approved Stock Exchanges (RBI/2012 2013/277 dated 05-11-2012)

▪ In the interest of maintaining integrity and orderly conditions in the government securities market, RBI has decided that all SGL/CSGL account holders should adhere to the FIMMDA (www.fimmda.org) code of conduct while executing trades on NDS-OM and in the OTC market.

▪ In the context of significant rise in imports of gold in recent years, RBI has decided that no advances should be granted by banks for purchase of gold in any form, including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold Mutual Funds. However, banks can provide finance for genuine working capital requirements of jewellers.

▪ In order to enhance transparency, RBI has decided to permit Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) to become members of SEBI approved stock exchanges for the purpose of undertaking proprietary transactions in the corporate bond market.

INITIATED BY IRDA

Participation of insurers in Repo/ Reverse Repo transactions in corporate debt securities (IRDA/F&I/CIR/INV/ 250/ 12/2012 dated 04-12-2012)

To all brokers (IRDA/BRK/MISC/CIR/ 243 /11/2012 dated 07-11-2012)

Insurers are permitted to undertake repo transactions in corporate debt securities subject to other provisions in Insurance Act, 1938 and following conditions:

▪ In case of Life insurance companies, the exposure to reverse repo (lending) transactions in government securities and corporate debt securities at any point of time shall not exceed 10% of all funds taken together.

▪ In case of Non-Life insurance companies, the exposure to reverse repo and repo transactions in government securities as well as corporate bond securities shall not exceed 10% of investment assets of the Insurer.

▪ The tenor of repo transactions shall not exceed a period of six months.▪ The underlying corporate debt security shall be listed and have a minimum rating of AA or equivalent.

▪ IRDA is in the process of establishing a system to automate and integrate the functions across all the departments in order to implement Business Analytics Project. As part of this project and to ensure safety & security of the data submitted, IRDA directs all brokers (authorised signatories) to obtain digital signatures by 30th November, 2012.

Change in Central Government Investment Model for the Corporate Sector (PFRDAICIR/1/Corporate-CG/1 dated 18-10-2012)▪ Under the NPS-Corporate sector model, the corporates have been provided option to select the Central Govt.

invest-ment model if the investment option is exercised by the corporates for their underlying employees.▪ With effect from 1st November 2012, the private PFMs will be free to decide the Investment Management Fee

within the upper ceiling of 0.25% p.a. prescribed by PFRDA at present.▪ Due to this differential Fee offered by the PFMs from 1st November 2012, a new scheme called 'Corporate-CG

scheme will be introduced w.e.f. 1st November 2012. The Scheme will follow the Central Govt. investment guidelines issued from time to time.


Activities atNism

SCHOOL FOR INVESTOR EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL LITERACY (SIEFL)

SEBI Financial Education Resource Persons Programme

During October-December 2012, NISM has conducted three empanelment programs for SEBI Financial Education Resource Persons Program, at Chennai, Kolkata and at Bengaluru. The program at Chennai could cover 76 candidates, all of them were trained and empanelled as SEBI Financial Education Resource Persons. The empanelment interview for Chennai centre was conducted on 25th August 2012 and after an interaction by SEBI and NISM officials, 76 candidates were found eligible and suitable for empanelment. The workshop for these candidates was held during 26th August to 1st September 2012. The workshop could cover all the topics under Financial Education and examination was conducted towards the end of the workshop. All the candidates could pass the examination and certified as SEBI Financial Education Resource Persons.

Participants of the SEBI Financial Education Workshop held at Chennai

The program at Kolkata centre was held during September 22-29, 2012 and 54 candidates were enrolled as Resource Persons. The empanelment interview was conducted on 22nd September 2012 and the workshop during September 23-29, 2012. The Kolkata programme was attended by representatives from Assam, Mizoram, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu.

The programme at Bengaluru was held during December 8-12, 2012. A total of 63 candidates were enrolled as Resource Persons during the process. This includes 20 candidates from Andhra Pradesh, 17 candidates from Tamilnadu, 16 candidates from Karnataka, and 10 candidates from Kerala.


Participants of the SEBI Resource Persons Workshop held at Bengaluru


Financial Literacy Quiz for School Children

NISM, through School for Investor Education and Financial Literacy (SIEFL), conducted the semi-final and final rounds of the Financial Literacy Quiz Programme for Schools in Mumbai on 25th January 2013. The Quiz programme was open to students studying in class IX and X in any of the recognised schools in Mumbai.

The preliminary round of the programme was held on 5th January 2013 at NISM premises and various schools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane region participated. Based on the scores obtained in the preliminary round, eight school teams were shortlisted for the semi final round.

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma, IPS, Police Commissioner, Navi Mumbai and attended by Mr. P K Nagpal, Director, NISM and Executive Director, SEBI, Mr. G P garg, Registrar, NISM, Mr. N Hariharan, Chief General Manager, SEBI.

January 25, 2013 | Navi Mumbai


SCHOOL FOR CERTIFICATION OF INTERMEDIARIES (SCI)

Examination Update

1. Launch of NISM-Series-I: Currency Derivatives Certification Examination in Hindi and Gujarati LanguagesNISM-Series-I: Currency Derivatives Certification Examination is now available in Hindi and Gujarati languages in addition to the earlier offering in English language. These localized exams are made available to the candidates from November 1, 2012. Candidates can take these Hindi and Gujarati examinations of Currency Derivatives certification through all NISM, NSE and MCX-SX Test Centers.

2. Launch of NISM-Series-III-A: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Non-Fund) Certification Examina-tion

NISM has launched the NISM-Series-III-A: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Non-Fund) Certification Examination on January 28, 2013. The examination seeks to create a common minimum knowledge benchmark for all persons engaged in compliance function with any intermediary registered as Stock Brokers, Sub-brokers, Depository Participants, Merchant Bankers, Underwriters, Bankers to the Issue, Debenture Trustees and Credit Rating Agencies. This examination is made available through all NISM, NSE, BSE and MCX-SX Test Centers. For further details of the revised examination, please visit www.nism.ac.in.

3. Launch of NISM-Series-V-B: Mutual Fund Foundation Certification ExaminationNISM has launched the NISM-Series-V-B: Mutual Fund Foundation Certification Examination on January 14, 2013. The examination aims to impart basic knowledge about the Mutual Fund industry and allowed products for the new cadre of Mutual Fund Distributors, as per the SEBI Circular CIR/IMD/DF/21/2012 dated September 13, 2012 and various rules and regulations governing the same. The certification aims to enhance the minimum knowledge benchmark for the new cadre of distributors and also to enhance the quality of advisory. This examination is made available through all NISM, NSE, BSE and MCX-SX Test Centers. For further details of the revised examination, please visit www.nism.ac.in.

4. Launch of Revised Certification ExaminationsNISM periodically reviews its certification examinations and takes steps to update these examinations to reflect the recent market and regulatory changes.

a) Revision of NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification ExaminationNISM has launched the revised NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination on November 5, 2012. The revised examination is available through all NISM, NSE, BSE and MCX-SX Test Centers. For further details, please visit www.nism.ac.in.

b)Revision of NISM-Series-II-B: Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents - Mutual Funds Certification ExaminationNISM has launched the revised NISM-Series-II-B: Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents - Mutual Funds Certification Examination on January 3, 2013. The revised examination will be available through all NISM, NSE, BSE and MCX-SX Test Centers. For further details, please visit www.nism.ac.in.

Ms. Ragini Sreenath and Abhijat Singh of Delhi Public School, Nerul bagged the first position, receiving a cash prize of ` 30,000/- and trophy for the school followed by Mr. Jay Shukla and Abhinav Agarwal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Panvel in the second position receiving a cash prize of ̀ 20,000/- and trophy for the school. The third position went to Sulochana Devi Singhania School, Thane represented by Mr. Ankit Upadhyay and Chinmay Mahatme who received a cash prize of ̀ 10,000/- and trophy for the school.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Update

CII's Financial Distribution Summit (supported by NISM)

1. CPE Requirements for Securities Operations & Risk Management Certification ExaminationNISM launched the two day CPE programs for the NISM-Series-VII: Securities Operations & Risk Management Certification Examination. NISM specified the CPE requirements for associated persons i.e., persons associated with a registered stock-broker/trading member/clearing member in recognized stock exchanges, who are involved in, or deal with, any of the activities as given below (mentioned in the SEBI Notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2010 11/21/29390 - dated December 10, 2010): a) Assets or funds of investors or clients, b) Redressal of investor grievances, c) Internal control or risk management, and d) Activities having a bearing on operational risk.The CPE Program for Securities Operations & Risk Management has been made available from December 7, 2012.

2. CPE Requirements for Mutual Fund Foundation Certification ExaminationNISM has launched the CPE program for the NISM-Series-V-B: Mutual Fund Foundation Certification Examination. NISM has specified the CPE requirements for the new cadre of distributors who are allowed to sell units of simple and performing mutual fund schemes as per the SEBI Circular CIR/IMD/DF/21/2012 dated September 13, 2012, such as postal agents, retired government and semi-government officials (class III and above or equivalent) with a service of at least 10 years, retired teachers with a service of at least 10 years, retired bank officers with a service of at least 10 years, and other similar persons (such as Bank correspondents) as may be notified by AMFI/AMC from time to time. The CPE program for Mutual Fund Foundation has been made available from January 14, 2013.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized the Financial Distribution Summit on December 19, 2012 at Mumbai. National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) supported this national initiative of CII.

The Summit was a pioneering attempt to bring together cross currents of opinions, views and ideas, inherent to the Financial Distribution Community, as it prepares to meet new challenges and imperatives.

Focusing on the theme “Financial Inclusion: The Untapped Potential”, the Financial Distribution Summit 2012 covered topics such as best practices, global perspective, case studies from BFSI view point and core issues/needs of the players, thereby creating a roadmap for the positive development of the financial distribution community and stakeholders.

Leading industry players also participated in an exclusive Thinktank Panel Discussion: 'Key Regulatory Drivers for Financial Distribution Growth' and discussed on the following aspects:▪ Striking a balance between regulations and sustained profitable business models▪ Regulations to work as a catalyst and drive momentum to the financial distribution growth▪ Global regulatory trends: Bringing out the Indian perspective▪ Key developments across global economies▪ Developing confidence - Is it possible only through regulations?

The Summit was addressed by eminent speakers and witnessed participation of CMDs, MDs and CEOs along with cross functional professionals from the financial services industry.


Consolidated Status Report [ period: As On December 30,2012 ]

NISM Certification Examination

Depositories Operation(Launched on 21/02/2011)

0818324 16769 8124 48%

Mutual Fund Distributors(Launched on 01/06/2010)

05115105 106409 42625 40%

SrNo.

NISM ExaminationTotal Candidates

Enrolled

Total Candidates

Appeared

Total Candidates

Passed

Pass

Percentage

Currency Derivatives

(Launched on 15/05/2009) 01

49631 45867 18976 41%

RTA - Corporate(Launched on 03/08/2009)

022124 1927 1389 72%

RTA - Mutual Funds(Launched on 03/08/2009)

035376 4997 3030 61%

Interest Rate Derivatives(Launched on 17/05/2010)

04602 428 79 18%

Mutual Fund Distributors - Gujarati(Launched on 01/06/2010)

06555 455 80 18%

Mutual Fund Distributors - Hindi(Launched on 01/06/2010)

07786 641 103 16%

Securities Operations and Risk Management(Launched on 22/11/2010)

0910573 9936 7774 78%

208 180 136 76%Equity Derivatives(Launched on 08/10/2012)

10

Total 203284 187609 82316

NISM Continuing Professional Education

08

05

SrNo.

NISM Continuing Professional Education

01

02

03

04

06

07

09

Total Candidates Appeared

through NISM & CPE Providers

NISM Mutual Fund Distributors CPE ( 1 Day Programme)(Launched on 01/06/2010 and upto 31/05/2012)

NISM Mutual Fund Distributors CPE (Day 1)(Launched on 01/06/2012)

NISM Mutual Fund Distributors CPE (Day 2)(Launched on 01/06/2012)

NISM RTA Corporate CPE (Day 1)(Launched on 02/05/2012)

NISM RTA Corporate CPE (Day 2)(Launched on 02/05/2012)

NISM Currency Derivatives CPE (Day 1)(Launched on 05/05/2012)

NISM Currency Derivatives CPE (Day 2)(Launched on 05/05/2012)

NISM Depository Operations Certification Examination CPE (Day 1)(Launched on 13/07/2012)

NISM Depository Operations Certification Examination CPE (Day 2)(Launched on 13/07/2012)

16039

7110

7101

137

137

1313

1310

88

88



SCHOOL FOR REGULATORY STUDIES AND SUPERVISION (SRSS)

Workshop on Securities Markets for Journalists

SEBI and NISM organized a Workshop on Securities Markets for Journalists on “Reporting on Securities Markets -Issues and Challenges” on November 24, 2012 at Mumbai.

The event started with Mr. N. Hariharan, Chief General Manager, SEBI welcoming the panel members on the dais. In his brief remark he emphasized on the role of media in educating the investors. The panel included Mr. U. K. Sinha, Chairman, SEBI, Mr. Raghav Bahl, Group Editor, Network 18 and Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Managing Editor, Mint.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Sinha mentioned that the idea of this event was to provide a forum for interaction between the media community and SEBI on various issues.

Mr. Sinha pointed out that the SEBI's job is very technical in nature and hence, capital market reporting has some added responsibilities. He said if a news is reported without proper appreciation of the larger repercussions, it can do unintended harm to the larger investor community.

While emphasizing on the need for better understanding of SEBI's activities, Mr. Sinha also complimented the role played by the media in certain areas in being critical of SEBI.

Following the introduction by Mr. Sinha, Mr. Raghav Bahl shared his thoughts on the subject. “In today's time, reporting on securities markets is a technical matter. If you are reporting on regulatory bodies like SEBI, your level of understanding of issues has to be virtually that of an expert”, he said. Mr. Bahl opined that often principles of journalism conflict with the principles of a regulator. Hence, he advised the media community to exercise a lot of judgment.

In his address Mr. Bandyopadhyay said that the entire matrix of reporting has changed since his days as a reporter. He urged the media community to give more importance to the accuracy of a story than the speed. “Miss two stories, I don't care, but do not write a wrong story,” Mr. Bandyopadhyay said.

After the panel shared their thoughts, the forum was open for questions from attending journalists. There were a lot of questions from the participants which were answered by the panel. The question answer session was followed by a series of technical sessions on the working of SEBI. These sessions were conducted by senior officials of SEBI.


India Securitization Summit 2012

Round Table on Recent Reforms in Primary Market

Round Table on Corporate Bonds: Issuers' Issues

The 3rd India Securitization Summit was conducted by NISM at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. Mr. U. K. Sinha, Chairman - SEBI and NISM, inaugurated the event. In his address, while providing an overview of the securitization issuances across the world he emphasized that protection of investors’ interest is paramount. Guidelines and regulations pertaining to securitization, particularly minimum holding period, minimum retention standards, disclosures, due diligence review processes, are all crucial aspects of investors' protection. He also mentioned that the removal of the uncertainty of taxation on issuer-SPV is needed to facilitate an environment for securitization.

Mr. Sinha also released a Draft Report on Covered Bonds prepared by National Housing Bank (NHB), in the presence of Mr. R V Verma, Chairman-NHB. He complimented the authors of the report.

Following the inaugural address, three panel discussions were held on 'Taxation of Issuer Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)', 'Guidelines on Securitization' and 'Market making'. The panelists were able to provide different perspectives i.e. the stock exchange perspective, market participants' perspective as well as international practice perspective, on the debated issues.

There was a lively interaction with the high-quality audience. Apart from the faculties and students of NISM, over 135 professionals from banks, NBFCs, rating agencies, law firms, corporations, financial institutions, finance professionals, debenture trustees etc. attended the event. The Event Partners were BSE, India Ratings (Fitch Group), I-Peritus, L&T Finance and National Housing Bank.

A Round Table on Recent Reforms in Primary Market was conducted on December 4, 2012 at BKC, Mumbai. It was attended by over 30 participants, including issuers, merchant bankers, stock exchanges and legal professionals. Over the past 37 years, across 7 cycles, the market has witnessed IPOs of Rs.60 lakhs upto Rs.10,000 crores and beyond. The range of issues debated upon were Retail Investors, e-IPOs, ASBA, Safety Net Mechanism, Disclosures, Rejection of Offer Documents, Due Diligence Review, Monitoring, Eligibility of New Issuers, Promoters' Shareholding and Merchant Bankers' Track Record. The discussions were varied and vibrant, and the views of participants were taken note of.

A Round Table on Corporate Bonds: Issuers' Issues was organized on January 22, 2013 New Delhi. It was attended by over 65 participants. It has been 8 years since the RH Patil Committee made its recommendations for the development of a corporate bond market in India. Some progress has been made on the implementation these recommendations, while some other constraints remain. This Round Table provided an interactive forum for understanding the factors that constrain issuers of corporate bonds, with the objective of creating an enabling environment. The forum included regulators, government officials, investors and market intermediaries. Aspects covered included the perspectives of the Government, SEBI, RBI, Issuers, Investors, Intermediaries, Bank-loans versus Bonds, Taxation and the Companies Act. Based on the discussions, matters that can be addressed in the short-term need to be highlighted and prioritized.

SCHOOL FOR SECURITIES EDUCATION (SSE)

Research at NISM

Trends in the Performance of the Corporate Sector

Quarterly Corporate Results are one of the indicators of economic activity in the country. A study on Quarterly Earnings of 100 companies (Nifty 50 companies and Nifty Junior 50 companies) is carried out with a view to obtain broad trends in the performance of companies and various sectors for Quarter June-September 2012 as compared to June-September 2011.

Across All 100 companies, PAT (Profit after Tax) has grown 40% over the corresponding Quarter in the previous year. This is achieved with the help of 16% growth in Sales, 36% growth in Other Income and control in operating expenses. These 100 companies are classified into 12 sectors. Out of 12 sectors, 10 sectors have reported an increase in PAT, significant observations are Pharma (144%), PSE (114%) and Energy (87%). Out of 12 sectors, 2 sectors have reported a decline in PAT, i.e. Realty (-80%) and Media (-43%).

Nifty P/E ratio increased to 19.17 from 17.05 a year back. This could imply that Nifty companies attracted more investments on a perception of improved earnings prospects. As against the Nifty P/E of 19.17, the P/E of Pharma was the highest (53.24) and the P/E of PSU Banks was the lowest (7.53). Nifty P/E is lower and more attractive as compared to Singapore, Japan and Brazil.

An Evaluation of Indian Economy in 2012

2012 has been a difficult year for the Indian Economy with high inflation, low growth, high fiscal and current account deficit and much delayed capital market reforms. This article analyzes the macroeconomic conditions on the basis of inflation, growth, fiscal and current account deficit and capital markets.

Inflation: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s long battle with inflation continued for the major part of the year. Headline

Wholesale Price Index (WPI) has remained sticky throughout the year at 7.5 percent. India remains an outlier as the

global inflation conditions ease. Let us further examine the reasons for high inflation in India-

a) Supply constraints- Deficiency of monsoon this year further aggravated the inflationary pressure o food prices.

Poor storage facilities and inability to increase the production has added to inflation

b) Fuel price- Inflation in oil and fuel prices remained in double digits throughout the year. Deregulation of petrol

prices and revision of diesel prices led upward pressure on inflation.

c) Demand side push- Increase in the both rural and urban wages has contributed significantly to the increasing

demand for both. Increase in rural wages in the recent years could have added to the cost of the production.

Further, expectations of high inflation in future have led to demand for wage increase.

d) Fiscal deficit- Further, high fiscal deficit has also contributed to high inflation.

Inflation may remain at this rate until structural changes in terms of improving supply side constraints, enhancing

productivity are brought about. Deregulation of fuel prices may temporarily lead to inflationary pressure; however

it's a step towards fiscal consolidation.

Low growth: Economic slowdown continued in 2012 which averaged around 5.4% in last two quarters. Falling

savings and investment, high fiscal deficit have added to the dim outlook for the following year too. Tight domestic

monetary conditions and global financial crisis have weakened the business sentiments; however, recent policy

actions and expectations of lowering of interest rates in the near future have refurnished hope.

Ms. Shobana Balakrishnan, Academic Associate, NISM

ARTICLES



High fiscal and current account deficit: India's fiscal deficit at 5.3% of GDP in 2012 is highest among the emerging economies due to spending on subsidies like food, fuel and fertilizers. Policy actions such as deregulation of fuel and LPG prices, lift of bar on FDI investment in retail and airline were few steps taken to reduce the deficit. On the current account front, reduced demand for exports added to the deficit woes. Weaker global demands can be attributed to a possible “fiscal cliff” and a sharp consolidation in U.S. Service trade surplus was also lower. These factors led to widening of current account deficit.

Capital markets: After witnessing a dull phase in the initial part of the year, secondary market gained momentum in

the later part of the year. BSE Sensex was 19,426.71 (as on 31st December, 2012), an increase by 25.7% on y-o-y

basis, similarly, NSE Nifty 50 was up by 27.70%. This surge can be attributed to global liquidity conditions, FII

inflows and recent policy measures. However, the IPO markets remained sluggish as the number of issues which

came through and amount raised remained low during the year. Private placements picked up during the year.

With a tough year in 2012, focus on improving macroeconomic conditions by lowering deficits and policy reforms

would be key to push growth in 2013. Global conditions may not be very conducive; this may further necessitate

removal of structural bottlenecks.

POST GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN SECURITIES MARKETS (PGPSM)

PGPSM is a one-year full-time post-graduate programme. This flagship programme was

launched in 2010-11 and currently, the third batch is underway. Students of first batch

are working in the securities industry in various entities including credit rating agencies,

banks, brokerages, intermediaries and analytic firms.2013-2014

CERTIFICATE IN SECURITIES LAW (CSL)CSL is a six-month week-end programme for working executives and students of other post-graduate and professional programmes in Finance or Law. It equips participants to understand and apply securities laws and regulations in compliance, investment banking and other functions in the securities markets.

CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL ENGINEERING AND RISK MANAGEMENT (CFERM)

CFERM is a nine-month week-end programme for working executives for equipping skills

and nuances of advanced financial engineering aspects. It is a highly quantitative-

oriented programme aimed at grooming risk management professionals. NISM launched

this programme in 2009-10, and the third batch of CFERM is currently underway. CFERM

is offered in two formats - weekend as well as on a residential, modular basis.

2013-2014

Bouquet of Programmes

NISM Bhavan, Plot No. 82, Sector 17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai - 400 703Phone: 022 66735100-05 | Fax: 022 66735110www.nism.ac.in