STATE FINANCES AUDIT REPORTS
Q-comm audits; modest Q1 for IT firms
Happy Wednesday! Due to recent hygiene lapses by quick commerce, the government has intensified surprise inspections of their warehouses. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Assam Government appoints chairman, members of seventh Assam State Finance Commission
The Commission shall make recommendations to the matters such as the principles governing the distribution between the State of Assam and the Panchayats and the Municipalities of the net proceeds of taxes and duties levied and collected, the measures needed to improve the financial position of the Panchayats and Municipalities, any other matter referred to the State Finance Commission by the Governor in the interests of sound financial position of the Panchayats and Municipalities among others.
Banking stocks lift Sensex, Nifty to new heights in July opening
D-Sreet closed on a positive note on Monday, with the S&P BSE Sensex gaining 443.46 points to settle at 79,476.19. The broader Nifty index also rose, adding 131.35 points to close at 24,141.95. The banking sector showed particular strength, with the banking gauge up by 0.44%. Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Bajaj Finance, Grasim Industries, and UltraTech Cement were among the top gainers, while NTPC, Eicher Motors, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, SBI, and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories experienced declines. Market capitalisation of all the BSE listed companies increased by Rs 344,798 crore.
Ujjivan SFB to work on key focus areas
The SFB entered new states in FY24, which is expected to support the loan book growth in the medium term. The analysts have trimmed the earnings expectations citing possibility of higher loan loss provisioning over the next two years.
Tata Group is India’s most valuable brand: Report
Tata Group has maintained its position as India’s most valuable brand with a brand value of $28.6 billion, according to the latest Brand Finance India 100 2024 report. The group's Taj hotel brand also secured the top spot as India’s strongest brand. Infosys follows as the second-most valuable brand with a brand value of $14.2 billion, showing a steady 9% growth. HDFC Group surged to the third spot with a brand value of $10.4 billion following its merger with HDFC Ltd.
Privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines schedule for early August: Reports
In the upcoming privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Coordinator to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif play crucial roles in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process.
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States seek infra, rural push in pre-budget meet with FM Sitharaman
States presented demands for higher special assistance, increased allocations for rural schemes, and support for housing programmes to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the pre-budget meeting. Sitharaman highlighted the Centre's aid to states through timely tax devolution and release of GST compensation arrears. Andhra Pradesh requested central funds for various projects and initiatives, including the development of Amaravati as its capital.
Intention of Centre to levy GST on petrol, diesel; states will have to decide on rate: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Sitharaman mentioned the ongoing taxation of petrol and diesel through excise duty and VAT, urging states to collaborate in the GST Council to decide on the tax rate.
Nifty target price increased to 25,638; HDFC Bank among 19 conviction picks: InCred Equities
As the VIX returns to a near-13 level, a domestic brokerage firm reaffirms its optimistic outlook for the Indian market. The firm highlights robust macroeconomic factors and projects 12% EPS growth for FY25-26, favoring investments in the utility, consumer, and capital goods sectors.
First NFRA annual report on eight audit firms by November
The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is set to conduct its first annual inspection of eight audit firms, including the Big Five, to reveal its findings by October or November. The inspection will focus on auditors' processes and standards, revealing how NFRA plans to strengthen the country's audit and accounting ecosystem to combat corporate frauds and uphold shareholders' interests in a rapidly growing economy.
RBI's special audit over, IIFL Finance appoints team to implement corrective actions
IIFL Finance, under scrutiny by the RBI for irregularities in its gold loan portfolio, has taken corrective actions to address concerns. RBI directed the company to halt new gold loans due to supervisory concerns and deviations in gold assessment. The company raised capital through rights issues and NCDs to mitigate risks and reported a net profit in Q4.
Large, mid and smallcap stocks that mutual funds bought and sold in May
Mutual funds bought stocks worth Rs 477 billion in the Indian secondary market in May. They added largecap stocks like HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Infosys, and reduced stakes in Bajaj Finance and Hindustan Aeronautics.
These midcap stocks with ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts
One segment of the markets which was most vulnerable to election results was the mid-cap segment of the market for one simple reason, valuations have been on the higher end. Now that a part of the election anxiety is behind as a new government gets formed. Once again the focus is back on the mid-cap. There are selected stocks from different sectors where analysts are bullish in time where there is rotational trade likely to take place in the next couple of months. ET screener powered by Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus lists down quality stocks with high upside potential over the next 12 months, having an average recommendation rating of “buy” or "strong buy". This predefined screener is only available to ET Prime users.
Pakistan to unveil Rs 18 trillion budget on June 12: Minister
The Pakistan government is likely to present the budget with the outlay of around Rs 18 trillion for the financial year 2024-25 on June 12, a minister said on Wednesday. The government will table the budget in the National Assembly after approval from the Cabinet, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, quoting the Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik.
Audit panels of companies can’t escape blame by citing auditors’ failure: NFRA chief
NFRA chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey emphasized the audit committee's responsibility in ensuring accurate financial statements, even if auditors fail in their duty. He highlighted the need for meaningful communication between audit committees and auditors, stating that it should not be a mere formality. Pandey's remarks come as the NFRA plans to engage with large listed companies to promote accounting standards and curb corporate frauds. This regulatory outreach is part of efforts to protect retail stock investors, a focus highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Billionaire Gautam Adani’s green targets questioned in Snowcap analysis
The company “can meet just 50% of its 50GW target funding requirement by 2030 without raising equity, despite claiming this target is ‘fully funded’,” Snowcap said.
PwC in major accounting scandal? China may impose record fine on PricewaterhouseCoopers over Evergrande auditing work
China is set to impose a record fine on PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and may suspend some of its local operations due to its involvement in a major financial fraud case with China Evergrande Group. The Ministry of Finance is expected to announce the penalties soon, with a potential fine of at least 1 billion yuan. This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny on financial risks in China, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing the need for stronger financial oversight. PwC's Chinese arm, PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, was Evergrande's auditor during the period in question and has faced challenges in other jurisdictions as well.
MCD issues fire advisory to health facilities, asks for report by May 31
Health facilities are directed to regularly inspect fire-fighting equipment such as extinguishers, hydrants, and alarms to ensure all are functional, according to the advisory.
Four European Union banks seek RBI nod for clearing model
"There was a meeting last month between the heads of four European banks and top RBI officials. The banks have sought the RBI's approval on the proposed third-party model because there is no established rulebook for this kind of arrangement," a source aware of the developments said.
Delhi govt to direct private, state-run hospitals to complete fire audit by June 8: Bharadwaj
Dr Naveen Khichi and Dr Aaksh arrested for running an unlicensed neonatal hospital without qualified doctors, where a fire killed newborns, as Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj addresses fire safety measures and compensation for affected families.
NFRA to engage with some big listed companies on audit compliance
The regulatory outreach could involve the NFRA's engagement with audit panels, independent directors, chief financial officers and others on the boards of these companies, said one of the persons. The regulator is close to finalising a framework to hold such huddles and may invite listed companies, where large public interest is involved, for such meetings, according to another person.
NFRA imposes Rs 2.5 crore fine on two auditors in Reliance Commercial Finance case
The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has penalized two auditors with fines totaling Rs 2.5 crore for professional misconduct and auditing lapses in the Reliance Commercial Finance case for FY2018-19. It imposed a Rs 2 crore fine on Shridhar & Associates and Rs 50 lakh on Ajay Vastani, along with a 5-year ban on Vastani from undertaking audits. The penalties were issued following a report of suspected fraud and inadequate audit procedures by the auditors.
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank becomes eligible for universal banking license, but has no immediate plan to seek one
The bank’s gross non-performing assets ratio stood below 3% and net NPA ratio below 1% for two consecutive years, making it entitled to apply for a licence. "Next week, the process of reverse merger will be over. A call on universal banking will be taken later. We are not rushing for it," managing director Ittira Davis said.
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GenZ Indian-American running for Georgia State Senate raises over USD 280K
Ramaswami, 24, has outraised his incumbent opponent Shawn Still by 22 times in the latest filing period from Feb 1 to April 30. While Ramaswami raised over USD 146,000, his opponent raised only USD 6,400. The two are running for the State Senate in the District 48 of Georgia.
BJP steadily reduced Odisha's central funding, PM Modi 'neglecting' people of state: Congress Jairam Ramesh
The Congress on Monday said the BJP has steadily reduced Odisha's central funding in recent years and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "neglecting" the people of the state. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed questions to the prime minister ahead of his rallies in Odisha.
States to sustain capex focus with improved fiscal space: Ind-Ra report
India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) maintains a neutral outlook on Indian states' finances for FY25, with a projected aggregate revenue deficit of 0.4% of GDP, down from 0.5% in FY24. Fiscal deficit for FY25 is expected to decrease to 3.1% of GDP. The report highlights containment of revenue deficits, enabling states to focus on capital expenditure.
Audit fees growth lags corporate expansion in India
While the audit fee hike is marginal, the sharply increasing complexity in business operations, heightened regulatory oversight on listed companies, growing complexity in reporting requirements, and escalating talent and organisation costs every year are putting auditors in a tough spot.
82.42 pc of national parties' unknown income tied to electoral bonds: ADR
Out of the Rs 1,832.88 crore as income from unknown sources, the share of income from electoral bonds was Rs 1,510 crore or 82.42 per cent, according to the analysis of the financial reports for the fiscal year 2022-23 submitted to the poll panel, it stated.
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