US stocks have plummeted on subprime concerns and almost every emerging and Asian market is down by more than 2%.

In an interview with CNBC TV 18, Samir Arora, Fund Manager at Helios Capital and Manishi Raychaudhuri of UBS share their views on the current situation. Samir Arora feels that no strong co-relation between Indian & US markets and money from weak currency markets is likely to come to India

Manishi Raychaudhuri of UBS however feels that the problem in US consumption is not the reason for fall and feels that India is not linked to US consumer slowdown. He feels that India looks stretched and is trading around 17.7x.

No strong co-relation between Indian & US mkts: Experts
Excerpts from the exclusive interview with Samir Arora and Manishi Raychaudhuri:
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

DSP Merrill Lynch Fund Managers announced the launch of DSP Merrill Lynch World Gold Fund, an open ended fund of funds scheme, which will primarily invest in shares of mining companies through Merrill Lynch International Investments Fund’s world gold fund.

Merrill Lynch International Investments Fund – World Gold Fund is an open ended scheme. Launched in 1994, it currently manages assets of over $5.4 billion (over Rs 21,000 crore).

The new fund offer will commence on July 25 and close on August 23. It would charge an entry fee of 2.25 percent on one-time investment and 1 percent on investments through the systematic investment plan (SIP) route. Those redeeming before six months would have to pay an exit load of 0.5 percent and SIP investors would have to pay an exit fee of 1.25 percent on redemption within two years.

DSP Merrill unveils Gold Fund
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Source: The Economic Times

India’s DSP Merrill Lynch to launch world gold fund
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Source: Forbes

DSP Merrill Lynch launches gold fund
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Source: Business Standard

Gold funds offer better returns: Merrill Lynch Intl Invt
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

DSP Merrill Lynch Fund Managers Ltd. launches DSP ML World Gold Fund
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Source: TechWhack, India

Data compiled by SKP securities suggest that ULIP plans such as Bajaj Allianz Unit Gain Equity Plan, Aviva Life Bond 5 Growth, HDFC Unit Linked Endowment Growth Plan and ICICI Prudential Premier Maximiser (Growth) II Plan have given returns of more than 40 per cent over a three-year period

ULIPs post compounded annualised returns of 40-45%
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Source: The Hindu, Business Line

What would be the tax treatment for following receipts by nominees?

Receipt of life insurance claim from insurance company
Gratuitous payments received from the employer
Payments received under a will or by way of inheritance

A question arises whether such payments, would be taxable in the hands of the family / legal heirs. The article in The Economic Times attempts to address the same.

For nominees insurance money is not taxable
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Source: The Economic Times

How are the markets looking? Ramesh Damani gives his views on stocks, sectors and investment strategies in a chat with investors.

Damani’s view on stocks and sectors

Ramesh Damani chats with investors on Moneycontrol.com
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Faced with sharp rupee appreciation and wage hikes, analysts are expecting that leading IT companies could witness a margin decline of up to 200-400 basis points. Though, higher yield on cash balance, forex gains will partially offset the sharp EBITDA decline.

A disappointing Q1 seen for tech cos
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Source: The Hindu, Business Line

Infy Q1 EPS seen 5-7% below guidance: JPMorgan
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

MFs scale back IT exposure on Re fears
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Source: Business Standard

IDC Study Shows China Outsourcing Gain
The analyst group says despite India’s attractions, the mainland will overtake it in offshoring by 2011 due to risk factors and agent skills
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Source: BusinessWeek

Rising rupee and IT stocks — Smart strategies can minimise the risk
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Source: The Hindu, Business Line

Bloomberg reports that Jim Rogers, who predicted the start of the global commodities rally in 1999, has sold out of nearly all the emerging markets except China. He didn’t identify which markets he had sold, or which assets. Though, he seems to be bullish on agricultural commodities, gold and water companies.

Overvalued emerging markets are slowing investors’ enthusiasm. The emerging market index jumped 17% in 2007, compared with the 8.2% gain in the MSCI World Index of developed economies.

Mark Mobius, who oversees $30 billion at Templeton Asset Management Ltd., feels that the rally in the stocks worldwide seems sustainable because valuations have not gotten completely out of control and this does not seem like the dot-com boom or Japan in the 1980s.

Rogers Says He’s Sold Emerging Markets, Except China
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Source: Bloomberg.com

India a great invst place minus the Govt: Jim Rogers
Excerpts from CNBC-TV18’s exclusive interview with Jim Rogers:
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Source: Moneycontrol.com

Mobius Says Stocks Cheaper Outside Central Europe
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Source: Bloomberg.com

Hard-Landing Risk Is Rising for China’s Economy: Andy Mukherjee
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Source: Bloomberg.com