1. Exchange Exchange provides buyers and sellers of futures and option contract necessary infrastructure to trade. In outcry system, exchange has trading pit where members and their representatives assemble during a fixed trading period and execute transactions. In online trading system, exchange provide access to members and make available real time information online and also allow them to execute their orders. For derivative market to be successful exchange plays a very important role, there may be separate exchange for financial instruments and commodities or common exchange for both commodities and financial assets. 2. Clearing House A clearing house performs clearing of transactions executed in futures and option exchanges. Clearing house may be a separate company or it can be a division of exchange. It guarantees the performance of the contracts and for this purpose clearing house becomes counter party to each contract. Transactions are between members and clearing house. Clearing Continue reading
Business Finance
Business Finance is that business activity which is concerned with the acquisition and conservation of capital funds in meeting financial needs and overall objectives of business enterprises.
The Concept of Zero Working Capital
In today’s world of intense global competition, working capital management is receiving increasing attention form managers striving for peak efficiency the goal of many leading companies today, is zero working capital. Proponent of the zero working capital concept claims that a movement toward this goal not only generates cash but also speeds up production and helps business make more timely deliveries and operate more efficiently. The concept has its own definition of working capital: inventories+ receivables- payables. The rational here is (i) that inventories and receivables are the keys to making sales, but (ii) that inventories can be financed by suppliers through account payables. Zero working capital also refers to the equality between current assets and current liabilities at all times. To avoid excess investment in current assets, firms try to meet their current liabilities out of the current assets fully if they follow this concept. Consequently, smooth and uninterrupted Continue reading
Difference between Cash Credit and Overdraft
Cash credit is a short-term cash loan to a company. A bank provides this type of funding, but only after the required security is given to secure the loan. Once a security for repayment has been given, the business that receives the loan can continuously draw from the bank up to a certain specified amount. This type of financing is similar to a line of credit. Furthermore, cash credit is a facility to withdraw the amount from the business account even though the account may not have enough credit balance. The limit of the amount that can be withdrawn is sanctioned by the bank based on the business cycle of the client and the working capital gap and the drawing power of the client. This drawing power is determined, based on the stock and book debts statements submitted by the borrower at monthly intervals against the security by hypothecating of Continue reading
Business Valuation using Discounted Cash Flow Method
Discounted cash flow method of business valuation is based upon expected future cash flows and discount rates. This approach is easiest to use for assets and firms whose cash flows are currently positive and can be estimated with some reliability for future periods. Discounted cash flow method, relates the value of an asset to the present value of expected future cash flows on that asset. In this approach, the cash flows are discounted at a risk-adjusted discount rate to arrive at an estimate of value. The discount rate will be a function of the riskiness of the estimated cash flows, with lower rates for safe projects and higher rate for riskier assets. This approach has its foundation in the ‘present value’ concept, where the value of any asset is the present value of the expected future cash flows on it. Essentially, Discounted cash flow looks at an acquisition as a Continue reading
Categories of Non Performing Assets (NPA’s)
Non Performing Assets (NPA’s) Non performing asset means an asset or account of borrower ,which has been classified by bank or financial institution as sub —standard , doubtful or loss asset, in accordance with the direction or guidelines relating to assets classification issued by RBI. An asset, including a leased asset, becomes non-performing when it ceases to generate income for the bank. A ‘non-performing asset’ (NPA) was defined as a credit facility in respect of which the interest and/ or instalment of principal has remained ‘past due’ for a specified period of time. With a view to moving towards international best practices and to ensure greater transparency, it has been decided to adopt the ‘90 days’ overdue’ norm for identification of NPAs, from the year ending March 31, 2004. Accordingly, with effect from March 31, 2004, a non-performing asset (NPA) shall Continue reading
Definition of Financial Services
As per section 65(10) of the Finance Act, 1994, “banking and financial services” means the following services provided by a banking company or a financial institution including a non banking financial company, namely; (i) financial leasing services including equipment leasing and hire-purchase by a body corporate; (ii) credit card services; (iii) merchant banking services; (iv) securities and foreign exchange (forex) broking; (v) asset management including portfolio management, all forms of fund management, pension fund management, custodial depository and trust services, but does not include cash management; (vi) advisory and other auxiliary financial services including investment and portfolio research and advice, advice on mergers and acquisition and advice on corporate restructuring and strategy; and vii) provision and transfer of information and data processing. Financial services can be defined as the products and services offered by institutions like banks of various kinds for the facilitation of various financial transactions and other Continue reading