Role and Functions of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

The Reserve Bank of India is the central bank of India, was established on April 1, 1935 during the British-Raj in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Reserve Bank of India was set up on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission. The commission submitted its report in the year 1926, though the bank was not set up for nine years. The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Kolkata, Bengal, but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Though originally privately owned, the RBI has been fully owned by the Government of India since nationalization in 1949. The Preamble of the Reserve Bank of India describes the basic functions of the Reserve Bank as to regulate the issue of Bank Notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the Continue reading

Shareholder Value Analysis (SVA)

Shareholder Value Analysis (SVA) is an approach to financial management, which focuses on the creation of economic value for shareholders, as measured by share price performance and flow of funds. It’s lead by the principle that the management of a company should take into consideration the shareholder’s interest and advantages before meets any decision, set short-term or long-term objectives and decide company’s strategy as well. Shareholder Value Analysis is a characteristic substitute for trade business measurement, which has improved a lot by time passing. Due to the fact that company’s value is calculated based on the value returned to its shareholders, in the past had been criticized for being either short-term measured or only based in past figures. Shareholder Value Analysis takes a longer-term view and is about measuring and managing cash-flows over time.  The shareholder value is calculated by estimating the total net value of the company and dividing Continue reading

Hedging with Derivatives – Futures Hedging, Forwards Hedging, and Swap Hedging

Futures Hedging A futures contract compels the buyer to purchase a particular quantity of assets within a certain period of time. The price of the purchase is agreed in the contract at the time of entering this contract. The asset that is to be purchased is referred to as the underlying asset and the time when this asset is purchased or sold is known as the expiry date or maturity date. While the major difference between a futures contract from an options contract is the obligation to purchase an asset, forward contracts also oblige the buyer to purchase the underlying asset. However, in contrast to forward contracts, futures contracts are drawn according to standardized forms and are more liquid since they are traded on secondary markets. Futures contracts provide more liquidity in comparison with forward contracts. A party that enters a futures agreement to purchase security may sell this right Continue reading

Objectives of Financial Management

Financial management is concerned with procurement and use of funds.   Its main aim is to use business funds in such a way that the firm’s value / earnings are maximized.   Financial management provides a frame work for selecting a proper course of action and deciding a viable commercial strategy.   The main objective of a business is to maximize the owner’s economic welfare.   This objective can be achieved by; Profit Maximization, and Wealth Maximization. 1. Profit  Maximization Profit earning is the main aim of every economic activity.   A business being an economic institution must earn profit to cover its costs and provide funds for growth.   No business can survive without earning profit.   Profit is a measure of efficiency of a business enterprise.   Profits also serve as a protection against risks which cannot be ensured.   The accumulated profits enable a business to face Continue reading

Definition of Portfolio Managers

Portfolio managers are defined as persons who, in pursuance of a contract with client, advise/ direct undertake on their behalf the management/ administration of portfolio of securities/ funds of clients. The term portfolio means the total holding of securities belonging to any person. The portfolio management can be: Discretionary: the first type of portfolio management permits the exercise of discretion in regard to investment/ management of the portfolio of the securities /funds. Non-discretionary: the non-discretionary portfolio manager should manage the funds in accordance with the direction of client. In order to carry on portfolio management services, a certificate of registration from SEBI is mandatory for all portfolio managers. But for category 1 and 2 merchant banker a separate registration is not required to act as a portfolio manager. They have, however, To carry on the portfolio management activity within the framework of SEBI regulations applicable to portfolio managers. The SEBI Continue reading

Impact of Inflation on Working Capital Requirement

The term inflation refers to rise in general (on an average basis) price level of goods and services in the economy, i.e., fall in purchasing power of money. Working Capital is the money used to make goods and attract sales. During the period of rising prices, a firm needs more funds to finance working capital. Hence, it should be planned properly. Not under-standing the impact of inflation on working capital has been the cause of many business failures. Cost of financing the working capital rises because of increase in interest rates. Cash should never be allowed to remain idle (Time eats value of money, i.e., on one hand the  company suffers loss of interest and on the other purchasing power of wealth kept as cash declines). Good cash management can provide a major source of profit, while poor cash management can destroy a company in a short time. When the Continue reading