Thursday, April 22, 2010

Sundaram Fin to buy out BNP in JV

Chennai-based Sundaram Finance Group is set to buy French bank BNP Paribas’ 49.90% stake in their domestic mutual fund joint venture, Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management.

The decision comes after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) earlier this year asked BNP, which also owns Fortis Mutual Fund here, to limit its exposure to the Indian mutual fund industry through a single entity.

BNP Paribas had bought a stake in Sundaram Finance’s mutual fund in 2005. But, last year, Fortis Mutual Fund came under the French bank’s umbrella after it acquired Belgium-based Fortis Bank’s various international operations, including the domestic mutual fund business.

As rules do not allow one firm to own stakes in more than one Indian asset management companies, market regulator Sebi set a deadline of March 31 for BNP to decide on how it wanted to operate in India’s 36 member-strong mutual fund industry.

While conveying to Sebi the decision to sell its stake in Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management, BNP has sought approval to conclude the deal by June, said a person close to the matter. ET could not ascertain how much Sundaram will shell out to buy the stake.

In a response to ET’s email questionnaire, a BNP spokesperson said, “We do not comment on this story. BNP Paribas studies (sic) the various strategic options on the Indian market.” Sundaram Finance officials could not be reached for comment. BNP had the option of selling its stake in Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management or push for the merger of Fortis Mutual Fund with the mutual fund joint venture, said another person in the know.

Sundaram BNP Paribas’ merger with Fortis Mutual Fund would have resulted in Sundaram Finance owning a lower stake in the new entity, unless it wanted to pump in more money.

“The thinking in the Sundaram Finance camp has been to buy BNP’s stake (in Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management) and own the entire company rather than pump money into an entity where they have a lesser say,” the person in the know said. “Also, there is discomfort at Fortis’s assets being mostly debt,” he added.

Fortis Mutual Fund managed assets worth Rs 7,889 crore, as on March 31. Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management managed assets worth Rs 13,877 crore as on March 31. The mutual fund industry had assets under management worth about Rs 7.5 lakh crore in the period. Industry officials said Sundaram Finance will probably look to grow its equity assets under management and look for a partner later at higher valuations.

“Roping in a bank with a wider reach as partner would be a good strategy at a later stage to grow this business (mutual fund),” said a senior official with a private mutual fund.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/stocks-in-news/Sundaram-Fin-to-buy-out-BNP-in-JV/articleshow/5841925.cms

Value Research joins hands with UK-based Financial Express

Mutual fund research firm, Value Research has joined hands with UK-based Financial Express to launch Value Express, a complete solution in investment data management that is designed to help asset management companies (AMC), retail investors and financial advisors to make sound investment decisions, a company statement said here.

Financial Express is UK's number one provider of mutual fund data and analytical tools.

"Value Express would offer an overall holistic approach to data, information management and dissemination that would produce excellent results due to the economies of scale and consistency of approach," Value Research Founder, Dhirendra Kumar told reporters here.

It will also assist the maintenance of existing services in relation to market changes, and the development of future services.

Our partnership with Financial Express will allow us to provide world-class services to the Indian market and its customer-driven approach will enable mutual fund companies of India to achieve higher levels of support and service in a cost-effective manner and with much reduced timescales, Kumar said.

Just click away from joining most active Mutual Fund India google group

Google Groups
Subscribe to Mutual Fund india
Email:
Visit this group

Aggrasive Portfolio

  • Principal Emerging Bluechip fund (Stock picker Fund) 11%
  • Reliance Growth Fund (Stock Picker Fund) 11%
  • IDFC Premier Equity Fund (Stock picker Fund) (STP) 11%
  • HDFC Equity Fund (Mid cap Fund) 11%
  • Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund (Large Cap Fund) 10%
  • HDFC TOP 200 Fund (Large Cap Fund) 8%
  • Sundram BNP Paribas Select Midcap Fund (Midcap Fund) 8%
  • Fidelity Special Situation Fund (Stock picker Fund) 8%
  • Principal MIP Fund (15% Equity oriented) 10%
  • IDFC Savings Advantage Fund (Liquid Fund) 6%
  • Kotak Flexi Fund (Liquid Fund) 6%

Moderate Portfolio

  • HDFC TOP 200 Fund (Large Cap Fund) 11%
  • Principal Large Cap Fund (Largecap Equity Fund) 10%
  • Reliance Vision Fund (Large Cap Fund) 10%
  • IDFC Imperial Equity Fund (Large Cap Fund) 10%
  • Reliance Regular Saving Fund (Stock Picker Fund) 10%
  • Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund (Large Cap Fund) 9%
  • HDFC Prudence Fund (Balance Fund) 9%
  • ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan (Dynamic Fund) 9%
  • Principal MIP Fund (15% Equity oriented) 10%
  • IDFC Savings Advantage Fund (Liquid Fund) 6%
  • Kotak Flexi Fund (Liquid Fund) 6%

Conservative Portfolio

  • ICICI Prudential Index Fund (Index Fund) 16%
  • HDFC Prudence Fund (Balance Fund) 16%
  • Reliance Regular Savings Fund - Balanced Option (Balance Fund) 16%
  • Principal Monthly Income Plan (MIP Fund) 16%
  • HDFC TOP 200 Fund (Large Cap Fund) 8%
  • Principal Large Cap Fund (Largecap Equity Fund) 8%
  • JM Arbitrage Advantage Fund (Arbitrage Fund) 16%
  • IDFC Savings Advantage Fund (Liquid Fund) 14%

Best SIP Fund For 10 Years

  • IDFC Premier Equity Fund (Stock Picker Fund)
  • Principal Emerging Bluechip Fund (Stock Picker Fund)
  • Sundram BNP Paribas Select Midcap Fund (Midcap Fund)
  • JM Emerging Leader Fund (Multicap Fund)
  • Reliance Regular Saving Scheme (Equity Stock Picker)
  • Biral Mid cap Fund (Mid cap Fund)
  • Fidility Special Situation Fund (Stock Picker)
  • DSP Gold Fund (Equity oriented Gold Sector Fund)