U.S. Bancorp Gets $18 Bln Seized Bank Assets

U.S. Bancorp on Friday acquired nine banks held by FBOP Corp, picking up $18.4 billion in assets after regulators seized a major Los Angeles lender and eight other banks in the latest failures to emerge from the financial crisis.

Among the banks Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp acquired was Los Angeles-based California National Bank, taken over by regulators on Friday in what the Los Angeles Times called the fourth-largest U.S. bank failure this year.

Bank failures in 2009 hit 106 last week, their highest annual level since 1992, with more expected to come. The largest institution to fail in the current financial crisis was Washington Mutual, which boasted $307 billion in assets when it was shuttered in September 2008.

Visibly worried employees lined up to file into Cal National’s head offices in the heart of a deserted downtown Los Angeles on a chilly Friday evening, where they had their employers’ fate explained to them, regulators said.

“We’re getting ready to turn everything over to U.S. Bank,” said Roberta Valdez, a spokeswoman for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, which helped supervise the transfer of FBOP’s assets. “They will continue to operate as normal in the interim,” she added, referring to lenders acquired from FBOP.

U.S. Bancorp — which has been buying up distressed assets this year — is picking up eight other lenders once owned by FBOP, a private Illinois group with over $18 billion in assets that owns banks in Texas, Illinois, Arizona and California.

Cal National is FBOP’s largest bank by branches. Others that will now go under the U.S. Bancorp umbrella included BankUSA, Citizens National Bank, Madisonville State Bank, North Houston Bank, Pacific National Bank, Park National Bank, San Diego National Bank, and the Community Bank of Lemont.

“This transaction is consistent with the growth strategy that we have outlined many times in the past, which includes enhancing our existing franchise through low-risk, in-market acquisitions,” said Rick Hartnack, vice chairman of consumer banking for U.S. Bancorp.

Rupee strenghtens on dollar weakness, stocks eyed

The rupee rose towards the 46 per dollar mark early on Tuesday buoyed by the dollar’s fall versus major units, while traders awaited the domestic sharemarket open for cues on foreign fund flows.

* At 9:04 a.m. the partially convertible rupee was at 46.03/04 per dollar, stronger than its Friday’s close of 46.29/30. The market was closed on Monday for a holiday. Last Thursday, the rupee rose to 45.80, its best since Sept. 24, 2008.

* The dollar fell to its lowest level in 14 months against a basket of currencies on Tuesday on persisting views that the United States will stick to a low interest rate policy.

* The dollar index, a gauge of the U.S. units performance versus six majors, was down 0.4 percent.

* The Morgan Stanley index of asian stock market ex-Japan was up 1 percent and the Nifty India stock futures traded in Singapore were up 0.3 percent, both pointing to a firm start to the local market.

Gateway to the Truth of Stock Market

The ever fluctuating Indian stock market offers many an aspirant investors to put their money on stake and gain huge amount of money however, the case can be reversed too. Reaping profits in the stock market is not a cakewalk especially in today’s recession struck scenario. One needs to be cautious and well aware of the direction of the economic tide. Risk taking is often appreciated if it turns out with great profits however; one needs to have a safe base too while taking risks. Studying the stock market revelations from time to time can help one gain the crucial information needed to guide one through the investments or free stock quotes online too can be other safe way out.

A number of sources can keep you updated with the stock profile and the stock updates of the BSE companies and provide you with apt stock recommendations. To keep oneself updated with the latest stock quotes and share prices, one needs to know the essentials of the Indian stock markets briefly. Stock recommendations can also come in directly through stock brokers or agents too but in the end it’s your money and your decision that counts the most.

ADB lifts India’s FY10 forecast of growth to 6pct

The Business News of todays is that the Asian Development Bank on Tuesday raised India’s growth forecast for 2009/10 on higher public spending, stronger factory output and improved business confidence, but warned rising fiscal deficit is unsustainable.

In the Asian Development Outlook 2009 update, the bank lifted the growth forecast for the year to end-March 2010 to 6 percent from earlier 5 percent.

In 2010/11, it expects the economy to grow by 7 percent from the previously estimated 6.5 percent on hopes of better rainfall and a rebound in exports.

In the 2008/09 fiscal year, India’s economy grew 6.7 percent, its weakest in six years and well below rates of 9 percent or more in the previous three years. Read More…

Economy is about to stabilise in 6 months

According to Business News India’s economy will stabilise in the next six months and loan growth is showing signs of improvement, the plan panel deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said on Monday.

Asia’s third-largest economy grew 6.7 percent in 2008/09, slower than 9 percent or more expansion clocked in the previous three years, and policy makers expect growth to slow towards 6 percent in 2009/10. Read More..

Indian shares provisionally rise 0.4 pct

Indian stock market shares provisionally rose 0.37 percent on Wednesday, led by Reliance Industries (RELI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) and private lender HDFC Bank (HDBK.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) and taking a winning streak to four days in a row.

The 30-share BSE index .BSESN provisionally ended 59.32 points higher at 16,182.99, with only 11 stocks gaining. Read more..

Gains to 1 pct in Indian Shares

Indian shares in share market india extended gains to 1 percent on Friday afternoon as investors sought bargains after the market dropped 3.3 percent over the past four sessions.

At 2:03 p.m. (0833 GMT), the 30-share BSE index .BSESN was up 1.1 percent at 15,573.96 points, with 26 stocks gaining.

The 50-share NSE index .NSEI was up 1.2 percent at 4,649.75. Read More..

Indian shares extend losses to 2 pct

According to Business News Indian shares extended losses to 2 percent on Monday afternoon, as investors cashed in profits after the market jumped 7.5 percent over the past 1-½ weeks and as weak overseas peers weighed on sentiment.

At 2:03 p.m. (0833 GMT), the 30-share BSE index .BSESN was down 2 percent at 15,611.85 points, with 24 stocks declining.

The 50-share NSE index .NSEI was down 1.9 percent at 4,642.05. Read More..

Govt unveils steps to reverse export decline

According to today’s business news India plans to cut transaction costs for exporters and ensure the availability of dollar finance as it looks to reverse a decline in exports and double outbound sales of goods and services over the next five years.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who reiterated India’s commitment to a successful end to the Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks, said on Thursday he expects exports to reach $200 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2011.

India’s exports were $168.7 billion in 2008/09, but have been have been falling in annual terms since October as the global credit squeeze followed by recession in developed nations sapped demand. Read More..

BSE Sensex extends losses to 1 pct

The BSE Sensex extended losses to 1 percent in midday trade on Tuesday, as investors across Asia turned cautious after a recent rally and awaited more clues on whether the economic recovery is picking up steam.

At 11:11 a.m. (0541 GMT), the 30-share BSE index was down 0.9 percent at 15,486.06 points, with 23 stocks declining, after falling to as much as 15,462.72. Read More..

Shanghai stocks claw up

According to asia market news Chinese shares clawed back up on Thursday after a two-week sell-off, giving a boost to Asian stock indexes and commodities, but many investors were nervous that the Shanghai slide may have more room to run.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was up 1.5 percent, helped by reports that the stock regulator had approved new mutual funds this week to help underpin the market that has slid nearly 20 percent since hitting a 14-month high earlier in the month.

But Chinese shares surrendered some gains after jumping nearly 3 percent at one point, showing that the market remains highly volatile. Read More..

Reliance Comm in talks for Zain’s Africa ops

According to Money News Reliance Communications, India’s No. 2 mobile operator, is in preliminary talks to buy Kuwaiti telecoms firm Zain’s African operations, two banking sources with knowledge of the development said, in a deal reported to be worth $10 billion.

The Kuwaiti firm said last month it was reviewing a possible sale of its African operations — minus Morocco and Sudan — after French media and telecoms giant Vivendi called off talks to buy a majority stake in the African business.

Zain Chief Executive told Kuwait daily newspaper Al-Rai that the firm was in talks with three major telecoms firms, including one from India, to sell all or part of its African operations. Read More..

Mutual fund investment – what to head off

The equity markets are on the rise. New fund offers are again the rage. And once again, you are receiving solicitations from your so-called financial advisors to invest in mutual funds so that you don’t miss the boat. At times like these it’s important to keep some tips in mind.

1. Invest in Funds backed by experienced Asset Management Companies and Asset Managers: If you had the choice, you’d probably go to an experienced doctor rather than someone fresh out of medical school. Same with mutual funds. Invest through an experienced asset management company and a fund manager, both of whom have operating and investment history in India.

2. Cheapest is not the best: This is probably the most common and silly mistake that investors make when investing in mutual funds. For some reason they think that a Rs 10 net asset value (NAV) is better than a Rs 20 existing fund of the same category and type because the former is cheaper.

What matters is the amount of money you are putting in. Rs 1 lakh put into a either fund will grow the same amount assuming that both funds invested in the same underlying securities. So, whether Rs 10 grows to Rs 12, a 20% increase, or Rs 20 goes to Rs 24, it’s the same thing.

3. Don’t invest in a new fund if a previous one of the same category exists: At the time of a new fund’s launch, there is a lot of hype created through advertising aimed at enticing you to invest.

However, there might be a fund of this type already existing, which might be a better option because it has had an operating history for a while, as well as proven risk management experience in that category. You are better off avoiding the new fund at launch and investing in the older fund of the same category.

4. Understand your risk appetite: Not all medicines are suited to all patients. Some patients can handle a higher dosage depending upon their age, their allergies, their size etc.

Similarly, not all mutual funds are meant for everyone. Before you invest blindly, understand the risks involved and evaluate whether you can handle the risks associated with the fund and its underlying exposure.

5. Build a strong foundation: Just like a house needs a strong foundation, so does your mutual fund portfolio. You need to make sure you have a safe and stable exposure to index funds, large cap diversified funds before you start exposing yourself to sector and industry specific funds, which are usually of a higher risk.

6. Be realistic about returns: Trees don’t grow to the sky, and neither do stock market returns. Be realistic about what returns you can expect. Your money is unlikely to double in the next two years through mutual funds, and don’t fall for the salesmanship of your advisor.

7. Give your money the chance to compound: By chopping and changing your portfolio and getting in and out of funds frequently you are disturbing the process of compounding and not giving your money the ability to grow. Be patient, even if in the short term a fund might not be doing well.

Get more Personal Finance News here:

BSE Sensex provisionally falls 2.4 pct

The BSE Sensex provisionally fell 2.4 percent on Friday, as muted global markets and weak monsoon rains weighed on sentiment.

The 30-share BSE index provisionally ended down 379.21 points at 15,134.82, with 29 stocks declining.

The 50-share NSE index provisionally closed down 2.4 percent at 4,473.65.  Read More …

WPI down 1.54 pct yr/yr on July 18 – govt

India’s wholesale price index fell 1.54 percent in the 12 months to July 18, compared with the previous week’s annual decline of 1.17 percent, government data showed on Thursday.

The fall was sharper than a median forecast of 1.46 percent fall in a Reuters poll. The annual inflation rate was 12.54 percent during the corresponding week of 2008.

The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index, which is published monthly, because it covers a higher number of products and is released weekly. Read More…

Tata Motors Q1 net jumps 58 pct

Tata Motors Ltd, India’s largest vehicle maker, reported a 58 percent rise in net profit, defying forecasts for a halving of profit as asset sales and lower costs for inputs such as steel countered weaker sales.
Tata Motors, which owns the luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands and recently launched the Nano, the world’s cheapest car, reported a net profit of 5.14 billion rupees ($107 million) in the quarter to June, from 3.26 billion rupees a year earlier.

A Reuters poll of 14 brokerages had forecast net profit to fall 53.6 percent to 1.5 billion rupees. Read More….

Indian shares extend losses to 1 pct

Indian shares extended their losses to 1 percent on Tuesday morning, as investors booked profits on a 13.4 percent rally over the past five sessions.

At 10:31 a.m. (0501 GMT), the 30-share BSE index .BSESN was down 1 percent at 15,037.10 points, with 24 stocks declining.

The 50-share NSE index .NSEI was down 0.9 percent at 4,464.05. Read More…

Indian stock market is a roller coaster ride

The financial market in India has always been through a lot of ups and downs. With the recent increase by 151 points in volatile trade, it has managed to gain a surge. This rise reflected a change over by various brokers and funds in the business market. With the help of this Indian stock market news, one gets to know that the buying was mainly conducted in engineering and construction sector. These kinds of news have always been of interest to people dealing in this business as it prepares them to make proper investments. In the recent news about BSE companies, 5 of them ended up losing and the remaining 25 recorded slight gains, but not much.

Any person interested in the financial news online can also check them up on various websites. The stock quotes online will enable the person to access them anytime and catch hold of latest updates on stocks. Along with this, one will also find stock recommendations companies online that will help the people in guiding through profitable ventures. All this information is essential because of the need of financial terms in the daily life. We get to deal in finances somehow or the other in everyday business.

Latest stock quotes familiarizes with ongoing economical trends

With the recent upgradation in latest stock quotes, such as 114.06 points in BSE and 45.95 points in Nifty, it seems that the dark clouds are fading away that engulfed the Indian economy. Some of the top gainers in the recent times have been India Bulls, Tata Teleservices, Unitech,  Adani Enterprises and Jai Prakash Hydro Power. The present scenario of the Indian economy says it all that the wind is blowing little favorable, if not completely. The BSE stock prices predictors have also forecasted that the condition may be getting better and the recession period might get over.

The stock prices India have always been reflective of current market situation that tends to raise a lot many questions. Along with this, it affects every facet of economy, whether it is a business house, shopkeeper or a common man. Our Indian economy was undergoing a bad phase of its life. But, now, the things have come to a satisfactory level for numerous companies. All this is an important piece of information for an investor also, as he would think about investing in a company that is reaping profits. To understand the economic terminology, one needs to have a thorough understanding of Indian business market.

Currency exchange rates affect every economy

Foreign exchange is one such thing, on which the business of all nations depends. Whether it is import or export, tourism or any other field, currency exchange matters a lot of maintain the equilibrium in the economy. For the people, who are involved in these kinds of businesses, currency exchange news is quite important. It is because of the fact that the slightest down will be beneficial for the person; while a slight rise would affect the exchange rates in a particular country. Currency exchange rates have always been considerable by everyone, even by a common man. This is because money transfer is also dependent on currency rates.

The current currency exchange news tells that Indian rupee as rose up by 3 paisa against US Dollar. This has indicated that there is some kind of improvement in the market status of Indian economy, which had been going through a continuous downfall.

Seesaws in early deals – BSE Sensex

Early on Wednesday BSE Sensex flip-flopped as  sentiment was hit by renewed economic worries, but still there was some buying as investors looked to enter the market after it fell 7.4 percent over the past two weeks.

This morning the 30-share BSE index was up 0.2 percent at 14,358.38 points, with 21 stocks gaining, after turning briefly negative.

Bse sensex has been a platform for investing cash and reaping benefits

Presently, the face of BSE and NSE has been seeing rises and rises. Recently, the rise in Bombay stock exchange by 133 points has showed that the companies listed under it are making a profitable business. After all, the situation of the market has been getting better now. Earlier, it has witnessed a fall in the stock prices that leaded to heavy losses to the companies. Bse keeps telling about combined rise and fall of capital or market value. This helps the person to make timely investments and reap profits and not losses. Bse sensex is a matter of concern that it keeps informing about collective rise and fall of capital or market value. Today, it is the world’s best exchange in terms of the number of listed companies.

Along with BSE, NSE also recorded a rise of 39.40 points, which shows that companies having global business market are gaining in the business dealings. All this information is essential to me as I am an investment company owner and have to direct people on the right investment path. After all, proper guidance will help me to make good customer relation and this would be beneficial for my company also. All these information enable our clients to think about making investments in the right company. NSE has a particular group that involves bodies like India Index Services & Products limited, National Securities Clearing Corporation and National Securities Depository. Both the stock exchanges cast a heavy impact on the entire Indian economy

Nifty stocks take a note of assets of business houses with worldwide presence

Well, National Stock Exchange or NIFTY is a list of 50 multinational companies that have their business ventures world over. Its trading is so influential that a slight wavering causes turmoil in the entire world. This is not all; it also affects the economical power of a particular country and company. If it is on lower side; then, it means that the company is going in loss and the share price also goes down. In fact, Nifty stocks are all about the shares and assets of the companies listed in National Stock Exchange or any happening related to these companies. The latest news about Nifty says it that Satyam has been dropped from the list if being the rivals of top IT companies. The first place went to Infosys and then it was Wipro that slashed the reputation of scam-hit Satyam Computers.

The top IT companies used to keep Satyam in their list as one of the competitors. Since, the scam had hit this IT Company; all other have removed it from their list. This has come as a serious blow to the reputation of the company and people have been reacting on it. They have been saying that it is the correct decision, as the fraudulent company should not be a part of the rivals list. In the recent past, Satyam has also been removed from the list of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). In this way, Satyam seems to be losing on every front of corporate world.

Nifty has always been checked out by world over people and a slightest wavering in it casts its impact on the worldwide trade. We all live where the business is surrounding us in every form, be it a big business house, medium sized entity or a small shop. Nifty stocks takes into consideration the assets of big business houses that have a market standing and have a worldwide reach.

Indian stock market is a matter of concern to everyone

Since, every business entity is connected and concerned with finance. So, this makes it essential to have a thorough knowledge of every part of it, be it a share market, stock options, mergers and controversies. Indian stock market has always publicized an accurate face of its monetary levels. It confirms the regular ups and downs in the business world. It is not that the stock market news will inform about only stock updates; you also get to know the events happening in the trade world. As per the latest information, Paramount Airways have been willing to expand its operation. At a time when other airlines are restricting their business, paramount has decided to expand its network in Northern India. Yet another piece of news to check out is Gujarat will welcome two new entrants in the field of telecommunications.

With the introduction of Aircel and Sistema, the Gujarat people will get to choose from a wide variety of mobile and internet connections. In fact, this souk is all about the fluctuations that come in the prices of the products and shares of 30 listed companies. The shares are the easily available stock of a particular company for trading in the market. Apart from this, the business world is also seeing an increase of 18 paisa upgrade in Rupee as compared to Dollar.

These days, every individual keeps an eye over whatever is happening in this stock market arena. The stock market news is full of certain companies reaping profit, business houses lying off their staff, some company opening a joint venture with other one and so on. Moreover, the need to know everything about the Indian economy and financial market is an advantage for all of us. No one knows that what sort of information is useful at what time. In fact, it is a kind of general knowledge that may be helpful in any other field too.

Seesaw of Rupee continues…

According to a latest Money Market News the rupee was showing ups and downs on Wednesday, tailing a volatile stock market, after rallying 4.3 percent in the previous three sessions.

At 10:38 a.m. (0508 GMT), the partially convertible rupee was at 47.73/75 per dollar, little changed from its Tuesday’s close of 47.75/77.

A comfortable victory for the ruling coalition in national elections had boosted Indian markets, sending the main stock index up 17.5 percent in two days on hopes for economic reforms and more foreign investment.

However, profit-taking kept the stock market choppy in early trade and this dominated the foreign exchange market, dealers said.