Upcoming NFOs: Opening From March 17, 2025

New Fund Offers (NFOs) present investors with opportunities to invest in mutual funds at their inception, often at an initial price before the Net Asset Value (NAV) is established. As of March 2025, several NFOs are available across various categories, including equity and debt funds. Here’s an overview of some notable upcoming NFOs:

TATA BSE Quality Index Fund Direct Plan IDCW Reinvestment – NFO

  • Open Date: March 17, 2025
  • Close Date: March 28, 2025
  • NAV: ₹10
  • AMC: Tata Mutual Fund

SBI BSE PSU Bank Index Fund Direct Plan Growth – NFO

  • Open Date: March 17, 2025
  • Close Date: March 20, 2025
  • NAV: ₹10
  • AMC: SBIMutual Fund

What is an NFO (New Fund Offer)?

A New Fund Offer (NFO) is the initial offering of units of a mutual fund to the public. It is similar to an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the stock market, where an asset management company (AMC) introduces a new mutual fund scheme to raise money from investors.

The units in the fund are offered at a fixed price, typically ₹10, and are available for subscription for a limited period. After the NFO period ends, the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) starts getting calculated based on the market value of the securities in the portfolio.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in an NFO

Investing in an NFO can be attractive, but it’s essential to carefully evaluate several factors before committing your money. Here are key factors to consider:

  • Investment Objective: Every mutual fund has a specific objective, such as capital appreciation, income generation, or a combination of both. Make sure that the fund’s objective aligns with your financial goals.
  • Fund Category: Is it equity, debt, or hybrid? Mutual funds can be broadly categorized into equity funds, debt funds, hybrid funds, and more. Each category carries different levels of risk and return potential.
  • Fund Manager’s Experience: Who is managing the fund? The experience and track record of the fund manager are crucial. A seasoned fund manager with a good track record of managing funds can significantly affect the fund’s performance.
  • Past Performance of Similar Funds: What’s the track record of similar funds? While past performance is not indicative of future returns, it can give you an idea of how the AMC has performed in the past.

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Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Mutual Fund investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

8th Pay Commission: Check How Your Salaries Will Be Impacted

The 8th Pay Commission, which is the long-awaited process for revising the salary structure of government employees and pensioners, has generated a lot of buzz. As expectations soar, people are eagerly awaiting the recommendations for potential salary hikes, allowances, and pension benefits. Although no formal announcements have been made yet, speculation is rife that the next revision will likely involve significant changes, especially regarding the minimum pay and the fitment factor.

What is the 8th Pay Commission?

The 8th Pay Commission, recently approved by the government, is tasked with assessing and revising the current salary structure for central government employees. Following the pattern of the previous two pay commissions, this new panel is expected to recommend changes that would lead to an increase in the existing pay structure. The Commission aims to ensure that government employees are compensated fairly, accounting for rising living costs and inflation.

8th Pay Commission and Dearness Allowance (DA)

One of the most significant aspects of the 8th Pay Commission discussions is the increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners. According to expert predictions, we could see a 2% hike in DA, effective January 1, 2025. If this happens, it would be one of the smallest increases in recent years, akin to the 7-9% rise that occurred in July 2018.

However, some analysts believe that the DA hike could be higher—potentially between 3% and 4%. This will depend on various factors, including inflation trends and overall economic conditions.

How Will the DA Impact Salaries?

The Dearness Allowance (DA) is a key component in determining the take-home pay for government employees and pensioners. It functions as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and helps mitigate the impact of inflation. For instance, if DA increases by 2%, an entry-level employee with a basic salary of Rs 18,000 could expect an additional Rs 540 to Rs 720 per month. Meanwhile, a senior employee with a basic salary of Rs 50,000 might see an increase of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. This hike will provide much-needed relief from inflation, easing the burden of rising household expenses.

Conclusion

The 8th Pay Commission is a landmark step in revising the pay structure for government employees and pensioners. While the details are still being finalised, the possibility of a DA hike and adjustments to the fitment factor has everyone on edge.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Vishal Mega Mart Shares in Focus: 3 Months Shareholders Lock-In Ends

On March 17, 2025, retail chain operator Vishal Mega Mart shares are in focus as the company’s shareholder lock-in period expires. As per news reports, the 3-month lock-in period will end on Monday, releasing 15.38 crore shares of the company for trading. These shares account for 3% of Vishal Mega Mart’s total outstanding equity.

It’s important to note that the expiration of the lock-in period does not imply that all the shares will be sold in the market, but rather that they will become eligible for trading.

MF Holdings in Vishal Mega Mart

As of the end of December 2024, India’s domestic Mutual Funds held an 8.66% stake in Vishal Mega Mart, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) owned 6.58%. Vishal Mega Mart also had 9.13 lakh retail shareholders, or those with authorized share capital up to ₹2 lakh, as of December 31, 2024, making up 4.52% of the total.

Vishal Mega Mart Share Price Performance

On March 17, 2025, Vishal Mega Mart share price opened at ₹99.10 and touched the day high of ₹102.90 at 10:40 AM. Despite correcting from its post-listing high, Vishal Mega Mart’s shares have managed to retain some of their gains. Still, the stock remains 25% above its IPO price of ₹79, finishing 1.6% lower on Thursday at ₹99.95.

Vishal Mega Mart Management Take on Q3FY25 Earnings

Commenting on the results, Mr. Gunender Kapur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said: “The last quarter was a milestone quarter for us with the successful completion of our IPO. We deeply thank our shareholders for their trust in us. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to every stakeholder— employees, customers, business partners, and advisors—whose efforts contributed to the success of our IPO listing.

Despite subdued demand conditions in the consumer industry, we delivered a robust financial performance, achieving revenue growth of 19.5% in Q3FY25 and 19.4% in 9MFY25 taking the revenue from operations to ₹31,359 million and ₹81,685 million respectively. Our profit after tax grew by 27.9% in Q3FY25 to ₹2,627 million and by 29.0% in 9MFY25 to ₹5,169 million. We focus on the middle and lower-middle-income groups in India, representing the largest consumer segment in India.

Our consumer-centric approach, coupled with an enhanced consumer value proposition, a unique merchandise mix at attractive price points, and enhanced in-store experience, has helped drive strong SSSG of 10.5% in Q3FY25 and 11.3% in 9MFY25. With 668 stores operational across India, we continue to strategically expand our footprints, with a focus on tapping the large underserved organized retail market across geographies.”

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Ather Energy Re-Files for DRHP With SEBI to Float IPO

Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has re-filed for its initial public offering (IPO), which was initially scheduled for earlier this year. The company received approval for its IPO plans from the market regulator in the last week of December 2024. Now, Ather is hopeful that market conditions will improve by May, with the company targeting a listing by the end of March.

Sale of Stake by Key Personnel

Aether Energy IPO will see Ather’s founders, Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, as well as key investors like the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF) and Tiger Global Management’s Internet Fund III, selling a portion of their stakes. However, Hero MotoCorp, which holds more than 37% of Ather, will not participate in the share sale.

Aether Energy: A Unicorn

In August 2024, Ather raised ₹600 crores in its most recent fundraising round. During this round, Flipkart founder Sachin Bansal sold his stake in the company, part of which was purchased by Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath in a personal capacity. Following this funding round, Ather’s valuation surpassed ₹10,000 crores, granting the company Unicorn status.

Aether Energy Sales Performance

Despite a slowdown in demand within India’s electric two-wheeler market, Ather Energy has managed to grow its sales by 20%. In February, electric vehicle (EV) two-wheeler sales dropped by 8% year-on-year, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Nonetheless, Ather’s growth outpaced the market, though its competitor Ola Electric recorded a higher growth rate of 52% in the same period.

For FY24, Ather Energy reported revenues of ₹1,753 crores.

Ather’s IPO would make it the second pure-play Indian electric vehicle manufacturer to go public, following Ola Electric’s IPO last year. Ola’s listing marked a significant milestone for the sector, though the company’s stock performance has since struggled.

Conclusion

As Ather Energy prepares for its public offering, it will be interesting to see how it fares in a fluctuating market and whether it can replicate the success of its electric vehicle peers in India.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

KPIT Tech Shares in Focus After Qualcomm Joins KPIT’s Joint Venture

On March 17, 2025, KPIT Technologies shares rose over 2%, reaching a day high of ₹1,245.00 at 09:40 AM after opening at ₹1,212.05. The gain in KPIT Tech shares follows the company’s announcement stating that Qualcom Ventures LLC, will be the third shareholder in Qorix GmbH, the Joint Venture company of KPIT Tech. The company’s exchange filing further stated that Qualcomm will have the option to increase its shareholding up to €10 million.

Qorix GmbH was initially a wholly-owned subsidiary of KPIT Tech before it became a 50:50 joint venture between KPIT Technologies and ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF), following ZF’s investment of €1.35 million. The joint venture was established to develop a world-class automotive middleware stack. The creation of the joint venture was approved by KPIT Technologies’ board in April 2023.

Scope of Partnership

This partnership is expected to drive the industry’s transition to Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), providing high-performance, pre-integrated, and scalable solutions to help OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers accelerate the development of next-generation vehicles.

As part of the investment, Qualcomm will also have the right to appoint one member to the advisory board of Qorix. The promoters and promoter group of KPIT Tech have no interest in Qorix GmbH, and this is not considered a related-party transaction.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Tata Motors Shares in Focus: Plans to Raise Upto ₹2,000 Crore

Tata Motors Ltd., a prominent manufacturer of both domestic and commercial vehicles, announced that it has decided to convene a board meeting on Wednesday, March 19, to discuss a proposal to raise to ₹2,000 crore. The funds will be raised through the issuance of rated, listed, unsecured, redeemable, Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on a private placement basis. The board had previously approved the fund-raising plan in March and May of last year.

Use of Funds

The raised funds are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, research and development, capacity expansion, and working capital needs. The March 19 meeting is anticipated to provide more details about the terms and conditions of the NCD issuance, such as the coupon rate and maturity period.

Tata Motors Sales Performance

Tata Motors’ domestic and international sales for February 2025 totalled 79,344 vehicles, down from 86,406 units in February 2024. Domestic sales of MH&ICV, which include trucks and buses, were 15,940 units in February 2025, compared to 16,227 units in the same month last year. Total sales for Tata Motors’ MH&ICV Domestic & International Business, including trucks and buses, stood at 16,693 units in February 2025, slightly higher than 16,663 units in February 2024.

For Q3 FY25, Tata Motors Group’s global wholesale sales, including Jaguar Land Rover, reached 341,791 units, a 1% increase compared to Q3 FY24. Global wholesales of Tata Motors’ commercial vehicles and Tata Daewoo range in Q3 FY25 were 97,535 units, reflecting a 1% decrease from Q3 FY24.

Global wholesales of Tata Motors’ passenger vehicles in Q3 FY25 were 139,829 units, showing a 1% increase compared to Q3 FY24. Jaguar Land Rover’s global wholesales reached 104,427 vehicles, up by 3% from Q3 FY24. Jaguar wholesales for the quarter were 5,604 vehicles, while Land Rover wholesales totalled 98,823 vehicles.

Conclusion

Tata Motors plans to raise ₹2,000 crore via the issue of rated, listed, unsecured, redeemable, Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on a private placement basis. The fund will be deployed mainly for research and development, capacity expansion, and working capital needs On March 17, 2025, Tata Motors shares opened at ₹665.50 and touched the day high of ₹665.50 at 09:25 AM.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

IIFL Finance Received Board Approval to Raise ₹700 Crore Via NCDs

IIFL Finance, a diversified non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India engaged in loans and mortgages, along with its subsidiaries, has announced plans to raise up to ₹700 crore through secured, listed, rated, redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) via private placement.

Fundraising Details

The company disclosed in an exchange filing that the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors approved the issuance on March 13, 2025. The fundraising plan includes the issuance of 70,000 NCDs, with a green-shoe option allowing for an additional 27,500 NCDs in case of oversubscription.

The total issue comprises a base size of ₹425 crore, with an option to retain up to ₹275 crore in additional subscriptions, bringing the total to ₹700 crore. Each NCD has a face value of ₹1 lakh.

Additionally, IIFL Finance has introduced a 2% annual penalty interest for delayed coupon payments or principal redemption. This penalty will apply to any missed payments or to the outstanding principal in case of delay.

Earlier, on March 10, the company informed stock exchanges about the proposed NCD issuance. In a filing dated June 15, 2024, IIFL Finance also disclosed its plan to raise up to ₹10,000 crore through the private placement of NCDs.

IIFL Finance Q3FY25 Performance

For the quarter ending December 31, 2024, IIFL Finance reported a profit after tax of ₹82 crore (before non-controlling interest), reflecting an 85% decline year-on-year. In terms of core products, the home loan AUM grew by 19%, while MSME loan AUM increased by 31%.

However, microfinance AUM declined by 14% year-on-year, and gold loans saw a significant decrease of 39% compared to the previous year. Overall, the company’s loan AUM decreased by 8% year-on-year, totalling ₹71,410 crore.

Conclusion

IIFL Finance is taking strategic steps to raise ₹700 crore through the issuance of secured, listed, rated, redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs), which will help strengthen its financial position and support its growth initiatives.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Gold Hit $3,000 For the First Time Amid Geopolitical Instability

The continuous surge in gold prices has pushed the precious metal above the significant $3,000 per ounce threshold for the first time on March 14, 2025, driven by geopolitical and economic instability that has prompted investors to flock to the safe-haven asset.

On Friday, March 14, 2025, spot gold reached a historic $3,004.86 per ounce, marking its 13th all-time high in 2025. Prices have already risen by 14% this year, following a 27% increase in 2024.

Concerns over tariffs are fueling inflation fears and trade tensions, further driving investors toward gold as a hedge against risk.

At the same time, gold stocks in COMEX-approved warehouses reached a record 40.56 million ounces, as traders moved to cover their positions amid tariff-related uncertainty. However, inflows have slowed in recent weeks.

Federal Reserve Actions

Traders are now betting on U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, with expectations rising to three quarter-point reductions this year, up from two just days ago.

Since September, the Fed has cut rates by 100 basis points, pausing in January, but markets now anticipate further cuts starting in June. This has kept pressure on the dollar, a sharp contrast to the period when Trump’s protectionist policies bolstered the currency.

ETF Demand

According to February data from the World Gold Council, investor demand for gold is surging, with physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) seeing their largest weekly inflow since March 2022.

The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), the world’s largest gold-backed ETF, saw holdings rise to 907.82 metric tons by February 25, the highest level since August 2023.

Central Bank Demand

Gold’s rally is also being supported by increasing central bank demand. Analysts expect that continued strong buying in 2025 could drive prices to new records as countries stockpile the metal in response to economic uncertainty.

China’s gold reserves marked four consecutive months of buying in February. After an 18-month buying spree, the central bank paused for six months in 2024 before resuming purchases in November.

Given the persistent U.S. budget deficit, gold could potentially reach highs of around $3,500, according to a note from Macquarie. Goldman Sachs has raised its 2025 year-end target for gold to $3,100.

Central banks purchased over 1,000 tons of gold for the third consecutive year in 2024. In the final quarter of 2024, as Trump’s election win rattled markets, central bank buying surged 54% year-on-year, according to the World Gold Council’s latest report.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Did You Know RBI Decided the SGB Redemption Price at ₹8,624 Per Unit?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the redemption price for the final maturity of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) due on March 17, 2025, will be ₹8,624 per unit. “This price is determined based on the simple average of the closing gold price for the week of March 10-13, 2025,” the RBI stated.

The SGBs 2016-17 Series IV, issued on March 17, 2017, under the Union Government’s Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, are due for repayment after eight years from the date of issue. “As a result, the final redemption date for this tranche will be March 17, 2025,” the central bank explained.

“The redemption price of the SGB will be based on the simple average of the closing price of 999-purity gold for the week (Monday to Friday) preceding the redemption date, as published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited (IBJA),” the RBI noted.

What Are Sovereign Gold Bonds?

Launched in November 2015, Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are government securities denominated in grams of gold, offering an alternative to holding physical gold. Investors pay the issue price in cash, and the bonds are redeemed in cash upon maturity. The RBI issues these bonds on behalf of the government.

Govt Plans to End Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme

The government is contemplating the closure of the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme. Following the 2025 Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that the government is considering ending the SGB scheme in 2025. Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth further explained that SGBs have become an expensive borrowing method for the government. As a result, no further issuance of SGBs will occur in the future.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Is APAAR ID Compulsory in India? Check How to Apply

The Ministry of Education and the Government of India introduced the APAAR ID card in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to assign unique identification numbers to school students across India. Known as the ‘One Nation One Student ID Card,’.

Is APAAR ID Compulsory?

According to the government, the APAAR ID is not mandatory for students. However, it offers several benefits. The APAAR ID is connected to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and DigiLocker, an online platform where students can securely access important documents like exam results and academic credentials. The ID allows academic credits to be transferred directly from institutions and awarding bodies through the National Academic Depository. Serving as a single source of truth, the APAAR ID simplifies verification for transfers, entrance exams, admissions, and job applications.

How to Apply for APAAR ID Online?

To register for the APAAR ID, students must have a valid Aadhaar card and create an account on DigiLocker for e-KYC purposes. After obtaining parental consent, schools can begin the process of generating the APAAR ID card. Follow these steps for online registration:

  1. Visit the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC Bank) website.
  2. Click on ‘My Account’ and choose the ‘Student’ option.
  3. Select ‘Sign up’ and enter your mobile number, address, and Aadhaar details to create a DigiLocker account.
  4. Log in to your DigiLocker account using your credentials.
  5. When prompted, select ‘I agree’ to consent to sharing your Aadhaar details with ABC for KYC verification.
  6. Enter your academic details, such as school or university name, class, and course.
  7. Submit the form and your APAAR ID card will be generated.

Conclusion

The APAAR ID card keeps track of a student’s educational history, simplifies school transfers, and securely stores accessible records on DigiLocker. It also records course credits and grants access to government benefits through its integration with the ABC account.

 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.