Market

SEBI Asks Details About Chinese Investments in Indian Securities

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market watchdog has notified the custodians to furnish details about the investments coming into the Indian markets from the Chinese sources. The custodians are to report the ultimate beneficiary of the FPIs (foreign portfolio investors) periodically and when they are asked to do so by SEBI.

SEBI would rarely ask for the ultimate beneficiary for investments coming in from a particular region. SEBI has sought this information on the back of the Indian Government clarifying that the regulator must inspect investments flowing from Hong Kong and China more closely. 

Initially, the SEBI’s objective was to enhance inspection only on the new investments. It later decided to inspect even the existing investments that have been routed into the Indian markets via China and Hong Kong. SEBI, in a communication to the custodians, has asked for the details of foreign investors with ultimate beneficiaries being from China and Hong Kong. 

The stock market indices across the world are down record levels on the back of the outbreak and spread of novel coronavirus. Also, many well-known stocks have hit their multi-year lows due to several countries being forced to go under lockdown to prevent further spread of the deadly virus, which has already taken the lives of thousands globally. 

Also Read: Sensex Drops 300 Points While Rupee Touches 76.44 a Dollar

Recently HDFC Ltd had notified that People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank of China, increased its holding in HDFC from 0.8% to 1.1% through open market operations. This development comes at a time when the share price of HDFC has fallen over 20% since the outbreak of coronavirus and the Chinese central bank substantially increasing its holdings in it.  

Overall, there are 16 Chinese FPIs registered in India and have invested around USD 1.1 billion in the bellwether stocks. The direct and indirect investments made by the Chinese is not known. China is one of the top ten jurisdictions that invest in India. SEBI and depositories reveal only the top ten regions investing in India. 

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at vineeth.nc@cleartax.in

Share

Recent Posts

Mutual Funds: SIP Inflows Breach Rs 19,000-Crore Mark for the First Time in February ’24

The systematic investment plan (SIP) contribution in February 2024 has crossed a new milestone. The monthly contribution tipped at Rs…

9 months ago

Income-Tax Return: A Brief Note on Annual Information Statement (AIS)

The Income-Tax (I-T) Department has directed taxpayers to access the Annual Information Statement (AIS) via the e-filing official portal and…

9 months ago

Mutual Funds: All About SIP and Market Fluctuations

Considering the vagaries of the stock market, investors often ponder over reevaluating their strategies. Whether to continue to remain invested…

9 months ago

Income-Tax Saving Through Strategic Life Insurance Planning

Financial planning is beyond just investing wisely to save on taxes; it's also related to protecting oneself and one's loved…

9 months ago

Income-Tax Return: Here’s a Note on Tax-Saving Avenues

A salaried individual earning up to Rs 5-15 lakh as net salary on an annual basis must first take stock…

9 months ago

A Quick Take on Equity-Linked Savings Scheme

Equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS), also referred to as tax-saving schemes, are equity funds that invest a significant portion of their…

9 months ago