In India, women have always played a key role in making decisions, particularly in the home-buying process and recent findings show that they are now increasingly making independent, individual property purchases, as per a recent study by ANAROCK. Around 69 per cent of the women are end-users - ones who actually use the product while investors are not far behind standing at 31 per cent. According to Anuj Puri, Chairman and managing director of ANAROCK, "With growing independence and higher disposable incomes, women are increasingly coming to the housing market as convinced investors." “Even more remarkable is their firm preference for housing over the other popular investment asset classes Indians gravitate to,” he added. As per the recent survey, 70 per cent of women prefer residential real estate for investment over the stock market meaning just 2 per cent of women prefer stock investment now compared to 20 per cent in 2022. "Considering the significant decline seen in the stock market in recent months in contrast to the bull run in 2022, women have unerringly picked the winning ticket in housing," says Puri. He further said, “The only other asset class that has seen a notable uptick on their wish list is gold, whose popularity among polled women investors has risen from 8 per cent in the H2 2022 survey to slightly over 12 per cent in the H2 2024 edition." The survey also tracks women home buyers' budget preferences where at least 52 per cent of women respondents preferred premium or luxury homes priced over Rs. 90 lakhs. In ANAKROCK’s H2 2022 survey, about 47 per cent of women respondents picked this budget category which shows a rise in preference. The study also showed that around 18 per cent of the women respondents prefer Demand newly launched properties against 10 per cent in 2022. Their preference for the instant gratification of ready-to-move-in homes has declined to 29% at present, from 48% two years ago. The study said that this new development shows a clear indicator of a strengthening investment approach among India's women property buyers. It also highlights that the fact that most new launches are by large and listed developers gives them the confidence to back cheaper under-construction properties with an eye on future profits.
27 February,2025 03:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing a period of high growth in both the Nifty 50 and Sensex indices, the Indian Stock market was hit with steep corrections since late September 2024, causing uncertainty among investors. Despite the stock market's volatility, while retail and short-term investors react to volatility with caution, institutional investors such as large funds or organisations have continued to invest heavily in long-term opportunities in Indian real estate. Five Nifty indices surged over 30% in 2024 with the Real Estate index securing the 4th spot, posting a strong 34.67% annual gain. One of the key drivers of this real estate interest is Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs), a method companies use to raise funds by issuing shares to institutional investors. In 2024, the fundraising momentum through QIPs in the real estate industry struck high notes, as per ANAROCK research. Research shows that the real estate sector remained a dominant contributor last year, with eight developers and one REIT collectively raising a total of Rs. 22,320 cr. “In short, robust financial positioning supports the massive influx of upcoming real estate developments”, says ANAROCK chairman Anuj Puri. A total of 99 issues across various sectors raised over Rs. 1,41,482 crore through QIPs hitting an all-time high in 2024, marking a 75% increase over the previous all-time high of Rs. 80,816 Cr back in 2020. "The real estate sector, including developers and REITs, ranked first in QIP fundraising both in terms of capital raised and the number of issues," says Puri. He further said, "Notably, we saw twice the number of QIP issues in 2024 than in the previous year. This sets a record for the highest number of issues in a single year. Institutional investors remain extremely bullish on the real estate sector's growth potential." In 2023, the real estate fundraising trend through QIPs was nil, which means that the real estate developers did not raise any funds via this route that year. QIPs are a faster and more cost-effective way for developers to raise capital than private equity and bank loans offering liquidity without excessive shareholder dilution and preserving ownership structures while enabling larger projects and investments. Collectively, these benefits accelerate project timelines allowing developers to execute ambitious expansion. According to Puri, “the overall volatility, particularly in H2 2024, suggests a mixed outlook for QIP funding in the real estate sector in 2025." "While tightening fiscal policies and global uncertainties may temper broader equity market sentiment, the strong performance of the Real Estate index despite volatility is a testament to sustained investor interest in the realty sector," he added. Investors seeking stability amid broader market fluctuations will see real estate as a good hedge against volatility, as per ANAROCK research.
13 February,2025 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian rupee held steady on Thursday, closing on a flat note with a slight rise of 1 paisa at 84.07 (provisional) against the US dollar. The currency’s performance was impacted by ongoing foreign fund outflows and demand for the dollar from importers at the month’s end. Forex traders noted that intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may have supported the rupee, helping it hold its ground at lower levels. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 84.08 against the dollar and remained within a tight trading range throughout the day, eventually closing at 84.07 (provisional), which marked an increase of 1 paisa from its previous close. On Wednesday, the rupee had depreciated by 3 paise, finishing at 84.08 against the US dollar. It has been hovering near record lows, reaching its lowest closing point of 84.10 earlier on October 11. According to Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, the month-end demand continued to keep the rupee close to its low. He also noted that the RBI was selling dollars, keeping the rupee within a specific range. Bhansali further commented that market volumes were lower due to a holiday in most trading centres, which contributed to the rupee’s stable but cautious stance against the dollar. Looking ahead to the upcoming week, which coincides with the US election period, Bhansali predicts the rupee to trade within a range of 84.00 to 84.20. In global markets, the dollar index, which measures the dollar’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, was 0.08 per cent lower, trading at 103.91. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures, the benchmark for international oil prices, edged up by 0.22 per cent to USD 72.71 per barrel. In the domestic equity markets, both the Sensex and Nifty experienced declines. The Sensex dropped by 553.12 points, or 0.69 per cent, to close at 79,389.06, while the Nifty slipped by 135.50 points, or 0.56 per cent, ending at 24,205.35. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to exit the capital markets, selling shares worth Rs 4,613.65 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. On the macroeconomic front, government data released on Wednesday showed that the output for eight key infrastructure sectors grew by 2 per cent in September, significantly lower than the 9.5 per cent growth observed in the same period last year. Additionally, India’s fiscal deficit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year reached 29.4 per cent of the full-year target, as reported by the Centre. (With inputs from PTI)
31 October,2024 04:34 PM IST | MumbaiA recent report by CREDAI-MCHI, the only Government-recognised body for private sector developers in MMR, has revealed a significant increase in housing sales in the region. Despite a challenging economic environment, the overall housing sales in MMR have risen by 5 per cent in FY 2024 compared to FY 2023, said the report. The report was released in partnership with CRE Matrix. It highlights a substantial surge in sales in certain regions, including South Mumbai, which saw a 41 per cent increase driven by the redevelopment of old buildings into luxury projects. Navi Mumbai followed with a 22 per cent increase in sales. However, the report also notes a 63 per cent rise in unsold inventory in Navi Mumbai, primarily due to the high volume of recent launches. Meanwhile, the average value of housing units across MMR has seen a steady rise, with a 4 per cent increase in FY 2024 compared to the previous fiscal year. As per the report, Bhiwandi, Thane City, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar, experienced a 7-12 per cent appreciation in apartment values, while the Rest of Palghar region saw an 25 per cent increase. While Central Mumbai recorded a 12 per cent drop in unsold inventory, the overall MMR region saw a modest 5 per cent increase in unsold units compared to FY 2023, indicating a balanced demand and supply scenario, said the report. ED raids Mumbai-based business group; luxury cars, watches among seized assets ED raided a Mumbai-based business group on Wednesday in an alleged Rs 975 crore bank loan fraud linked money laundering case, reported PTI. The searches were undertaken against Mandhana Industries Limited (now GB Global Ltd.) and its promoters, the federal agency said in a statement. As per the report, luxury cars like Mercedes Benz and Lexus, and watch brands like Rolex and Hublot apart from more than 140 bank accounts and lockers were seized after the raid. The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR filed against the company, its directors Purushottam Mandhana, Manish Mandhana, Biharilal Mandhana and others based on a complaint filed by the Bank of Baroda for allegedly defrauding a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 975.08 crore, according to the statement issued on Thursday. Mandhana Industries Ltd and its directors "hatched a criminal conspiracy" to cause loss to banks and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves by "diverting" loan funds through fraudulent transactions and circular trading, it said. In the searches conducted, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that it unearthed "crucial incriminating" documents including property documents More than 140 bank accounts, five lockers and shares and securities worth Rs 5 crore have been frozen. Addiionally, three high-end cars, including a Lexus and a Mercedes Benz, along with multiple watches of brands like Rolex and Hublot were seized during the raids, the ED said. "Various fictitious entities were incorporated by the directors of Mandhana Industries Ltd. in the name of employees of the company for layering funds through the bank accounts of such entities. Suspicious third-party transactions were made to divert funds to the accounts of promoter/directors and their family members and bogus purchases were booked against payments made to different entities providing accommodation (hawala) entries," it alleged.
02 July,2024 10:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
