GOLD LOANS IN INDIA
Sector rotation underway: 3 themes to watch for your portfolio, says Devang Mehta
India's stock markets are experiencing a sector rotation, with consumption stocks like tobacco and alcobev surging after years of quiet. Investors who missed the recent Nifty rally are advised to focus on three key themes: financialization of savings, capital expenditure and infrastructure, and consumption, particularly the automobile sector, for sustained growth over the next two to three years.
ET Family Business Awards: Muthoot FinCorp's journey from a modest Kerala based player to a national giant
Muthoot FinCorp, a family business with roots tracing back to 1887, has evolved into a nationwide financial services player, earning the ET Family Business of the Year-Large award. The company's success is attributed to its diversification, digital transformation, and expanded credit access, reflecting nearly 140 years of growth and adaptation.
Investing in ability and quality of balance sheet? 5 large-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 29%
Predicting the movement of the Nifty and Sensex is a fool’s task. Thursday’s trading on the market only underlines this truism. And it is in times of uncertainty that we tend to gravitate towards large-cap stocks because, over the long term, they do create wealth. But there is one more, equally compelling, reason why they should be preferred to mid- and small-cap stocks, especially in a phase where there is a time-wise correction – the kind where markets do not fall sharply but simply refuse to move higher for extended periods.
Coal India, NMDC emerge as must-watch mining plays as spot prices surge, says Motilal Oswal's Siddhartha Khemka
India's mining and metals sectors show strong opportunity with surging coal and iron ore prices, benefiting Coal India and NMDC. Private banks are outperforming PSUs due to NIM recovery, with SBI and ICICI Bank as top picks. The auto sector saw robust Q4 volume growth, while consumption remains mixed with jewellery and liquor showing resilience.
Can AI fix your credit score? Krutrim shuts down assistant Kruti
Happy Thursday! Fintechs are building AI solutions to help boost the creditworthiness of borrowers. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Capital market stocks: Time to change strategy? 10 stocks from different parts of the ecosystem
The capital market infrastructure sector has grown into a full-fledged, publicly-traded ecosystem. Today, investors can pick from exchanges, depositories, registrar and transfer agents, commodity platforms, and at least five asset management companies. All of them listed, all of them profitable, and all of them with the same structural tailwind: The financialisation of Indian household savings. But have we reached a stage where the strategy needs a re-look?
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Gold loans soar in India, but it’s southern households leading the charge
Gold loans in India have surged fourfold since March 2022, becoming the second-largest retail credit segment. Southern states, led by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, continue to dominate originations, accounting for over half the market. While the south remains the core, emerging regions like Uttar Pradesh are showing significant growth from a lower base.

Sammaan Capital sells Rs 5,000 crore loan portfolio to stressed loan aggregator Arcil
Sammaan Capital sold a ₹5,000 crore stressed loan portfolio to Arcil at about a 52% discount, valuing it near ₹2,400 crore in one of the largest such deals of the year. The portfolio includes real estate and mortgage-linked loans that are delayed but not yet classified as NPAs.

These 10 private and public banking stocks have an upside potential of up to 30% in one year, according to analysts
As far as fundamentals are concerned, most banks have continued to show improvement on critical parameters like NPAs. But if inflation rises and impacts credit growth (which has been an area of some concern), these stocks could take a hit. Now, why we are talking about inflation is obvious: Rising crude oil prices. That’s bad news for the Indian economy and the markets. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components ,earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum, to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.

Gold loan delinquency rates send red signal
Borrowers with more than ₹2.5 lakh outstanding showed a delinquency rate of 1.5% at the end of December, about 2.2x higher than those with lower exposures, the credit information company said in a report. The delinquency rate was higher at 1.9% for those accumulating more than five loans.

Gold Loan: Borrowers with big exposure more prone to default, says TransUnion Cibil report
India’s gold loan market is seeing rising stress as borrowers take larger and multiple loans, pushing up delinquency rates and credit risk, according to TransUnion CIBIL. Nearly half of borrowers now have loans above ₹2.5 lakh—where defaults are over twice as high, often with multiple borrowings. While the segment is growing rapidly, lenders are being urged to look beyond collateral and assess overall borrower debt and repayment capacity more carefully.

These large-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of up to 25%
It is tough to think positively about the markets when all the news is about blockades, wars, and everything that can disturb the global economy. But remember this: Whatever its intensity or length, there is enough historical evidence to show that markets have a greater probability of trading at a higher level a few months after a war. And no war in the Gulf has dragged on. So, all one needs is patience – and the ability to think beyond the war.

RBI returns Ujjivan Small Finance Bank's application for universal bank licence
The Reserve Bank of India has returned Ujjivan Small Finance Bank's application to become a universal bank. The central bank cited the need for Ujjivan to diversify its loan portfolio. Ujjivan must now demonstrate a more varied asset base before reapplying.

CreditAccess Grameen looks to scale down microfinance growth, says MD & CEO Ganesh Narayanan
CreditAccess Grameen, a leading NBFC-MFI, is shifting focus from microfinance to secured lending like home loans. The company aims to become a Rs 50,000 crore entity by 2028, with a significant portion from retail finance. It is actively exploring acquisitions to accelerate growth in its secured business segment.

Manage short-term risk and volatility for long-term opportunity: 7 stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 32%
There will be many ifs and buts – and a high volatility quotient – when a market is in its initial phase of correction, especially a correction caused by a mix of many reasons. We will only know a bottom has been formed much after it has been formed. And anyone who claims they know when and where the bottom will be formed will most likely be proven wrong. So, rather than thinking about where the Nifty or the Sensex will be at the end of this phase of correction, focus on what to look for in the midst of the volatility.

Indian household gold higher than gold reserves of world's top 10 central banks: Assocham
India’s households now hold more gold than the top 10 central banks combined, with estimates ranging from $2.4 trillion to $10 trillion. Assocham says this vast, largely idle wealth could be a major economic catalyst if channelled into formal systems through monetisation, gold-backed lending and financialisation

India’s household gold holdings now much larger than combined gold reserves of top 10 central banks: ASSOCHAM
India's household gold holdings are now the world's largest, surpassing central bank reserves. ASSOCHAM says that channeling even a small portion into financial assets could add trillions to India's GDP by 2047. This move would strengthen manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture, boosting the economy through increased consumption and job creation.

These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 25% return in 1 year, according to analysts
Over the next few trading sessions, the direction of indices like the Nifty and Sensex will be determined by news on ceasefire violations and the US-Iran talks. But what will finally decide the market’s trend will be earnings – and the biggest factor impacting earnings is the price of crude oil. So, if there is a flash about a ceasefire violation, but crude oil prices don’t react adversely, then maybe one should wait it out.

Time to increase the risk quotient? Maybe, but selectively: 5 large-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 28%
With Israel refusing to play ball and Iran maintaining its vice-like hold on the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire declared by US President Trump just a day ago already looks fragile. Little wonder, then, the market is not seeing any of the euphoria of Wednesday and is now under pressure once again. Of course, Thursday’s downmove could well be due to profit-booking after the big gains notched up yesterday. Either way, it is a time to be cautious and selective.

Women borrowers hold Rs 76 lakh crore credit portfolio: Report
The Aayog, in the report titled 'From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market', said that between December 2017 and December 2025, the number of credit-active women borrowers registered a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 per cent, while credit penetration among them increased from 19 per cent to 36 per cent.

These 8 private and public banking stocks have an upside of up to 28% in one year, according to analysts
The markets will react to the two-week conditional ceasefire announced by US President Trump and accepted by Iran, also conditionally. There are still many missteps that might occur and it remains to be seen how freely Iran permits ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. And, most importantly for the Indian markets, how crude oil prices react. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components ,earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum, to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.

Lenders' fields may yield less as collections wilt in summer
"Collections fell by about two percentage points last summer, and we expect a similar dip this year," said the head of a non-bank lender, who did not wish to be identified. "Field visits will reduce, and some customers may seek deferments as business activity slows. Collection should normalise once temperatures ease."

Rs 1.3 lakh income, Rs 1.2 crore house: 29-year-old techie debates buying vs renting amid EMI trap fears and layoffs
A 29-year-old tech professional earning ₹1.3 lakh a month has sparked an online discussion after sharing his confusion over buying a ₹1.2 crore home or continuing to rent. With a baby planned and his wife likely to take a career break, he is worried about managing a high EMI on a single income, especially amid ongoing IT layoff fears. While some users advised sticking to affordability limits or delaying the purchase, others suggested keeping gold as an emergency fund and reconsidering his avoidance of market investments.

These large-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of up to 25%
The official kickoff of the Q4 earnings season happens when a large IT company announces its results, although the quarter’s business updates have already started to roll in. Now, remember this: The Gulf war has affected every business in every country in the world, but the Q4 results will not entirely reflect its impact, as it escalated only in March. It is the Q1 FY27 results that will fully account for the spiked oil prices, the currency fluctuations, and, of course, the disruption in global supply chains. But, as they say, there is never a perfect time to invest; investing is a journey that one has to manage.

Senco Gold expects 30% revenue jump, profit doubling in FY26
Senco Gold & Diamonds anticipates a significant financial year ahead. Revenue is projected to surpass Rs 8,000 crore by March 2026, marking a substantial increase. Net profit is also expected to nearly double. The company plans to expand its store network, focusing on northern India. Strategies to manage gold price volatility and customer affordability are in place.

Gold loan NBFCs have enough buffer for now — but a second 15% price drop would test them: Fitch Ratings
Gold prices have dropped over 15%, but India's gold loan NBFCs remain stable due to strong collateral buffers. Fitch Ratings notes that a further 15-20% decline could strain risk controls, especially if borrower cash flows weaken. New RBI rules are expected to enhance sector stability by standardizing LTV calculations and loan tenors.

Gold loans are booming in India; loan originations soar 108% in value in December
Gold loans are booming, surging in both volume and value, driven by rising gold prices and increased originations. This trend positions gold loans as a major retail product, expanding beyond traditional areas into new regions. Lenders are focusing on credit-tested individuals, with women and rural consumers forming a significant base, indicating a mainstream shift for this lending category.

Risk off! Banks opting to lend to prime customers
Banks are now favouring borrowers with top credit scores. This shift reflects caution in lending. New customers are also getting fewer loans. Despite this, the overall credit market is improving. Asset quality is better. Gold loans are seeing a surge in volume and value. They now lead retail lending.
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