Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Managers feel state of economy impacting job decisions: Study

New Delhi, May 12 As many as three in every four middle-level managers in Indian companies feel the state of the economy is having some impact on their job related decisions, with most of them saying they will stay at their current position until the situation improves, says a study.

According to the study by global consultancy firm Accenture, about 75 per cent of middle managers surveyed feel the state of economy is having some effect on their job related decisions with most saying they would like a new job but would stay in their current position until the economy improves.

Further, one in every five respondents said they are taking steps to improve the security of their jobs, such as working harder or longer hours.

The survey also pointed out that 50 per cent of middle-level managers in the country were extremely satisfied working at their current organisations, while nearly 42 per cent surveyed middle managers say they are only somewhat satisfied.

"Significantly, more middle managers who are not interested in another job are highly satisfied with their current organizations (83 per cent versus 49 per cent considering and 18 per cent looking)," the study, 'Middle Managers Outlook: India', noted.

The study by the global consultancy firm revealed that nearly two-thirds of middle managers would consider another job, but are not actively looking.

The Accenture study was conducted in October last year, to assess middle managers' outlook on their current job situations. A total of 156 web-based interviews were conducted by the firm in the country.

Interestingly, over half of the middle managers (53 per cent) in India feel job dissatisfaction stems primarily from insufficient pay or benefits, followed by two-in-three (40 per cent) who feel dissatisfaction is due to lack of prospects or advancement, the survey revealed.

One-third are dissatisfied due to insufficient training, inflexible work hours, the inability to balance work and life and a lack of challenge.

About 46 per cent selected insufficient compensation for one the most frustrating aspects of the job.

About two-in-five or fewer are frustrated by other areas, including: not getting credit for the work I do, increasing workload, no clear career path, inflexible work hours and insufficient training.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Global trademark registration touches one-million mark

New Delhi, May 11 : The international trademark registration touched the one-million mark this month, more than a century after the first trademark was registered by a Swiss chocolate maker.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the UN body which registers trademark, said the growing number of registrations reflects an increasing awareness among the general public and the business community.

“Trademarks and the branding efforts help consumers make informed choices about the products they buy,” WIPO Director General, Mr Francis Gurry said in a statement on Monday.

The trademarks are registered at the WIPO under its Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.

“They (trademarks) are extremely valuable commercial assets. WIPO’s international trademark registration system is a cost-effective, user-friendly and streamlined means by which businesses operating internationally can protect and manage their trademark portfolio,” Mr Gurry further said.

Madrid System offers a trademark owner the possibility to have his trademark protected in several countries by simply filing one application directly with his own national or regional trademark office.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

FIIs bring Rs 3,614 cr in 5 days; accounts 91% of 2009 inflow

New Delhi, May 10: In just five trading sessions this month, the Indian equity market saw foreign investments to the tune of Rs 3,614 crore, accounting for 91 per cent of the overall purchases so far this year.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have pumped in a net of Rs 3,614 crore in equities in May, which saw the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex breaching the psychological 12,000-level, the highest in the last seven months.

Last week, FIIs made a gross purchase of equities worth Rs 14,447 crore and sold equities valued Rs 10,832 crore, resulting in net investment of Rs 3,614 crore, as per the data available with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India.

So far this year, FIIs have made a gross purchase of equities worth Rs 1,35,692 crore and sold equities valued at Rs 1,31,721 crore, resulting in net investment of Rs 3,970 crore, Sebi data shows.

The previous week also recorded the biggest weekly infusion by the FIIs in the current calendar year. With a bulk investment of Rs 1,491.10 crore in a single day, FIIs remained net purchasers in equities in the remaining days.

However, analysts believe buying equities by the FIIs last week was just momentary as there was no specific reason to bring back their confidence.

"There was heavy buying by FIIs in a single day and on the other days they made normal investments. This week they would square-off their positions and wait for clarity for the general election results on May 16," Arun Kejriwal Head of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services said.

After pulling out a hefty Rs 52,987 crore from the Indian stock markets in 2008, which saw the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex plunging 51 per cent, FIIs have turned net buyers during the last week of April.

The Sensex has gained over 23 per cent so far this year to touch 12,134.75 points, the highest level in the past seven months.

Indicating a revival in the stock market, the flight of FIIs back to the Indian markets saw an infusion of Rs 6,508 crore in the capital market in April alone, the highest monthly infusion so far this year.

An analysis of the data of foreign investment shows that the confidence of FIIs in the Indian equities started to build in the month of March, when they made a net investment of Rs 530 crore in stocks.

However, the investment was significantly less as compared to Rs 6,681 crore sell-off by them in the first two months of 2009.

"FIIs would be selling now as prices have gone up too soon. This week they will refrain from making any large scale purchases and would resort to selective profit booking," Unicon Financial Intermediaries chief executive Gajendra Nagpal said.

Top 10 firms add Rs 40,000 cr, RIL leads pack of gainers

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) The country's 10 most valued firms added over Rs 40,000 crore to their market capitalisations last week, with Reliance Industries accounting for over one-third of the total gain.

The 10 most valued firms added Rs 41,538 crore to their valuation last week, taking the total market capitalisation of the elite club to Rs 12,89,157 crore at the end of trade on Friday.
Last week, valuation of the club, comprising four private and six public sector entities, was at Rs 12,47,619 crore.

Corporate behemoth RIL added Rs 14,841 crore to its market cap last week, taking its valuation to Rs 2,98,549 crore. The valuation of the Mukesh Ambani-led firm was at Rs 2,83,709 crore a week ago. Shares of RIL surged over five per cent to end at Rs 1,897 on the Bombay Stock Exchange last week.

However, amid overall gain in the broader market, three firms, NTPC, BHEL and ITC, lost a combined Rs 777 crore in a week.At the end of Friday's trade, power utility NTPC witnessed an erosion of Rs 289 crore from its valuation to Rs 1,56,499 crore. BHEL lost Rs 206 crore and FMCG major ITC Rs 283 crore.

Besides, mining giant NMDC gained Rs 12,667 crore during the week and moved up four places to the fifth slot in the premier club. NMDC's valuation stood at Rs 90,950 crore at the end of trade last week.

State-run oil major Oil and Natural Gas Corp added Rs 3,721 crore and MMTC gained Rs 3,830 crore in their valuation, respectively. The market cap of ONGC, the most valued PSU entity, stood at Rs 1,88,840.83 crore.

Besides, telecom services provider Bharti Airtel and State Bank of India added Rs 3,435 crore and Rs 3,012.5 crore, respectively, to their valuation last week. IT bellwether Infosys added Rs 807 crore to its valuation and dropped by a notch to the sixth place in the top-10 club.

Apart from the 10 most valued firms, two private sector lenders, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank, added Rs 4,770 crore and Rs 1,820.62 crore, respectively, last week. ICICI Bank's and HDFC Bank's market capitalisation stood at Rs 53,186 crore and Rs 46,821 crore, respectively.

RIL, the numero-uno in the list, is followed by ONGC (Rs 1,88,840 crore), NTPC (Rs 1,56,498 crore), Bharti Airtel (Rs 1,45,671 crore), NMDC (Rs 90,950 crore), Infosys (Rs 87,148 crore), MMTC (Rs 85,624 crore), SBI (Rs 84,131 crore), BHEL (Rs 80,650 crore), ITC (Rs 71,091 crore).

Thursday, May 7, 2009

IPL team Deccan Chargers seeks trademark rights

New Delhi, May 7 : Deccan Chargers, one of the Indian Premier League’s franchises, has filed multiple applications before Government authorities seeking exclusive trademark rights for its name.

“The Deccan Chargers have filed for trademark protection in multiple classes aiming for an expanded brand portfolio” Kochhar & Co Partner Rodney D. Ryder, who is legal adviser to the Deccan Chargers, said.

The application, filed by Deccan Chargers Sporting Ventures Pvt Ltd, for the exclusivity of trademarks has been sought under various categories, including Class 25 (deals with clothing, footwear) and Class 28 (games, playthings), Ryder added.

Interestingly, the trademark rights are not only limited to the sports-related classes but the firm is also seeking exclusivity of the brand under many other classes, including tobacco, smokers’ article, beers, coffee tea, sugar and bread.
“(Trademark) protection helps ensure exclusivity and protect ownerships rights. The brand is more valuable when protected. Business partners, franchisees, customers, all know that the rights are exclusive,” Ryder further said.

Significantly, the Essel group-promoted Indian Cricket League (ICL) has also sought trademark of its different brands before the government authorities.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the apex governing body for the sport in the country, has objected to dozens of twenty-twenty related trademark applications filed by Essel Sports Private Ltd.Essel Sports is a part of Subhash Chandra-led Zee group, which is the force behind the ICL.

The ICL runs parallel to the BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL), although both the leagues conduct cricket tournaments in the 20-20 format, where each team is allowed to play for 20 overs.

The two groups have been often clashed over issues ranging from contracting of players to telecast rights and the latest showdown seems to be on trademarks.

The BCCI has now opposed Essel’s move to get registered in its (Essel) name various trademarks involving phrases like Twenty-Twenty and its many other combinations, as per the information available from the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks under the ministry of commerce and industry

Sunday, May 3, 2009

FIIs turn net investors in 2009, inject Rs 356 cr in equities

New Delhi May 3: Foreign Instituional Investors (FIIs) have emerged as net buyers in the Indian stock markets after a one year face-off, with net investment of Rs 356 crore in the first four months of the year.

So far this year, FIIs have made a gross purchase of equities worth Rs 1,21,245 crore and sold equities valued at Rs 1,20,888 crore, resulting in net investment of Rs 356 crore, as per the data available with the market regulator Sebi.

After pulling out a hefty Rs 52,987 crore from the Indian stock markets in 2008, which saw the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex plunging 51 per cent, FIIs have turned net buyers at the end of Wednesday's trade.

"Risk aversion has reduced and FIIs have started showing confidence in India. They know that the India growth story is intact and in long run the market is going to give better returns," SMC Global Vice President Rajesh Jain said.

Analysts say strenghtening of Rupee against the US greenback in the last one month signals that the flow of foreign funds are coming back to the country.

The rupee, which had touched a high of Rs 52 against the US dollar, has now appreciated and is hovering around Rs 49 a dollar mark.

"The US dollar is getting weaker as the FIIs, sensing a turn around, are now focussing on the emerging economies as their investment destination," Mr. Jain added.