The government's decision to accept all the major recommendations of the Shyamala Gopinath committee that reviewed the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) will bring in major changes in the country's canvas of fixed-income securities.

The Reserve Bank on Tuesday said non-resident investors will be allowed to invest up to $10 billion in Infrastructure Debt Funds , a move that will help in channelising funds for the infra sector which needs about $1 trillion during the 12th Plan period (2012-17).

Debt funds, which invest in a range of debt and fixed-income securities of different maturities and credit quality, protect you from equity market volatility and offer decent returns. This could be the best time to bolster your portfolio with debt funds.

Company deposits and NCDs offer more than bank deposits with slightly higher risk.

Get equity-linked returns by investing in structured products that protect your capital when stock markets fall.

Like any listed company, a rating agency must deliver consistent revenue growth and keep its shareholders happy. Many in the industry argue that, given the lack of a sizeable debt market, agencies look beyond their core business and end up grading business schools, IPOs, MFIs, real estate projects and even hospitals. Is the lack of a vibrant debt market in the country spelling trouble for the industry?

A leaked US diplomatic cable says the Ruias-led Essar Group, which has mining interests in Chhattisgarh, pays protection money to Maoists to safeguard its operations in the state.

Gold financing company Muthoot Finance on Monday said it plans to raise about Rs 6,000 crore in the current fiscal to meet working capital requirements.

The NCD issue with three investment options and effective yield of up to 12.25 per cent per annum opens on August 23 and closes on September 5, 2011.

Non-convertible debentures offer 2-3 percentage points more in interest than bank fixed deposits for a slight increase in risk.

Earlier this month, Essar Shipping, Port and Logistics (ESPLL) completed the demerger process for hiving off the company into two entities - Essar Ports Ltd and Essar Shipping Ltd.

In a bid to boost investment in the infrastructure sector, the Reserve Bank on Friday hiked the limit on FII investment in listed non-convertible debentures and bonds issued by core segment companies.

RBI has asked non-banking financial companies to strictly adhere to KYC norms and monitor transactions of their customers to ensure they are not being used as money mules.

The company in a statement said it is \"expecting to sign deal to acquire Stanlow - UK's second biggest refinery - from Shell over the next 10 days, by March 31.\"

The Essar Group said it has pre-paid Rs 4,230 crore raised by subsidiary Essar Communications Holdings Ltd a year ago.

The measures, jointly proposed by the finance ministry and department of industrial policy and promotion will also make exit norms stiffer for foreign firms investing in the sector.

The public issue of secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures of Rs 5,000 face value each will open for subscription on February 24 and close on March 22.

The real estate firm settled the entire amount it had borrowed from a clutch of investors in three tranches, 17 days ahead of the deadline set by Delhi High Court.

The SC was hearing the market regulator's petition against an Allahabad High Court-order staying Sebi's ban on two Sahara group firms from raising funds from the public.

The loans scam grabbed eyeballs in late Nov as the CBI arrested officers of banks and housing finance companies. But the more disturbing instances that have come to light are of companies raising deposits claiming approval from one regulator or the other.