IndusInd Bank’s promoter, Ashok Hinduja, has assured investors that the bank remains financially strong despite recent turbulence in its stock performance. He confirmed that the promoters are prepared to inject capital if needed, reiterating confidence in the institution’s ability to handle its ongoing challenges.

The reassurance follows a sharp decline in IndusInd Bank’s stock, which plummeted 26% on March 11, wiping out nearly Rs 18,000 crore from its market capitalization. The drop was triggered by concerns over discrepancies in the bank’s derivatives portfolio, which is expected to have a 2.35% impact on its net worth.

“Shareholders need not panic”

Speaking to the media, Hinduja emphasized that the bank remains in a strong financial position.

“Shareholders need not panic. These are routine issues. I understand the concern regarding the delay in communication, but banking is built on trust and integrity,” he stated.

Hinduja also reaffirmed confidence in the bank’s leadership, noting that IndusInd Bank has successfully navigated various challenges over its 30-year history.

“We’ve seen IndusInd Bank through various challenges, and they have been handled effectively. This issue, too, will be resolved,” he added.

Capital adequacy remains strong

Despite the market reaction, Hinduja reiterated that the bank remains well-capitalized. He clarified that while the promoters are willing to inject fresh capital if necessary, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio stands above 15%, and there is currently no immediate concern.

“If there’s a need for capital raise, the promoter is ready to inject funds. We are awaiting approval from the regulator. However, as of now, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio is above 15%, and there are no concerns.”

Market reaction and leadership concerns

The decline in stock value was further exacerbated by brokerages downgrading IndusInd Bank following the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to approve a one-year extension for MD & CEO Sumant Kathpalia—shorter than expected.

On March 10, IndusInd Bank disclosed that an internal review had revealed discrepancies in its derivatives portfolio, which could impact its net worth by approximately Rs 1,500 crore. However, the final impact is still subject to an external review.

Hinduja assured that the bank’s board and management are fully equipped to manage the situation, adding that similar challenges have been faced by banks worldwide.

“The board and management are capable of resolving these issues,” he stated.

As IndusInd Bank navigates the current volatility, investors are closely monitoring further developments regarding its derivatives portfolio review and capital injection plans.

The Indian stock market witnessed a sharp downturn on Friday as the benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled 1,032.99 points or 1.38% to 73,579.44 in morning trade. The heavy selloff led to a staggering erosion of Rs 7.46 lakh crore in investor wealth, following a similar downtrend in global equities.

The primary trigger for this massive slump was renewed tariff threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, raising fears of a fresh global trade war. Persistent foreign fund outflows further dented investor sentiment.

Market bloodbath: Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank among biggest losers

Several heavyweight stocks bore the brunt of the market meltdown. Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Maruti, HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Titan were the top losers on the Sensex.

However, a few stocks managed to withstand the storm, with Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and Adani Ports emerging as the only gainers.

Global turmoil adds to the pressure

Asian markets mirrored the downtrend, with Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong all trading deep in the red. Meanwhile, the U.S. market slumped to a five-month low as Treasury yields surged in response to Trump’s tariff announcement.

Vikas Jain, Head of Research at Reliance Securities, noted that “the U.S. market fell sharply, with a significant rise in Treasury yields, following Trump’s fresh tariff threats.”

Uncertainty rattles investors as FIIs pull out Rs 556 crore

Market analysts pointed out that investors have been wary of uncertainty, which has only intensified with Trump’s return to power. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, highlighted that Trump’s strategy has often involved threatening tariffs early in his presidency before negotiating favorable trade deals for the U.S.

Adding to the concerns, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out Rs 556.56 crore from Indian equities on Thursday, as per exchange data.

Crude oil prices slide as global concerns mount

The impact of global economic jitters extended to the commodity market, with Brent crude slipping 0.51% to $73.66 per barrel.

As markets brace for further volatility, investors will be closely monitoring China’s response to the latest round of U.S. tariffs, which could determine the trajectory of the ongoing global selloff.

Asmita Jitesh Patel, a director of the well-known Asmita Patel Global School of Trading Pvt Ltd, appears to have constructed her business empire through exaggerated claims and false promises of effortless wealth.

One of the most troubling aspects of her approach was the irresponsible advice given to participants in her courses and workshops, including urging them to borrow money for trading and to quit their jobs to pursue trading full-time.

On February 6, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) froze illegal profits totalling nearly ₹54 crore and demanded that the school and its directors explain why approximately ₹104 crore in fees should not be confiscated.

SEBI officials found that representatives from the school, including Patel, cited numerous examples of individuals abandoning their jobs and achieving remarkable success after taking her courses or following her trading strategies. For instance, it was claimed that a vice president of a large company increased his trading capital from ₹30 lakh to ₹3 crore, a chartered accountant boosted his capital from ₹30 lakh to ₹12 crore, and an engineer left his job to become a full-time trader, accumulating ₹80 lakh in trading capital.

The SEBI order highlighted that “students/investors/participants were encouraged to leave their jobs and join MPAT (a course offered by her institute) in order to achieve significant success.” Participants were even advised to withdraw from mutual fund investments or to use borrowed money if they lacked sufficient capital. In a recorded conversation with a course participant, Patel suggested borrowing for trading, recommending that the interest rate not exceed 18 per cent.

Over multiple discussions, stock trading was portrayed as a lucrative business with continuous profits. One student was told to anticipate returns of 35-40 per cent, and the risk-reward ratio was touted as 1:3, among other enticing figures.

While SEBI regulations allow minors to hold demat and trading accounts, the operation of these accounts requires the involvement of a guardian, and trading accounts can only be used for selling securities acquired through gifts, transfers, or regulatory directives. According to SEBI’s guidelines, “a minor cannot enter into a contract with a stock broker to buy or sell any security.”

In one video, Patel downplayed the necessity of understanding financial markets or statements, stating that even someone with a basic education who could perform simple arithmetic could invest in stocks.

Patel frequently referred to herself using grandiose titles, dubbing herself the “She Wolf of the stock market” and the “options queen,” asserting that her strategies could yield returns of up to 300 per cent. However, SEBI’s investigation revealed that from 2019 to January 2024, the school and Patel registered trading profits of merely ₹12.28 lakh.

She also claimed to manage portfolios totalling ₹140 crore and oversee funds worth ₹283 crore, but the investigation indicated these figures were grossly inflated. The actual turnover from the trades associated with her accounts and the school was just over ₹15.27 crore, a fraction of her claim regarding the ₹140 crore portfolio.

SEBI concluded that Patel’s assertions about managing a substantial portfolio “appear completely false and were likely made to entice participants to various courses.”

Furthermore, the agreements signed by clients and students enrolling in her programs contained peculiar clauses, one of which stated that any loss in trading capital during the program would not affect the participant’s “mental stability, physical health, and social well-being.”

The agreements included a disclaimer asserting that the institute does not endorse get-rich-quick schemes, emphasizing a belief in hard work and value addition. However, SEBI’s preliminary findings suggested that “despite disclaimers in the agreements with students/investors/participants asserting that it was not a get-rich program and that no returns were guaranteed, the actual circumstances stood in stark contrast.”