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Sebi examines market slump for irregularities

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Market regulator Securities and exchanges board of India (Sebi) is examining Friday’s sharp moves in shares of Dewan Housing Finance Corp., Yes Bank Ltd and other lenders for possible trading irregularities, people with knowledge of the matter said. Sebi is looking into whether brokers and investors colluded during the sharp selloff and subsequent recovery in financial shares, the people said, asking not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The rout, which deepened Monday, has erased about $13 billion from the value of a gauge of financials.
The regulator is examining data from India’s two stock exchanges on which parties were buying and selling financial shares, and on the sequencing of the trades, the people said. The market regulator may launch a full investigation if it uncovers evidence of wrongdoing, the people added. A Sebi spokesman didn’t respond to a message and phone calls seeking comment. The move comes after Indian authorities and the central bank vowed to support markets spooked by growing concerns of defaults by shadow banks.
Volatility erupted in Indian equities on Friday after plunges in Dewan Housing and Yes Bank sparked a rout in financials. Dewan Housing tumbled as much as 60% before paring losses to end down 43%, while Yes Bank slumped as much as 34% before recovering to close down 29%. Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd slid as much as 35%. The market regulator is concerned that low trading volumes in financial stocks didn’t warrant the size of the share price swings, the people said. Sebi is also examining data to determine if trading took place based on unpublished pricesensitive information, they added.

Some of the lenders have briefed the stock exchange authorities on the slump, they said. Share losses in non-banking finance firms extended on Monday after Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd, a lender at the heart of India’s recent credit market woes, missed debt payments on Friday.
 
 
The Mint, 25th September 2018

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