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Comprehensive Guide to Capital Markets, Insider Trading, and Regulatory Framework

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Overview of Capital Markets and Key Concepts

Capital markets consist of various participants and instruments classified broadly into the primary market (new issue market) and secondary market (where buying and selling happen among investors). Important concepts include:

  • Financial Market Instruments: Equity shares, preference shares, debentures, foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCB), foreign currency exchangeable bonds (FCEB), Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs), municipal bonds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), Options, Futures, and Derivatives.
  • Market Participants: Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Anchor Investors, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Portfolio Managers, Investment Advisers, Credit Rating Agencies.

SEBI and Regulatory Environment

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the primary regulatory authority focusing on investor protection, market regulation, and development. Key functions include:

  • Registering intermediaries like merchant bankers, stock brokers, custodians, and portfolio managers.
  • Regulating insider trading and fraudulent/unfair trade practices.
  • Overseeing listing obligations, disclosure requirements, and complaint redressal via systems like SCORES.
  • Monitoring market surveillance both online (preventive measures) and offline (post-event investigations).

Insider Trading and Prohibition

  • Insider trading involves trading securities while in possession of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI).
  • SEBI mandates strict confidentiality, prohibits communication or procurement of UPSI except for legitimate purposes (e.g., auditors, merchant bankers).
  • Violation penalties range from INR 10 lakh to INR 25 crore or thrice the profit.
  • Trading plans are permitted for insiders to schedule trades in advance, subject to compliance and disclosure rules. For a detailed understanding, refer to Comprehensive Guide to Company Law: Key Concepts and Exam Preparation.

Substantial Acquisition and Takeover Regulations (SAST)

  • An 'open offer' is mandatory when an acquirer crossing 25% shareholding or acquiring more than 5% when already holding 25%.
  • Voluntary open offers can be made for acquiring minimum 10% subject to regulatory limits.
  • Disclosures on acquisitions, encumbrances, and trading activities must be timely and accurate.
  • Several exemptions apply, such as intra-promoter transfers, acquisitions pursuant to merger schemes, or acquisitions by lenders.

Buyback of Shares

  • Companies can buy back equity shares subject to conditions such as maximum buyback limits (10% or 25% based on resolution type) and debt-equity ratio not exceeding 2:1.
  • Buybacks can be done via tender offers, book building, or stock exchange (latter discontinued after April 2025).
  • Mandatory escrow accounts, public announcements, record dates, and payment timelines apply.

Mutual Funds and Collective Investment Schemes

  • Mutual funds are pooled investment vehicles managed by Asset Management Companies (AMC) under trusteeship.
  • Types include open-ended, close-ended, hybrid, equity-focused, and special schemes.
  • Offer documents like Scheme Information Document (SID) and Key Information Memorandum (KIM) provide disclosures.
  • Regulatory compliance includes advertisement standards, investment restrictions, pricing norms, and minimum net worth conditions.
  • Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) are defined under SEBI regulations to regulate unregistered pooling of funds. For deeper insights, see Comprehensive Overview of Financial Management and Capital Budgeting Techniques.

Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR)

  • LODR standardizes compliance for listed companies, covering board composition, committees, related party transactions, and disclosures.
  • Board must have a minimum number of directors, including independent and women directors as per company size.
  • Committees include Audit, Nomination and Remuneration, Stakeholder Relationship, and Risk Management.
  • Disclosures cover financial results, shareholding patterns, material events, and price-sensitive information.
  • Enforcement actions include penalties, trading suspensions, and shareholding freezes. This relates closely to concepts covered in Delhi University Company Law Exam Preparation: A Comprehensive One-Shot Revision Guide.

Delisting and D-Listing

  • Voluntary delisting requires approvals from stock exchanges, shareholders, and debenture trustees, with at least 90% promoter shareholding post-delisting.
  • Compulsory delisting may be initiated by stock exchanges for non-compliance or other grounds.
  • Procedures involve public announcements, escrow accounts, pricing methodologies (fixed or reverse book building), and timeline compliance.

Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices

  • Fraud includes wrongful gains, misrepresentations, false statements, deceptive practices, and market manipulation.
  • SEBI actively investigates and penalizes manipulative schemes such as circular trading, pump and dump, insider misreporting, and misinformation dissemination.
  • Exceptions include economic or geopolitical disclosures not directly tied to company performance.

Key Practical Takeaways

  • Revise and understand definitions and framework thoroughly.
  • Pay attention to thresholds triggering disclosures or regulatory action.
  • Maintain compliance with filing deadlines and procedural requirements.
  • Understand roles and responsibilities of intermediaries and company officers.
  • Follow amendments and updates to regulations closely.

This guide equips aspirants and professionals with a comprehensive understanding of India's capital market functioning, regulatory compliance, and ethical trading practices essential for exams and practical applications.

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