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Public sector general insurance firms collect Rs 1.06 lakh crore premium in FY25

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New Delhi, May 29: The total premium collected by public sector general insurance companies (PSGICs) has witnessed a notable rise from around Rs 80,000 crore in FY19 to nearly Rs 1.06 lakh crore in FY25, the government has said.

The overall general insurance industry also reported growth, with total premium collections reaching Rs 3.07 lakh crore in FY2024–25.

In a meeting with PSGICs here, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed key performance indicators including premium collections, insurance penetration and density and incurred claims ratios.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), M. Nagaraju, and the managing directors of New India Assurance, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and National Insurance, General Insurance Corporation of India (Reinsurance), Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited, along with other senior officials of the Finance Ministry.

While general insurance penetration in India remains relatively low at 1 per cent of GDP — compared to a global average of 4.2 per cent in 2023 — insurance density has steadily improved, increasing from $9 in 2019 to $25 in 2023.

The Finance Minister underscored the need for PSGICs to work towards improving both penetration and density to ensure wider financial protection.

Officials also presented a five-year analysis of the health insurance segment, showing consistent premium growth across Private Insurers, Standalone Health Insurers (SAHI), and PSGICs. Incurred claims ratios, which had peaked during the Covid-19 pandemic in FY21 (PSGICs at 126 per cent and private insurers at 105 per cent), have since declined.

By FY24, these ratios had moderated to 103 per cent for PSGICs, 89 per cent for private insurers, and 65 per cent for SAHI.

The PSGICs have witnessed a significant turnaround with all of them having become profitable again.

While Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. (OICL) and National Insurance Company Ltd. (NICL) started posting quarterly profits from Q4 of FY 2023-24 and Q2 of FY 2024-25, respectively, United India Insurance Company Ltd. (UIICL) posted profit in Q3 of FY 2024-25 after a gap of 7 years.

Notably, New India Assurance Company Ltd. (NIACL) has consistently maintained its position as a market leader and has been making profits regularly.

Finance Minister emphasised the urgent need for digital transformation across all PSGICs to improve service delivery and efficiency. This includes the adoption of AI-driven claim settlement systems, particularly for Motor Own Damage and Health insurance products, to ensure faster and more accurate claim resolution.

The minister also emphasised the importance of leveraging advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to develop precise pricing models and efficient claims modelling, which are essential for improved risk assessment and long-term sustainability.

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Nifty, Sensex dip for 7th week amid high crude prices, bond yields

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Mumbai, Sep 26: The Indian equity benchmarks posted notable losses for the seventh consecutive week, as crude prices stayed elevated and US bond yields surged.

Nifty declined 0.88 per cent during the week and added 0.34 per cent on the last trading day to reach 23,140. At close, Sensex was up 315 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 73,895. It lost 0.54 per cent during the week.

Markets came under heavy selling pressure midweek as benchmarks slid over 1.6 per cent on Thursday before a modest rebound on Friday driven by value buying.

Brent crude stayed above the $105-per-barrel mark for most of the week, while WTI crude also remained elevated above $90 per barrel amid continued geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over global oil supplies.

However, oil prices moderated toward the end of the week, and eased global risk sentiment, concerns of pressure on the import bill, inflation expectations, the rupee and corporate input costs.

Analysts said that the global bond market continued to add pressure, with the US 10-year Treasury yield moving above 5.10 per cent during the week. Elevated yields continue to tighten global financial conditions and can reduce the relative attractiveness of emerging market assets, they added.

Foreign institutional selling has intensified significantly compared with previous weeks and has become a major headwind for domestic equities.

Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new seven-day proposal to the United States to end the ongoing conflict and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts its naval blockade, waives oil sanctions and agrees to a broader ceasefire.

The 23,000 zone remains the immediate support area for Nifty, while the 23,200 region remains the immediate resistance zone, said analysts.

Market participants are also keen on the trajectory of rupee, with persistent oil-related demand for dollars and continued FII outflows potentially keeping the currency under pressure, although RBI intervention has helped contain excessive volatility.

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LG Electronics India gets notice to pay up Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty

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New Delhi, Sep 25: LG Electronics India Ltd has received a show cause notice from the Customs authorities for the recovery of Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty for allegedly not including royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods, the company has stated in a stock exchange filing.

The show cause notice has been issued following an investigation carried out by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), alleging non-inclusion of royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods.

The notice, dated September 22, was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, and was received by the company on September 24.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics, along with arch rival and compatriot Samsung, are also facing an investigation for alleged wrong ⁠claims of concessional 5 per cent customs duty on imported OLED glass screens. The DRI authorities have expressed the view that the concessional rate is meant for the older LCD and LEDs used in products sold in the mass market. For OLED parts, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is of the opinion that both Samsung and LG should have paid a 15 per cent customs duty, according to a Reuters report.

LG Electronics is reported to have sent responses to written questions by the authorities on its OLED imports and has voluntarily deposited the money to pay for the difference in customs duty as estimated by officials.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics India reported a 27.2 per cent year-on-year surge in net profit to Rs 653 crore for the first quarter of financial year 2026-27compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 513 crore in the same quarter of 2025-26, driven by strong summer demand and premium product sales.

The company’s revenue rose 15.5 per cent during the April-June quarter to Rs 7,233 crore compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 6,262 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

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Sensex, Nifty open with marginal gains amid mixed global cues

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Mumbai, Sep 25: The Indian equity markets opened with marginal gains early on Friday, amid rising US Treasury yields and continued geopolitical uncertainty weighing on overall sentiment.

As of 9.24 am, Sensex was up 96 points, or 0.13 per cent, to reach 73,676 and Nifty was up 20 points, or 0.09 per cent to reach 23,084.

Main broad-cap indices performed in line with the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 inched up 0.03 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 0.06 per cent.

Sectoral indices on NSE traded mixed with IT, FMCG, consumer durables and healthcare posting losses. Nifty IT was the top loser, down 1.37 per cent. Nifty realty was the top gainer, up 0.59 per cent.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has moved above the 5.20 per cent mark and remains close to multi-year highs, increasing pressure on global financial conditions and reducing the relative attractiveness of emerging market equities. The rise in global yields, combined with a stronger dollar, has also added pressure on the Indian rupee, analysts said.

On the geopolitical front, uncertainty remains elevated as diplomatic progress between the US and Iran remains unclear. Renewed tensions and continued risks around energy supply routes are keeping global investors cautious, with any further escalation capable of pushing crude prices higher again.

In the previous session, Nifty closed at 23,063, down 1.64 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 22,800–23,000, while resistance is seen at 23,250–23,300.

Bank Nifty closed at 55,438, down 1.96 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 55,000–55,200, while resistance is seen at 55,800–56,000.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index shed 1.04 per cent, and Shenzhen lost 2.34 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 1.23 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 1.77 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.9 per cent.

US markets ended largely in red overnight, even as Nasdaq added 0.01 per cent. The S&P 500 lost 0.02 per cent, and the Dow Jones shed 0.31 per cent.

On September 24, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold equities worth Rs 5,027 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 4,301 crore.

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