Financial Instruments then and now


Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago. The fruits today, are reaped for an effort made in the past. This is exactly how investment in these financial instruments works. They are small packets of capital traded to provide an efficient flow of funds with returns.
COMMERCIAL PAPERS
In India, commercial papers arrived in the year 1990. It is a monetary instrument used in the form of a promissory note. Prior to commercial papers, organisations were dependent on the crude and traditional method of borrowing money to be used as working capital by pledging stock as their collateral security. Commercial papers are subject to credit rating. A major highlight in the history of commercial papers is the globalisation and liberalisation of the economy. The journey of commercial papers shows that the cost of borrowing through commercial papers became relatively cheaper for corporates as compared to the cost of borrowing the same capital through cash credit, making commercial papers grow successfully.
INSURANCE
Insurance today has ventured into various categories but its inception was from the very ancient rule of King Hammurabi. The concept of spreading risk that is parallel to human existence makes insurance an ever-growing business. The first insurance policy was seen on a Babylonian monument. The law offered basic insurance in which a debtor didn’t have to repay his loan if he was struck by a personal catastrophe which made repayment difficult. Today, the penetration of insurance in India is 3.69%. The recent scheme of Ayushman Bharat launched in 2018 provides coverage to more than 100 million families. Private companies are increasing their involvement in this industry making the business penetrate deeper. The insurance industry is expected to touch a valuation of US$ 280 billion by 2020.
MUTUAL FUNDS
Some mutual funds have made investors millionaires, while there are some which have failed to give a return of 20% since their inception 25 years ago. The economy has witnessed market crashes like the Dot Com bubble and the Global Recession. Some mutual funds that have been in the market for over 20 years are Franklin India Prima Fund, Reliance growth fund, Aditya Birla sun life, HDFC etc. The last 20 years have been exceptions for the economy and markets of India but the returns and market conditions are highly volatile.
These instruments have come a long way through the economy keeping its stake high in the business. Let’s hope for more liquid and broader markets that will make financial instruments more attractive aiding in fund flow.

Thank You
Regards
Author- Kaushal Shah
Kautilya
IBS Mumbai

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