Several retail investors are disappointed and flummoxed after the recent steep fall in interest rates of Bank Fixed Deposits post demonetization. With bank FD rates being reduced to 5-7%, the post tax returns of those falling in higher tax brackets may miserably fail to beat inflation.
But here is some reason to cheer – Close on the heels of its Jan, 2017 issue, Muthoot Finance, India’s largest gold loan company, is providing yet another opportunity to earn higher fixed returns through the issuance of its Non Convertible Debentures (NCDs).
Details of Muthoot Finance Non Convertible Debenture (NCD) Issue
| Series | I | II | III | IV | V | VI |
| Interest Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Annually | Annually | Cumulative & Unsecured |
| Tenor (months) | 24 | 38 | 60 | 24 | 38 | 60 |
| Coupon Rate* | 8.25% | 8.5% | 8.75% | 8.5% | 8.75% | 9.0% |
| Series | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI |
| Interest Payment Frequency | Cumulative | Cumulative | Cumulative | Cumulative | Cumulative & Unsecured |
| Tenor (months) | 400 days | 18 | 24 | 38 | 96 |
| Coupon Rate* | 8.0% | 8.15% | 8.25% | 8.5% | 9.06% |
*Coupon Rate mentioned is Effective yield per annum for both Retail & HNI Investors
Source – Company
| Issue Size | Base Issue Size of Rs. 200 crores with an option to retain over-subscription upto shelf limit of Rs. 2,000 crores |
| Issue Open Date | 11th Apr, 2017, Tue |
| Issue Close Date | 10th May, 2017, Wed |
| Allotment Basis | First cum First Serve |
| Face Value | Rs. 1,000/- |
| Minimum Application Amount | Rs. 10,000/- (10 NCDs) & in multiples of Rs. 1,000 (1 NCD) thereafter |
| Maximum Deposit Amount | For retail investors, the maximum investment limit is capped at Rs. 10 lacs.
For HNI investors, the minimum investment amount is Rs. 10 lacs. |
| Nature of Deposit | Secured & Unsecured Non-Convertible Debenture |
| Interest Payment | Monthly/ Annual/ Cumulative |
| Listing | The bonds will be listed on BSE and will be available for trading post listing |
| Eligibility | Resident Indian individual, HUF, HNI, QIB, Corporates. NRIs cannot invest in these NCDs |
| Withdrawal | There is no lock-in period. One can sell these bonds in the secondary market after they are listed on the exchanges |
| Credit Rating | [ICRA] AA (Stable), CRISIL AA/ Stable |
| Issuance Mode | Compulsorily in Demat form |
| Tax Treatment | Interest earned on these bonds is taxed at marginal tax rate of the individual/ HUF investor. But if capital gains arises by selling these bonds in the secondary market then capital gains tax will arise – Short-term capital gains tax (<1 yr holding period) levied at marginal tax rate (based on an individual’s tax slab) while Long-term capital gains tax (>1 yr holding period) levied at 10% without indexation benefit. |
Source – Company
How to Apply to the Issue?
The bonds will be issued in a dematerialized or physical format For those applying to the issue in the physical mode, PAN copy, address proof and cancelled cheque also need to be submitted alongwith the application form.
- ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) facility can be used to apply in demat form only
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Online – Electronic application forms can be downloaded from websites of SCSBs that permit submission of ASBA applications electronically. These forms will be available on their websites at least 1 day prior to issue opening date.
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Physical Form – Application forms can be filled and submitted to Brokers, Lead Managers, Members of Syndicate or Trading Members at select locations/ designated branches
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Please note that ASBA applicants can make an Application for allotment of NCDs in demat form only
- Non-ASBA applicants – Application for allotment of NCD in physical mode can only be made through non-ASBA medium
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Online – The direct online application facility through stock exchange will not be available.
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Physical Form – Application forms can be filled and submitted to Brokers, Lead Managers, Members of Syndicate or Trading Members at select locations/ designated branches
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You may reach out to us in case you are facing difficulties in filling/ submitting the application.
GreenEdge Wealth Services’ View – Should You Invest in Muthoot Finance’s NCD?
These NCDs score over bank FDs as they offer ~2% to 2.5% higher rates vs. Bank FDs to Retail/ HNI investors. The interest earned from these NCDs will attract marginal tax rates similar to bank FDs.
The tenor of 2 to 8 years is certainly long but there is an opportunity to exit this investment before maturity in the secondary market (the issue will get listed on exchange) and earn capital gains. If the interest rates in the market declines, then bond price could increase & one could book profits by selling it in the secondary market (decent liquidity available) – This profit will be taxed as per your marginal tax rate if holding period is less than 1 year else it’ll be taxed @ 10% without indexation.
In our view, retail/ HNI investors can allocate a small portion of their fixed income portfolio to Muthoot Finance’s NCDs as they offer higher interest rates vs. Bank FDs with high safety (AA rated) combined with opportunity to exit before maturity and earn capital gains on secondary market.
Also, please note that this issue is on First-Come-First-Serve basis; so you should apply on the ‘issue open date’ itself!