SEBI weighs uniform regime for options strike prices

SEBI weighs uniform regime for options strike prices


The move follows concerns around the way strike prices are currently introduced and managed, particularly during periods of sharp intraday price movement. 
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ANI

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is evaluating a proposal to introduce a uniform framework for managing options strike prices, including the possibility of allowing exchanges to add new strikes during market hours, according to people aware of the discussions.

The move follows concerns around the way strike prices are currently introduced and managed, particularly during periods of sharp intraday price movement. The system is not always equipped to handle sudden price swings and the gap between available pre-defined strike prices and prevailing market prices may be too wide to allow efficient hedging. New strikes that are added are usually implemented with a lag.

A strike price is the fixed level at which an options contract can be exercised. The availability of a range of strikes and liquidity allows traders to take positions based on their market view or hedge existing exposures.

Uniform framework

The uniform framework may allow exchanges to introduce new strike prices during market hours, especially in the direction of sharp movements in the underlying asset. The idea is to not require any system modifications by brokers or market participants during live trading to avoid operational disruptions.

“Most of the time, especially around at-the-money (ATM) strikes, the market is fairly liquid and trades smoothly. But when the move is very sharp and sudden, prices can sometimes jump rather than move tick by tick,” said Feroze Azeez, Joint CEO at Anand Rathi Wealth.

“In those moments, you might see what traders casually call “phantom prices”, where the last traded price is visible, but execution at that exact level is not always possible,” he said.

During sharp intraday movements, trading interest typically shifts towards strike prices closer to the prevailing level of the underlying. However, the addition of such strikes may take time under existing mechanisms, even as a number of far-off strikes continue to remain listed, an exchange source said.

Strike prices

Market participants said that in most conditions, trading remains concentrated around actively used strike prices. “In such situations, if an out-of-the-money strike that fits the usual trading criterion is not available, traders typically shift to at-the-money or in-the-money options to ride the move,” said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments.

In fast markets, traders need to allow for some slippage or be ready to manage positions more actively rather than relying entirely on very tight stop losses.

At present, SEBI’s regulatory framework primarily covers long-dated index options, while other segments, including stock, currency and commodity options, follow exchange-specific practices, leading to differences in how strike prices are introduced and managed. An email sent to SEBI did not elicit a response.

While exchanges have their own rules for adding strike prices, the proposed framework will make it uniform across exchanges. It has been discussed with exchanges and intermediaries and will also be reviewed periodically through market participants, the source said.

Published on April 28, 2026



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Augmont wins awards at India Silver Conference

Augmont wins awards at India Silver Conference


Ketan Kothari, Director, Augmont Goldtech

Augmont Enterprises Pvt Ltd and Augmont Goldtech Pvt Ltd have been awarded with two accolades at the fourth India Silver Conference 2026 in Dehradun.

A media statement said the company was awarded ‘India’s No. 1 Silver Platform of the Year 2025’ and ‘Best Silver Bullion Dealer – All India 2025’.

It said that Augmont Goldtech Pvt Ltd was awarded ‘India’s No. 1 Silver Platform of the Year 2025’ for its digital platform that enables users to buy, sell, and manage silver investments with ease, backed by transparency and secure infrastructure.

Augmont Enterprises Pvt Ltd received ‘Best Silver Bullion Dealer – All India 2025’ for its excellence in silver bullion trading, driven by trust, efficiency, and a strong distribution network catering to both retail and institutional clients, it said.

Asset class gaining

Quoting Ketan Kothari, Director, Augmont Enterprises Pvt Ltd, the statement said: “We are delighted to receive these recognitions at the fourth India Silver Conference 2026. Silver, as an asset class, is gaining significant traction among investors, and at Augmont, we have consistently worked towards building a transparent, technology-driven ecosystem to support this growth. These awards reaffirm our commitment to delivering reliable, innovative, and accessible solutions for our customers. We will continue to strengthen our offerings and play a key role in shaping the future of silver investments in India.”

Published on April 28, 2026



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India’s fertilizer production drops as Iran war disrupts supplies

India’s fertilizer production drops as Iran war disrupts supplies


Domestic fertilizer production between March 1 and April 26 stood at 59.01 lakh tonnes (lt) this year, significantly lower than 76.09 lt produced during March-April, last year
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Fertilizer production in the first two months following the Iran war has fallen sharply compared with the same period last year, fuelling anxiety among farmers who are already lining up at retail outlets weeks before the start of kharif sowing.

Official data show that domestic fertilizer production between March 1 and April 26 stood at 59.01 lakh tonnes (lt) this year, significantly lower than 76.09 lt produced during March-April, last year.

Even after adding an estimated 4-5 lt output for the remaining days of April, total production for March-April is expected to reach only about 64 lt, nearly 12 lt lower year-on-year.

The decline has been most pronounced in urea, the key nitrogenous fertilizer used widely during kharif. Urea production dropped to 35.42 lt this year from 46.67 lt in March-April last year, a fall of over 24 per cent. Industry sources attribute the decline mainly to disruption in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, the primary feedstock for urea manufacturing, after the Iran war.

The production shortfall is already being felt on the ground. Farmers in several regions have begun queuing up at fertilizer outlets earlier than usual to secure supplies before sowing begins, pushing up sales compared to last year. Urea sales touched 8.53 lt in April 1-17 this year, up from 7.71 lt in the comparable period last year, while sales of DAP, complex fertilizers and SSP have also risen noticeably.

Govt Version

The government, however, has sought to reassure farmers and State administrations, maintaining that fertilizer availability remains “strong, stable and well-managed.”

According to the Department of Fertilizers, total fertilizer stocks stood at 190.21 lt as of April 27, equivalent to about 49 per cent of the estimated kharif 2026 demand of 390.54 lt, significantly higher than the 33 per cent stock level at the same time last year.

Officials said there are currently no major issues in the availability of key raw materials for producing urea and phosphatic fertilizers. They also noted that LNG supply to urea plants has improved to about 97 per cent of requirement after dropping to 50-60 per cent immediately following the war.

The government further emphasised that retail prices of major fertilizers remain unchanged despite a sharp spike in global prices, with urea continuing to be sold at ₹266.5 per 45-kg bag, DAP at ₹1,350 per 50-kg bag, and TSP at ₹1,300 per 50-kg bag.

However, with production lagging behind last year’s levels and farmers stocking up early, industry officials say the coming weeks before peak kharif sowing will be critical in determining whether the government’s confidence translates into smooth on-ground availability.

Published on April 28, 2026



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Dhanlaxmi Bank post ₹43.49 crore net profit in Q4 FY26

Dhanlaxmi Bank post ₹43.49 crore net profit in Q4 FY26


The Thrissur based Dhanlaxmi Bank has reported a net profit of ₹43.49 crore for Q4 FY26 against ₹28.98 crore in the same quarter last year. Operating profit for Q4 was ₹113.67 crore against ₹38.68 crore in the last fiscal.  

The net profit for the whole FY26 was ₹102.75 crore compared to ₹66.64 crore. Operating profit for the period was ₹216.28 crore against profit of ₹95.10 crore in the last financial year.

Total business reached to ₹33,772 crore as on March 31, 2026 from ₹28,219 crore as on March 31, 2025. Total deposits stood at ₹18,643 crore from ₹16,103 crore.

CASA deposits reached to ₹5,380 crore from ₹4,647 crore. Gross advances improved to ₹15,129 crore from ₹12,206 crore, recording 23.95 per cent growth. Asset quality improved significantly with gross NPA coming down by 109 bps and net NPA coming down by 48 bps on a Y-o-Y basis to 1.89 and 0.51 per cent respectively.

Ajith Kumar K K, Managing Director and CEO said “The bank continued its positive momentum gained during the beginning of the FY, which resulted in registering the record growth in almost all business parameters alongside improved operational performance. The continued expansion in deposits and the excellent growth advances, along with other income helped in crossing the benchmark net profit of over ₹100 crore.

Published on April 28, 2026



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Spice Prices: जंग ने बिगाड़ा मसालों का स्वाद! निर्यात ठप होने से जीरा, धनिया-हल्दी के दाम गिरे

Spice Prices: जंग ने बिगाड़ा मसालों का स्वाद! निर्यात ठप होने से जीरा, धनिया-हल्दी के दाम गिरे


Spice Prices in India: मिडिल ईस्ट में करीब 40 दिनों तक चले युद्ध और उसके बाद बने तनावपूर्ण हालात का असर अब राजस्थान के मसाला बाजार पर साफ दिखाई दे रहा है. अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर शिपिंग चार्ज बढ़ने और निर्यात में आई रुकावट के कारण राज्य में तैयार और कच्चे मसालों की मांग तेजी से घट गई है. इसका सीधा असर किसानों और व्यापारियों पर पड़ रहा है.

हालांकि युद्ध और उसके बाद जारी तनाव के हालात के चलते ज्यादातर दूसरे सामानों के दाम बढ़ गए हैं, लेकिन राजस्थान में पैदा होने वाले मसालों की कीमत कम हो गई है. मसालों के दाम घटने से जहां एक तरफ आम उपभोक्ता खुश हैं और उन्हें थोड़ी राहत मिल गई है, वहीं दूसरी तरफ किसान और व्यापारी परेशान हैं. 

जमा हो गया मसालों का भारी स्टॉक 

राजस्थान की प्रमुख मंडियों में इन दिनों मसालों का भारी स्टॉक जमा हो गया है. व्यापारियों के अनुसार विदेशों से ऑर्डर कम हो गए हैं, जिसके चलते माल बाहर नहीं जा पा रहा. खासतौर पर हल्दी, धनिया, जीरा और अन्य मसालों के दाम में गिरावट दर्ज की गई है. हालांकि मिर्च के दाम अभी स्थिर बने हुए हैं या कुछ जगहों पर बढ़े भी हैं, क्योंकि मिर्च की पैदावार इस बार कम हुई थी.

जानकारों का कहना है कि मिडिल ईस्ट के कई देश भारतीय मसालों के बड़े खरीदार हैं. युद्ध और तनाव के कारण वहां की आर्थिक गतिविधियां प्रभावित हुई हैं, जिससे आयात कम हो गया है. इसके अलावा समुद्री रास्तों पर जोखिम बढ़ने से शिपिंग कंपनियों ने किराया बढ़ा दिया है, जिससे निर्यात और महंगा हो गया है.

बाजार में नकदी का प्रवाह भी हुआ कम

मंडी व्यापारियों का कहना है कि पहले जहां नियमित रूप से माल की सप्लाई होती थी, अब वहां अनिश्चितता का माहौल है. इससे बाजार में नकदी का प्रवाह भी कम हुआ है. किसान भी अपनी फसल का सही दाम नहीं मिलने से परेशान हैं. कई जगहों पर किसानों को लागत से कम कीमत पर मसाले बेचने पड़ रहे हैं.

हालांकि आम उपभोक्ताओं के लिए यह स्थिति थोड़ी राहत लेकर आई है. मसालों की कीमतों में गिरावट से रसोई का बजट कुछ हद तक कम हुआ है. लेकिन व्यापार से जुड़े लोगों के लिए यह चिंता का विषय बना हुआ है.

सरकार से हस्तक्षेप करने की मांग

व्यापारियों और किसानों की मांग है कि सरकार इस मामले में हस्तक्षेप करे और निर्यात को बढ़ावा देने के लिए जरूरी कदम उठाए. साथ ही शिपिंग लागत को कम करने और नए बाजार तलाशने की दिशा में प्रयास किए जाएं, ताकि मसाला उद्योग को इस संकट से बाहर निकाला जा सके.

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UAE to leave OPEC in May as Iran war reshapes oil market

UAE to leave OPEC in May as Iran war reshapes oil market


The United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC, dealing a blow to the group and its leader Saudi Arabia as the global oil industry grapples with the massive supply disruption caused by the Iran war. 

The UAE’s exit May 1 after six decades of membership is a significant loss for the group, which has spent years balancing global oil markets and defending prices by managing crude supplies. Before the conflict erupted, the country was OPEC’s third-biggest producer, accounting for roughly 12% of the group’s overall supply.

The move is also the latest indication of how the war in Iran will reshape global energy markets for years to come.

While the UAE has talked in the past about quitting OPEC amid longstanding tensions with Saudi Arabia, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said in an interview that the disruption caused by the war created an opportune time for the move. 

“This is a decision that we took after a very careful and long review of all our strategies” he said. “The decision is taken at the right time in our view because it’s not going to hugely impact the market: the market is undersupplied.”

The UAE believes that the shortages caused by the war will require agility to respond to market demands without being constrained by the collective decision-making process of the wider group, he said.

The departure follows years of tension with the leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, neighboring Saudi Arabia, both over oil output policy and competition for regional political influence. Officials at OPEC’s secretariat in Vienna and the Saudi Energy Ministry didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The two had clashed occasionally at OPEC+ meetings as the UAE sought to deploy new investments in oil production capacity, while Riyadh pressed the group to restrain supply. Such disagreements had brought Abu Dhabi to the brink of quitting OPEC before, though it never followed through.

Structurally Weaker

“The longer-term implication is a structurally-weaker OPEC,” said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy who previously worked at the OPEC secretariat.

“Outside the group, the UAE would have both the incentive and the ability to increase production, raising broader questions about the sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s role as the market’s central stabilizer.”

Other countries have left the organization in recent years. Angola quit at the end of 2023 after its output declined and the group’s leaders sought to impose a reduced production quota. Ecuador departed in 2020 as its output fell, while in 2018, minor producer Qatar quit in order to focus on building up its natural gas sector.

US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly criticized OPEC over the years for its efforts to support oil prices. 

In the immediate future the impact of the UAE’s departure will likely be limited, as war between the US and Iran throttles exports from the Persian Gulf — forcing the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and others to slash production rather than increase it. Oil futures are trading near $111 a barrel in London. 

Before the war erupted, OPEC+ had been in the process of reviewing the capacity of individual members, with a view to setting next year’s output quotas.

The UAE was also one of the only OPEC+ nations alongside Saudi Arabia with spare production capacity to bring to the market — at least on paper. It held about 660,000 barrels a day idle, according to the IEA, though several analysts and traders believed Abu Dhabi was already near its maximum.

The UAE’s state-run oil giant, Adnoc, has put the country’s oil production capacity far higher than other assessments, at 4.85 million barrels a day, close to a planned 5 million-barrel target. If reached, it would give the country considerable extra supply to bring to market. 

The UAE had been scheduled to attend a monthly video conference on Sunday, along with seven other major OPEC+ members, to discuss plans for gradually restoring production halted several years ago. 

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Published on April 28, 2026



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