Capitalmind with Deepak & Shray

In this episode, Deepak and Shray unpack the SEBI allegations against global trading giant Jane Street and explore whether this is a case of shrewd arbitrage or market manipulation in India's underregulated options landscape. In doing so, they reveal deeper structural issues. An outsized derivatives market, regulatory blind spots, tax inequities, and unchecked index power that favour global giants over domestic traders all act as leading factors to the outsized profits made by the firm. The episode ends with a call for reform: position limits, STT rationalisation, index oversight, and a level playing field to restore market integrity.

In this wide-ranging chat, Shray plays devil's advocate while Deepak unpacks why conflict often jump-starts economies, how India's defence binge could spill over into everything from lithium mining to 10-minute groceries, and why a 70-hour work-week isn't the villain Twitter thinks it is. Returns—not patriotism—ultimately determine whether CapEx endures, a reality visible in the economics of fracking, rare-earth extraction, and the three types of "crazy" investors who fund long-shot bets: governments, bondholders, and VCs. India's manufacturing ambitions have long been stifled by outdated labour laws and missed opportunities, but we may now be staring at a rare, once-in-a-generation window of opportunity. While defence and industrial stocks might seem richly valued, there's still plenty of runway—especially if order books start to triple. That said, the journey is fraught with risks: a sluggish judicial system, bureaucratic inertia, and our national knack for fumbling promising leads. For investors, the challenge is knowing when to play defence and when to swing for the fences in a market that increasingly rewards conviction. -- 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Wars & the Economy 12:56 - Return on Investment - Driver of returns 25:28 - Does CapEx without justification work? 35:30 - Why don't we manufacture in India anyway? 47:33 - Labor laws - Why do they exist? 55:20 - Is the rally already priced in? 01:11:18 - What's the downside risk? 01:15:49 - Where do you invest now? 01:19:03 - Trump, 70 Hours & Self-Reliance! -- More about us: https://cm.social/pms Connect with us : https://cm.social/pms-connect Deepak's Twitter: @deepakshenoy Shray's Twitter: @shraychandra Capitalmind Twitter: @capitalmind_in

In this episode, Deepak and Shray unpack the ins and outs of international investing—why it matters, when it makes sense, and who it's really for. From rupee depreciation to political and geographical risks, they explore the key reasons to diversify your portfolio beyond India's borders. They also discuss a crucial question: At what level of capital does it become meaningful to place your money outside? The conversation weaves in perspectives from investing greats—Peter Lynch, who believed in the power of consumer insight, and Devina Mehra, whose latest book "Money Myths and Mantras" emphasizes global allocation as a must-have strategy. With fresh data on market returns (both in INR and local currency terms), the duo breaks down how different regions have performed—why Europe and China have struggled, and how the US tech boom, largely driven by the Nasdaq, has outshone the rest. But can the US continue to dominate, especially in light of Fed Chairman Powell's recent remarks on tariffs? They also touch upon an important side of global investing: taxation. From the complexities of capital gains to the lesser-known estate tax, and how investment vehicles like UCITS can help navigate these issues. Tune in for a comprehensive, no-fluff guide to international investing—what works, what to watch out for, and how to do it right. 0:00 - 2:10 Introduction 2:11 - 8:27 Why should you invest abroad? 8:28 - 10:53 Economic growth ≠ Shareholder returns 10:54 - 19:35 How to select international investments? 19:36 - 27:31 Regular international investments 27:32 - 32:17 Commodity Diversification 32:18 - 40:50 Managed International Investment Solutions 40:51 - 43:37 Good time to global? 43:38 - 47:17 Domestic vs. International Brokers 47:18 - 50:34 Tax on Foreign Equity 50:35 - 54:17 Tax Collected at Source 54:18 - 56:38 U.S. Estate Taxes 56:39 - 59:50 UCITS -- More about us: https://cm.social/pms Connect with us : https://cm.social/pms-connect Deepak's Twitter: @deepakshenoy Shray's Twitter: @shraychandra Capitalmind Twitter: @capitalmind_in

ETFs have taken over the world, or at least that's what you'd believe if you spent any time reading financial media in the US. Passive investing! Low costs! No fund manager egos! And of course, that looming prediction: "ETFs will destroy price discovery!" But in India? Crickets. While ETFs have become mainstream in the US, with trillions of dollars flowing into passive investing strategies, India's ETF story is still unfolding. Why haven't ETFs exploded in India despite our obsession with stocks? And more importantly, should you be investing in ETFs or mutual funds? In this episode, Deepak and Shray get into the weeds on all things Exchange Traded Funds — what they are, how they work, where they don't work, and why, despite sounding like the next great revolution in investing, they haven't quite clicked here yet. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:01 - How big are ETFs? 00:07:30 - Why are ETFs so successful in the US 00:09:42 - How do ETFs work? 00:13:52 - Isn't it better to move into ETFs then? 00:16:01 - Who are you buying the ETF from? 00:20:08 - Are there any advantages in ETFs over MFs in India? 00:25:10 - What role do Market Makers play in ETFs? 00:30:12 - When and why do ETF prices trade above their NAV? 00:39:14 - Role of liquidity in ETF prices 00:42:06 - Why don't people do SIPs into ETFs and Stocks? 00:48:44 - How are ETFs useful for investors? 00:53:17 - What about Commodity ETFs? 00:55:47 - What about Liquid ETFs? 00:59:52 - How do regulations like stock-lending and free-float impact ETF returns? 01:04:53 - What are Deepak's thoughts about Active ETFs? 01:07:06 - Will ETFs gain market share from Mutual Funds?

In today's episode, we break down profit shares and performance fees, one of the most debated topics in the asset management industry. Are they a fair way to align incentives, or just another way for fund managers to charge more? We get into the nitty-gritty of who can charge performance fees in India and how it works, the meaning of terms like management fee, hurdle rate, catch-up, and high watermark, and whether performance fees actually create skin in the game for fund managers. We also discuss why losses and performance fees don't go well together, whether investors should care about profit shares or just post-fee returns, and whether paying a performance fee is ever worth it. We also explore some of the murky areas of the industry, including hidden fees, commission structures, and the psychology behind why investors accept certain charges without question. At Capitalmind PMS, we don't charge a performance fee, and we explain why we chose this model. If you've ever wondered how fee structures impact your long-term returns, this episode is a must-listen. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:42 Overview of Performance Fees 02:35 Understanding Management Fees 05:32 Performance Fees and Hurdle Rates 07:34 Catch Up and High Watermark Concepts 11:04 Complexities in Fee Structures 14:31 Skin in the Game and Incentives 29:34 Management Fee Only Model 31:17 Incentives and Performance in Fund Management 32:43 Principles of Charging Profit Share 33:14 Small Funds and Profit Share Justification 34:41 Mutual Funds and Profit Share Dilemma 35:49 Historical Examples and Active Management 37:37 Challenges in Asset Management 45:20 Regulatory Perspectives on Fees 51:09 Evaluating Investment Options 56:52 Final Thoughts on Profit Shares

In this episode, Deepak and Shray dive deep into the dynamics of the Dollar-Rupee equation. With the rupee at 85 to the dollar, what does this mean for us as investors and consumers? Are we losing 3-4% in dollar terms every year without realizing it? And if so, does investing in global assets provide a better hedge? Join us as we break down historical trends in the exchange rate, the RBI's role as the on the same and why inflation differentials drive the long-term trajectory of currencies (or why they may not in this case). Along the way, we explore everything from dosa economics to the peculiarities of India's remittance-driven current account. Packed with insights and a dash of irreverence, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to make sense of exchange rates and their impact on real wealth. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Historical Context to the Rupee Dollar Equation 03:12 The Role of RBI in Currency Valuation 03:55 Dosa Economics 05:06 Inflation and Exchange Rates 09:29 Impact of RBI's Market Participation and Forex Reserves 17:49 Current Account and Financial Account Dynamics 23:14 Foreign Investments and Market Freedom 30:02 Tariffs, Exports, and Currency Manipulation 36:13 The Impact of Dollar Inflows on the Indian Economy 37:00 RBI's Role in Managing Rupee and Inflation 39:19 Government Bonds and Interest Payments 40:43 RBI's Forex Market Participation 43:04 Rupee Appreciation and FEMA 58:16 Investment Strategies and Global Opportunities 01:03:29 Speculation and the Non-Deliverable Forward Market 01:11:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

In this episode of the Capitalmind podcast, Deepak and Shray dive into SEBI's recent report analyzing the profits and losses of F&O traders. The report reveals a staggering statistic, showing that over 90% of individual traders have lost money in F&O trading in the past few years. They explore the reasons behind these losses, the demographic impacts, and whether F&O trading is more akin to gambling than investment. They also discuss SEBI's new rules aimed at curbing losses and what these changes mean for both novice and seasoned traders. Tune in to understand the full implications of SEBI's analysis and what it means for the future of F&O trading in India. 00:00 Introduction 00:42 SEBI's Report on F&O Traders 01:41 Deep Dive into SEBI's Findings 02:32 Analyzing the Losses 06:00 Demographics of Losing Traders 07:57 Potential Misinterpretations of Data 18:06 The Appeal of F&O Trading 29:30 Speculation vs. Investment 30:39 The Role of Speculators in the Market 40:44 Comparing Trading to Performance Sports 43:11 The Discipline of Trading 43:42 Challenges of Undercapitalization 44:28 Intrinsic Value of Activities 45:10 Learning from Trading 49:08 Capital Requirements and Market Dynamics 52:18 Sophistication and Risk Management 57:20 Regulatory Impact and Market Participation 01:15:25 The Role of Speculation and Regulation 01:20:38 SEBI's New Rules and Their Impact 01:25:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Deepak and Shray dive into the intricacies of mutual funds, Portfolio Management Services (PMS), and Alternative Investment Funds (AIF). We analyze the tax benefits of mutual funds, highlight the liquidity advantages, and compare them with PMS and AIF in terms of fees, transparency, and investment flexibility. We also discusses why different products cater to different investors based on their income levels, asset sizes, and risk appetites. The conversation covers the psychological and practical reasons investors might choose one investment vehicle over another, the role of fund managers, and the impact of regulations on investment returns. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:13 Comparing Mutual Funds, PMS, and AIFs 00:55 Tax Efficiency of Mutual Funds 01:28 Challenges with Mutual Funds 01:41 The All Weather Equity Portfolio 02:23 Why Mutual Funds Aren't the Default Choice 02:46 Understanding Different Investment Products 04:13 Tax Implications for Different Investors 18:33 The Complexity of Mutual Fund Selection 24:06 Liquidity and Size Issues in Mutual Funds 27:18 PMS vs Mutual Funds: Key Differences 27:29 Large Investors' Preferences 28:46 Challenges for US Investors 31:09 Systematic Transfer Plans in PMS 33:22 The Importance of Fund Managers 35:31 Process vs Personality in Investing 46:42 Choosing Between PMS and AIF 52:21 Conclusion: Tailoring Investments to Individual Needs