Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of the suitability of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE All data provided by Invesco unless otherwise noted. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd.’s retail products and collective trust funds. Invesco Advisers, Inc. and other affiliated investment advisers mentioned provide investment advisory services and do not sell securities. Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by the sponsor, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and broker-dealers including Invesco Distributors, Inc. PowerShares® is a registered trademark of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (Invesco PowerShares). Each entity is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. ©2015 Invesco Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gold prices slipped more than 3% on Monday, extending their drop to a roughly four-month low, as an escalating Middle East conflict stoked inflation concerns and expectations of higher global interest rates.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold was down 3.3% at $4,340.09 per ounce, as of 0100 GMT, extending losses for a ninth consecutive session. The metal, ‌which fell ⁠on ⁠Monday to its lowest level since January 2, lost more than 10% last week.

* U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell 5% to $4,347.

* Escalating the three-week-old war, Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through with a threat delivered a day ⁠earlier to ‌hit Iran’s electricity grid in 48 hours.

* Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said if Iranian power plants are attacked, the Strait of Hormuz ⁠will be completely closed and will not be opened until the destroyed power plants are rebuilt.
* Oil prices stayed above $110 a barrel, as investors weighed U.S. and Iranian threats to target energy facilities that could escalate the war against the release of millions of barrels of Iranian oil at sea to global markets.
* The closure of the Strait of Hormuz kept crude ‌elevated, stoking inflation through higher transport and manufacturing costs. While rising inflation typically boosts gold’s appeal as a hedge, high interest rates curb demand for the ⁠non-yielding asset.
* Meanwhile, market pricing for a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hike this year has shot up, and is now seen as far more likely than a rate cut, as interest rate futures were pricing around a 27% chance of a rate hike by December, as per the CME FedWatch tool.

* Spot silver lost 3.3% to $65.55 per ounce. Spot platinum fell 4.4% to $1,838.45 and palladium was down 0.4% at $1,398.50.

DATA/EVENTS (GMT)

1500 EU Consumer Confid. Flash March.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!,” Trump said in a social media post published at 23:44 GMT Saturday.

Innovision shares are headed for listing on March 23 with grey market signals indicating a weak debut, as the GMP has slipped into negative territory ahead of listing. The Rs 319 crore IPO, which was priced at Rs 519 per share at the upper end of the band, is currently commanding a negative GMP, implying a potential listing below the issue price if the trend sustains.

The muted GMP comes despite the issue seeing an overall subscription of 3.46 times, driven largely by strong institutional and high net-worth investor participation. The QIB portion was subscribed 14.30 times, while the NII segment saw 8.60 times subscription. In contrast, retail demand remained weak at just 0.60 times, indicating limited broader investor participation.

The negative GMP reflects concerns around valuation and business profile rather than demand visibility. The IPO was a mix of fresh issue worth Rs 255 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 64 crore.

Proceeds from the fresh issue are earmarked for debt repayment, working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

Innovision operates in manpower services, toll plaza management and skill development, with a diversified presence across 23 states and 5 union territories. However, analysts have flagged that the company operates in a highly competitive and fragmented segment, which could cap valuation upside in the near term.

At the issue price, the company is valued at a post-issue P/E of 30.89x, which is seen as relatively expensive compared to peers, especially given its modest margin profile.
While the company has demonstrated growth in both revenue and profitability over recent years, concerns around pricing and limited retail participation appear to be weighing on near-term listing expectations.That said, grey market trends are unofficial and can change closer to listing. Final listing performance will depend on broader market sentiment, institutional support and overall risk appetite.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is implementing stricter regulations for cash transactions effective April 1, 2026, to combat money laundering, fraud, and the concealment of illicit funds.

Under this new framework, all financial institutions must verify the identity of customers for every cash transaction, while dealings totaling 5 million baht or more in a single day will be classified as high-risk.

These measures aim to enhance the transparency of the banking system by requiring rigorous scrutiny of high-value or unusual transactions, with mandatory reporting of suspicious activities to the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

Key Points

• Mandatory ID Verification: Starting April 1, 2026, banks must verify the identity of all individuals and juristic persons for every cash transaction via physical branches or electronic channels (using PINs, OTPs, or biometrics).
• High-Risk Threshold: Daily cash transactions of 5 million baht or more are designated as high-risk, requiring banks to perform Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (EDD).
• Transaction Scrutiny: Banks are required to investigate the purpose of transactions and may request supporting documentation if a customer’s cash activity is inconsistent with their known profile or behavior.
• Initial Focus: The rules will first target cash withdrawals and cash-cheque transactions, as these are primary methods used to obscure financial trails.
• Right of Refusal: Financial institutions must reject transactions and report the matter to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) if a customer cannot provide a reasonable justification for a high-value or suspicious deal.
• Record Keeping: Banks must maintain secure records of customer identification and transaction purposes for future inspections, investigations, and legal proceedings.
• Future Expansion: The BOT may expand these regulations to include cash deposits and banknote exchange services if financial risks continue to escalate.
• Regulatory Penalties: Banks that fail to comply with the new rules face potential service suspensions, corrective orders, or additional conditions imposed by the central bank.

The BOT stated that if a financial institution fails to adhere to regulations or engages in activities that jeopardize public safety or the stability of the financial system, the central bank reserves the right to enforce additional conditions, mandate corrective measures, or order delays or suspension of certain services. This updated framework, set to take effect on April 1, 2026, represents a significant step forward in bolstering the resilience of Thailand’s banking system amid the growing complexity of financial crimes.

Other People are Reading