HSBC launches Dynamic Fund

HSBC Investments in India recently announced the launch of the HSBC Dynamic Fund (HDF).  This fund has the flexibility to move 100 per cent of its assets into money market instruments, fixed income securities and derivatives in an attempt to reduce the impact of market falls.

It also has the flexibility to invest across sectors or themes with no market capitalisation bias. It also has the flexibility to invest up to 40 per cent in any one sector.

Amex offers  new incentive 

American Express on Tuesday announced the launch of the “Ultimate Platinum Experience” for its cardmembers in India, enabling the American Express cardmember to drive away in the iconic Porsche 911 Targa.

The privileged Cardmember, along with four other Cardmembers will visit the Porsche factory in Germany, and experience the thrill of a race-track test-drive. To participate in this programme, cardmembers need to spend Rs 10,000 on their American Express card during the period July 01 – October 31, 2007. For every Rs 10,000 spend, cardmember earns one entry into the draw.

GKB Opticals’ flagship store

GKB Opticals group recently opened its first  flagship store on MG Road, Bangalore. GKB Opticals claims to have the biggest retail chain, which dispenses through their lifestyle outlets- spectacle lenses, frames, sunglasses, contact lenses, and eyewear accessories.

With the lifestyle changes in India, GKB Opticals is attempting to give Indian fashion a new high. The company has a strategic alliance with Seiko from Japan and Rodenstock from Germany.

SBI MF leads brand study

SBI Mutual Fund leads Nielsen’s Brand Equity Index in the 2007 Winning Brands Mutual Fund, the Nielsen Winning Brands Mutual Fund study said in Mumbai on Tuesday. 

Reliance MF has emerged as a runner up with fastest growth, almost doubling its index score from 2006, and jumping from fifth to the second position in 2007. Runner up, ICICI Pru, slipped to third position.

Dabur launches new products

Dabur India announced in Bangalore on Tuesday the relaunch of its popular Odomos range of mosquito repellents. The brand in the cream, lotion & gel formats, has been relaunched after making the formulation more skin-friendly, along with certifications from reputed institutes on its efficacy and safety for usage, claimed Dabur.

ICICI, IFC, IBM launch Toolkit 

ICICI Bank, IBM and IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank group, have come together to provide India’s small and medium-enterprises with an innovative SME toolkit, online resource centre, to help them start, finance and grow their business. The toolkit was launched in Mumbai on Tuesday. 

The India SME Toolkit (www.india.smetoolkit.org) is a free online resource centre that contains up-to-date information and tools to enable SMEs to learn how to increase their productivity, efficiency and capacity in newer markets.