HDFC Bank has revised the average quarterly balance (AQB) requirements of various deposit accounts. In case of regular savings account, the minimum AQB to be maintained will be Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for urban and rural branches, respectively. For kid’s advantage accounts and senior citizen accounts, this figure stands at Rs 5,000 across branches. These changes will come into effect from April 1, 2010, for its existing accountholders. Earlier, the bank had revised rates for its new customers as well.
Average Gain Between Any Two Downturns Has Been 186% IF you have lost a fortune in shares by now, the best way to make it up perhaps could be by buying some more. Since the Great Depression of 1929, the world has undergone 12 major bear market phases. The average bear market has lasted about 22 months, and the market has fallen by an average of 51%. However, the average gain during the bull market between any two downturns has been an eye-popping 186%. The index here in question is the S&P 500. Bull markets — after every recessionary phase — have always been good for investors. All major bull rallies since end-1930 have resulted in markets gaining between 50-500%. Historic numbers show that the magnitude (size or breadth) of a bull market is much heavier than that of a bear market. The million dollar question is: Are we at the threshold of another bull market rally? Markets could go up intermittently, but convincing rallies will take time to happen. The current bear phase is...
