SEBI Not Planning Immediate F&O Curbs, Says Pandey; Capital Market Stocks Surge

• SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated on February 4 that the regulator is not considering any immediate measures or changes to the existing framework for equity derivatives, including weekly expiry.
• The statement led to a rise in capital market stocks, with the Nifty Capital Market index trading 1.6% higher; MCX and Angel One saw gains of 4.7% and 3.5% respectively, while BSE shares rose 3%.
• The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed increasing Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options contracts to curb speculative trading, with rates on futures rising to 0.05% and options to 0.15% and 0.125%.
• Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran and Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava clarified that the STT hike aims to protect household savings and discourage speculation, not primarily for revenue generation.
• Pandey also highlighted SEBI's focus on deepening the corporate bond market, urging stakeholders to collaborate and noting that more investors are aware of cryptocurrency than bond markets.