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Shriram Investments: Investments can be considered in the high-yielding fixed deposit and debentures schemes of Shriram Investments.

The company offers 7.75 per cent for a three-year cumulative fixed deposit and 8.40 per cent for a three-year cumulative debenture.

They also offer 7.50 per cent for a three-year non-cumulative fixed deposit and 8 per cent for a three-year non-cumulative debenture.

The offer is attractive and the risks are now lower, considering the business growth and the capital infusion made in recent years.

Investors can contact Shriram Investments at 044-24990960, 3 Floor, Mookambika Complex, 4, Lady Desika Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004.

Madras Cements: An investment in the one-year option of the fixed deposit programme can be considered, but only to park a part of the funds that you may otherwise leave in a bank deposit for a similar period or less, and not out of funds set apart for building a long-term fixed income portfolio.

The company offers 6 per cent for its one-year fixed deposit and this comes with a high degree of safety.

The two- and three-year options may be avoided as the interest rates on offer, even after taking into the effect of quarterly compounding, do not offer appropriate premium for longer maturity periods and are unattractive.

With interest rates having bottomed out, it may not be appropriate to lock in into an option that pays 7 per cent for a three-year period; this would be the case even for risk-averse investors.

Given its sound financials and demonstrated ability to bankroll its growth plans effectively through debt, Madras Cements is well-placed to service its fixed deposit programme. Opt for the one-year cumulative option now.

Television Eighteen: An investment may be considered in the fixed deposit programme of Television Eighteen.

The company offers an FD for a one-year period. The interest rate of 9 per cent on offer appears attractive, as does the 9.5 per cent on offer for senior citizens.

This rate is one of the higher rates on offer and appears to compensate for the higher risks involved with the company's operations.

But investors should invest only apart of the funds set apart for investment in fixed-income options, perhaps not more than 20 per cent.

sThe revenue and earnings profile of the company has improved steadily over the past year; earnings are now at healthy levels that provide for a high degree of comfort in paying interest obligations.

The company operates two channels in the business news space — CNBC TV 18 in English and the recently-launched Awaaz in Hindi.

It now faces intense competition from New Delhi Television. But over a one-year period, we do not perceive any significant risk to profitability and its ability to pay interest on its fixed deposits.

Buy into this attractively priced FD option.

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