Arun Kejriwal
Mr. Arun Kejriwal (AK57.in)
Independent media analyst for the primary market and Investor Relations consultant for the secondary market
Mr. Arun Kejriwal (Arun) is an eminent independent primary market media analyst and quite often THE ‘GoTo’ market analyst with respect to developments in the Indian stock markets (including the secondary market). Over the years honing his skill sets from early years in the industry, capital market and media, Arun has honed his abilities to become a coach, trainer, consultant and counsellor for various CXOs and KMPs (Key Management Personnel) seeking guidance or mentorship on how to deal with media and market intermediaries, shareholders and stakeholders.
As an influential opinion maker, Arun is known for his prolific, bold, strong and outspoken views, which very often are contrarian ones. He often gets invited to express his views at various conferences, seminars, forums and symposiums pertaining to the retail individual investor and primary-secondary market investments. His views and opinions are often taken into consideration by policy makers, stock exchanges, regulators and Government functionaries.
Arun contributes regularly and continues to be quoted in leading wire agencies, print (all business papers, magazines and mainstream English newspapers and magazines), online, digital and television media. Earlier, he used to write columns for DNA, Financial Chronicle and Mid-Day and other media platforms by invitation. At present, he helms his own weekly column, which appears on IANS (Indo Asian News Service) – a newswire every Sunday afternoon. He analyzes individual IPOs in his columns, which appear as and when the public issue opens. He contributes regularly to various regional publications, which are reflective of the blossoming IPO investor culture in the country. At present, he also writes for Bizz Buzz, a newspaper from the Hans Group from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh every Thursday.
As a champion of the ‘retail’ investor, Arun is seen/ heard at Broker/Analyst/ Investor conferences conducted during IPO domestic retail roadshows or post-earnings conferences of listed companies. He has been interacting with Promoters, Key Management Personnel (KMP) and CXOs of several renowned listed companies as well as IPO-bound companies and even startups. He often asks difficult questions on behalf of retail individual investors, which makes many members of the management team squirm! Several market correspondents of leading business media take his opinion/ views on a Company’s IPO and quote him on the same in their investment articles or columns.
Arun’s proficiency in communication, expression, language and numbers (financials) comes from his impeccable academic orientation. Born in 1957 in Kolkata, Arun went on to join the reputed Campion School in south Mumbai, one of the finest Jesuit run institutions from that era. Campion continues to be one of the top three boys’ schools in Mumbai. Kejriwal progressed to do his B.Com degree from Sydenham college graduating from Mumbai University. Incidentally, both of these institutions are a stone’s throw away from the iconic Bombay Stock Exchange in financial capital of the country.
After completing education, Arun spent time working with various manufacturing companies in sectors such as tea, sugar, coffee, paper, textiles and jute and engineering among others. He was responsible for various functions such as administration, marketing and finance.
Marking a paradigm shift in his career, Kejriwal then joined the capital market in the late 80s. What drove him to the markets was the desire to sell his ideas as he believed that if he could sell products why not ideas. In the capital market, he has been through all activities beginning as a sub-broker and going on to set shop for a foreign brokerage firm before he quit being an intermediary.
Arun now manages his own research firm KRIS (Kejriwal Research & Investment Services). He also advises unlisted companies and corporates, who are IPO bound and hand holds them through the process and thereafter. At present, he works as an advisor for corporates and HNIs, advising them on the markets and business strategy. As an investor, he believes that you can make money only by buying and riding the growth of the company. He visits companies and interacts with management before investing or advising investment. He has successfully completed hundreds of facility visits, site visits and factory visits in different parts of India including remote locations. He is passionate about gaining a better understanding of the diverse manufacturing and production processes, systems and innovations. He has also visited the equivalent of many central management nerves/ hubs in case of service organizations. He believes that the quantitative aspects can be supplemented by a qualitative dimension, obtained by a personal/ physical visit to the company’s facility or factory or plant. He deploys both of these in his investment rationale.
Arun has conducted hundreds of media-analyst training and orientation sessions for promoters, CXOs and KMPs (key management personnel) of listed and looking-to-list companies, who are seeking to interact with media, analysts and other influencers and intermediaries. He leveraged his experience and expertise of over 25 years to conduct meaningful focused sessions for different hierarchies in public or private sector companies as well as startups and new age emerging companies. He has conducted customized sessions and also potential crisis workshops.
