POLITICS
Comment | Are Indians really as unhappy as the World Happiness Report says they are?
The report says unhappy people vote for strong leaders
INDIA
Comment | Markets unsure whether to celebrate or worry over the Fed’s U-turn
While the dovish tilt is a blessing, the Flash PMIs re-ignite concerns over the slowdown
INDIA
How has the structure of the economy changed under the Modi government?
Agriculture's share in the economy had declined, with government and private sector gaining
BUSINESS
Comment | Bank of America—Merrill Lynch fund manager survey finds investors still cautious
Asset allocations are still pessimistic, indicating upside.
BUSINESS
Loose Canon | Ab ki baar, data war
As CAs take on economists who have questioned the credibility of government, other professionals may weigh in with their own take.
INDIA
Comment | Trade deficit improves as imports at one-and-a-half year low
Fall in imports of electronic items could signal improvement in deficit with China
POLITICS
Opinion | Will dismal rural wage growth be Modi's Achilles heel in the elections?
Rural wage growth has fallen off the cliff. It is therefore small wonder that, at the fag end of its term, the Modi government has been trying its best to dole out sops to this class.
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day | India’s exploding trade deficit with China
Imports from China accounted for around three percent of total imports in 2000-01, but it expanded to 16.4 percent of total imports in 2017-18
INDIA
Comment | In which states do people live longer?
Kerala’s life expectancy is higher than Russia’s while Uttar Pradesh is worse than Ethiopia
BUSINESS
Comment| Low inflation, tepid industrial production pave way for another interest rate cut
The next meeting of the MPC, from April 2 to April 4, will be held in the backdrop of benign inflation and slowing industrial growth.
POLITICS
Loose Canon: The world’s biggest election party comes to town
Parties to go to include the Beer Jug Party, the Indian National Champagne, the Scotch Party, the Cocktail Party of India, etc.
BUSINESS
Comment | How government spending propped up the Indian economy
Government spending continues to prop up the economy, to compensate for the dismal state of agriculture. As for the agricultural sector, its problems are well-known
BUSINESS
Opinion | How the government crushed food prices to tame inflation
Lower minimum support prices, higher imports, lower production growth and finally demonetisation led to food prices being forced down with disastrous consequences for farmers
BUSINESS
Comment | Why central banks and markets need to be worried
Central banks echo St Augustine: “Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet”
INDIA
Comment | Data shows that India’s exports are increasingly uncompetitive
GSP is just a band-aid; we need surgery to get exports back on their feet.
BUSINESS
100-Word Take | Cash holdings have been steadily rising before the general elections
Cash levels are now well above the 13.1 percent they were in March and April 2014
BUSINESS
Comment | Consumption as share of GDP is now the highest since 2004-05
The consumption boom is being fuelled by rising debt
BUSINESS
Comment | Surprisingly, PMI shows economy getting better
The PMI data are at odds with the GDP numbers and other indications of a slowdown
INDIA
100-Word Take | Bank credit to NBFCs contracts in January
Banks have been wary of defaults by NBFCs and the latest data confirm the liquidity crunch they are facing.
INDIA
Opinion | The ghosts of demonetisation and GST continue to haunt the economy
GVA growth in the current quarter in agriculture is projected to be negative. The data clearly point to rural distress.
BUSINESS
Opinion | Pakistan has paid a heavy price for supporting terrorists
The economic cost to Pakistan for fanning the flames of religious extremism has been very high.
INDIA
Comment | The govt will have to slash capex to meet its fiscal deficit target
Revenue shortfalls plague government finances
BUSINESS
Opinion | Why Modi's farm income support scheme could be a game changer in the elections
Those who say that the PM-KISAN scheme won’t make much of a difference simply do not have any idea of how poor the vast majority of our people are.
BUSINESS
Comment | Lessons for investors from Warren Buffett’s letter to shareholders
At the end of December 2018, Buffett had $112 billion in Treasury bills and other cash equivalents to buy many attractive businesses
