Moneycontrol PRO
HomeAuthorManas chakravarty

Manas Chakravarty

Group Consulting Editor

Moneycontrol

Data at a Glance | When was the last time policy uncertainty was so high?

BUSINESS

Data at a Glance | When was the last time policy uncertainty was so high?

The world is gripped by a growing sense of unpredictability. Markets are wavering, businesses are treading cautiously, and consumers are feeling the strain. How deep is the unease, and how does it compare to previous episodes of massive uncertainty?

What's the main worry in India's economic outlook?

BUSINESS

What's the main worry in India's economic outlook?

India's economic outlook gets a reality check in the finance ministry’s latest review. Amid resilience and risks, the report hints at what could drive—or derail—growth ahead

Flash PMI’s low selling price inflation will help MPC cut rates as Trump tariffs loom

BUSINESS

Flash PMI’s low selling price inflation will help MPC cut rates as Trump tariffs loom

India’s private sector continues to show strong growth momentum, according to the Flash PMI for March. But while domestic demand is robust, the Monetary Policy Committee must take into account the impact of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | US Exceptionalism Fades as Markets Look Abroad for Growth

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | US Exceptionalism Fades as Markets Look Abroad for Growth

Despite promises of Making America Great Again, Trump's policies and rhetoric may have accelerated the decline of US global leadership and market dominance

Venezuela’s happier than India — Maybe, chaos is the key to happiness

BUSINESS

Venezuela’s happier than India — Maybe, chaos is the key to happiness

India has inched its way up the World Happiness Report 2025, landing at rank 118 — a victory worth celebrating if you enjoy beating Burkina Faso and Chad. Clearly, all it takes to be happy these days is a sprinkle of chaos and a dash of despair

Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Is a market rebound possible as growth slows?

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Is a market rebound possible as growth slows?

In March 19 edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: SEBI’s new rules leaves traders edgy, freebies by political parties leading to economic chaos, US tariffs a chance to lower trade barriers, pragmatic approach will help guide India’s youth, and more

Tariff Troubles: Why Trump’s trade war is more about politics than policy

BUSINESS

Tariff Troubles: Why Trump’s trade war is more about politics than policy

Donald Trump’s tariff policies have long been viewed as impulsive, yet new research suggests a calculated strategy — rewarding allies and punishing opponents. A closer look reveals that political connections played a pivotal role in determining which firms secured tariff exemptions

Trade Winds Shift: India’s services strength masks export concerns

BUSINESS

Trade Winds Shift: India’s services strength masks export concerns

India posted an overall trade surplus in February 2025, driven by a robust surplus in services trade that offset a merchandise trade deficit. While this provides some relief amid global trade uncertainties, weak merchandise exports, looming US tariffs and rising imports from China highlight lingering concerns in India’s trade landscape

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | Uncertainty skyrockets, but no panic in VIX

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | Uncertainty skyrockets, but no panic in VIX

Policy uncertainty indices are near all- time highs, yet market volatility indices do not reflect that. Does this signal investor confidence, or are markets under-estimating the problem?

With inflation cooling, monetary policy will deliver growth support

BUSINESS

With inflation cooling, monetary policy will deliver growth support

India’s economic landscape is shifting as cooling inflation paves the way for a more accommodative monetary policy. With the RBI easing rates and liquidity conditions improving, policymakers are now focusing on reviving growth amid global uncertainties

India’s share of global arms imports falls on local production boost

BUSINESS

India’s share of global arms imports falls on local production boost

India’s declining dependence on arms imports reflects its growing defence self-sufficiency. As SIPRI’s latest report highlights, India’s efforts to boost indigenous production have steadily reduced its reliance on foreign suppliers

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | Humpty Trumpty

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | Humpty Trumpty

Fact, they say, is stranger than fiction and the best way to understand Trump's ways is to look to nonsense fiction

Tuhin Pandey’s SEBI brings fresh hope with a focus on trust and transparency

BUSINESS

Tuhin Pandey’s SEBI brings fresh hope with a focus on trust and transparency

In his first major public engagement, Sebi’s chairman laid out a vision. It promises to usher in a regulatory approach that is not overzealous. Instead, there will be a push to be mindful of trade-offs and a willingness to listen to feedback. He’s promised 'optimum regulation'

Project 2025: Disowned by Trump, yet echoing his agenda

BUSINESS

Project 2025: Disowned by Trump, yet echoing his agenda

Despite Trump’s public disassociation from Project 2025, its policies mirror his administration’s priorities—from border security to economic nationalism. The document provides key insights into a potential second Trump term, with implications for global trade, defence, and U.S.-India relations

China’s Two Sessions meeting: Domestic demand takes centre-stage in economic strategy

BUSINESS

China’s Two Sessions meeting: Domestic demand takes centre-stage in economic strategy

China has set an ambitious 5 percent GDP growth target for 2025, despite economic headwinds and rising global protectionism. To achieve this, Beijing is ramping up domestic demand, fiscal stimulus, and high-tech innovation, while pledging further economic openness

The road to 2047: Can India break free from ‘Business-as-Usual’?

BUSINESS

The road to 2047: Can India break free from ‘Business-as-Usual’?

Twelve years ago, the Economic Survey foresaw India's economic trajectory with striking accuracy. Now, the World Bank's latest report echoes similar concerns, mapping out three possible paths for India's future—one of transformation, one of stagnation, and one in between. The question remains: which road will India take?

Private sector non-financial firms’ share of capex tumbles in 2023-24

BUSINESS

Private sector non-financial firms’ share of capex tumbles in 2023-24

The uncertainties unleashed by Donald Trump’s unabashed mercantilism will likely weigh on private sector investment

Manufacturing's share in economy in 2024-25 at same level as 18 years ago

BUSINESS

Manufacturing's share in economy in 2024-25 at same level as 18 years ago

The share of industry in GVA has come down from 33.04 percent back in 2009-10 to an estimated 30.58 percent in 2024-25. There does seem to be something in all the talk about premature deindustrialisation

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | GDP Growth: Strong, Weak, or Just a Data Revision Away?

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | GDP Growth: Strong, Weak, or Just a Data Revision Away?

The question is: Why did GDP growth fall so sharply from 9.2 percent in FY 24 to 6.5 percent in the current fiscal year?

Economic momentum fades across major economies, but India shines in Flash PMI readings

BUSINESS

Economic momentum fades across major economies, but India shines in Flash PMI readings

Flash PMIs for February show that growth in India is gaining momentum, US activity is close to stalling, while the Eurozone and UK are barely keeping their heads above water

Buffett’s Dilemma: Too much cash, too few investment opportunities

BUSINESS

Buffett’s Dilemma: Too much cash, too few investment opportunities

Berkshire Hathaway’s holdings of short-term US Treasury bills more than doubled in 2024

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | What’s the nature of Trump’s game?

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | What’s the nature of Trump’s game?

The problem lies in trying to predict what Trump will do, simply because his role model seems to be Alice in Wonderland, who famously said, 'I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then

Amerika Uber Allies

POLITICS

Amerika Uber Allies

The Munich Security Conference brought home to Europe the realisation that US policy had changed from being a friend and ally to that of ‘a landlord seeking rent’

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?

BUSINESS

Moneycontrol Pro Weekender | With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?

The US is overstretched, militarily and financially, and it can no longer take care of both a European and a Pacific front

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347