COMPANIES
Corporate Corridor | Pfizer’s Upjohn and Mylan combining forces holds lessons for Indian pharma majors
The merger of Pfizer’s Upjohn division and Mylan may not only attempt to solve their problems in the US market but also make inroads into emerging markets, particularly China
BUSINESS
Corporate Corridor | Vedanta shakes off one uncertainty, with parent exit from Anglo American investment
The exit from Anglo American will reassure investors that the promoter focus will remain centred on Vedanta
BUSINESS
Corporate corridor | What HUL’s results say or don’t about the slowdown in consumption demand
HUL’s soaps business was the main reason why growth slowed down and if its price cuts work, then it should recover in the second half of FY20.
BUSINESS
Corporate corridor | Early FMCG results show some companies will keep the growth flag flying
The narrative of a FMCG slowdown may be true at the industry level but individual results show that some companies are not taking a slowdown for granted.
BUSINESS
Audit trail | When auditors resign, SEBI wants them to go out with a bang
SEBI is tightening the screws on auditor resignations, both on when they can resign and the disclosures to be made when that happens.
BUSINESS
Consumption Play | FMCG slowdown may be real but numbers show a nuanced picture for investors
The June quarter should see a slowdown in volume growth while price-led growth does some moderate lifting. That could mean that margins may either hold up or even improve.
BUSINESS
Corporate Corridor | Pharma has a tough climb to regain investor faith
Compliance-related issues with the US FDA just don’t seem to be going away any time soon. In India, a key threat is the government’s efforts to make drugs affordable, and what policy changes it adopts to fulfil that objective.
BUSINESS
If banks don't get superior rights, investor expectations of recovery from IBC will need pruning
The NCLAT order on Essar Steel has highlighted a new challenge for the bankruptcy code: whether maximise recovery for banks or ensure equitable treatment of all creditors.
BUSINESS
Budget 2019 | Why the FM saw red on trade
Why India's government wants to shore up customs duty collections, in addition to giving an impetus to Make in India
BUSINESS
Rising effective tax rate creates headroom for further corporate tax cuts
The effective corporate tax rate in 2017-18 has risen to 29.5percent, a good three percentage points higher than a year ago and is the highest in the past five years
BUSINESS
ArcelorMittal-Essar Steel: Takeaways for investors and the IBC process
Under the new resolution plan, banks will have to take a haircut of around 40 percent
ECONOMY
Budget Snapshots | On Budget eve, PMI for June shows economy getting worse
The Budget will tell us what the government’s plans are to get the economy out of a rut.
BUSINESS
Electric Vehicles | Build the charging infrastructure, they will come
The Economic Survey believes that adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is more important than even tax incentives
BUSINESS
Corporate Corridor | A sharpened anti-profiteering sword signals trouble for consumer companies
Not only is the government extending the anti-profiteering authority's tenure, it has given it more powers that could hurt business confidence. Investors in consumer companies should watch out for the risk posed by the tweaks.
BUSINESS
Corporate Corridor | US-China talks a relief for metals but not enough to revive optimism
That the US and China have agreed to resume trade talks is good but not enough to rid the uncertainty that has gripped the metals sector
ECONOMY
Budget Snapshots | Policy measures expected to address consumption slowdown
The upcoming Budget is expected to take measures to address the slowdown in private consumption.
MARKETS
Markets | Tech start-up founders get a superior voting rights carrot but the sticks are many
Sebi has allowed technology companies to issue shares with superior voting rights to founders to encourage them to list in India. That carries risks for minority shareholder rights but Sebi has put some safeguards in place
BUSINESS
Corporate Corridor| Rising royalty payments are a global phenomenon but minority investors in India to get a veto
If the royalty rule does take effect, it will mark minority shareholders of foreign-owned companies getting a rare upper hand
BUSINESS
Policy Block | The sword of anti-profiteering continues to hang over India Inc
An extension of the anti-profiteering authority's tenure is a risk for Indian business, and investors should remember to not get too excited when GST rates are cut
BUSINESS
HDFC FMP episode: Shareholders, big or small, the buck stops at your doorstep
Minority shareholders earn dividends and capital gains but in return bear the risk of a capital loss and being an owner, however small their stake may be
BUSINESS
Corporate corridor | Investors to note: A storm of grade AS 116 is headed your way
The June quarter earnings season will see some disruption due to a new accounting standard for leases taking effect from 1 April. Investors should keep a watch out for unusual changes in the numbers and financial ratios
BUSINESS
Corporate governance | Making independent directors swot for exams is futile, application is what counts
Ultimately, the responsibility for holding a light to a company’s actions rests on its minority shareholders, chief among them institutional shareholders.
BUSINESS
Corporate corridor | Colgate’s shareholders should press for a royalty that bites less
Colgate is asking minority shareholders to approve royalty payments to its parent. A lower royalty outgo would give it more firepower in its battle to retain its market supremacy
BUSINESS
Corporate corridor | JSW Steel should steer clear of British Steel, even if it’s served on a platter
For JSW Steel to step in where others have tried and failed, appears to be foolhardy
