Mahayudh again in Maharashtra, with a twist this time
Friction between state’s CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde may seem like a repeat of the fractious BJP-Shiv Sena relationship between 2014 and 2019. This time, however, there may be other factors at play as the ostensible Sena-BJP battle for the Hindutva space may also be where the BJP’s internal leadership dynamics are playing out
The fixes we need for the PLI scheme to fulfil its potential
The underperformance of some sectors is not only due to industry-specific hurdles but that companies do not meet eligibility criteria, delays in timelines and receiving the incentives
Are hospitals the new defensive stocks?
Stocks of large hospital chains are valued at par or higher than consumer staples companies
The Eastern Window | Xi’s Big Tech Gamble: Can private innovation save China’s economy?
Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken a major step in assigning a bigger role to the long-marginalised private sector. This will mean lesser dependence on the public sector, one of the Communist Party’s pillars, as Beijing battles against economic slowdown and US threats
Breaking the Qubit Barrier: The global push for practical quantum computing
Microsoft and Peking University announced Quantum Computing breakthroughs last week. But there is too little information available to say confidently how close we are to the goal of a general purpose quantum computer
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
Why is a weaker rupee good for the Indian economy?
The rupee has depreciated against USD by close to 4 percent over the last five months, triggering hand-wringing. The anxiety is misplaced as a weaker rupee can boost key export-intensive segments even after accounting for their high import of inputs. There’s no case for the central bank’s intervention except to cushion phases of extreme volatility
Chart of the Day| MPC minutes show clear shift towards growth focus
Malhotra’s confidence in the disinflationary trajectory is well-founded. After breaching the RBI’s upper tolerance band in October, headline inflation has moderated, with food inflation showing clear signs of easing
Central banks bring a welcome glimpse of normality in Asia
Crises are wrenching, and instructive — but not the only thing going on. Three central banks in Asia displayed some much-needed calm
India’s EV race with China depends on trains
Subsidies and more charging points in cities won’t be enough. Range anxiety must be addressed
The Reading List: February 21, 2025
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Regulatory frameworks need to resemble a scaffolding, not an edifice
A regulator is expected to be an enabling force for the growth of an industry. Instead, we have created a regulatory framework which is often out of sync with reality and an obstacle to the progress of firms
Are states borrowing their way to collapse?
Rising public debt imposes an unfair burden on future generations. Higher debt today is foregone welfare and development tomorrow
Musk’s elevated status could raise X’s value too
These days, political influence matters as much as metrics such as ‘daily active users’
Golwalkar's Leadership: Expanding RSS amidst tumultuous times (1940-1973)
RSSFACTS: Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of RSS, led the organisation through significant events like India’s Partition and independence. His leadership expanded RSS across India, strengthening its network, promoting Hindu unity, and inspiring countless volunteers during crucial years
Should investors brace for more pain or prepare for the next upswing?
While valuations and technical analysis indicate that we could possibly be near the bottom, but fundamentals on the ground limit the upside
Chart of the Day: How to read RBI’s forex intervention? Look both sides
Forex intervention is a necessity in the age of growing global uncertainties.
RBI Survey: Indian farmers still love cash, but digital is gaining ground
Cash remains king in India’s agricultural payments—but the tide is turning
Closing Bell: Indices end on weak note; Sensex falls 420 pts, Nifty ends below 22,800
Sectoral indices struggled, with 12 of 13 major indices closing in the red. Nifty Metal was the sole gainer, rising over 1 percent. Nifty Auto plunged 2.5 percent amid reports of a potential import duty cut on EVs from 110 percent to 15 percent, clearing the path for Tesla’s India entry. Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, and TVS Motors led the decline.
Ukraine is just a pawn in a Russian reset
The president’s approach makes US actions more logical, but no less shameful
Trump risks making the same economic mistakes as Biden
Much like his predecessor, the current president is eager to talk about the benefits of his policies but reluctant to confront their costs
CEOs’ forced smiles show the limits of AI-driven investing
A really radical idea would be to pay attention to companies’ actual financial performance too
Why audio devices are the backbone of the digital-first consumer
Audio devices, from voice assistants to immersive sound technologies, are reshaping how we interact with digital spaces. As part of the IoT ecosystem, they’re becoming essential in communication, entertainment, and smart home automation, driving future technological advancements
FMCG outlook remains tough although valuations have eased
The headwinds that have held the sector’s fortunes down are not showing signs of easing up as yet
Why, despite gaining market share, is the M&M stock falling?
Over the nine months ended FY2025, M&M gained 1.9 percentage points in PV market share to about 12 percent while the shares of Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai India and Tata Motors fell
