opinion

Banking sector holds key to markets

The weight of the banking sector in the Nifty is higher than the next three heavy weight sectors combined. That makes the banking and financial sector the swing sector for the Nifty

Ripe for Disruption: Opportunities and challenges in the evolving insurance sector

The insurance sector offers significant growth potential despite challenges like outdated underwriting, trust issues, and complex processes. Opportunities exist in areas such as vehicle underwriting, SMB insurance, and surety bonds, with innovation-driven startups poised to capitalise on these gaps.

What do Q3 asset quality trends for banks show?

While PSBs have cleaned up their books well, private sector banks (PVBs) are grappling with rising delinquencies in unsecured retail loans and microfinance portfolios.

Dual regulation must go to arrest frequent deaths among cooperative banks

Dual regulation is making cooperative banks a cesspool of corruption

Retail Lending: What got us here, will no longer take us too far ahead

Retail lending’s growth thus far has been partially aided by structural factors such as a large pool of new-to-credit borrowers. With low hanging fruit no longer available, retail lenders need to enhance analytical and risk management capabilities to once again record high but sustainable growth rates

Chart of the Day: How massive investor flows built froth in small, midcap stocks

Even after the recent correction, small cap and mid cap indices trade at a significant premium to the Nifty 50 index

A snapshot of the Production Linked Incentive scheme

PLI schemes are collectively expected to utilise 16% of the outlay by the end of FY26, even though some schemes such as those for drones and mobile phones have utilised a higher proportion. To improve utilisation rate, the government could consider additional incentives in some sectors.

India needs a 'Third Way' to deal with new economic challenges

Sanghnomics: Trump’s protectionist stance sparks debate in India, with SJM advocating for a 'Swadeshi' economic model. The focus is on domestic demand, employment generation, and strategic autonomy to navigate global economic challenges

Chart of the Day: The perfect storm for Indian markets

A combination of high valuations, low growth, and a weakening currency is leading to a shift of funds out of India and into markets perceived to have faster growth potential

Trade isn’t all about Trump

World business and commerce are changing in ways that have nothing to do with the US president’s tariff threats

Futureproof the Force: Uncrewed, uncompromised, and strategically unstoppable

UAVs are reshaping modern warfare by offering autonomy, resilience, and advanced capabilities. With a focus on indigenisation, strategic autonomy, and technological superiority, nations, especially India, are positioning themselves as leaders in drone innovation for defence and broader sectors.

Personal Finance | Panic selling is the enemy of retail investors

The amount invested in large caps, in fixed income and in gold will determine your portfolio’s ability to cushion volatile shocks from the portion invested in small caps 

In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s fortress seems impregnable

RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat is camping in West Bengal for 10 days, an indication of the electoral importance of the state for the BJP. TMC, however, is sitting pretty, thanks to the significant backing of Muslims who comprise 27 percent of the population. The magnitude of this support gives TMC the cushion to withstand problems that have come in the wake of three successive terms

India rolls out the red carpet for private nuclear firms

France and India last week declared an intent to partner each other to develop advanced modular nuclear reactors and SMRs. Juxtaposed with the recent union budget’s proposals to rework India’s legal framework for nuclear energy and set a rather ambitious capacity addition target, there’s a clear signal to the private sector to step in.

Will Trump oblige as Modi dials M for India-US trade momentum?

US President’s tariff tantrums prompt New Delhi to line up initiatives to pacify Washington and blunt the impact of any retaliatory step

IT sector’s stable technology budgets may face macro headwinds

Industry consultants and managements of IT companies indicate a stable or relatively better technology spending in 2025

US-Europe alliance comes under pressure after Munich conference

US President Donald Trump’s representatives have shaken up European countries by their statements and political moves over the Ukraine issue. The question is whether European countries are capable of joining hands to face up to the new challenge from Washington politics

The Reading List: February 14, 2025

Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read.

The case to regulate opinion trading in India 

Opinion trading platforms often claim to foster skilful engagement, even though their core mechanics align more with gambling for two primary reasons - unpredictable outcomes and binary decision making. Therefore, it is vital that India regulate the opinion trading sector.

Shankar Sharma writes on " The Unbearable Lightness of being Hare-ish"

Writing as Le Grand Fromage, the market veteran says that a hare can swivel, zigzag, and most importantly, make U-turns, the characteristics an investor needs when the bull market euphoria is at its peak.

What is Donald Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff plan?

US president orders options to retaliate with tariffs against host of perceived trade barriers

Bangladesh is India’s problem because Americans couldn’t care less

Donald Trump put to rest the allegation of an American ‘Deep State’ involvement in Bangladesh. India, however, has a problem on its hands and reason to be interested in what’s going on there.

Tackling litigation delays to boost India’s economic growth

Litigation delays in India hinder investment, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Addressing these inefficiencies requires judicial reforms, improved court infrastructure, and proactive government action to create a predictable business environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth

Mohamed El-Erian: The mounting risks to US exceptionalism

Trump’s fire hose of policy changes could make companies more cautious on spending and investment