How pharma companies are fighting back commoditisation of medicine market
The rising usage of generic drugs is undermining pharma market growth in India
Chart of the Day | How banks' CRR liability evolved in the flexible inflation targeting era
Data shows that the FIT era freed up funds for banks enabling them to use this for productive lending purposes
Fixed income segment now needs reforms on the distribution side
In 2024, fixed income market in India got a boost with the country’s inclusion in the JPMorgan Global Bond Index. Moreover, the Indian market offered stable returns when many other markets experienced volatility. In 2025, liquidity should rise with India’s inclusion in the Bloomberg Index and FTSE Russell. Therefore, the next reform should be harmonisation of different trading platforms
Indian badminton needs to get its mojo back
Indian badminton appeared to regress in 2024, with its top players unable to win an international title. As the year drew to a close, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won titles at the Syed Modi International at Lucknow. Hopefully, it’s an early indicator that the tide will turn in 2025.
On the trail of a Christian Agra: A legacy of Mughal-European interactions
Agra's Christian presence, born from interactions between Mughal emperors and European priests, is a fascinating tale of cultural exchange, marked by the construction of historic churches and cemeteries, reflecting the city's rich and intertwined history.
Why the mysteries of corporate longevity matter to investors
It is unclear why some companies have staying power
Chart of the Day | Global steel output fell by 1.4 percent YoY in 2024 till November
Falling output should be good for steel prices but China’s slowing economy has led to surplus steel flooding other markets
Trading in procyclical markets
Traders will need to sweat more to get profits in the new year
Innovation, inclusivity, and infrastructure to drive India’s banks in 2025
A cyclical slowdown awaits the economy in FY26, but banks can easily weather this
New entrants to spice up equity listings in hotel sector
A defining feature is the rising presence of realty developers and private equity backed hotels that are seeking to list
What founders should know before approaching venture capital funds in 2025
While investor confidence and VC funding activity revived in 2024, funds are looking for certain specific qualities in the startups they are willing to fund
Transforming India's clearing corporations through diversified ownership and global integration
SEBI's proposed reforms aim to increase ownership limits for foreign and domestic entities in clearing corporations, promoting diversified ownership, technological innovation, and financial resilience to align with regulatory aspirations for a globally competitive and inclusive securities market
Pre-IPO Playbook: Setting the stage for a successful public listing
A well-executed pre-IPO strategy is crucial for a smooth public debut, involving careful planning, investor alignment, and a strategic approach to timing, valuation, and investor engagement to attract top-tier public market investors and ensure long-term success.
Chart of the Day: Finding opportunity amid market turmoil
Amid widespread fall in equities, some sectors have shown signs of being winners
The Eastern Window: India-Sri Lanka relations soar but hurdles remain
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi show that he has overcome his past opposition towards India and is ready to do business. But he is also trying to balance his relations with India and China
Weaponisation of Section 498A
In 1983, IPC added Section 498A to protect married women from harassment at the hands of her husband. A law introduced with good intentions has been over the years turned in it's head. It has become in many instances of a breakdown in the marriage, a tool to harass not just the husband but also his relatives
Delhi battles financial strain amid freebies and faces declining budget allocations
Sanghnomics: As Delhi prepares for elections, AAP's "freebies" clash with the city's financial challenges. Budget cuts across vital sectors, mounting losses in state enterprises, and questions over fiscal management highlight the urgent need for corrective measures to improve Delhi's financial health.
US Federal Reserve’s flip-flops risk undermining US exceptionalism
The central bank’s highly reactive policy approach of recent years amplifies financial volatility
MPC minutes point to pro-growth lobby gaining ground
The arguments by MPC member Nagesh Kumar in favour of a rate cut were based on a pressing need to support the slowing economy with a cut in interest rates. Ram Singh too supported this view.
Can India’s external sector keep calm for the rest of FY25?
Despite pressure on the trade gap, balance of payments seems to be on track for a small deficit in FY25
GST Meeting: What's the cost of delayed decision-making?
The wait continues for decisions on crucial matters such as rate rationalisation and lowering of premium on insurance due to a lack of consensus among various stakeholders
Alarmism over India's public debt is unwarranted
India's debt level is sustainable when seen in the context of it's economic growth. Therefore, it's important to avoid a hasty reduction in the ratio of fiscal growth to GDP ratio as borrowing has gone into creating building blocs of future growth. A Fiscal Council will help access debt level in an appropriate way.
GST Council needs a holistic approach to taxing e-commerce models
What is ideally required is a broader policy decision from the GST Council regarding the levy of GST on e-commerce business models, rather than specific clarifications or exceptions for individual sectors. Uniformity and certainty of the tax position will be critical for the stability of the burgeoning e-commerce businesses
The Reading List: December 20, 2024
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Vault matters | Barely discussed concerns in gold loans
The year 2024 belonged to gold loans clearly. From one of the largest players, IIFL Finance, being banned for a little over six months this year to the regulator waking up the irregularities in the sector, gold loans have become the product everyone wants to focus on. But if unsecured loans are being realigned as secured gold loans product, is that proposition well thought through?
