opinion

Activism in India’s Gig Economy: Balancing growth and workers' rights

India’s gig economy is growing and is responsible for creating jobs. It is facing challenges regarding workers' rights and conditions. Activism for gig workers should seek balanced solutions to protect them without disrupting trust in platforms, ensuring sustainable growth and economic stability

What the latest IBC data tell us on recovery rates

Recovery rate from IBC deals kept falling as delayed resolutions proved costly.

Chart of the Day: The leverage that is rattling microfinance firms

More than a third of microfinance lenders’ portfolio is from overleveraged borrowers having four or more loans

Oil Markets: OPEC+ faces an internal foe in 2025 — Kazakhstan

The cartel will find one of its members chafing even more than usual against oil production quotas

Economic advice for Trump and Powell: first, do no harm

The US economy has become more dynamic over the last few years, and the main goal for the president-elect and the chair of the Federal Reserve should be to keep it that way

Rural economic recovery may buoy overall consumption

Private consumption expenditure may show only modest growth when the July-September GDP data is released this week. However, healthy kharif output and a positive outlook for the rabi season will boost rural demand. This, in turn, should bring down food inflation and free up urban household budgets for more discretionary consumption

India’s Wind Energy Sector: Challenges in powering clean energy revolution

Wind energy is pivotal in India's renewable goals, offering sustainable solutions. With government initiatives, technological advancements, and ambitious targets, India confronts challenges like site selection and infrastructure, striving for energy independence, job creation, and a greener future

Supply side shocks upend macro policymaking

All these years, the world economy mainly dealt with demand side shocks where central banks were simply expected to tweak interest rates to bring inflation back to control. Supply shocks have now made a comeback, complicating the job of central banks in identifying the causes of inflation

HUL chooses investors’ favourite flavour for ice cream demerger

A separately-listed company post-demerger gives investors the options for staying invested in a business with high growth potential or divesting it if they don’t have the appetite for it

Newbie natural gas traders, beware the widow maker months

Rising natural gas prices may seem like a seasonal trade to capitalise on during winter months when demand is up. But it’s a very risky one as many have found when it’s too late

GenAI Revolutionises Credit Underwriting: From data to credit memo creation

Generative AI is transforming credit underwriting by automating memo generation, integrating with financial systems, and enhancing decision-making. It streamlines data analysis, reduces errors, and boosts productivity, enabling credit officers to focus on value-added tasks like risk assessment and credit evaluation

How to make India quality conscious?

Focus should be on R&D rather than government support to make domestic products globally competitive

Chart of the Day: Peak electricity demand growth slows after rising rapidly in FY22-24

The post COVID bump up in demand is showing signs of moderation.

Why Bata’s chappal sales are a bellwether for the economy

Inflation is pinching the average Indian, something that is visible in slowing sales of footwear

A central banker's dilemma: To talk or nor not to talk!

Patra’s speech, in a way, reflected the ongoing dilemma within the RBI top brass on how to manage the communication part of the monetary policy at a time when the policymakers themselves aren’t sure of the point of a rate pivot

Make the best of the climate finance deal available

India is dissatisfied with the climate finance target set at COP29 in Baku. For sure, it’s inadequate to cope with the scale of the problem, but the Global South shouldn’t spend time and resources on complaining about how the climate finance script didn’t meet their expectations

Privacy on Wheels: Are you being followed?

Connected vehicles collect vast personal data, which make them mobile data centres. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA) mandates strict data protection standards, requiring transparency, consent, and robust security measures from automakers. Manufacturers must prioritise user privacy and consumers must demand transparency and control over personal data.

The return of the techno-libertarians

Silicon Valley billionaires are selling a dream of unfettered markets — but reality is not so certain

Unilever is doubling down on India -- What that means for HUL’s investors

The parent company’s hunger for protecting market leadership, accelerating growth as India’s economy transforms and rolling out parts of a global strategy locally could lead to better growth outcomes

Shivaji's Legacy: Lessons for new Maharashtra government on good governance

Sanghnomics: With a massive mandate in Maharashtra, the Mahayuti alliance faces immense expectations. Inspired by Shivaji Maharaj, BJP and Shiv Sena may adopt his administrative principles, such as ruling as trustees and fair taxation policies. Shivaji’s legacy also includes economic incentives to stimulate trade and agriculture

COP29: Debate mirrors rising temperatures, but climate finance ice refuses to melt

COP29 managed to disappoint every country despite a deal being signed for climate finance

Chart of the Day | Active funds make a comeback

One reason for the more rapid growth of active funds compared to passive ones is the introduction of numerous new active fund schemes, particularly thematic and sectoral schemes as well as small and mid-cap funds.

The Eastern Window: India needs to reconsider its policy towards the new Bangladesh leadership

Bangladesh is frantically trying to improve its relations with China and Pakistan. There may be bigger risks along the Bangladesh border which has been a source of smuggled arms for a long time. India may need to reconsider its Bangladesh policy 

Rising women power is visibly influencing election outcomes

The share of women voters in Maharashtra and Jharkhand was higher compared to male voters. That explains the spate of women-centric welfare measures that appears to have worked in the favour of incumbents retaining power in both states