The stage looks set for an infotech reboot
Recovery trends in IT spending are discernible and there’s a buzz that the Centre is weighing a fresh policy push
Chart of the Day: For fintechs, small business loans are a big problem
Fintechs dominate the market for loans below Rs 1 lakh to small businesses
What the July IIP numbers say about consumption, capex
Consumer durables production was up a strong 8.21 percent, but the output of consumer non-durables was lower by 4.36 percent from a year ago
August CPI shows encouraging signs in food disinflation
If we take the index values, the consumer price index was at 193 both in July and in August. In other words, month-on-month inflation for August is zero
Fintechs must shed their Wild West label to become more reliable
Some fintechs are still gunslinging in the unsecured lending market
How China has ‘throttled’ its private sector
Venture capital finance has dried up amid political and economic pressures, prompting a dramatic fall in new company formation
How to leverage M&As to expand available capital and opportunities
Successful deals bring in much-needed capital, foster innovation, creating synergies that can lift whole industries in the country. This is because M&As give businesses an immediate way to enhance their portfolio of products, attain entry into newer markets, and enhance economies of scale
Inflation is still dead
Inflation is beaten. And it does not look set to stage a comeback
Apple and Google's easy ride is coming to an end
EU court rulings against Apple and Google mark a new era for of swifter regulation for tech giants
FMCG margins to gain from lower costs, but sales growth faces a big risk
Commodity prices remaining stable or soft is what FMCG majors would like, when material costs decline sharply there’s an acute risk of smaller players stealing a march over the bigger ones
New Industrial Cities: Ambitious idea, but finance and planning challenges pose concerns
The Union government's plan for 12 new industrial cities faces issues in defining clear objectives, securing adequate financing, and managing governance. Previous attempts highlight the need for targeted goals and effective urban planning
Powell’s inertia leaves the US Fed in a bind after CPI surprise
Policymakers missed a golden opportunity to cut rates in July. Now, they will be slowed down by bad inflation optics
China’s omnipresence makes it indispensable to global growth
While US attempts to decouple from China make headlines, its impact on other parts of the globe, across Europe, Asia and Africa, are equally, if not more crucial to examine
Decoding Economics: The impact of AI and what it means for investors
Two research papers from the Bank for International Settlements, a report from the International Labour Organisation and a Goldman Sachs Global Strategy paper, consider the likely effects of AI
J&K assembly election is turning out to be a battle of proxies
Kashmir Valley is enthusiastic about the election. The political landscape has changed hugely since 2019, with the advent of many independent candidates, including former separatists. It’s catalysed speculation on whether many aspirants are fronts
Chart of the Day | Thematic mutual funds hog the limelight in equity flows
Net flows into thematic funds in calendar year-till-date 2024 were three times more than that seen in the full year 2023
Gloom in global car sales takes the steam off Tata Motors’ stock
The sudden downtrend in global PV sales (including India) has come at a time when India’s commercial vehicle sales are stuttering too
More bad news likely for PSBs from potential agri-loan stress
Recent announcements of farm loan waivers and the likelihood of more in the run-up to elections in the next 18 months could trigger the risk of loan waivers for state-owned banks
Life insurers are winning in business growth, but volatile profits weigh on valuation
Private life insurers have snatched market share away from LIC but profitability has been a different story.
Wikipedia and the protection offered by SC’s Shreya Singal judgement
Everyone has a right to seek judicial remedy when their rights are violated. But by not suing the actual sources of publications and instead going after an encyclopedia that only cites these articles and threatening to ban it over contested opinions sets a concerning precedent
Are index funds truly diversified when top sectors dominate?
Index funds are considered diversified as they include multiple stocks and sectors. However, when certain sectors, like IT in the US or financial services in India, dominate the index, their weight significantly skews diversification. For better diversification, consider Equal Weighted or Equal Risk Indexes
Insider Trading: Can crowdsourcing surveillance stamp out the scourge?
Regulators have not succeeded in ending curb insider trading. A radical idea that promises enhanced transparency may prove to be an effective disinfectant
Wall Street’s hottest business is about to cool
The private equity and hedge fund lending boom is running into lower interest rates and tighter rules
Elon Musk’s AI side gig should keep its distance from Tesla
Any deal that directs company money, or revenue, to the CEO’s other artificial intelligence venture detracts for the EV maker’s lofty valuations
Kamala Harris has the measure of Donald Trump
The vice-president won the debate and shut down lingering fears of her inadequacy for the fight ahead
