opinion

Climate change is pushing up food prices — and worrying central banks

Shifting weather patterns are reducing crop yields and squeezing supplies, creating what could become a permanent source of inflation

Electric vehicle makers need to shorten design-to-market timeline

Homologation in India has become faster with new testing centres. Eventually, quick product introduction depends on the quality of manufacturing processes 

Budget Snapshot: Why lower budgetary support for defence research is not bad for the sector

Even if the upcoming budget does not significantly increase the defence allocation for research, there is little cause for concern. DRDO is poised to increasingly act as a nodal agency, sharing research and production responsibilities between the private and public sectors.

Should investors be concerned about promoter exits?

The increasing number of promoter sales in smaller companies is a warning sign. It is prudent to monitor stocks where promoters have sold for non-strategic reasons closely

Decoding Economics: The power of narratives

An NBER research paper says narratives may be a significant cause of the business cycle

India frets over Sheikh Hasina’s China visit, a litmus test for New Delhi-Dhaka ties

Although India was Sheikh Hasina’s first port of call after her re-election in January, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister is now headed for China where she is expected to take a call on enlisting Beijing’s help to develop the Teesta basin languishing because of India’s failure to formalize the water-sharing treaty hanging fire since 2011. Bangladesh-China’s agreement on Rohingya repatriation, Belt and Road Initiative and import of arms also concern us 

Budget 2024: Will social sector spending take note of UN concern?

The latest UN report on SDGs is an eye-opener for all and calls for accelerated action

Decline in India’s FDI flows calls for fresh thinking

Declining FDI flows are no longer just about governance or tax considerations, but are mainly about geopolitical motivations

One ratio would determine how banks are rerated in FY25

Credit-to-deposit ratio is giving banks the biggest of headaches

Monsoon: June rainfall disappoints but its July that’s crucial for food inflation

Picture is unclear. Reservoir levels are low but paddy procurement is good. Good rainfall this month can change everything

AI is failing on facts but crushing it on creative work

It will take a few more years for banks and health-care firms to solve AI’s hallucination problem, but creative industries already face some harsh disruptions

UK Elections: Labour victory can be wasted if Keir Starmer stays cautious

A careful campaign is one thing. But the challenges facing Britain’s next government can’t be glossed over

French Election: Macron's electoral humiliation is a grim omen for Europe

Anyone worried about the fate of democracy should be concerned about Marine Le Pen’s success

Not by Accident: World class airports and roads require institutional change

Infrastructure development is not just about building it. It requires governance standards and political financing benchmarks to evolve

Forget radical honesty — Big Tech revisits its corporate culture

As the sector ages, markers of traditional hierarchy are creeping in

The Trump trade

Investing after the Biden meltdown

How RSS looks at Hindu Nationalism and why it is misunderstood

The concept of ‘Hindu Nationalism’ represents values rooted in our civilisation. The RSS is only carrying forward a legacy that was forgotten and has come under the influence of those who have been looking at Bharat through an ideological lens which does not represent our value system

How SEBI actions on options trading will impact brokers

Options volume has surged from ₹4.6 lakh crore in 2018 to ₹138 lakh crore in 2024 and retail participation has shot up, prompting the market regulator is consider trading curbs

Premiumisation in tyres can partially mitigate cost pressure: Anuj Kathuria, President (India) JK Tyre & Industries

We need to be watchful of rising commodity prices. The cost of JK Tyre's raw material basket may move up by about four per cent this fiscal

Bond index inclusion will drive FII flows into Indian markets, lifting liquidity

Unlike equity inflows, bond inflows are long term investments. That means the rupee will not witness volatility like it does when FIIs exit from equity markets

Bank for International Settlements on what could go wrong for the global economy

Budget Snapshot | FY24 sees India Inc’s tax/PBT ratio decline sharply

While the overall number is down, it is a mixed picture among sectors that have contributed to the decline in tax/PBT ratio 

How Budget 2024 can put India on the path of Viksit Bharat 2047

Direct tax framework can be simplified and rates rationalised without upsetting macroeconomic stability. This is a must to move India to another level

Why everyone is not convinced about Dr Reddy’s latest acquisition

Dr Reddy’s will have to invest significantly to improve growth rates of the acquired brands in nicotine replacement therapy

Budget 2024 needs to boost household savings to provide enough fuel for investment

Indians are saving less in financial instruments as interest rates haven’t kept pace with inflation. Budget can tweak taxes to reverse this decline