'Size did us in', writes Buffett, meaning that Berkshire Hathaway, finding wonderful businesses that can add meaningful value to the firms is a problem
Selective buying on dips can be continued, and stocks in extended momentum can be periodically trimmed. On the other hand, volatility will increase during the week, and the possibility of breaking the level of 21,800 is very high.
Former Premier Shinzo Abe's famous three arrows of reform are belatedly hitting their targets. Cultural change is happening with more consistent wage rises, less resistance to mergers and acquisitions and a return to steady inflation. The prospects are not just in equities, but in residential as well as commercial real estate. If ever the US domestic picture falters, Japan is the obvious alternative for fund managers looking for growth, combined with a cheap currency
Children who spend a large part of their formative years in a virtual world are missing out on face-to-face interactions that help to build strong social bonds and resilience. This applies even more to social media, which replicates real-world interactions though removes the filters that modulate behavior in real-world interactions
The war’s consumption of able-bodied workers has driven is forcing civilian industries to pay more for scarce labour. To keep inflation in check, the central bank has had to hike its benchmark interest rate to 16%, further squeezing the private sector. The annual budget deficit is about $17 billion, but government's borrowing capacity is of limited use if domestic banks are the only available lenders. Those same banks are increasingly exposed to losses as sky-high interest rates weigh on corporate borrowers
Despite a vision document spelling out the precarious situation of the present and enlisting the steps needed to become a Developed Punjab by 2047, Budget 2023-24 failed to stick to the path of fiscal consolidation, and instead cut back on much needed expenditure needed to sustain human capital, industry and infrastructure
In this edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: RBI faces stiff challenge from stubborn food inflation, India faces a retirement dilemma, investors advised caution as private capex action heats up, airport wheelchair policy needs a revisit, and more
Despite a more cost-efficient option of listing at GIFT IFSC, challenges such as smaller investor base and evolving regulations make US listings more attractive for Indian companies. However, complying with Sarbanes-Oxley Act, US GAAP and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act poses complexities and costs, especially for smaller companies
Students find shelter from the AI storm by taking joint degrees that help make them adaptable to a shifting jobs market
It isn’t uncommon to have as many as 75-80 passengers on one flight seeking wheelchairs – quite a challenging task for airlines to address without delays. Imagine when a number of long-haul flights are bunched within a short span of time. It has been observed that many senior citizens purportedly not requiring a wheelchair also make requests, clogging the pipeline for those who really need it
As the world embraces larger tech-enabled businesses and embraces diverse social and cultural engagement, the traditional notion of retirement must adapt
Over the past five years, Ola has exited several markets and shuttered down many different lines of business such as Ola Money and Ola Foods. Aggarwal is now left with two main lines, the ride-hailing and the EVs
India’s critical mineral strategy seeks to bridge the gap between supply and demand based on multifaceted strategies. It now needs to drive partnerships to secure offshore minerals sources amid an aggressive China and intense competition
Where Reddit differs among its tech peers is in its striking dependence on its user base to keep things operational. Reddit must keep its users satisfied and its efforts to expand its limited (and already unpopular) advertising formats could send users packing. 98% of Reddit’s revenue is made up of advertising income. And of that, 26% came from just 10 ad clients in 2023. Investors will be watching this closely and expect more diversity sooner rather than later
China's crackdown on quantitative trading shows how inexperienced the Chinese quants are. The country has largely blocked out the world’s best hedge funds. In other words, they were not baptized by the likes of Citadel, which relentlessly sifts out untalented traders and portfolio managers and speeds up industry consolidation in whichever markets they operate. By allowing in the best, Beijing can ensure the bad ones can’t thrive and create havoc
In today's era of globalisation, states must enhance their competitiveness and refrain from coercing businesses into prioritising local hires for mere statistical representation. If Karnataka is attempting to ensure more Kannada speakers get MNC jobs, the state has to prioritise equipping its residents with high-quality education, skills relevant to current and future job markets, and opportunities for grassroots entrepreneurship
What is needed is a holistic approach aimed at improving the quality of school education across the board
Capacity utilization is high, corporate credit is reviving, it’s just a matter of time
The Congress-SP alliance is a reprieve for the INDIA bloc after a series of debilitating jolts. The narrow social base of the alliance, absence of a caste-neutral governance programme, and the low credibility of the Akhilesh-Rahul duo are challenges to be overcome
Those sceptical of the current boom argue that this is nothing more than another instance of a once-a-decade cycle in which interest in Japan is resurgent, but fleeting. But there are good reasons to believe that this time, things are different: Investors are souring on China; problems like the low fertility rate that once seemed unique are now experienced worldwide
To get Netanyahu's attention, the US can sponsor a resolution that would formally enshrine the two-state solution in international law as the goal to be pursued by all sides, including Israel. An even more drastic move, if Netanyahu stays intransigent, would be for Washington to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN. That gesture would create facts not on the ground but in international law
In this edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Cocoa price graph turns vertical, February flash PMI shows India in a good position, current earnings trends hint at sustainablity, wait for a robust gig economy before taxing it, and more
Private entry into nuclear energy holds promise. But poorly conceptualised and unclear roles-responsibilities, skewed risk-return frameworks, lack of contractual clarity and effective dispute resolution frameworks have harmed public-private partnerships. Effective communications and informing positive public opinion, a key nuclear energy obstacle, needs addressing. India cannot miss the bus again
Despite widespread support for fixing floor prices for all major crops, the current MSP system's effectiveness is limited. MSP for many crops are indicative in nature due to a lack of an effective procurement mechanism. A nuanced strategy, informed by global experiences and focused on efficiency and innovation, is essential for sustainable agricultural growth in India
The Flash Composite PMI came in at a 7-month high while inflation in input costs as well as selling prices is very low
