Consumer sentiment is lower than what was in 2019, but has improved in recent months while firms have grown more optimistic under the current government
China’s efforts to boost its economic growth has been piecemeal and unstructured and its continued troubles have made India an appealing alternative for investors. But Indian markets too have some risks
Utilisation levels in January 2024 surpassed 2023 highs indicating demand uptick
The aim of harnessing the benefits of AI will be better served in areas that are not typically addressed by the private sector. From procuring GPUs to managing computing infrastructure, government may not be able to match the market's agility. Alternatively, government can promote competition, regulate anti-competitive practices, fund research, and help in creating India-specific datasets
Elections are a big macro event, but despite upsets and wins over the years, history tells us that the risk of such an event for the market smoothens out over time
Days after presenting the interim Budget and ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 8 tabled the government's white paper on the Indian economy, chronicling what it calls the "insurmountable challenges" left behind by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.
ITC’s shares have fallen sharply, by around 4 percent at closing, as news broke that a major shareholder BAT plans to sell part of its stake in the company. What are the issues at stake?
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) noted that domestic economic activity is holding up well while large and repetitive food price shocks are interrupting the pace of disinflation. Overall, India appears well placed in terms of macrofinancial stability
Washington all too often invokes the RBIO only against foes, such as Russia, while exempting itself and its friends, notably Israel. The world is skeptical about this American shtick of RBIO, especially in Africa, Asia and South America, where countries are feeling — and often resisting — pressure by Washington to align with the West against Russia and China
Studies are finding AI tools improving productivity significantly for coders, analysists and customer support agents. IMF last month warned that jobs in advanced economies were especially exposed to AI and the risk of reduced labour demand, lower wages and reduced hiring. Some jobs might simply disappear
In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: BJP looking to expand its support base down south, headwinds for commercial vehicles sale a small blip, PM Modi's clarion call may save energy investment, Pakistan goes to polls amid severe crisis, and more
Overall, the MPC’s bullish expectations around the growth outlook and its forecast of CPI inflation to ease, albeit remaining above the 4 percent target, reinforces our view of a likely shallow rate cut cycle. We foresee cumulative rate cuts of 50-75 bps, commencing in the August 2024 meeting, and a stance change in the preceding review, after there is some visibility on the monsoon turnout
The RBI needs to soften its liquidity stance if it wants the forecasts for the next fiscal year to come true. After all, GDP growth is driven by investments more than consumption at this point
While Karnataka reaped a good bounty for BJP in 2019, BJP is this time going the extra mile to do better in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
Inflation would indeed be higher today had central banks not raised rates. But this latest inflationary episode was driven by supply shocks, which interest rates cannot directly and rapidly remedy
While the rest of South India saw the ravenous appetite for higher education opportunities among youngsters and opened the field to private capital, CPI(M) and its youth and student wings militantly opposed the move. Now faced with the prospect of a geriatric society where students are going abroad, the Marxists welcome foreign and private universities
Though India is getting a lot of overseas investment, Foxconn Technology Group’s announcement last month that it will spend $100 million on a new plant in Vietnam is a reminder that it doesn’t hold a monopoly over business migration away from China. India stands out among peers in implementing higher import duties, which motivate companies to set up in the country to supply local consumers but makes them less competitive in the export market
If renewable energy falls short, coal is going to make up the difference, either with — or more likely without — Carbon Capture and Storage. Rather than depending on an unrealistic and unproven new technology to lock away pollution, India must give renewable energy developers certainty and policy backing. The best way to decarbonise the coal sector isn’t to bury its emissions — it’s to bury the industry as a whole
While there may be some softness in demand due to elections in the near term, underlying demand appears to be intact
A conducive environment is imperative for investors, both local and global, to take note of India’s energy potential
The innovation allows businesses to escape the burden of full GST registration but avail of its benefits and improves compliance
If you leave very little time before the tax deadline, investment decisions often prove to be less than optimal. Here’s how to avoid that
Among Pakistani politicians, it is not just the MQM’s Altaf Hussain with his votebase among migrants from India, who traces his past to India. The Sharifs, Bhuttos, Imran and even the Jamiat have age-old Indian connections
Pakistanis needed hope that their country will not forever be living off handouts from the IMF. The formidable economic and climatic challenges were hardly discussed at any great length during a campaign that was lacklustre because voters could see that the current elections are neither free, fair or outcome oriented
Rather than drawing out the timing of the first rate cut, creating anxiety among businesses and consumers needing to borrow or refinance debt, it would be better to start sooner and cut slowly, communicating that there’s no guarantee the easing cycle will be long and deep if the economy shows signs of a meaningful reacceleration
