IT Hiring Freeze: Newly minted engineers must prepare for navigating uncharted waters
The recent decision of IT companies to halt hiring is just one chapter in the ever-evolving story of the job market. Making fungible use of one's skill set and exploring sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, chemical, construction, robotics, healthcare, and renewable energy is not a statement of hope but a factual representation of where engineers and their skills are needed, on ground
Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Winds of change are blowing at Unilever
In this edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: The special case of expiry-day strategies, SEBI needs to nip the scam in the bud, global steel output loses momentum, implications of Nawaz Sharif’s return, and more
AI’s Second Guessing You: Uber will soon be predicting your next ride
The likes of Uber, Airbnb and Amazon are unlocking billions of dollars in value by improving customer experience through predicting expected behaviour and improving productivity. Uber will predict the next time you place a ride, Airbnb is already preventing party-house reservations through AI, and Amazon is building a ChatGPT-style search experience. This is just the start
Big Oil’s transatlantic strategy gulf has never been wider — and that is OK
Mega-deals in the US make sense, but it’s not obvious why European groups should scale up too
Chart of the Day | Global steel output loses momentum
China’s continuing economic stress is showing up in steel output, with the country’s output declining 5.6 percent in September
Diversity, without embracing dissent, is pointless
Dissenting views are often seen as challenging the leader’s competence and knowledge, and therefore a threat to the leader’s position. However, dissenters are usually among the more committed and competent employees. Change towards organisations developing processes and practices to invite, duly consider and celebrate dissenting perspectives needs to start with leaders
Implications of Sharif’s return go far beyond Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif is trying to become Pakistan’s prime minister for the fourth time. But that would depend on whether the military would keep rival Imran Khan locked up long enough. If successful, Sharif might try his hand at improving relations with India and please the US by involving Pakistan in the Iranian affair
India's rice export ban is hurting the Global South
FAO estimates that rice prices were 28% higher in September this year than in 2022. Of 15 countries that imported over 100,000 metric tons of non-Basmatic rice from India in 2022, nine were in sub-Saharan Africa. Rising food prices in these regions doesn't help India's pitch to become a leader of the Global South
Amid Israel-Hamas war, some still see a path to coexistence
If Israelis and Palestinians start to acknowledge each other's pain, a path to peace is possible. Israel just might be able to turn the current tragedy into a pivot that breaks the cycle of war
Qatar’s geopolitical clout on display even as global gas investments decline
Qatar’s China deals not only give Doha a bandwagon relationship with a rising superpower that has begun to establish itself in the Middle East and West Asia, but they also offer considerable regional and global geo-economic and geopolitical clout
A two-speed electric car market is heading for a crash
One reason that conventional vehicles are so profitable at the moment is precisely that investment in them is being wound down. Product lines are getting simplified and R&D pared back. That reduces the cost base and lifts profit margins — but if transition to EVs gets delayed, IC engine product offering risk becoming stale
SEBI needs to nip the Baaps of Scams in the bud
A cursory search on any social media site will get us innumerable ‘educators’ and finfluencers actively courting viewers. The fact that finfluencers can easily swindle the public must be dealt with by SEBI effectively
In The Money | The special case of expiry-day strategies
On expiry day, we find out which options expire in-the-money and which ones expire worthless or out-of-the-money
Enter the dragon robot
The number of robots deployed on factory floors has gone up sharply in China, much faster than in any other country in the world. Between 2017 and 2021, robot density, defined as the number of robots per 10,000 employees in manufacturing, went up from 97 to 322 in China, that is more than trebled
Rising GST evasion a pointer to persisting glitches
Possible higher recovery of evaded GST in FY23-24 is not a comfort but a concern
Mizoram may have a hung assembly and sub-nationalism is likely to play a role
The chief minister’s deft handling of the ethnically related refugees from Myanmar and Manipur, and the resulting sub-nationalism, may help the ruling MNF
Average working hours per week a mere 42.5, far lower than Narayana Murthy’s 70-hour benchmark
The government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey says the average workweek was 42.5 hours in April-June 2023, compared to 52.6 hours in April-June 2018
Moneycontrol Pro Weekender: Now is not the time for forward guidance
It’s pointless to ascribe day-to-day movements in the markets to the fundamentals — all that may have happened is that bond shorts were covering
The Reading List: October 27, 2023
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Bonds as diversifiers aren’t dead — just dormant
Stock-bond correlations are positive again, making many observers question conventional investing wisdom
Crypto bros have the fix for a $1 trillion fake parts problem
Aviation passengers are at risk — the industry needs to move quickly to deploy the right technologies to keep supply chains secure
Naming a new restaurant? Consider the past
Wordplay and poetry can lead to vibrant and catchy branding. But sometimes, sticking to local history and sentiment is the best way forward
In Pakistan’s ‘Game of Thrones’, Nawaz Sharif eyes PM’s chair
It does seem likely that Nawaz Sharif has struck a deal with the generals to allow him to return to the saddle. He has refrained from any attacks on the deep state as he’s done in the past. Turning 74 this December, Sharif knows this will probably be his last shot at the prime ministership. The generals, in turn, need to prop up a candidate for the upcoming elections, with Imran Khan having gone rogue
Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Making bonds great again
In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: What does October’s equity market fall mean, the impact of Companies Act on India Inc, global market teeters amid war in Gaza, Bengaluru turns to wastewater as a resource, and more
The Marathon, Not The Sprint: The dangerous allure of instant gratification for Boards and Leadership
The pursuit of quick success can lead to high levels of burnout and attrition that damages the organisation just as quickly. In contrast, a long-term vision focusing on growth, scalability, and well-being of the work focus will repay itself manifold
