RBI survey paints dismal picture of discretionary consumption growth
Only a third of urban consumers surveyed plan to increase their spending on discretionary items during the next one year, a finding hardly conducive to consumer confidence
Israel can overcome Hamas, but what about Palestinians?
Stringent restrictions in Gaza and West Bank are pushing the Palestinians into the arms of militant groups like Hamas – a vicious cycle – something that is not factored in Western assessments of the situation in Palestine. The threat to Israel is not any more from the Arab neighbourhood, and not even from Iran. It is from the hapless Palestinians themselves
Hamas opens another geopolitical front in the Middle East
So far, much of the talk in the markets has been about the effect the conflict will have on oil prices. Far more important is the resurrection of the Middle East as an arena of conflict and the threat of the conflagration spreading
The new facets of corporate governance - sustainability, technology and ethical leadership
In recent times sustainability, technology and ethical Leadership are gaining significance in boardrooms as well as the policy corridors
Moneycontrol Pro Weekender: Das Bond Slayer
The markets didn't expect the OMO announcement -- hence, the panic. If the transmission of the policy rate is to be completed, lending rates need to go up
Status quo monetary policy, but focus on bringing inflation down to 4%
Elevated global bond yields, dollar and crude along with no distinct visibility of the monetary easing cycle in the immediate future could cause some near-term pressure on domestic bond yields
Women are an overlooked resource in the battle to tame inflation
Letting female labour force participation slip again due to the end of pandemic-era child-care aid could be risky for productivity and ultimately consumer prices
IMEEC can mark a new dawn for Indo-European civilisational history
Romantic notions of the ancient Silk Route connecting China to Europe have given much currency to the Belt and Road Initiative. In similar fashion, the India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic-Corridor, if studied effectively by nonpartisan historians, can revive lost legacies of Indian civilisation including that of Greco-Roman-Indian trade, and can have a profound impact on India’s future
MPC meeting: Policy is reflective of growing inflationary risks
While the MPC has explicitly recognised the risks to growth and inflation originating from this year’s extremely uneven monsoon, global economic slowdown, elevated energy prices, etc., it has not revised at all its annual projections of GDP growth and the headline CPI inflation for India for the year FY24. This is puzzling
The Reading List: October 6, 2023
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | RBI takes away bond market’s liquid courage
In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: World Cup presents exciting chance for investors, RBI wants personal loans monitored, large unlisted firms need a separate regime, India risks waning influence in its neighbourhood, and more
Should investors be getting excited about the World Cup?
A tournament of this size in a country that lives and breathes cricket is leading to market chatter about sectors where a consumption-led surge could see stocks benefit
Are Indians borrowing a little too much? RBI wants personal loans monitored
Between FY21 and FY23, the composition of secured and unsecured advances has changed during this period, with unsecured retail loans increasing from 22.9 percent to 25.2 per cent and secured loans declining from 77.1 percent to 74.8 percent
The rising risk of India’s waning influence in the neighbourhood
The agreements which Prachanda signed in Beijing after meeting Premier Li Qiang do not constitute any threat to Indian interests in the short run. But New Delhi has to be watchful. India's biggest concern in its neighbourhood, though, should be Bangladesh, where a general election is due in January 2024
India’s banks are making $64 billion from free, cashless payments
The UPI online payment system that is familiar, fast, and free has clearly only scratched the surface of its potential. For India’s initially reluctant banks that have turned a giveaway into a catalyst for last year’s 38% revenue growth, it makes sense to not upset the status quo
Aerospace is a bigger threat to US trade than Chinese chips
Beijing's C919 single-aisle passenger jet is setting the aerospace industry abuzz having won orders for a 1000 planes just months after its first commercial flight. In the duopolistic market, China winning orders — even from domestic clients — has a cost. Each Comac plane is a lost order to Airbus or Boeing. And that pain is being felt, especially in the US
The moral case for no longer engaging with Elon Musk’s X
There’s money to be made and X’s new incentive structure has turned the site into a hive of so-called engagement farming — posts designed with the sole intent to elicit literally any kind of response: laughter, sadness, fear. Or the best one: hate. Hate is what truly juices the numbers
Bond market gyrations are yanking us into uncharted territory
Nobody ever said that exiting quantitative easing would be easy; the real challenge has barely even begun
In Madhya Pradesh, it’s Modi charisma versus Congress
The BJP is fighting not just the Congress but also anti-incumbency and infighting in Madhya Pradesh
MCA proposes a tough and separate regime for large unlisted companies
A separate regime for unlisted companies is a good idea but has to be executed carefully and most importantly, an independent regulator should oversee the regime
Gender Equality: A must for India's development
India has made commendable strides in securing and empowering its women through various schemes and policies. Yet, it falls into the category of countries classified as low in empowerment on the twin indices for women empowerment and global gender parity
Vedanta Resources’ debt bind is weighing on India-listed Vedanta
Unless the parent Vedanta Resources makes concerted efforts towards sustainably bringing down its leverage, the fortunes of Vedanta would remain severely limited
India’s family businesses are learning to quit when on top
The reasons are varied but passing the baton need not be a family affair and legacies and brands can endure even if ownership changes hands
Political imperative underlies India-Bangladesh move towards free trade
A major bilateral economic agenda is never followed unless it is set within a political context. Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina needs all the goodwill to remain in power amid elections
Why the Centre may continue with the free foodgrain scheme even after December
Why -- when growth is stronger this fiscal year than in 2019-20 -- is demand for work under the rural employment guarantee scheme higher this year?
