Chart of the Day | Tea may bring cheer to FMCG players in FY24, but at the cost of growers
Healthy production trends could see sales and realisations of plantations under pressure, but branded tea markets could benefit
The curious case of disappearances in the Chinese Communist Party
Xi Jinping’s obsession with securing his position in the Communist party pantheon is running into too many contradictions. Despite ruthlessly stamping out dissent, the yes-men surrounding him – belonging to antagonistic factions – become casualties when dirt leaks out. Xi’s handling of foreign policy and the economy is also giving rise to much unease
What it will take to make the IPEF supply chain deal work
As IPEF economies now go through their domestic processes to approve the IPEF ASCR, a priority for them must be to find maximum convergence between the collaborative framework outlined in the ASCR and their existing supply chain resilience-related initiatives
US Elections 2024: Bidenomics faces Trump's MAGAnomics
Joe Biden's coinage of “Maganomics” cleverly seeks to link Donald Trump's procedural extremism with the regressive policy of congressional Republicans. It’s a promising message, but the US president’s own eponymous economic strategy, Bidenomics, needs more work
In The Money | Profit from sharply bullish views, via the misleadingly named Bear Call Ladder strategy
This strategy can be used to play a bullish view, but it differs from the Call Ratio Back Spread strategy in one respect, you make more money if your call goes wrong. But, there’s a catch
China data doesn't mean the economy is out of the woods
Despite encouraging performance in August, China's economy still isn't where it needs to be. The growth target of about 5 percent this year, which looked like a low-ball estimate in March, would be a good outcome — and one Beijing may strain to achieve
The Eastern Window: The surreal rise of Xi Jinping Thought and its many pitfalls
Amid a stalling economy and uncertainty about the country’s policies, China's ruling Communists are busy engaging millions of people in studying the thoughts of President Xi Jinping, who is being given a god-like image. This is surreal at a time when the defence minister has gone missing soon after the foreign minister at the time vanished in June
Optimism over India's capex cycle is not misplaced
A clean-up of corporate and banking balance-sheets and a thrust on infrastructure and real estate sectors augurs well for the capex cycle making a sustained recovery
Microfinance works, but is not a magic pill
Perhaps more important is the realisation that microcredit has made a marginal and not transformative impact on the lives of its beneficiaries, the poor women borrowers
DMK’s Sanatan dilemma
Push back from its INDIA partners compels Stalin to soft pedal the wholly unnecessary issue
Economists expect Fed to defy investors with more interest rate rises
FT-Booth survey finds majority of economists think central bank has more work to do to lower inflation
Can WTO stay relevant in a multipolar world?
World Trade Report makes a case for re-globalisation, but it is a tough proposition with so many plurilateral initiatives at work
Business in the Week Ahead: September 18-22, 2023
Central banks of US, UK, China and Japan will decide on interest rates. At least two new IPOs will open for subscription.
The Reading List: September 15, 2023
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
GDP components likely to have fared better in Q1 FY24 than estimated
PFCE and GFCF are likely to have fared better than what is suggested by their moderately healthy initial YoY growth estimates of 6.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively, for the quarter
GDP at 7.8% doesn’t reflect current underlying momentum of Indian economy
If one looks at the demand side break-up of Q1 GDP growth, barring government revenue spending, everything looks exciting. However, the trends gauged from earnings outcome or other high frequency do not portend any similar strength
Why are our big business houses missing the opportunity to take Indian cuisine global?
Indian cuisine hasn’t reached many millions of its prospective clientele despite its global potential. Till date there is no recognisable global brand offering Indian cuisine despite our delectable range of foods, talented culinary artists, and no paucity of capital
Will Mamata Banerjee’s attempts to woo investors succeed like her politics?
The Bengal CM’s overseas trip aims to give a fillip to the state’s MSME sector and boost job creation. Anticipating early Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee is focussed on the optics, firing up Bengali sentiments on the political front and projecting earnestness in welcoming foreign investment on the economic front
Africa in G20: A recognition of the continent’s importance in the global economy
The African Union’s inclusion in G20 is a welcome development as it provides Africa a platform to seek equitable and respectful treatment from the world powers
The art of making good mistakes
Neither organisations nor people can learn from their errors if they deny mistakes ever happened
Chart of the Day: Many committees later, still an underwhelming bond market
Trading volumes in corporate bonds are a sliver of what is witnessed in the government bond market even today. Fintech platforms like IndiaBonds are trying to change this by bringing in more retail participation
WhatsApp explores ads in chat app as Meta seeks revenue boost
Discussions are at an early stage and include possible subscription fee, say people familiar with the matter
Climate financing is crucial for India’s net zero ambitions
One of the foremost challenges in climate financing lies in ensuring the availability of adequate funds. A shallow local bond market restricts the availability of capital at reasonable cost
Spice route versus Silk route: Which one has the upper hand?
China has already taken the lead in building soft economic power with Europe, offering efficient trade connectivity. Is there room for one more pathway?
The way to end Kota suicides
Coaching capital Kota puts students into a rigorous preparation for life, but ignores mental health. Perhaps institutions need to refashion entrance tests to reduce the pressure on students that drives them to the point of suicide
