opinion

Drop in fuel use is a wake-up call for the government

Fuel consumption across categories declined in January and February. Are higher fuel prices stalling the recovery?

What India thinks today, will Bengal think tomorrow? 

What is needed in West Bengal is not just change, but a radical transformation 

What state budgets tell us about India’s economy

It's important to analyse the likely areas of slippages on the revenue front for different states, whether states have opened their purse strings, and how they have utilised the relaxations provided by the Centre and the 15th Finance Commission 

Interview | Current valuations rich, but some upside still left, says MD of Quantum Advisors

There is still room for decent earnings growth even from these levels, says I V Subramaniam

Basic customs duty on solar modules — Plugging into a new brand of protectionism

The jury is still out on whether import duty hike is the best tool available to make domestic manufacturing self-reliant

Semiconductors: The chips are down and India is vulnerable

Semiconductors are the new oil and India is once again in the unenviable position of importing its needs

‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ is painful reminder of notorious NINJA mortgages

The BNPL formula offers shoppers the option of paying for purchase through a series of fixed installments, instead of all at once. It works well for those who don’t have sufficient savings and don’t have the credit record to get a zero-interest credit card

Wrong number | Fund managers must not oppose recording of their calls

Any resistance by fund managers to such a move raises serious questions on disclosures and transparency

Why gender matters in the West Bengal elections

It is increasingly becoming clear that in order for political parties to win an election, the support of female voters is crucial. We are witnessing this in West Bengal

The Reading List: March 12, 2021

A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance

Companies that rode pandemic boom get a reality check

Analysts say investor focus has turned a little more toward old-economy sectors like energy, banking, hotels and airlines

Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees vs white, male American establishment

Joe Biden’s will be most racially and ethnically diverse Cabinet in US history if all his nominees are confirmed. But as of now, the Senate is taking its own time to let go of its privileges that are the relics of a bygone era 

Legal Matters | Outrage over CJI’s remarks is uncalled for

The unfortunate controversy about the Chief Justice of India’s comments on marrying rape-victims show us the pitfalls of instant-outrage which often is ignorant of context

Want a greener world? Don’t dump oil stocks

Research shows that British local government pension funds have almost £10bn invested in “climate wrecking companies”

Interview | Expect to see a healthy earnings upgrade: Andrew Holland, CEO, Avendus Capital

Holland expects markets to remain volatile between now and May/June, and believes markets are reasonably priced from a 3-year perspective

A wake-up call for renewable power

Government needs to take immediate note of the parliamentary panel’s observation and plug the gaps to fulfil its RE goal by 2022   

India’s EV ambitions show a spark, but there’s much ground to cover 

Should the government just define lower emission norms and allow industry to chart its own technology-agnostic path?

A Rs 90-lakh penalty on Anugrah Stock & Broking is a joke

SEBI imposes high penalties on investors and traders for breaking the law. That is good, but the same yardstick should be used to penalise brokers and exchanges

US stimulus can aid Indian IT's retail business recovery

Stimulus can benefit US retailers, helping them sustain or even accelerate technology investments

The meaty issue: Is plant based meat vegetarian or non-vegetarian?

Meat derived from plants and labs could prove to be a nightmare for Indian policy makers

Free India-Bangladesh cross border trade will be a boon for both

Strapline: The forthcoming Modi-Hasina meeting should iron out the differences in Indo-Bangladesh trade

Inflation fear lurks even as US officials say not to worry

The worries reflect expectations of a rapid economic expansion as businesses reopen and the pandemic recedes

What can Biden’s plan do for poverty? Look to Bangladesh.

Since 1991, Bangladesh has since enjoyed three decades of extraordinary progress

ETF inflows surge past record as US investors bet on global recovery

Investors worldwide funnelled $222.5 billion in new cash to ETFs in January and February 2021, more than double the same period last year

What Joe Biden’s phone calls tell us about his foreign policy

Washington’s current priorities lie in repairing relations with neighbours and European allies that Trump had jettisoned, particularly given the vitriol towards NATO