Welcome shift in Centre’s GST stance
North Block’s latest move on compensation should ensure that states’ normal borrowing is not compromised
What the IMF forecasts say about Sino-US rivalry in the next few years
The trend of a rising China and a declining US is expected to continue, despite the strenuous efforts of US politicians
Investors must let go of some promoters
Although investors have recently voted out the CEOs of two banks, they have yet to take a stand on promoter CEOs in the corporate sector. Even so, there are instances where the long-term interests of the company will be better served by a leadership change. Investors have been shy in rocking the boat — they should not be
Investors should watch the transatlantic split on ESG closely
If rules change under a Biden administration, it could accelerate capital flows into the sector
United States’ lazy approach towards democracy
Americans are willing to wait hours, if not even days, queuing up outside stores for the latest version of the iPhone or the newest iteration of Nike’s kicks — that patience and purpose suddenly becomes a burden when it comes to performing a civic duty
Biden’s COVID response plan draws from FDR’s New Deal
Many of Biden's ideas carry echoes of Roosevelt’s New Deal vision of the robust role the US government should play in helping the nation recover from a crisis
3 COVID-19 trials have been paused for safety. That’s a good thing
At the same time, pausing a vaccine trial is a huge logistical challenge — especially for one like Johnson & Johnson’s, with plans for 60,000 volunteers in 10 countries
Legal Matters | Judicial accountability is about staying relevant
Brushing complaints about judicial misconduct under the carpet only gives the executive a lever to influence judges, and by extension, judgments
Four charts that describe the post Covid-19 energy outlook
Under the best case scenario, energy demand returns to pre-pandemic levels only by 2023
Policies clear environment, impart confidence to push recovery
Certainty on interest rate path by RBI and clarity that the government will not risk more borrowing than committed are immensely helpful
The reason for the government’s miserly fiscal support
The IMF’s fiscal monitor estimates India’s overall fiscal deficit to be 13.1 percent of GDP in FY21 and to remain above 10 percent till FY23
China braced for lose-lose scenario as US election fuels unease
Beijing fears Trump triumph will further sour relations, but Biden victory could pose tougher long-term challenges
Wipro's new CEO builds on predecessor's themes, execution key
Wipro’s new CEO outlines a 5-point plan to narrow the growth gap with industry leaders. While the earlier CEO also set out a similar plan, execution was tardy
Bihar Elections | How Congress could damage the Mahagathbandhan
The Congress in Bihar is a lifeless entity with a moribund organisation. The audacity of the Congress to wrest 70 seats in the ‘Mahagadbandhan’ is purely on account of its delusions of grandeur
IBM's belated search for focus is a warning to Indian conglomerates
Conglomerates thrive on using their cash cows to fund new growth areas but every strategy has its limits
Time to take a relook at GST Council
By allowing 20 states to borrow more to meet GST compensation shortfall, the Centre seems to have encroached on the turf of the apex decision-making body
COVID-19 vaccines are chance at salvation, financial and beyond, for drugmakers
For an industry demonised by consumers and politicians, the hunt for a vaccine “offers a path to redemption”
Europe can impose tariffs on US in long-running aircraft battle
It remains to be seen whether the new tariffs will ultimately persuade the United States and Europe to come to a negotiated settlement that would lift the levies, or merely inflame relations
What the IMF has to say about the economic recovery
India will feel the economic effect of the pandemic more deeply than other large economies
What is India doing to break Google’s stranglehold on news publishers?
Neither Indian regulators nor publishers have so far shown much interest in monitoring the Internet giant Google for most things — least of all its domination of news
Bihar Elections | What’s the road ahead for Nitish Kumar and JD(U)?
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is fighting multiple obstacles this election: anti-incumbency, a multi-party alliance in the Opposition and, importantly, resistance from alliance partners in the NDA
Chart of the Day | Where India stands in misery index rankings
India ranks among the worst thanks to one of the highest consumer price inflation numbers in the world
Diagnostic firms ride the COVID-19 wave, retention of business gains key
Diagnostic firms such as Dr Lal PathLabs, Thyrocare Technologies and Metropolis Healthcare rebound as COVID-19 related tests drive business growth. While non COVID-19 business is showing signs of normalisation, sustainability of recovery is key
Interview | There is bound to be growth in the office market in India, says CEO of Embassy Office Parks
Commercial office business principally depends on technology-related services. As offshoring becomes more popular, this will benefit Indian software companies and boost the office leasing market, said Michael Holland
