The Reading List: November 27, 2020
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance
Brexit is nipping at London’s role as a financial powerhouse
Global financial firms with big operations in London already know they will lose the biggest benefit of Britain’s EU membership: the ability to easily offer services to clients across the region from a single base
Paul Krugman writes: In Praise of Janet Yellen the Economist
It’s immensely reassuring to know that economic policy will be made by someone who knows what she is doing
Diego Maradona's legacy will forever be tinged with regret
The reality of Diego Maradona's fall from grace can't be ignored amidst the clamour of obituaries praising his myriad skills
Market leader Maruti Suzuki needs to up its game to sustain its rich valuations
While Maruti's sales growth has been strong, the larger concern is the limited scope ahead for premiumisation
It’s good that SEBI is easing pandemic related restrictions, but did they work?
Such ad hoc measures end up hurting the market more than stabilising it, especially for retail clients
India’s two-speed economy
The growth rate in real income for the top 10 percent is twice that for the rest of the population
Resisting China | What India started and the US consolidated, the world must now follow
Cynics who argue that banning digital apps does nothing to real intrusions by China’s People’s Liberation Army along India’s borders, ignore the fact that tech intrusions by Xi Jinping’s ambitions are as dangerous to the privacy and data security of citizens as hostile attempts at the border
After a decent COVID-19 run, cement industry awaits post festive demand test
Channel checks by analysts indicate slow recovery in demand post festive season. Prices are either flat or showing signs of moderation
Two Goals, Two Lessons | What central bankers can learn from Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona’s first goal was akin to monetary policy of the earlier era where there was “mystery and mystique” associated with central banking. His second goal belonged to the modern central banking era
Don’t waste the crisis
Previous crises in India often led to great economic reforms. But will Prime Minister Narendra Modi use the Covid crisis to usher in second generation reforms – or fritter the opportunity away?
Even in a pandemic, the billionaires are winning
Why are American billionaires doing so well while so many other Americans suffer? Part of the story is garden-variety American inequality
US economy stumbles as the coronavirus spreads widely
Forecasters have been warning for weeks that the increase in coronavirus cases could have dire economic consequences as consumers pull back on spending and cities and states reimpose restrictions
Lessons from the suspension of Tejas Express
There are of course two opposing interpretations. One says it throws into uncertainty the whole issue of privatisation, the other is more business-like and takes the development in its stride
The mess in the DHFL bidding process is wholly avoidable
Late bids are unfair; they threaten the sanctity of the insolvency resolution process
Why UDF’s alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala is ill-advised
The Congress’ alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami-promoted Welfare Party is problematic because unlike the IUML which practises Muslim identity politics under the secular ambit, the Jamaat-e-Islami is a theo-political organisation whose goal is the formation of an Islamic nation
Is Jeff Bezos really serious about beating climate change?
Amazon founder is donating $791m to green charities, but it will take more than money to help the planet
How prepared is India for a COVID-19 vaccine?
As things stand, the COVID-19 vaccination programme will be an enormous national project. An acceleration of the timetable may turn out to be the biggest effort the Indian State has made in its history
Is Tesla the proverbial fat lady singing at the market party?
Tesla’s CEO started the year as the thirty-fifth richest but added $100 billion in 2020, the largest addition to the net worth amongst the world's top 500 richest people
How Bharat Electronics is withstanding the COVID-19 disruption better
Bharat Electronics sees a strong recovery in September quarter, expects order inflows in the current fiscal to exceed previous year's levels
Kellogg's upma offers the true flavour of glocalisation
After selling cornflakes to Indians for breakfast, Kellogg India is adding upma to its menu
Ahmed Patel’s imprint on the Congress and the road ahead for the party
Let’s see if Ahmed Patel’s passing away could turn out to be another nail in the coffin of a fast dissipating Congress, or whether Rahul Gandhi, and his team, can rise from the ashes
After Trump, Biden faces pressure to stand up to China by embracing Taiwan
Biden will be on test to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers as part of its territory
In Ahmed Patel’s demise, Congress loses a chief strategist
The Congress will miss the manoeuvring skills of Ahmed Patel in forging new/out-of-the-box alliances and quelling voices within regional forces that an alliance with the Congress could spoil their chances
Ahmed Patel was master conductor of the orchestra called Congress
What made Ahmed Patel a centre of power was his considered decision not to wield it openly. Quelling dissidence was his forte. Understatement was his calling card, and finesse his style
