opinion

No rate cut, but a whole lot to boost sentiments

The monetary policy panel didn’t cut rates because it is very concerned about the inflation hydra

The glaring inconsistency between deteriorating credit conditions and equity market highs

For the nine months ended December 2019, there were 183 downgrades for every 100 upgrades. The downgrade to upgrade ratio was only 0.96 for FY19.

Delhi Elections | Extravagant promises, that too in writing

The Delhi elections seem to have struck a new high with the leading parties — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress — making abundant promises of freebies in their election manifestoes.

Startups | Budget 2020 came half way, more to cover

New initiatives will go a long way in making the new-age Indian startup entrepreneur a lot more confident.

Monetary and fiscal policies need to go hand in hand

An accommodative monetary policy with a temporary pause in the rate-cutting cycle is the need of the hour

Delhi Elections | Will Congress’ strategy in Delhi pay off?

The Congress has taken a massive and perhaps fatal gamble by sitting out the Delhi elections in the interest of ensuring that the AAP returns to power.

Chart of the Day | Why the government is taking the axe to exemptions

A steady increase in the impact of exemptions on tax revenue is a good enough reason to wean people from tax sops

The MPC will have to factor in a broad-based rebound in activity shown by the January PMI indices

The MPC will also have to consider the rise in output prices shown by the PMI index

Politics | Will the Bodo accord bring peace to western Assam?

While the peace accord has brought cheer to thousands of Bodos, an uneasy silence is observed among the non-Bodos, who constitute the majority of the region.

The impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and markets

Massive Chinese stimulus has reassured markets but investors are weighing hedge options for the tail risk scenario

Budget 2020 | If the salaried can pay TDS, why not business class?

TDS is akin to a national service with an altruistic spirit.

What to expect from the RBI MPC meet tomorrow

RBI will hold rates and retain accommodative stance

Budget 2020 | Income tax changes should pass the nudge smell test fully

According to Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler, people are unable to make the right choice and one should actually nudge them to a default choice which makes it easier for the consumer

Delhi Elections | Election campaigns tell the tale

While the AAP appears to be the favourite, the BJP is giving the AAP a tough fight by unleashing a full-blown election campaign.

Budget took care of govt finances, but what about business confidence?

This year’s Budget did not enthuse corporates and investors as much as the finance minister would have liked

Politics | Challenges aplenty in front of post-Brexit Britain

The United Kingdom has entered uncharted waters and its global interlocutors would be hoping that it resolves its problems with the European Union sooner rather than later.

Budget 2020 | Can business and consumer confidence be restored?

A budget alone cannot restore growth or consumer confidence. The gaps have to be identified, budget announcements have to be implemented and supported by right polices, funds, schemes and programmes.

Budget 2020: Trust deficit then, trust deficit now

The Budget falls short of reviving growth and boosting sentiment

Delhi Elections | Will its polarising pitch help BJP?

The BJP’s campaign messaging seems obsessively focused on Shaheen Bagh, and the unsubstantiated theories that it is orchestrated by the AAP and the Congress.

Customs duty hike should not be a custom

A protectionist stance deprives customers of cheap products and spawns inefficiency

Govt can forget about investments through REIT and InvIT unless budget changes are reversed

An Income Tax section has been tweaked to make an existing infrastructure financing vehicle unviable

Effectively, companies paid less tax in FY19 | Budget 2020

In FY19, the effective tax rate declined, partly because of the cut in tax rates for smaller companies

Budget 2020 | A parallel taxation system may spell more tax conflict

The most charitable interpretation of the Budget is it has lost an opportunity to invigorate the economy.

January PMI shows strong momentum in manufacturing

The survey shows a significant rebound in demand