opinion

What to expect from third quarter results

Earnings growth without a growth in sales or volumes tends to run out of steam quickly. Thus, the key things to monitor would be is the growth in sales and volumes better than Q2 and what managements are guiding for the next few quarters.

Startup Corner | Byju’s small city aspirations may partly explain its $8 billion valuation

At $8 billion, Byju’s is the most valued ed-tech firm in the world, and the third most-valued startup in India after Paytm and Oyo

High retail inflation: RBI must not increase target band and add fuel to fire

Policy flip-flops should be avoided. The new framework should be given time.

Politics | No light at the end of the tunnel for convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi case

If the AIADMK-led state government does not firmly stand for their release, the seven convicts would soon commence their fourth decade behind bars.

States’ role key to power reforms

GoM on National Tariff Policy needs to build a broad-based consensus to push through the amendments

Wages of persistent low growth can visit politicians

If the slowdown persists it could have a political fallout

Rising inflation takes rate cuts off the table

It’s up to the Union Budget now---an extraordinary slowdown calls for special measures

Will 2020 be a year for mid and small-cap stocks?

It is unlikely to be a year that will take all stocks higher, which happens near the peak of a bull-run

New IBC amendment: Is it all over now for defaulting promoters?

Having shut the door on promoter involvement in corporate resolution, the government now bolts their backdoor entry in the liquidation process as well

Coal sector gets a fresh lease of life. India has to do more

Big-ticket reforms are expected bring in more capital, technology, transparency and global players

Legal Matters | The takeaways from SC’s order on Internet shutdowns

The SC judgment on Kashmir lockdown has much to cheer for all Indians, but for the people of Kashmir, on behalf of whom the cases were fought, it offers scarce respite.

Politics | The Iran-US spat has resonance for the region

The key takeaway from the US-Iran crisis and the 2019 India-Pakistan crisis is that national security establishments are engaged in a game of bluff. However, when called out, they will have to deliver in quick-time.

The need for a willing suspension of disbelief of IIP data

How Mild Steel Slabs rescued the Index of Industrial Production

Chart of the Day | Falling real rural wages point to faltering consumption demand

The contraction in real rural wages continues

Will 2020 be the year of the pharma sector?

The pharma index valuation is trading at a discount to the broad index for the first time in five years.

Policy | Kerala’s model worth emulating to curb exploitation on campuses

The scrapping of internal assessment will not ensure complete elimination of discrimination and sexual harassment on the campuses, but it will surely address a major part of the vulnerability of girls and members of depressed classes to those with an evil mind.

ESOPs need oxygen. Here's how the Budget can throw a tax helpline

New manufacturers and startups stand to gain a lot in attracting talent if ESOPs turn tax friendly

West Asia Tension | Will Iran impact Donald Trump the way it did Jimmy Carter?

Donald Trump will face pinpricks from Iran throughout his re-election campaign and history may repeat itself as in Jimmy Carter’s failed re-election bid.

Chart of the day | Global food prices at a 5-year high

A sharp increase in global food inflation makes it a new factor to watch out for in 2020

Cashing in on road assets

Durable policy and robust financing model must for toll projects to succeed

The one chart to rule the markets

What the World Bank’s chart of global financing conditions tells us about stock market returns

Trade | Is India prepared to move beyond WTO rulings?

It is a time India came out with new and re-designed schemes which not only protect domestic industries but also cannot be legally challenged under the SCM Agreement.

World Bank forecasts a shallow and prolonged recovery for India

Even in 2021-22, India’s GDP growth will be much lower than that notched up in 2018-19

Big reforms to put Indian Railways on right track

It is obvious that the introduction of private trains, revamped rail stations along with the government’s move to restructure the Railway Board will have long-term benefits for the national transporter​