Maharashtra Elections | A campaign heavy on taunts, light on issues
This campaign season almost all political parties have focused on issues irrelevant and not specific to Maharashtra — thereby avoiding discussions on pressing local issues.
The Relationship Between Reforms & Returns in India
Simple arithmetic suggests that the two years following General Elections have driven 80 percent of the Sensex’s returns in the last 35 years.
Haryana Elections | BJP in pole position as Opposition fights on ‘Hope’
It would be nothing short of a miracle if the Opposition together manages to touch the half-way mark in the 90-seat Haryana assembly.
Global steel demand is a two-speed highway, with China hogging the fast lane
The latest World Steel Association forecast show global steel demand is slowing in 2019 but China seems to be living on a different planet
Policy | The potential and the pitfalls of coal mine auctions
Poor market condition is cited as a reason for the tepid response to coal block auctions, but, the overriding feeling is that the government’s policy change on coal mining has dampened the interest of developers for coal mines with end-use restrictions.
Learn these seven lessons to get past the financial blues
Instead of engaging in a futile blame game, the union finance ministry has to address the deep rooted malaise afflicting the financial sector
Corporate Corridor | Tata’s Chandra says won’t sell JLR. Is it pride or business sense speaking?
The future is uncertain with Brexit, US tariffs and shift to electric vehicles.
E-commerce | Scrutiny or not, it is time India’s e-commerce companies check deep discounting
If online commerce companies keep on burning investors’ cash, a flop-show similar to WeWork may be from India’s e-commerce sector.
Chart of the Day | Global fund manager survey says contrarian trade will be long equities
BofA-ML fund manager survey's contrarian trades are: long stocks-short cash, long UK energy-short US REITs, short pharma-long industrials.
Politics | How will New Delhi react to the civil disobedience in Kashmir?
More than two months since a virtual lockdown, developments in Kashmir have been more or less according to New Delhi’s plan. Now, with the easing of restrictions, the challenge will be to get the ordinary Kashmiri to participate in the new normal.
Lower taxes are showing up in higher earnings but that’s just the tip of the iceberg
The lower corporate tax cut is not just about savings, but may change how companies do business and raise a governance red flag as well
Policy | Has PM-Kisan belied expectations?
The government has not shown any serious intent to undertake major reforms in agriculture sector. Till then, it seems unlikely that the central and state governments will be able to discontinue any of the direct income support schemes.
Macro Matters | IMF report warns of rising risks in economy, markets and firms
Policy makers must find a way to wean the markets off their addiction to the narcotic of easy money
Growth outlook: Are businesses and consumers more to the point than RBI?
Evolution of high-frequency indicators suggests further growth downgrade likely.
Haryana Elections | BJP poised for a landslide
In the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP raised its vote share to 58 percent from 33 percent in 2014. This kind of jump is nothing short of phenomenal, and could mean a landslide in its favour in this assembly election
Startup Corner | India’s online grocery may be a low-hanging fruit for Uber’s Cornershop. If it can burn cash
From cab aggregation to food delivery, Uber has always seen fast growth in India. Online grocery may be no different if it manages to find the right operating model.
Maharashtra Elections | It’s make or break for Raj Thackeray
The MNS is contesting from 104 seats and will have to win in double digits to dent the BJP substantially for it to remain in the reckoning even after the elections.
Policy | Tinkering with the bankruptcy law will send a wrong signal to the markets
The fact that so few cases are resulting in resolution is not necessarily a function of the IBC process itself. It is the function of a slowing economy.
Macro Matters | IMF says lower oil prices will lead to windfall gains for India
On the flip side, oil and commodity exporters such as Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Russia and Indonesia will see windfall losses
Kerala bypolls | Winners will lose and the losers will win
The tangled webs that are getting woven by the opposing political camps makes one wonder at how dexterously political yarns get spun in Kerala.
Chart of the Day | Why are non-oil exports in September 2019 lower than what they were in September 2014?
The shrinking of India’s non-petroleum product exports is an indication of loss of competitiveness
Policy | Spare a thought for the seniors while bringing down interest rates
There is room to do away with the tax levied on interest earned on deposits for senior citizens, including the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.
Are the poor risk averse? Just ask Banerjee and Duflo
Their papers combine theory and data in an unmatchable way, turning the traditional worldview on its head
Policy | Is it time to open the gold market in India?
India must not emulate the opaque model of gold trade practiced by China, and must instead open up free trade of gold, both imports and exports.
