opinion

Macro Matters | RBI survey finds consumer confidence about current economic situation at lowest level in six years

Optimism about higher discretionary spending in the next one year is the lowest in at least four years

Monetary Policy | Additional rate cuts are not off the table

An immediate investment revival may prove elusive, given moderate capacity utilisation levels

RBI on ‘lower for longer’ rate track, must unclog funds flow

Soft inflation and muted growth suggest there is room to cut rates further despite fears of fiscal slippage

Chart of the Day | Funding to the economy has collapsed

Risk aversion among lenders and lack of demand are the key culprits

Monetary policy review | A small rate cut belies dovish statement

What’s left unsaid in the monetary policy resolution are the concerns about the fiscal situation.

Regional Politics | Why is the DMK going soft on the BJP?

For the BJP the situation is a win-win. It sends a signal to the ruling AIADMK and CM Edappadi Palanisamy not to take the BJP for granted. It also embarrasses the DMK whose leaders were using strong language against PM Modi until a few weeks ago.

Foreign Affairs | Balancing Powers, Modi Style

If China has a long-term strategy of containing India within South Asia, then India can just as easily adopt a strategy of challenging China’s core interests. And India is trying to do this by building solid partnerships with other major powers like the US.

Policy | NRC creates panic in West Bengal and raises concern in Bangladesh

India and the Indian people are much too diverse. Singling out Muslim migrants for exclusion and being open to accepting migrants of all other major religions can create its own problems.

The fine print on MAT credit: did the market celebrate too soon?

The tax authorities say that the benefit of MAT credit will not be allowed if a company opts for the new tax rates

New liquidity framework talks of many ideas

The working group proposes surplus conditions and development of long-term repos

Politics | BJP’s Haryana line-up leaves no one behind

Despite murmurs of dissent, the BJP is in a formidable position in Haryana. Its choice of candidates is proof that the state leadership is aware of the problems and is addressing them.

FPI rules 2.0: Disruption or innovation? You decide

While most changes are welcome, they will have to be assessed in light of current fund structures

Policy | Cooperative federalism is the need to the hour, but it’s missing

The Centre has come to commandeer too much of resources through centrally-sponsored schemes over the formulation of which the states have no say. These schemes are implemented by the states but the Centre takes credit for them.

Policy | In the RCEP talks, you win some, you lose some

For India, which has a minuscule share in world trade, initiatives such as the RCEP throw up the opportunity to economically integrate more closely with this dynamic region. We cannot afford to ignore such opportunities as they do not wait indefinitely.

Chart Of The Day | Auto industry consensus FY20 earnings heads for a cut

Automobile sales paint a dark picture of the sector's health, earnings may be downgraded to be in touch with the ground reality

Monetary Policy | Repo rate likely to be cut again with concerns of persisting slowdown

Rate cut to deepen the coordinated counter-cyclical policy stimulus measures to revive consumption, investment and growth

Macro Matters | Global markets plunge as manufacturing PMIs slump

India’s September manufacturing PMI, though weak, is much better than the global average

The government will need out of the box thinking to meet its divestment target

The offers lined up so far barely move the needle

WeWork Debacle | A wake up call for not just Softbank, but Indian startup founders and their investors too

A look at Masayoshi Son’s investments in Indian startups like Oyo and Ola would show Softbank’s inclination to invest at inflated valuations. It is time startup founders and their financial backers stop bluffing

Monetary Policy | Regulators will focus on preserving policy effectiveness

As the RBI has succeeded in stabilising immediate economic settings, it will now play a bigger role in restoring the confidence in financial system to preserve policy effectiveness.

Macro Matters | Investment demand continued to be tepid in the September quarter

The sharp cut in corporate tax rates especially for new projects should help propel an investment demand recovery in the December quarter.

Politics | China’s foreign policy outreach in India’s neighbourhood

India will need both a capable and expanded foreign service working in co-ordination with political parties, business communities, intellectual elites and the diaspora, and to display adherence to values that are attractive to other nations to push an ‘Indian model’ of politics and development that can challenge the Chinese one.

Markets | What the festival season can tell investors about prospects for consumer stocks

The next few months should provide clues on whether the consumption engine is staging a revival or not

Bank advances to industry and services have contracted this fiscal year till end-August

Bank loans to non-banking finance companies, however, have been increasing