Data Story: Weak profitability at IT companies should worry investors
Analysts pared FY26 profit margin expectations of major IT companies after June quarter results
US law on stablecoins may impact Indian financial system
The new U.S. legislation to support stablecoin, a digital currency backed by the US dollar, will have global implications. It will open up risks and opportunities for India. The government may have to make legal and financial arrangements to deal with the new situation, which will enhance the dominance of the U.S. dollar on the international financial system
The Reading List: July 18, 2025
Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read.
Vault Matters: Why RBI should play a more proactive role as a supervisor
Senior supervisory managers upping their engagement with banks has instilled disciple and brought about some moral responsibility in dealing with matters that are not clear-cut. But can supervision be made proactive? How about involving SSMs as observers in critical board meetings, such as the Audit Committee Board (ACB) for a start?
Can finance put a stop to AI data mining?
Access fees that the sector say will protect customers could also act as a competitive barrier
A Rajya Sabha nomination from Kerala reignites the debate on political violence in the state
RSSFACTS: C. Sadanandan Master, a former teacher and BJP leader, nominated to Rajya Sabha, highlighting Kerala's political violence and ideological clashes, especially between RSS-BJP and CPI(M) in Kannur
India’s Credit Divide: Formal access grows, but informal borrowing persists
Credit penetration, the asset side of banking, has lagged. Despite the surge in account openings, India’s financial inclusion ranking remains below peers like Brazil, South Africa, and Russia. Non-institutional lenders continue to dominate credit access for low-income households and self-employed entrepreneurs
How investors should view threats to the Fed
Curtis Yarvin’s ideas are going ever more mainstream in Trump’s Washington — and investors should be worried
What India Inc actually needs to take away from brand value rankings
Today, many American, Chinese, German and Japanese brands are household names around the globe. But how many Indian brands can lay claim to similar global presence or familiarity?
Will SEZ reforms in the monsoon session reignite India’s factory ambitions?
If the government can push through the SEZ Amendment Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, it will be a fillip for industry
India’s EV Surge: Charging ahead or running on empty?
Although India’s electric vehicle transformation is accelerating, there is an uncomfortable truth of systemic vulnerability behind the bustling activity and promotional noise
After Q1 slump, will Axis Bank regain momentum in FY26?
Axis Bank’s retail loan growth is disappointing and its home loans have hardly grown in many quarters
Chart of the Day: RBI’s expanded liquidity toolkit keeps yield curve benign
The central bank has a variety of tools now to manage liquidity
Rising fertiliser prices pose risk to government’s subsidy estimates
Prices in the international market are rising on trade restrictions, tight supplies and steady demand
Inflation dips further -- good news or a warning sign?
In an economy where patchy demand has been throttling growth for years, is shrinking inflation a harbinger for more demand pain on the way?
Why interoperable netbanking is the next big leap for India’s payments infrastructure
UPI revolutionised retail payments. Large ticket transactions, mostly at the wholesale level, are still executed through a clunky process. That may soon be a thing of the past as the payment regulator is working on transforming this space
Tim Harford: The Wah Wah rocked Jimi Hendrix’s world
A rock ’n’ roll fable for those struggling to make AI tools work for them
Parliament may move to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, but history offers little hope
The impending impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma highlights India’s weak judicial accountability, where past cases show judges often resign to evade scrutiny, undermining public trust in the judiciary’s integrity
Five reasons why silver will continue to be bullish
Silver has quietly outperformed gold with a 3.5x surge since pandemic lows, driven by industrial demand from electric vehicles and solar panels, tight supply conditions, and growing investment interest.
New deepfake laws are unlikely to stop the menace
As deepfakes grow more convincing and accessible, new laws may offer symbolic resistance—but enforcement remains a step behind the tech that’s already rewriting reality
Electricity derivatives market debut marks a new chapter in India's power sector
India’s approval of electricity derivatives marks a milestone for managing rising grid volatility. These tools will support risk hedging, price discovery, and investment planning in a dynamic, renewables-driven power market
Chart of the Day | Used car sales surge, will profitability follow?
Used car demand is likely to be resilient if the rare earth magnet crisis delays new car production and deliveries
Q1 show of top two life insurers gives investors hope for better FY26
Indians are moving away from ULIPs, at least temporarily, as equity markets get volatile
Russia’s recognition of Taliban government is anything but surprising
It had reached out even before the regime change in 2021 as Taliban is seen as the most capable force countering the dreaded ISIS-KP. Also, it’s promised not to allow anyone to use its soil to target a third country. Along with Russia, others such as India are looking for ways to build bridges with the Taliban
Can strategic realism in Asia drive India, China closer?
Jaishankar’s recent Beijing visit underscores the high-stakes, high-wire act India must perform to balance economic realism with geopolitical rivalry in a shifting Asian order
