Separating Fiction from Reality: Superman was framed using a deepfake, could CEOs be next?
As deepfakes rise, reputation must be engineered through tech and culture. Quick, verified responses will safeguard India's top companies’ trust and relevance
Trouble in Pension Fund Paradise, will investor tranquil be disturbed?
A shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pension plans taking place in Europe could alter how one of the largest group of institutional investors behaves
The race for AI browser supremacy
A new wave of AI-powered browsers is emerging, potentially sparking the third major browser war as companies race to integrate agentic AI capabilities that could challenge Google Chrome's dominance
Mamata’s Rally Sets Narrative for 2026: Bengali pride, Hindu roots, no minority appeasement
TMC’s annual Shahid Diwas rally in Kolkata outlined the party’s overarching approach to 2026 assembly election. Rather than focus on segments of the population, the party will position itself as the defender of regional pride, particularly Bengali language. Implicit is the portrayal of BJP as the outside force, posing a threat to Bengali culture
Chart of the Day: A welcome relief for thermal power producers
Companies faced difficulty in rapidly installing pollution control systems
Private banks’ Q1 FY26 numbers reflect caution, restraint
Prudence is the sharpest tool in this uncertain terrain, and banks choosing caution over reckless growth are likely to emerge stronger when the skies clear
India’s Silent Crisis: Why households are saving less than ever
The current savings crisis is more than an economic issue—it reflects shifting values and behaviours. A big part of the story is generational. Household savings don’t just help individuals, they form the bedrock of national investment
Are US consumers running out of steam?
And thoughts on the Israeli market
Pahalgam Attack: New opportunity and ongoing challenges as US labels TRF a terrorist outfit
The US Department of State has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation, affirming India’s position on its ties to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, aiding counter-terrorism efforts
Acqui-Hiring: The strategic shortcut to AI talent and innovation
Acqui-hiring accelerates innovation by acquiring skilled AI teams, bypassing recruitment challenges. This trend, especially in India, allows companies to quickly integrate expertise, enhance products, and secure financial exits for startups
Tech shocks to industry have only just begun
The disruption that is hitting the manufacturing sector could come for healthcare next
Chart of the Day | Why e-commerce is a feared force in metro FMCG markets
E-commerce had a 11.8 percent channel share in the first quarter of 2025 in metro markets but the real story is in the giant share it is taking of incremental sales
Is the EU overstretching its sanctions policy?
The EU’s latest sanctions strategy reveals more about its geopolitical helplessness than its ability to shape the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war
Trump may want to push out Powell, but markets value an ‘independent’ Fed
US Federal Reserve’s operational independence is not a gift from the political executive and legislature. It’s the outcome of prior bouts of inflation, with the system adapting to reach the most effective way to combat it. Undermining it will have long-term consequences in financial markets
Can Trump turn the G20 clock back?
The US plan to narrow the focus of G20 to just financial matters could be difficult to achieve, as global focus is on sustainable development
How Trump and Mastercard are pushing the global financial system to an inflection point
For more than a decade, cryptocurrencies have created a parallel decentralised payments architecture as opposed to the centralised global financial system dominated by select intermediaries. Trump’s championing of stablecoins along with Mastercard’s embrace of blockchain can lead to the convergence of disparate worlds
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?
