The Reading List: May 16, 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.
Regulating the seven svaras
India’s music does not require pre-approval to connect with the soul. It needs warmth, space, support, and freedom to be what it has always been—a reflection of who we are
Payback Time: Turkey’s support for Pakistan sparks backlash among swadeshi activists
RSSFACTS: India’s Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) has launched a nationwide boycott of Turkish goods and tourism in response to Turkey’s support for Pakistan. The campaign includes protests, economic sanctions, and calls to suspend aviation links, impacting trade and tourism
Has gold peaked?
Plus inflation expectations
India’s space sector set to soar
A robust foundation has already been laid through public sector. Going forward, it will be complemented by a policy framework that harnesses private sector resources to expand the country’s space economy fivefold over the next decade to about $44 billion
Why Indian stocks soared after Trump’s ‘Zero Tariff’ claim
Indian markets surged on Trump’s zero-tariff claim—revealing investor optimism despite unresolved trade negotiations
Vault matters | Can banks handle a third successive rate cut?
Despite strong macro signals for a repo rate cut, banks face financial strain and tightening credit risk. A cautious approach to further rate reductions is advisable to safeguard financial stability
Why the Parliamentary Committee on Health’s call for a single, independent controller for AYUSH is a good idea
The Committee has suggested that the Ministry of Health work in tandem with all stakeholders to develop pharmacopeial standards
High economic growth and low human development cannot a developed nation make
India will have the largest working age population by 2030, surpassing China
Chart of the Day: India’s labour data under new survey methodology reveals troubling trends for women
India's first fortified labour force survey for 2025 reveals an unsettling trend: a nationwide female labour force participation rate of just 26.2 percent in April. The findings expose a persistent gender gap that could hinder India's long-term economic aspirations
Green jobs: the how and why of an emerging employment opportunity
India could generate 35 million additional green jobs by 2047 across sectors such as RE
Start-up Street | Green light for the orange economy
The government of India’s commitment of $1billion towards a creative economy fund underscores the vast potential of its Orange Economy
India’s Capex Crisis: A victim of growing uncertainty
While Trump’s China tariff tantrums may have raised the prospects of a manufacturing-led capex revival, recent events are pouring cold water on those hopes
Incentivising adequate power capacity buildup to avoid blackouts
A countrywide blackout in Spain in April is a wakeup call for India’s power regulators on the downside of inadequate capacity in times of stress. It can be offset by a launch of short term standardized capacity contracts on exchanges and enforcing the resource adequacy obligations on utilities
Robo-soldiers across the Himalayas
Recently robots participated in a Beijing half-marathon. It may have triggered amusement but it should be seen as an experiment in changing the profile of soldiers. In a not too distant future, the move towards ‘intelligentised warfare’ could see the proliferation of robot soldiers in the PLA
The papal call for debt relief that might not be needed
Low- and middle-income countries are performing surprisingly well despite Trump’s tariff wars
Why this April is more than a seasonally slow month for life insurance
Surrender value norms and volatile capital markets are not good for life insurers' growth
Astro-Nots and AI Bots: Who deserves the title?
When the barriers to execution fall, we're forced to reconsider what we truly value. Is it the technical execution, or is it the vision, judgment, and conceptual understanding that matters more?
India’s growing concert economy needs guardrails, lessons from Trump’s ticketing reforms
India’s booming concert economy must guard against ticket scalping. Trump’s Executive Order pertaining to live entertainment outlined the steps the United States would take to prevent ticket scalping. Indian authorities must take cues from Trump’s ticketing reform push
Chart of the Day | Promoter holding declines in Nifty 500 companies
Investors can view promoter’s stake sale as reference points for valuation of a company
India outshines Japan and China as top investment destination in Asia-Pacific
India has emerged as the crown jewel of the Asia-Pacific investment landscape, according to Bank of America's May 2025 survey of regional fund managers. Surpassing Japan and leaving China far behind, India now ranks as the most favoured market, thanks to a unique blend of economic resilience, policy reforms, and global supply chain shifts. A dramatic rise in investor sentiment—from a net 13% underweight in March to a staggering 42% overweight in May—highlights the growing confidence in India’s growth story
Global fund manager survey reveals contrarian bets in post-truce market
The latest Bank of America Global Fund Manager Survey offers a snapshot of institutional positioning prior to the US-China trade truce. Interpreted through a contrarian lens, the data points to several asset classes that may be poised for a reversal as geopolitical tensions ease
Relief rally or red flag? Six scenarios that could shape the market's next move
Markets cheered a brief tariff reprieve as US and Chinese officials resumed negotiations—but underneath the optimism, structural uncertainty and policy whiplash continue to cloud the economic outlook. A Fed reluctant to cut rates adds further pressure
Q4FY2025 earnings takeaways: is the worst of downgrades behind us?
Earnings growth outpaced the top line expansion implying that profits accrued largely from margin improvement
Growth outlook dims for room AC makers
Pre-monsoon showers and the soft summer season have weighed on sales so far in Q1 FY26
