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| July 03, 2009 | | How Australia woos Indian Inc
Praise Sachin to the hilt, avoid discussions on Slumdog Millionaire and ignore all possible holdups like ringing phones while in a business conversation: these among others are some of the tips by Melbourne-based consultant Stephen Manallack, who has trained many Australian corporates wishing to do business with Indian companies.
Trading volume: What it reveals about the market
Volume is the number of shares of stocks, bonds, options, or futures contracts traded during a period
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| July 02, 2009 | | Computer hardware industry wants tax clarifications
Higher impetus on automation through higher funding of e-governance projects and rationalisation and clarity on levy of taxes would bring relief, says the computer hardware industry.
Construction industry wants exemption from customs duty
Here's what the construction industry would like the Budget to do -- introduce GST, exempt customs duty on construction equipment for projects, introduce secondary market for debt trading to facilitate the infra developers to raise money through long term corporate bonds.
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| July 01, 2009 | | Power: Extend mega project concessions
Massive capacity additions are required to meet power deficit and rising demand; so the sector seeks the benefit given to mega power projects be extended to 500 to 1000 MW too.
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| June 30, 2009 | | How the top hotels have fared
Low occupancy rate and ARR together led to significant fall in RevPAR of the hotel sector, affecting its profitability significantly in the busy quarter ended March 2009.
Hotel industry wants infrastructure status
The hotel industry seeks infrastructure status and tax breaks, considering the huge investments required to meet the growing demand, especially in the NCR region for upcoming Common Wealth Games.
G-Secs: Yields rise on rising government borrowings
The government of India has programmed to raise Rs 241,000 crore, but due to scaling up of issuance size of securities, will end up raising Rs 259,000 crore in April-September 2009.
Rcom unable to sustain momentum
With many new players waiting to launch their operations and Mobile Number Portability to be implemented shortly, the competition will intensify further.
Rubber prices harden on short supply
Natural rubber prices move in sympathy to Crude Oil prices, and the added firmness is due to fall in production in key producing countries.
Extend tax holiday to refineries, govt told
Extend tax holiday for refineries in private sectors, reduce excise duty on Naphtha from 16%, exempt excise duty for captive consumption of intermediate products within the refinery for manufacture of exempted products.
Cut excise duty on large cars, govt told
Passenger Vehicle sector seeks cut in excise duty on large cars too, and to reduce interest on auto loans to boost demand
Tata Teleservices: In search of a USP
Tata Teleservices' GSM innings is likely to be a tough one despite its innovative offerings and tie-up with the Japanese market leader, NTT DOCOMO.
Housing sector seeks fiscal concessions
UPA Govt. has committed itself to a comprehensive programme of urban renewal and to a massive expansion of social housing in towns and cities, paying particular attention to slum dwellers.
Japanese yen: Under pressure to appreciate
Japanese Yen is experiencing an up trend lately, especially after the Japanese government raised its assessment of Japan's economy for the first time in three years.
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| June 29, 2009 | | Tyres: Cut customs duty on inputs
The Tyre Industry is one of the industries that have been majorly affected by the global economic meltdown.
Commercial vehicle: Industry seeks more fund
Accelerated depreciation expires by September 2009 while funds under JNNURM for urban transport is available till June 2009; industry seeks these benefits for extended time period.
Banks seek level playing field for deposits
Moderate credit growth at around 22 per cent and relatively higher deposit growth has placed the liquidity situation of banks in more comfortable zone.
Textiles: Remove customs and excise duties on MMF and inputs
The Indian Textile Industry is currently one of the largest and most important industries in the Indian economy in terms of output, foreign exchange earnings and employment.
Alkali: Cut customs duty on capital goods
To reduce the cost of captive power generation, seeks removal of import duty on all capital goods used for small and medium power projects.
AC industry: Big expectations from Budget
The ongoing economic buoyancy in India despite global economic melt down has offered opportunities for rapid growth of consumer durable industry, and in particularly air conditioners and refrigeration industry.
Broking firms seek cut in transaction cost
SST remains as a turnover tax (whether profit or loss) and not tax on income. Day traders and arbitrageurs, who generally trade on thin margins, are affected the most as STT raise their transaction cost. Any further hike in SST could prove negative and damper market sentiments. Removal or reduction in STT will pep up the stock market. Asset pricing is also likely to go up with reduction in transaction cost.
Budget: Will it usher in speedy recovery for India?
Union Budget 2009-10 comes at an opportune time for the New Government. The stake holders expects the New government to spell out its priorities -- be it to spur the economy from the current sluggishness, or to promote inclusive growth, or to contain the alarmingly high and rising fiscal deficit, or perhaps a good blend of all these!
Cement sector seeks duty sops
Only Cement is assessed to retail selling price based excise duty but denied abatement; also seeks imposition of import duty due to emerging surplus supply situation in India
What the two wheeler industry wants from Budget
The growth in two wheelers were triggered by couple of factors such as 4 per cent excise duty cut announced in stimulus package in December 2008, fuel price reduction of Rs 5 per litre in petrol and Rs 2 per litre in diesel as well as the unaffected and untapped demand from the rural market.
Sugar: Govt will focus on checking price rise
As the sugar industry is witnessing an up cycle, the government may not give due consideration to the demands of the Industry. Rather the government is already focusing on curbing the rising sugar prices.
Cut excise duty on pesticides to 4%
Realistically no major reforms are expected for the pesticides industry. Reduction in excise duty is very unlikely, as it would not solve the basic problem of spurious manufacturers.
Busy ministers and a new beginning
In 30 days, there have been a flurry of ministerial pronouncements. It does seem that most ministers have taken seriously the prime minister's observation that this time there can be no excuses.
Why weather forecasting is a tough job
Veteran weather forecaster Dr A B Mazumdar says, "The forecast is made with the help of certain systems and models. But it remains a forecast and hence can go wrong sometimes."
India opposed to 'reinventing' Doha talks
"Our government is fully committed to an early breakthrough in the Doha agreement based on the December 2008 draft texts in agriculture and industrial goods. It must be a balanced agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of developing countries," Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.
Land Rover to make inroads into India's defence deals
The company is developing a new model in its research and development centre in the United Kingdom, which will primarily address the defence needs of most countries around the globe, including India, said a senior executive from Land Rover.
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| June 26, 2009 | | Budget to carry special 'monsoon' package
Experts agree with the assessment that the Budget next month would respond to the predictions of deficient monsoon rains with a policy package. According to them, rain-fed areas, which are likely to be affected by a 'below normal' monsoon, could see increase in allocation in terms of higher spending through the public distribution system and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
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| June 25, 2009 | | FMCG: Retain excise duties at current levels
While there is widespread expectation that excise duty is likely to be raised on revenue considerations, the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector pleads for retaining them at current levels to spur demand.
Telecom: Industry body seeks a slew of reforms
Liberalization and telecom reforms are known to be necessary to hasten growth in tele-density.
IEEMA urges the govt to continue with power sector reforms
IEEMA is again approaching the govt. with hope and puts forth the most critical issues / concerns of the industry requiring urgent attention of the govt.
Tatas in search of next 'Nano'
The biggest winner of the Tata drive to drill down innovation to every person on every shop-floor is the Tata conglomerate. While the most visible symbol of this has been the Nano, insiders say Tata has already started asking his senior executives, 'What is the next Nano?' The innovation drive is seeking to answer that question.
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| June 23, 2009 | | FINO: Bank to the poor
Mumbai-based FINO, a multi-bank promoted company, is engaged in providing financial and non-financial products and services to the unbanked rural and urban population. It has enrolled 6 million customers since its inception in 2006.
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| June 19, 2009 | | Anand Sharma: Trading on self-confidence
Industry and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma faces several challenges in his new assignment. He succeeds the redoubtable Kamal Nath, who had made tough negotiating positions his trademark. Sharma's style is certainly softer and more conciliatory, and the country waits to see whether he is also conciliatory when it comes to substance.
Big Pharma comes calling to India
Once despised as a 'dirty business,' generics are now seen as salvation, and Indian cos as experts.
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| June 17, 2009 | | RIL gas: The government's stand
If the government accepts the argument put forward by the director-general of hydrocarbons and reproduced in the court judgment, that the government has to accept the $4.20 price while valuing its own share of RIL's gas, then RIL would be faced with a huge setback when it comes to the returns on its gas business.
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| June 16, 2009 | | Of EMI and home loan
Of EMI and home loan
GM's damage control strategy
How President and Managing Director Karl Slym is steering General Motors India after its US parent filed for bankruptcy.
Air India: Headed for a crash landing
While the civil aviation ministry's activist supervision of the airline's functioning is said to be responsible for much of the mess, the airline management has its own sins to answer for.
Ordinary women, extraordinary work
Around 160 women, a mix of housewives from middle-class families and slum-dwellers, inaugurated a polythene bag unit called Swamini Mahila Bachat Gat Akhil Sangh Ltd.
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| June 10, 2009 | | Dealing with nasty EU customs
The more pernicious of these measures is EC Regulation 1383 that allows customs officials and rights holders to interfere in the legitimate trade of generic medicines.
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| June 03, 2009 | | Slowdown: Exporters continue to suffer...
As huge declines continue, the govt can do little. Major trade destinations -- the US, UK, Europe and Japan -- are all gripped by severe recession. Other countries in Asia have experienced declines of comparable magnitude.
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| May 28, 2009 | | Does India need to police the Internet?
Government-appointed officers, not below the rank of a joint secretary, will determine the nature of the offence and levy a penalty. But government officers are not judicial officers. Are they qualified to define, for instance, what goes against 'friendly relations with foreign states' and what is 'offensive' content?
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| May 18, 2009 | | Bharti Airtel's big dream
It's celebration time for Bharti Airtel, which last week became the third telecom brand in the world to cross the magic 100 million-subscriber mark in a single country. The gap between Airtel and its nearest competitor, Vodafone, is now about 26 million subscribers.
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| May 14, 2009 | | Why techies turn bureaucrats
The satisfaction of serving the masses is proving to be a bigger lure for some management graduates.
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| May 13, 2009 | | Can the stock market rally be sustained?
If FIIs come in looking for higher returns, this will help turn India Incs fortunes but a reform-oriented government is critical, says Nilesh Shah.
Laid off overseas, IIM grads seek institute help
Both IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Calcutta confirmed the development. "We have received placement requests from some students from the 2006-08 batch. We are trying to approach companies at a personal level and help these students get placed," confirmed a professor from IIM Bangalore.
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| May 11, 2009 | | Meet the man behind Tatas' nano housing plan
Jamshedpur gave birth to Telco (now Tata Motors) which has just launched the low-cost Nano; Jamshedpur, according to the 35-year old Tata Housing Development Company managing director Brotin Banerjee, is what inspired Tata Housing to launch its Shubh Griha low-cost housing project in Mumbai.
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| May 08, 2009 | | IT companies look for commercial space
According to Mayank Saksena, head -- transactions, Kolkata, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, "From January onwards, we have been tackling an increase in live enquiries in Kolkata. The rate of enquiries is significantly higher than in cities such as Hyderabad. Chennai, Pune and Bangalore, primarily because Kolkata has a large number of old business houses that have been occupying prime spaces in the central business district."
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| May 04, 2009 | | Parle-G, the price warrior
Parle-G enjoys close to 70% market share in the glucose biscuit segment and has held its price line for 25 years now. explains how.
Check out these magical mice
If you have been using the same old mouse on your computer for a long time, then you might be surprised to learn the new features that a new mouse sports. Optical and laser technologies are fast replacing the rolling ball that used to adorn the underbelly of the old mouse.
Flu: India safe but ill-equipped on epidemic drugs
Swine flu was first reported in Mexico, SARS and bird flu in China, but India surprisingly escaped being ground zero for any.
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| May 01, 2009 | | Why is India being shortchanged?
When word gets around that favouritism is de rigueur, it keeps away serious bidders and also ensures that the winners feel they can get away with shortchanging the country.
IMF warnings get grimmer
The warning being issued by many respected economists to governments across the world has been as follows: do not declare victory too soon since the path ahead is a very long one.
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| April 29, 2009 | | "Will banks now start lending more?"
Banks may reduce interest rates in keeping with the RBI's rate cuts, but they are unlikely to lend more till corporate balance sheets start looking healthier.
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| April 27, 2009 | | The success story of rural BPOs
A district collector's experiment in Tamil Nadu is showing the way for more rural BPOs even in times of recession.
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| April 22, 2009 | | RBI policy: Cautious but far-reaching
The RBI's assessment of the economy, presented as a prelude to the policy announcement, was relatively downbeat. Conceding the persistence of a hostile global environment and domestic weakness, the RBI expects GDP growth during 2009-10 to be 6 per cent. This is slightly higher than the 5.7 per cent that reflects the median of its external forecasters' survey.
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| April 22, 2009 | | RBI policy: Cautious but far-reaching
The RBI's assessment of the economy, presented as a prelude to the policy announcement, was relatively downbeat. Conceding the persistence of a hostile global environment and domestic weakness, the RBI expects GDP growth during 2009-10 to be 6 per cent. This is slightly higher than the 5.7 per cent that reflects the median of its external forecasters' survey.
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| April 22, 2009 | | RBI policy: Cautious but far-reaching
The RBI's assessment of the economy, presented as a prelude to the policy announcement, was relatively downbeat. Conceding the persistence of a hostile global environment and domestic weakness, the RBI expects GDP growth during 2009-10 to be 6 per cent. This is slightly higher than the 5.7 per cent that reflects the median of its external forecasters' survey.
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| April 20, 2009 | | Tech M-Satyam: Arduous task ahead
While the deal at the bid price of Rs 58 per share may bring some cheer to Satyam's shareholders as it brings to end a host of uncertainties, Tech Mahindra has a tough task on its hands, given that Satyam's revenues and client-base is diminishing slowly.
'Vision' entrepreneurs -- the new rural biz
VisionSpring trains low-income men and women as vision entrepreneurs and equips them with to sell affordable working eyeglasses and other eyecare products. These entrepreneurs screen for blurry up-close vision, an age-related physical condition that sets in between 35 and 40 years, sell affordable working glasses to those in need and refer those requiring more advanced eyecare to partner hospitals.
Should the Satyam name be retained?
The jury is still out on whether Tech Mahindra should retain the Satyam name. Srinivasan Swamy, CMD, R K Swamy BBDO, says. "Brand Satyam took a beating for only one reason -- accounting irregularities by its erstwhile chairman. The employees were not even aware of the fraud. The company's core values and foundation have not been impacted." The task for the new management, he believes, is to retain its clients and people and the brand image would get resurrected.
The man who is fixing DLF
Though the family controls and runs DLF, CFO Ramesh Sanka is said to be playing a key role in mapping the group's future strategy -- including the move to, now, construct lower-cost housing.
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| April 15, 2009 | | Slam dunk for Satyam
Satyam has been saved. It has a credible owner after an auction in which reputed companies had bid, it has survived the last three months without much loss of business or desertion by staff, it has coped with a severe cash crunch and a national asset can now be re-built into an IT services powerhouse.
What's in a name? Money!
You can make millions, if you are a celebrity and are willing to license your name to other people's business ventures.
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| April 09, 2009 | | Using maths to trigger sales
Behind the activity initiated by a single purchase is a set of rules and policies, called algorithms, that examine your profile, filter the possibilities that may add value to you, alert the correct officers, agents and delivery systems. The maths behind this process is complex and it gets even more so when it needs to be done in real time. But mining data for usable nuggets of information using mathematical techniques is what businesses need to trigger sales.
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| April 06, 2009 | | Why this eye hospital is a case study at Harvard
Sanskara Eye Care's model of charging fee from only 20 per cent of the patients is sufficient to make each hospital self-sustaining in three to five years. But is not the only source of its sustenance. In the US, children are donating their pocket money towards eye surgery in these hospitals. It is $30 for a surgery, says founder R V Ramani.
The man behind RIL's KG achievement
P M S Prasad has been part of Mukesh Ambani's A-team for the last 25 years. The 55-year-old engineer, now president and CEO (petroleum), Reliance Industries, joined the company in 1984, when it was building a captive power plant at Patalganga, 70 kilometres north of Mumbai.
How elections can swing markets
Expect markets to remain volatile as the poll dates come closer as well as if uncertainty prevails post-May 2009.
How safe is the food you are eating?
The govt's move to once again defer the enforcement of detailed nutritional information on packaged food labels is incomprehensible.
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| March 30, 2009 | | TAL trips skilled immigrants' return to US
A procedure known as the Technology Alert List, used to screen visa applications or stamping of visa extensions of people coming to the United States for graduate studies, research or employment in certain specialized areas, seems to have become a hurdle for some highly qualified Indians who want to return to the US.
Conflict! The finance ministry versus the RBI
The stress of dealing with the crisis, often with potentially conflicting objectives in front of them, appears to have brought the differences between the finance ministry and the RBI back to the surface.
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| March 27, 2009 | | Infrastructure: Crippled by the land hurdle
An official review of projects that have been held up is reported to have revealed that as many as 70 per cent of the 190 delayed works are victims of roadblocks in the way of getting land. Some of them have been in limbo for over a decade and may have to be shelved eventually, as cost estimates have gone haywire.
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| March 25, 2009 | | 'Will the Nano change India's auto industry?'
It signals a major jump in the global acceptance of India as a hub for small cars, but maintaining this will require a lot more including, for starters, large production volumes.
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| March 24, 2009 | | The Age of the Nano
Like many other low-unit value, fast-moving consumer goods, the Nano can be expected to alter the dynamics of its market like nothing before.
How suppliers help cut Nano's cost
Some of the biggest and the best component suppliers in the business were roped in, with scissors and ingenuity to bring out solutions within a specified cost structure.
How safe is the Nano?
The Nano is developed to meet all the safety features that are applicable for passenger cars in India -- which is not saying much. What we like is the fact that the car will be able to meet the upcoming safety norms too. Current norms stipulate that the cars sold in India should meet norms set for full frontal crash, head impact on steering wheel, body block impact on steering system and seat belt anchorage strength, etc.
What driving the Nano feels like!
The Nano does not look or feel like a very 'cheap' car. It is a very thoughtfully designed piece of kit, with an agreeable level of fit and finish. Nor would you expect the kind of space it has in its interior. The two-cylinder 624cc engine hisses like a modern scooter before waking up and settling to an idle. The cable-linked gear lever helped select first and presto, we had motion!
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| March 23, 2009 | | Despite downturn, Doon auto bulb industry thrives
After a turnaround two years ago driven by heavy tax breaks currently available in Uttarakhand, this auto bulb industrial unit is now enjoying the benefits of slowdown in auto sector as it is mainly producing replacement bulbs only. "Sales in the auto sector have taken a nosedive during the past one year. So it is natural that our bulbs will be used in old vehicles," said Rajiv K Agarwal, managing director of GBPL, which situated at Patel Nagar, Dehra Dun.
Why audit committees need strengthening
Audit is being questioned by investors. Subhiksha is an example. In the case of Siemens India, institutional investors questioned the valuation in a deal involving the sale of Siemens Information Systems to German parent Siemens AG. This shows the low level of investor confidence in the corporate governance system. The audit committee mechanisms need strengthening.
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| March 17, 2009 | | PF a must for expats working in India
Expatriates working in India and some Indians working abroad for an Indian employer are required to make mandatory contributions to the Indian government's statutory provident fund.
Citigroup, BofA: Fighting to be zombies
Even the poster children of the current banking crisis, like Citibank's Vikram Pandit and Bank of America's Ken Lewis, may be able to grind their way through the recession like the Japanese banks did in the 1990s. But, as a consequence, Japan's economy lost a decade. The alternative -- and one the US consistently urged on the Japanese at the time -- is to bite the bullet, recognise bad assets and recapitalise.
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| March 16, 2009 | | Invested in Satyam? Here's what you should do
Existing investors, who have bought at higher levels of Rs 200 and above, should remain invested for at least a quarter until further clarity emerges from the bidding process.
How Infosys is cutting costs
Grappling with falling sales and a dropping bottom line, companies have had no alternate but to put cost-cutting measures in place. Infosys, for example, has cut variable pay, made appraisals more stringent and asked employees to make a one time saving of $10.
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| March 13, 2009 | | Economic slowdown: Is the end in sight?
If the numbers for the Index of Industrial Production for January 2009 are in fact a precursor to a bottoming out, they suggest the transmission from policy action to economic response is lightning fast. However, the numbers need to be understood in greater detail, and must be interpreted with caution.
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| March 09, 2009 | | Will the rural-urban telecom divide widen?
A further reduction in termination rates would seriously impact mobile operators' plans to expand in rural areas, say .
Goldman Sachs slips on ONGC
Perhaps the most sensible thing Goldman Sachs did in an otherwise poorly-researched report on ONGC was to talk of 'corporate governance issues with cash withdrawals by promoter,' says .
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| March 06, 2009 | | 5 investment secrets of a self-made millionaire
Accept that you cannot judge the quality of a single trade or investment by whether you made a profit or loss.
All about reverse mortgage
A reverse mortgage (or lifetime mortgage) is a loan available to senior citizens. Reverse mortgage, as its name suggests, is exactly opposite of a typical mortgage, such as a home loan.
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| March 05, 2009 | | Loan against property: What you must know
There are many ways you could arrange for money, and one of those ways is taking a loan. You could take a personal loan for the amount required, or you could take a loan against your property.
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| March 02, 2009 | | 7 golden ways to beat inflation woes
If finances are wisely coordinated, it can greatly help in controlling the continuous process of rising prices. To handle your finances during inflation, this is what you should do. . .
Of global crisis & India's ties with US, China
Habitat Centre in New Delhi arranged Eminent Persons Lecture series on 'Geo-Political Consequences of Current Financial and Economic Crisis: Implications for India.' In his keynote speech, Shyam Saran, special envoy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former foreign secretary, spoke about the changes taking place around the world.
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| February 23, 2009 | | The dream home bargain
Have you ever considered a home auction that is periodically conducted by several banks? You actually can get a house which is lesser by nearly 20 per cent of the current market value. Let us help you get started on some research for you to build the plan for your steal.
What's the outlook for Indian markets
With growing concerns over global economic growth and further cuts in earnings estimates, a recovery in markets is not expected before end-2009.
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| February 20, 2009 | | H1B: Waking up from the American dream
Since early December 2008, Sreehari Gopalakrishnan has applied to 176 firms, and the rate of call back has steadily declined. "Earlier, it used to be from 20 to 30 places but now it is less than 10 per cent", says Gopalakrishnan, an analyst with a firm in Connecticut that does relocation management. With the current economic downturn and the housing slump, his company has several houses in its inventory worth millions of dollars.
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| February 19, 2009 | | How HUF status can save you tax
Ccertain tax advantages are attached with HUF under the income tax and wealth tax laws.
Dreams of Indian fabs fading away
Major investment plans for a fabrication facility have put off due to the slowdown. A full-fledged fab requires an investment of $3-4 bn. Moreover, even if a fab were to come up now in the country, the technology would be rendered obsolete by the time it starts production. "If the government was serious about making the electronics manufacturing ecosystem robust, why is it sitting on proposals? How can you sustain a company's interest for so long?" asks an industry source.
The wrong way to get FDI
The new rules for foreign investment issued by the Cabinet committee on economic affairs have two specific problems. Both lie in the new provision that any company which has an Indian majority shareholding and Indian control will be treated as an Indian company.
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| February 18, 2009 | | To GSK: With awe and some scepticism
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has slashed prices of drugs for the poorest countries and is sharing part of the profits with these countries to beef up health facilities. CEO Andrew Witty said, ' We have the capacity to do more and we can do more. The question is can we, big pharmaceutical companies, rise to the challenge and be a genuine catalyst for change?'
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| February 13, 2009 | | SBI's 8% home loan rate lure
The interest rate scheme where 8 per cent is frozen for one year may not actually be as profitable as it appears upfront.
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| February 12, 2009 | | Before Ramalinga Raju, there was Dharma Teja
Long before former Satyam chairman B Ramalinga Raju admitted to a fraud of gigantic proportions, there was the Indian shipping magnate Dharma Teja who defrauded the Indian government by creating a hollow business empire and living off it. He was jailed for seven years and died soon after his release.
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| February 11, 2009 | | Why government schemes are slipping badly
Since there is no constraint on the availability of central funds for these programmes -- thanks to additional grants, over and above liberal allocations at the start -- tardy implementation by states seems wholly to blame for the lack of progress.
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| February 09, 2009 | | The story behind the $10 'laptop'
Low-cost computing is all set to grow, but if the Rs 500-Sakshat is also to be called a 'laptop', it confuses users and hurts the market
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| February 06, 2009 | | Why do promoters pledge shares?
Most have pledged their shares as collateral to raise working capital or a term loan, to increase their holding or to fund an acquisition as a multinational had done to buy an Indian company. Companies are rushing to make disclosures on pledging of shares by their promoters after Sebi made it mandatory. Promoters have to disclose details of pledged shares if the same exceeds 25,000 shares in a quarter or 1 per cent of the total shareholding or voting rights of the company.
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| February 04, 2009 | | Tax relief: Here's what suits you best
The Income Tax Act provides tax relief if you invest in certain financial instruments. Find out which product category suits you best.
How to save for a rainy day
Let us put away that dreaded thought and focus instead on ways to have access to funds when we need them the most like, for instance, a job-loss or an emergency surgery for a loved one! Here budgeting comes into play.
This university targets the world's most pressing problems
Singularity University will train its students to take on and make progress in understanding and applying fast moving technologies to solve the world's 'grandest challenges,' including hunger, global warming, alternative energy, telemedicine and more.
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| February 02, 2009 | | Economic crisis: No end in sight
In any downturn, the turnaround comes only when investors feel asset prices have bottomed out; when consumer demand has fallen so much that it has nowhere to go but up; and when bankers feel that businesses (or those that remain) are on even keel.
Why the NREGA should not rely on banks
Using banks to make NREGA payments has only added to corruption, says .
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| January 30, 2009 | | Need more from your home loan? Here's help
To avail a top up loan, factors like your repayment capacity based on your income and commitment towards any other loans other than your home loan etc, will be factored in
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| January 29, 2009 | | Should you prepay your home loan?
If you can afford to make larger payments towards your home loan, perhaps because of a promotion or because of a bonus, then making prepayments towards your home loan is a very good idea as it will save you a lot of money over the term of the loan.
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| January 27, 2009 | | Doc in a box
Telemedicine sure helps private enterprise. If it also helps the cause of health care, then why not?
Does your reward system measure up?
Companies also realise that their "solid citizens", too, feel insecure and anxious and that they have to be engaged to give their best during these times, rather than being overwhelmed by despair and pessimism.
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| January 23, 2009 | | Taking a home loan? Beware of these facts
These clauses are overlooked by most home loan borrowers and some of them eventually end up paying interest rates
Wireless wonders
According to analysis done by Icrier, the teledensity of a country/state plays a big role in determining its economic growth.
How the American housing dream went bust
We also have strict regulatory bodies like the Reserve Bank of India, which ensures that loan products that could produce systemic risk never make it to the market.
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| January 21, 2009 | | ICAI in dire need of complete overhaul
Even seventeen years after the government adopted the new economic policy the ICAI is yet to come to terms with the changing times and changed circumstances
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| January 20, 2009 | | Montek's misgivings about AP CM's land deals
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had misgivings on how and why the chief minister could raise so much money by selling government land, but eventually cleared the annual plan that was promised to be funded by a 32 per cent increase in the state's tax revenues. He put on record his doubts in a 3-page communication to the prime minister on April 23, 2008, a copy of which is with rediff.com
It's advantage broadcasters in the television war
The TDSAT scrapping the Trai's judgement on channel pricing is a major victory for
Should the RBI cut rates again?
Cutting the rates and the ratio by about a 100 basis points will send the right signal as well as give the RBI credible room to make further reductions in the coming months as the situation warrants.
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| January 19, 2009 | | Is this the right time for an oil price cut?
There has been a dramatic decline in oil prices from the high of $147 a barrel in July, to less than a third of that today. However, it is too early to say if this is a fundamental change in the direction of oil prices, resulting from the announced cuts in production by the oil-exporting countries, or a blip in a falling market. The government seems to be assuming (or hoping that it is) the latter and is rushing ahead with its price cut plan.
Are real estate subsidies working?
On the evidence so far, however, these steps have not improved the scale of transactions in the real estate market. Most buyers continue to hold back in the hope of further drops in prices, while developers find that financial succour gives them the staying power to withhold price cuts. The result may, therefore, prove to be the opposite of what was intended, by delaying the price adjustment that is essential if demand and supply are to balance once again.
Corporate governance: What India must do
A well-balanced board of directors, proactive shareholders and swift action against malpractices could restore market confidence.
Is the government going soft on Satyam?
The political consequences of exercising soft options in the Satyam scam would indeed cost the UPA government dearly. The YSR leadership being so close to the guilty group is something that also needs to be scrutinised. Another aspect that has received wider public disapproval is the Centre's reported plan to pump in around Rs 20 billion from public sector banks to bail out Satyam. The government's argument of saving some 50,000 'high-wage islanders' jobs by pumping pubic mon
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| January 16, 2009 | | Satyam, Wipro: Ex-World Bank official denies wrongdoing
Sources close to Mohamed Mushin say he regrets the indiscretion of purchasing the shares that he did, and even though it was perfectly legal, it gave the perception of conflict of interest, that his buying them under the Friends and Family IPOs seemed as it was a quid pro quo by the two companies that had secured handsome Bank contracts.
Satyam: What to expect and what to do
Talks of a possible merger or takeover will not have credence for a while
Corruption in India like Africa: WB official
The IPO offerings to Bank officials were "the least of the Bank's problems. At the end of the day, whatever they may have gotten with stock options or whatever, I think is nothing compared to the rampant corruption that is being practiced on the Bank's lending operations," says former Bank official Steve Berkman.
Survival strategies for Indian tourism
One effective solution is to lower luxury taxes. The tourism ministry has requested the finance ministry and the Planning Commission to work with state governments on this, but no one knows when any results will come, if ever. Another solution is to introduce no-frills, clean and functional budget hotels.
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| January 13, 2009 | | 10 rules of successful trading
This is a crucial advantage traders enjoy over investors -- the ability to make money whether the market is moving up or down. This fact should not, however, lead you to believe that trading is easy; it requires both a skill-set and rigorous discipline.
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| January 08, 2009 | | Want some great in-car entertainment?
All those who spend a lot of time on the road, gear up your cars with these Road Warrior essentials, spanning GPS navigation systems, in-car sound systems and Bluetooth devices.
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| January 07, 2009 | | 'Insider trading' acquires a new meaning in Sebi
Surely, the time for introspection for Sebi is right now. The lessons from l'affaire Pyramid are compelling for Sebi. It comprehensively exposes the workings within Sebi and its organisational weakness. It quickly needs to puts its house in order.
Best indicator of when to buy shares
Although it may be impossible to objectively determine current value, in the light of hindsight it is clear that price does tend to revolve around it. Consequently, several indicators have been developed which purport to measure value and thereby provide a reference point for the relationship of price to value.
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| January 06, 2009 | | Should you prepay your car, home & study loans?
Prepaying a loan is usually a good idea. And, part-prepaying the principal part of the loan makes even more sense. The reason is that it reduces the total amount of interest you have to pay out and, possibly, the loan tenure. But before doing so, you must look at some factors.
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| January 05, 2009 | | What will happen to the economy in 2009?
The problems of financial markets have started affecting the real economy worldwide. Consensus estimates suggest that 2009 will be worse than 2008.
2009 may not be good for the salaried class
Salaried professionals could get unhappy news in 2009. But, patience is the key.
How will Indian stocks do in 2009?
In view of the market downturn since January 2008, will it make sense to invest in stocks in 2009? How will the economy and the stock market fare in the New Year? What are the factors that will affect the market in the coming year and how long should I wait before investing?
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