Cover Story
- With little clarity on the way interest rates are headed, we tell you how you can make money from fixed-income instruments.
THE FALL OF THE UNICORNS
They were all part of the fabled $1 billion plus valuation club. Now they have run into trouble.
India Today conclave 2017: Be Indian and Buy Indian, says HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh
Parekh termed demonetisation a big bang reform. He said that cracking down on people holding black money is the right thing to do and such people ought to be penalised. "If you are paying your taxes, why should you be worried," Parekh said.Biggest risk is not taking any risk and Narendra Modi government is taking risks: Anand Mahindra
India has possibly now become the best manufacturing hub and this is the proof that 'Make in India' is a success, Anand Mahindra said.
On a Roll
According to a report by FICCI and KPMG, digital advertisement spends in India are expected to cross Rs 25,500 crore in 2020, from Rs 6,000 crore in 2015. Video advertising currently claims 18-20 per cent of this, and is expected to grow further. The biggest reason for the telecom sector's troubles now is the aggressive entry of Reliance Jio, the $21-billion start-up backed by Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd. Warren Buffett talking about Ajit Jain, widely believed to be a strong contender to succeed the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway, in his annual letter to shareholders. Auto classified portals have proliferated, but competition among them is fierce and profits elusive. Brawn Biotechs foray into export markets has turned around the fortunes of the company. District Central Cooperative Banks are supported by the government but the regulator still doesn't trust them. The third-quarter estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) growth announced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have surprised many experts. The CSO said it expected India's GDP to grow 7 per cent in October-December 2016, discounting fears of a major slowdown as a result of demonetisation. For 2016/17, the CSO has projected 7.1 per cent GDP growth. In effect, the estimates suggest that the negative impact of demonetisation will be insignificant. We get four leading economists to solve the mystery of these numbers. Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), talks to Joe C. Mathew about the government's plans for SMEs La Opala has done well to dominate a market once considered a domain of only foreign brands. Manpasand Beverages aims to have revenues of Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years. This is the seventh edition of the Business Today Best SME Survey. We have tweaked the methodology this time in order to evaluate genuine and financially sound companies. Nath Bio-Genes uses technology to alter genetic codes for prosperity of the farm sector Satin Creditcare Network wants to be a universal financial services player. BT celebrates and honours the best of SMEs that have the potential to change the face of corporate India. Tirth Agro's mechanised farm equipment business is growing briskly. The company now plans to ramp up exports. Utkarsh Micro Finance caters to the needy in UP and Bihar and has now morphed into a small finance bank Vaibhav Global has successfully made inroads into the discounted fashion jewellery markets in the US and the UK.
SMALL IS BIG
Micro,small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for close to two-third employment. Their future will be the key to solving the country's unemployment problem Automakers are in a bind over unsold non-compliant inventory once BS-IV emission norms come into force from April 1. Given the enormity of the task and staff crunch in the tax department, the success of Operation Clean Money is in doubt. Solar and wind power tariffs are falling, based on assumptions which may change.
Divide by Gender
There is plenty of evidence here to convince modern medicine practitioners to take cognisance of gender-based health care. Stories of women who unabashedly challenged the status quo, and chased their ambitions.
The Buzz @MCW 2017
Dual-lens camera smartphones, 2-in-1 Windows hybrids, and Android Wear 2.0 were the highlights of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
"Developers' interest in affordable housing has swelled"
Rajeev Talwar, CEO, DLF, and Chairman, National Real Estate Development Council, tells Chanchal Pal Chauhanabout the changes unfolding in the real estate sector.
Google India remains "Best Company to Work For"
Accenture retains its slot, while Amazon moves up a rank in the 15th edition of the "Best Companies to Work For" survey, which identifies 25 winners across industry
Hard Times
Till about a year ago, they looked invincible and unstoppable. Flipkart, Ola, Snapdeal, Quikr, Zomato... and a few others, had become the fabled Indian unicorns - start-ups boasting of valuation of over $1 billion.
Joining the Digital Bandwagon
If you were a classic roll-up-your-sleeves, get-it-done type of entrepreneur in the early '90s, the road to success would have been more complicated and long-winded than today. The Indian economy is on an upward trajectory. The growth is amongst the fastest in the world and especially significant for a country with GDP in excess of $2 trillion. More women in B-schools is not enough. Unless we value time over money, they will continue to opt out of the workforceNeed for bold changes in policy
India's growth story is significantly dependent on developing a strong SME sector.
To Buy or Not to Buy
For first-time buyers, it is a good time to book their dream home, though prices may fall further from here.
Scan to Shop
The government's BharatQR code enables customers to shop without carrying cash and cards.
A Complete Guide to Cashless Investing
Ditch the paperwork and embark on a faster, easier investment routine.
"Instead of long-dated gilts, investors should look at short-term bonds"
R.Sivakumar, Head - Fixed Income, Axis Mutual Fund, talks about the Reserve Bank of India's decision to maintain status quo in repo rates and how the next year will pan out.
