Cover Story
- GDP growth has slid, public finances are messy and there is a jobs crunch. What the government needs to do to boost the economy.
Funds Dry Up
Post the IL&FS crisis, banks and mutual funds are being very cautious about lending to non-banking finance institutions. Doha's exit announcement came just a few days before a crucial OPEC meet. The requirement for e-commerce players to collect tax on each sale has backfired. Twenty-five years old and Jet Airways' future appears dicey, its performance affected by tough market conditions and high Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price. Hindustan Unilever's recent Rs 31,700 acquisition of GSK's consumer business (including Horlicks, Maltova, and Boost), makes it the country's largest food major.Instagram Gets More 'Accessible'
The first feature uses object recognition technology to generate descriptions of photographs. Nobody knows what to do with the latest back series. Trends in global markets do not augur well for India's economy. The government's fiscal math is off-track. It will have to do some accounting jugglery to stick to the fiscal deficit target. During elections, campaigning rules for social media should be more overarching. China and the United States have paused their ongoing trade standoff, at least for now. Valid till 2023, the policy has a subsidy of Rs 22,000 for new e-two wheelers with a scrappage incentive of Rs 15,000 for old BS II and BS III e-two wheelers. There are global factors - from oil and trade wars to currency wars - all of which can derail the interest rate easing cycle. Sun Pharma began the month with shockwaves about irregular practices but is trying to rally after clarifying its stance. From hero to bad guy, the fall of Carlos Ghosn is dramatic. With him gone, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, the world's largest automaker, looks set for a bitter boardroom tussle and an uncertain future. Public finances were marked by deviations from targets in 2017/18. A look at the numbers that matter.
Beauty with Brains
The watch sports a 42 mm circular case in black along with a 20 mm interchangeable black band. In an era of disruption, lifelong learning is the way to outpace obsolescence. Great leaders go beyond spreadsheets and analyses to make a point; they connect with compelling stories. Things to keep in mind while buying a smart TV. Tech-enabled surveillance is about to be used for a social credit system in China, and the possibilities are frightening.
Energised India
India was ranked fifth in power generation capacity. In electricity production, the country is the third in the world.What We Need For Solar's Long Boom
A long-term and unambiguous policy framework will usher in more confidence and better investment inflow.'Li-Fi Can Potentially Replace Wi-Fi'
The Netherlands-based Philips has been in the lighting business for over 127 years. In 2016, the Rs 57,095 crore Philips Lighting was spun off as a separate company listed on the Amsterdam Euronext Stock Exchange. In May 2018, Philips Lighting changed its name to Signify, in line with its philosophy that "light has become an intelligent language". Business Today's Rajeev Dubey talks to Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management, Signify, about how the industry is transforming and its implications. Excerpts: Companies that use technology to improve farm production and distribution are attracting investor interest. The GVK Group is taking a host of debt reduction measures even as it tries to look at growth options in the airports business.
Wind Needs A Bigger Boost
Harnessing 300 GW of wind energy potential requires big measures, but the outcome will rewrite India's Renewable Energy playbook. The dip in crude oil prices will ease the pressure on inflation and current account deficit. India has made big strides in renewable energy in the last few years, but challenges are mounting as well. India's conventional power sector is gaining from rise in demand, but a host of issues, especially financial health of discoms, remain a cause for concern. The country is getting bolder on renewables, but traditional resources also need an aggressive relook to ensure energy independence.
Leaderspeak
Introduced return of mortality charges for a ULIP this year, a first in the industry; the scheme clocked Rs 146 crore annualised premium, pushing the company to the top in online ULIP category.
