The correct course

How long will the bull run last? (November 4, 2007) covers all the aspects of the issue. One thing that is clear is that trading benefits can only accrue through long-term investment. The money market must be allowed to correct itself and take its own course as any extraneous pressures will hurt it seriously. This market not only has legs but also a seasoned mind and it will definitely fulfil the overall growth expectations.

-B. Rajasekaran, through e-mail

Knee-jerk reactions won't do

Stock markets are a reflection of the economy of any country but the bull run in recent weeks has caused confusion (BT, November 4, 2007). A thousand-point rise in six or seven trading sessions should by no means be taken as a sign of stability and it does not bode well for the common investor’s confidence in the markets.

If the markets reach levels projected for 2009-10 two years in advance, it should be a cause for concern, not euphoria. The market will eventually correct itself but a crash will dent the process of the common man’s initiation into the equity culture in this country. We need a disciplined approach to investing and a strong market regulator. Mere knee-jerk reactions won’t do any good.

-R.K. Sudan, through e-mail

Reliance should rethink strategy

The retail rage (BT, November 4, 2007) is being directed mostly at Reliance Fresh as there are already some big companies in this field that are functioning well. The huge advertisements and the grand scale on which Reliance kickstarted its venture may have created panic. The company should change its strategy and demonstrate that its outlets will not jeopardise the interests of small shopkeepers.

-A. Jacob Sahayam, through e-mail

Ease process of doing business

With regard to It’s still not very easy to do business in India (BT, October 21, 2007), even a small business/professional set-up requires a large number of Acts (laws) to be followed. A good number of these rules are illogical and have no practical utility either to the authorities or to the businessman.

Complying with so many laws requires a substantial amount of time, effort and money. Our government definitely needs to get rid of these archaic laws and speed things up.

-Mahesh Kumar, through e-mail

Quality media content lacking

There is no doubt that there is a media boom (Content matters, November 4, 2007) given the number of magazines available in the market. Indian editions of international magazines are also being launched. But then the big question is: how many of them will survive? In fact, many of the newly-launched magazines fold up because they cannot meet the standards and readers’ expectations.

-Mahesh Kapasi, through e-mail

It’s a joint venture

Long road ahead (BT, November 4, 2007) incorrectly states that Tata Motors will manufacture Fiat’s premium range cars at its Ranjangaon facility near Pune. The cars, in fact, will be manufactured by the Industrial Joint Venture formed between Fiat Group Automobiles and Tata Motors. The article also states that both companies are jointly evaluating a bid for Ford’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands. However, there is no such statement from Fiat.

-Marius D’Lima, Head (Corporate Comm.), Fiat India, through e-mail

Wrong deal details

Deal watch (BT, October 21, 2007) states that Analog Devices has been acquired by MediaTek for Rs 1,389 crore and that MediaTek will have a 100 per cent stake in the company. This is factually incorrect, as MediaTek has only acquired ADI’s SoftFone and Othello product lines and related handset baseband support operations.

-B. Reddy Penumalli, MD, Analog Devices India, through e-mail