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Diwali Fireworks and FDI
While complaining to a friend about writer’s block (side effect of an overdose of Diwali sweets?), he suggested I look at the recent Emirates NBD acquisition of RBL Bank. This deal is significant for several reasons. It’s the first time we’re seeing a majority stake sale in a listed Indian bank. The investment amount is… Continue reading
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The needless search for certainty
Humans don’t like uncertainty. And nowhere is this more evident than in economic or business forecasts. Our analysts and economists cater to this need, with a great degree of apparent precision and accuracy. These forecasts further reinforce our belief that such things can actually be predicted. Consider these statements: “We estimate consolidated PAT to grow… Continue reading
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Greed, fear and digital scams: When common sense logs out
Greed, fear and digital scams: When common sense logs out If you think you’re too smart to get scammed, think again. Every day, some smart and educated people are losing very real money — thanks to a variety of innovative (and sneaky) scams. A good number of these are based on simple trickery. They will… Continue reading
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When Twenty-Somethings Build Unicorns and Rockets: The New India
When I finished college in 1983, start-up was not even a word! There were no VCs and no angels. The few brave entrepreneurs were suppressed, heavily taxed, lacked access to capital and were viewed suspiciously by our socialist leaders. The Babus decided who could make what, where and in what quantity – and who they… Continue reading
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Wilful destruction of the world’s most powerful economic engine
Wilful destruction of the world’s most powerful economic engine Sitting in my favourite armchair, far from the shenanigans of the US president, one can only watch with shock and awe – the haphazard (or is it systematic?) devastation of an economy that has dominated the world for almost a century. Ever since World War II,… Continue reading
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Have we moved the valuation goalposts?
Investing’s golden rule is simple: buy cheap! Every investment guru has said this — sometimes in books, sometimes on Twitter, sometimes while sipping Cherry Coke. Benjamin Graham: “The margin of safety is achieved by having the foresight to purchase securities at a significant discount to their intrinsic value.” Warren Buffet: “It’s far better to buy… Continue reading
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Is the distribution moat drying up?
Investing history has it that Warren Buffet popularised the usage of the word “moat” to simplify or explain the idea of a company’s competitive advantage. The width or impregnability of the moat is what makes businesses more durable. And in today’s investing literature, “moat” is almost de rigueur. Every broker, analyst or their cousin trying… Continue reading
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Ease of Doing Tourism
Tourism is never long out of the news. But this news coverage seems to be stuck in a loop – at least for the last 40-odd years since I started reading business news. The loop consists of the following elements: Tourism is desirable, as it generates significant employment and earns dollars, with low investment levels.… Continue reading
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Is 6.5% Growth Making India Complacent?
What if India’s economic achievement is also its biggest trap? This thought hit me while chatting with a fund manager friend a couple of days ago, about the pace of reform. Nowadays, we hear ad nauseam about India being the fastest-growing “large” economy. And this, despite the fierce headwinds from global economic crises. It’s not… Continue reading
