Business & Market News

Jim Cramer breaks down why he likes how the market is setting up heading into the new year. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3JuwP35 https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Indian stock markets have more than doubled since the unfortunate crash in March 2020 on the back of low-interest rate regime and liquidity. As the stock markets enjoy the status of all-time high, there are several potential questions that might creep into the minds of investors. Advantages of SIP One of the biggest advantages of systematic investment planning (SIP) is the rupee cost averaging it provides to investors. Rupee cost averaging is a concept that enables investors to earn significant returns when invested for a prolonged duration of time. Under SIP mode, an investor ends up purchasing fewer mutual fund units when the markets are high than when the markets are low and vice versa – this averages out the total cost of mutual fund units over a period of time. As it is next to impossible to correctly predict the market movements and distinguish the peak in the markets, it is recommended that an investor continues to invest in mutual funds through SIP mode of investment with...

Powerball's last drawing of 2021 was Wednesday night, capping a year that had six winning jackpots worth an aggregate $2 billion. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/32KIk5x https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

By Krishnan Ramachandran After a rather challenging 2020 everyone hoped for some relief in 2021. However, 2021 brought unprecedented devastation which caught everyone off guard. Along with sickness, it brought financial distress for many families. Since the advent of the pandemic, the perception towards health insurance has been evolving. More people are realising that it’s a must-have to protect them and their loved ones. It goes without saying that the high number of claims has put a great stress on the sector, yet it has been standing tall against all the headwinds. Here’s an overview of what acted as a barrier for the sector in 2021, and how we will see it evolve further in the coming year. Roadblocks in 2021 Standardisation of treatment The healthcare ecosystem will enormously benefit from standards—data standards, practice of evidence-based medicine and adherence to protocols, policy on drug prescription (especially antibiotic usage) etc. Customers will greatly benefit from t...

Retirement savers have until April 15, 2022 to maximize 2021 contributions to individual retirement accounts. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3JtRS5I https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The equity markets ended flat with marginal losses on Thursday amid the monthly expiry of F&O contracts and mixed sentiment across global peers. Volumes in the market were also lower than average because of holidays, said market participants. “Domestic equities opened on a subdued note but edged higher and remained in positive territory for major parts of the day amid monthly F&O expiry and tepid global cues. After a minor selling pressure in the last hour, Nifty managed to close above 17,200 mark with petty loss of ~10 points,” said Siddhartha Khemka, head – retail research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The Sensex ended lower by 12.17 points at 57,794.32 with 14 of its constituents ending in the red. The Nifty declined 9.65 points to close at 17,203.95. Shares of Reliance Industries fell 1.9% intra-day, being the top loser in the Sensex pack. Tata Steel, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finance, and SBI were other top losers in the index. In contrast, NTPC, HCL Tech, Titan Company,...

By Manish M Suvarna The borrowing cost of state development loans (SDLs) rose to the highest level in 11 months due to a rise in issuances and an uptick in yields on government securities in the past few days. Demand from investors was also low, pulling up the borrowing cost on SDL. The total borrowing by the states on December 28 was Rs 1,000 crore lower than the amount announced for the auction last week, but it was Rs 705 crore more than the indicative calendar of October-December. In this week’s auction, 16 states raised Rs 24,234 crore, compared with Rs 25,234 crore announced last week. The amount was lower because Punjab has not accepted any amount in the 12-year tenor. “Sudden increase in SDL issuances, coupled with a rise in government bond yields, pushed the borrowing cost for states higher,” said Pankaj Pathak, fund manager, fixed income, at Quantum Asset Management. Market participants said the borrowing of states was lower in H1FY22 because the Centre had front-loaded t...

The bounce rate on auto-debit transactions remained above 30% in November, unchanged from 31.2% in the previous month. The failure rate of such transactions, many of which are debit requests for loan repayments, still remained higher than their pre-Covid levels, indicating high levels of stress in the retail segment. According to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India, of 90.73 million debit requests made in November over the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) platform, 28.33 million bounced. In terms of value, the bounce rate on auto-debit requests stood at 25.16%, slightly worse than 24.83% in October. Data from the NACH platform does not include intra-bank transactions, and therefore do not represent all debit requests made in the financial system. EMI payments to smaller non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and fintechs constitute a chunky share of requests made through the NACH platform. While stress in the retail segment has eased significantly fr...

Shares of Supriya Lifescience surged 20% intra-day on Wednesday after a bumper listing on Tuesday. The stock hit a high of Rs 468.40 on the BSE, more than 70% higher than the issue price of Rs 274. The scrip on Tuesday listed at Rs 425 on the BSE, a 55% premium over the issue price. According to experts, strong fundamentals of the company, justified valuations and strong subscription during the share sale were reflected in the market debut. The scrip ended at Rs 463.05 on the BSE on Wednesday, up 18.6%. The initial public offering (IPO) of the company was subscribed a little above 71 times. The company successfully raised Rs 700 crore through the maiden public offer and it intends to utilise the proceeds for debt repayment and capital expenditure requirements. All leading brokerage houses had advised investors to subscribe to the IPO as the fundamentals of the company are intact, and the stock is available at a reasonable valuation to its peers. Considering the FY21 adjusted EPS of R...

By Anuj Bhatia, Shruti Dhapola & Nandagopal Rajan Sony BRAVIA 55X90J Sony has moved itself to the luxury space across segments and in the television space it clearly wants to bridge the 70mm gap created in our lives by the pandemic. The Bravia 55X90J has one of the best displays on the market with software that knows how users think and expect their content to flow. The TV can also go up to 120Hz in 4K for those planning to pair it with a gaming console. Nintendo Switch (OLED) Nintendo’s flagship console got a mid-cycle upgrade this year with the new Switch OLED model. It’s still the Switch we all like, but the new version offers a seven-inch OLED screen in handheld mode, along with 64 GB of storage—double that of the original Nintendo Switch and an improved kickstand. The catalogue of games the Switch is getting keeps getting better—and there is no match to Nintendo exclusives like Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing and Super Mario Odyssey. The big selling point of Switch conti...

By Anuj Bhatia, Shruti Dhapola & Nandagopal Rajan iPad mini The iPad mini is for many the most distinct product Apple has launched in years. With the iPad mini, Apple tried to create a new lifestyle device that is a cross between an iPhone and a traditional iPad. Even though the iPad mini is an iPad at heart, it feels an entirely different product. It is compact and small but not a replacement to your iPhone. The iPad mini shines when it comes to taking notes (thanks to second-generation Apple Pencil support), playing games or as an e-reader, becoming a companion device that always stays with you. The iPad mini looks fresh, but continues to have a niche appeal. Apple iPad (9th generation) Time and again, Apple proves that it is hard to beat the iPad no matter which model you choose. The entry-level iPad isn’t the best Apple has to offer but it does make a splash for the features it comes with, including a front-facing camera that is actually good and increased storage capacity. N...

By Anuj Bhatia, Shruti Dhapola & Nandagopal Rajan Nothing Ear (1) Although there are better options available on the market, it is hard to deny the existence of the Nothing Ear 1 which pretty much covers the basics. Nothing, the much-hyped startup by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has made a pair of truly wireless earbuds that looks radically different from the competition with a clever, semi-transparent design language. The earbuds are extremely light and comfortable, sound good and have good active noise cancellation. While they lack the charm of the AirPods Pro, they fare well in most critical areas that matter to end consumers. They offer terrific value for money at under Rs 10,000. Sonos Beam Gen 2 Sonos seems to have suddenly found India to be an interesting market, especially for future growth. And as more Indians appear apprehensive about watching movies in the theatre, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 will literally bring the big screen experience home to go along with their larger TV...

By Anuj Bhatia, Shruti Dhapola & Nandagopal Rajan iMac M1 The new Apple iMac is an all-in-one desktop computer that takes cues from the original iMac of the late 90s but is still the most forward-looking device for your work space. The iMac combines a surprisingly good 24-inch screen with more than capable performance (all thanks to the M1 processor) and has a 1080p webcam that makes it more than relevant in the pandemic year. Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the most powerful laptop Apple has ever created. If you are willing to pay the price, you will not be disappointed. Not only is the 16-inch MacBook powerful enough for heavy computing tasks, it also fixes all the issues the creator community had with the previous generation model. Configurable with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max, the 16-inch MacBook Pro becomes a poster boy of Apple’s latest silicon. The new MacBook Pro promises plenty of ports, a great keyboard, and a bright and colourful Liquid Retina XDR ...

Fauci said small gatherings with family and close friends are low risk if everyone at the gathering is vaccinated and boosted. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3qAkvpq https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Banks managed to recover more of their bad loans through the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act, compared with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) during FY21, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s latest report on trend and progress of banking in India. Through the Sarfaesi route, banks recovered 41% of the amount involved, while the extent of recovery stood at just 20.2% via the IBC. The other modes of recovery, Lok Adalats and debt recovery tribunals (DRTs), yielded even less – 4% and 3.6% respectively – during FY21. Overall, banks were able to recover only 14% of their dues through the four modes. While fresh referrals under the insolvency law were suspended for a year up to March 2021, that had no bearing on these figures as they reflect recoveries from cases already admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). In FY20, the IBC had been the leader among the four modes of recovery, retu...

The payment pause for student loan borrowers has been extended five times during the pandemic. Advocates say it's time for deeper relief. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3z9ie8u https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Jhansi Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh will be known as Veerangana Lakshmibai Railway Station, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Wednesday. Rani Laxmibai was among India’s foremost rebel leaders during British rule and was killed in battle with British forces in June 1858 in Gwalior. UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced the name change in a short tweet, saying the Jhansi Railway Station would be known as Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station from now. उत्तर प्रदेश का 'झाँसी रेलवे स्टेशन' अब 'वीरांगना लक्ष्मीबाई रेलवे स्टेशन' के नाम से जाना जाएगा। — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 29, 2021 The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier sent a proposal about renaming the station to the Union Home Ministry. The ministry consents to a name change of any station or place after obtaining no-objections from the Union Ministry of Railways, Survey of India, and the Department of Posts. These organisations confirm that there is no town or village in their r...

Making investment through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in equity mutual funds (MFs) is considered as a comparatively less-risky route for making long-term investments in equities. However, after redeeming their investments, such investors face a daunting task of entering investment-wise details of long-term capital gain (LTCG) in their Income Tax Return (ITR). Redemption, switch or change of plan of such MF units results in capital gains. If the transactions in the equity MF units are done within 1 year from the date of investment, such transactions result in short-term capital gain (STCG) or loss, and transactions after 1 year from the date of investment result in long-term capital gain (LTCG) or loss. When the LTCG on transactions in equity MFs was tax-free, taxpayers investing in ELSS (equity-linked saving scheme) and other equity-oriented schemes had no problem in filing their ITR. However, with the LTCG on equities becoming taxable, filing their return of income has becom...

The freedom of the press was a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Constitution and a fearless media was essential for an efficient working of democracy, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Wednesday and maintained journalists must resist being “co-opted by an ideology or the state”. He said a healthy democracy could thrive only with a fearless and independent press, but warned “news mixed with views is a dangerous cocktail”. The CJI cautioned journalists against the trend of seeping of ideological biases into news stories and said factual reports must keep aside interpretations and opinions. “Another trend that I witness in reporting nowadays, is the seeping of ideological stances and biases into the news story. Interpretation and opinions are colouring what should be factual reports,” he said. Underscoring the need for unbiased, fact-based reportage, particularly during the current 24×7 news cycle, and the vast reach of social media, the CJI said that journalist...

Next year will be a big one for inflation, U.S. births and electric vehicles, according to CNBC's Brian Sullivan. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3HpSc3P https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It's been a banner year for crypto, with digital tokens, such as bitcoin and dogecoin, hitting all-time highs and making millionaires of investors. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3z6qCWi https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approved a series of amendments in its board meeting on Tuesday, including changes to mutual fund regulations. The market regulator has made it mandatory for trustees of mutual funds to take unitholders’ consent ahead of winding-up/ closure of any scheme or prematurely redeeming the units of any close-ended scheme. Currently, trustees solely decide on the winding up or closure of a scheme. The market regulator on Tuesday said the consent shall be obtained with a simple majority with one vote per unit held. Results should be published within 45 days of the publication of notice of circumstances leading to winding up.   “In case the trustees fail to obtain the consent, the scheme shall open for business activities from the second business day after publication of results of voting,” Sebi said.  Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had announced that consent of unitholders should be made mandatory for the closure of mutual...

Most people who get insurance through the public marketplace end up getting some sort of financial help to cover their monthly premiums. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3FvUzBv https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to appoint one of its executives to the board of RBL Bank may have been aimed at ensuring a smooth succession process at the lender, people aware of the matter have said. The bank’s board now has at least six months — the residual tenure of outgoing chief executive Vishwavir Ahuja — to complete the process. “There is a sense that the RBI wants to closely oversee the process of transition at RBL Bank as the bank had not begun the process of inviting applications for the CEO role,” said one of the people to whom  FE  spoke. Emails sent to RBL Bank, the RBI and board chairman Prakash Chandra remained unanswered till the time of going to press. Messages sent to Chandra and Ahuja also did not elicit responses. Emkay Global Financial Services said in a report on Monday that the nomination and remuneration committee under the oversight of the board will search and recommend a candidate to replace Ahuja in due course, a process that could ...

On Monday, U.S. health officials reduced restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus and are asymptomatic. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3EAeP3H https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Many borrowers are finally due to get their student loans excused under the public service loan forgiveness program, after reforms by the Biden administration. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3Hi0CKl https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

I want to invest in a dynamic bond fund. What should be the ideal period of holding and what are the risks? —R S Joshi Dynamic bond funds have the ability / flexibility to invest in bonds or government securities across duration buckets based on the fund manager’s views. If the manager holds a view that long-term interest rates would move down, he can invest in bonds / government securities with long duration to benefit from a fall in interest rates. Conversely, if he holds a view that interest rates are expected to move up he can reduce the duration of the portfolio. At times, managers have been known to take credit calls as well in these strategies, i.e., investing lower rated bonds to earn higher yields. Given the broad flexibility in mandate, dynamic bond funds can be considered as ‘all weather’ debt funds and can be held for long periods such as three to five years or even more. While investing, one needs to assess the skill sets of the manager; one indicator could be to underst...

The nation's top infectious disease expert said in an interview on MSNBC that such a requirement should be "seriously" considered. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3er24xN https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

By Sunil K Parameswaran A shareholder will usually receive periodic cash payments from a business known as dividends. In America such cash flows are known as cash dividends, to distinguish them from another type of dividends called stock dividends. In India we refer to the latter as bonus shares, and consequently the word ‘dividend’ in India connotes a cash dividend. Dividends can be volatile Dividends are not contractually guaranteed and a firm is under no obligation to declare a dividend. No company declares in advance that it will pay x% dividends for the next five years. Thus, in practice dividends can be very volatile. However, good companies try to keep dividends at a steady level, if not at an increasing level, to reassure shareholders that all is well. Finance theory postulates that if a company is unable to invest the retained earnings in projects with a positive net present value, it is better to reward the shareholders in the form of dividends, so that they can explore oth...

By Chandresh Nigam As we draw the curtains on another eventful year, there is no doubt that we have witnessed an accelerated evolution of the mutual fund industry. The regulator’s continued thrust on investor awareness, business models and policies undergoing changes, renewed pivot on customer experiences, increased focus on use of technology solutions, etc., have been instrumental in changing the mutual fund industry. In 2021 not only did we witness benchmark indices (Sensex and Nifty) scaling record highs, we also saw retail investors joining the equity cult and supporting markets in spite of heavy outflows from foreign institutions. Let us try to look at some of the major learnings during 2021. Digitally-enabled customer experience As governments were forced to adopt a second lockdown, businesses had no option but to jump-start their complete digital metamorphosis. Hitherto existing structures needed to be revamped based on the new needs of the customers and the available tech...

Though there were countless defining moments this year in crypto, here are 12 highlights. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3HffQ2W https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

IDAM House Of Brands has acquired MeeSoGood, a chocolate and coffee brand. With this acquisition, IDAM House Of Brands is aiming to achieve global recognition for MeeSoGood, along with creating a whole new experience for premium chocolate and coffee enthusiasts at affordable prices. The brand has already adopted several methodologies across different verticals to achieve its vision, it said in a statement. Currently, IDAM House Of Brands holds 60% stakes in MeeSoGood. “With this acquisition, IDAM has taken its first step into the food and beverage industry. Aakash and I are excited about this venture, given the fact that we share a similar vision with MeeSoGood where we inculcate a consumer-first approach and a commitment to make premium products at affordable prices all across the globe,” Saahil Nayar, co-founder and COO, IDAM House Of Brands, said. Husband-wife duo Vivek Chaturvedi and his wife Deepali Chaturvedi started MeeSoGood. The brand has a variety of flavoured chocolates an...

There has been a lot of talk around Quick Commerce or Q-commerce lately with startups such as Zepto, being able to attract investment and even existing home delivery apps such as Dunzo, Swiggy and Grofers reworking their models. As per the reports of Redseer, the segment is expected to grow 10-15 fold in the next five years to become a $5-billion opportunity by 2025. The increasing penetration of digital access accelerated by the pandemic has expanded the customer base that is available to be tapped by quick commerce players. The promise of Quick Commerce is the delivery of essential items within 10 to 90 minutes of order placement thus creating a hyper local opportunity to disrupt the existing customer servicing models. The current e-commerce model dominated by players such as Amazon, FlipKart, Big Basket and others has focused upon building large warehouses on the outskirts of cities in various locations to cater to the customers across the country from their closest proximity. The ...

Jim Bianco of Bianco Research finds used cars were a better investment than bitcoin in 2021's second half. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3eqc0aJ https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

NetApp, a fast-growing cloud-led, data-centric software company, has been selected by Narayana Health to modernise its IT systems and satisfy the new demands of healthcare management. NetApp will help Narayana Health to optimise storage and data management efficiencies across locations, thereby helping advance medical care in India. With this collaboration, Narayana Health unveiled Athma—a homegrown records management system that allows the company to manage its data securely and efficiently while taking advantage of NetApp solutions. As one of the largest hospital groups in the country, Narayana Health treats over 2.6 million patients every year, making data critical to its operations. Providing rapid access to patient records to facilitate faster diagnosis and shorter response times was a huge challenge. Because a reliable and responsive IT infrastructure was crucial to achieving this objective, Narayana Health deployed NetApp technology solutions to store and process patient record...

As consumers have spent more time at home throughout the pandemic, headphones really have become an integral device in our daily lives. Households have spent more time multitasking—listening to a combination of music, watching entertainment content, and integrating the different aspects of virtual communication involved with home working, home-learning and socialising. Music, work, gaming and health—the device makers have seen healthy growth in sales of wired or wireless headphones, and are rapidly introducing newer products at regular intervals. A new generation of active noise-cancelling headphones by the US-based audio brand Soundcore by Anker promises to be an audio treat for homebound consumers who have been spending more time watching videos, listening to audio and playing video games, while working and studying. These are the company’s ‘Q-Series’ products—Life Q30 and Life Q35 headphones that come with sound and noise cancellation preferences, and are customisable too. The head...

RBL Bank’s interim chief executive and managing director Rajeev Ahuja on Sunday sought to allay concerns around the health of the private sector lender, stressing that the events over the weekend are not linked to quality of advances or asset quality. Rajeev, an executive director with the lender who was elevated by the board after his predecessor Vishwavir Ahuja went on leave following the appointment of an additional director by the RBI on the bank, asserted that the bank will post better profits in December quarter than the preceding September quarter. He said the bank will stick to all the targets spelled out at the earning call in September, but conceded that microfinance lending is an area which requires more attention. “We need to up the game on service, governance, digital and risk areas,” Rajeev told reporters. He claimed that the board of the bank had already chosen him as the successor to Vishwavir, and RBI-appointed additional director Yogesh Dayal also voted for his ap...

"West Side Story" is a box office bomb, having only generated around $36 million in ticket sales on a $100 million production budget. from US Top News and Analysis https://ift.tt/3qps9CW https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

By Reya Mehrotra The adaptation to the virtual world during the pandemic is here to stay and is only likely to strengthen in the future. Shopping is no different. As per the Ericsson ConsumerLab 10 Hot Consumer Trends report out in December, mall experiences are set to become hybrid by 2030. Here are some predictions of the study. Anyverse pool Gaming zones have increasingly become popular attractions at malls and give youngsters and even families a chance to bond. But forget about ordinary gaming zones, because malls could offer chances to escape the world. Many imagine the exploration of impossible worlds. Two-thirds of consumers believe there will be swimming pools where you can use an oxygenated VR headset to experience outer space in zero gravity. All-now arena Mall visits would require a customer to be equipped with gears like AR glasses, waterproof VR glasses, haptic body suits and tactile gloves by 2030. One could be either or both—the actor and spectator and have an immer...

In 1975, they were talking about staying alive. Gotta keep cool, please! Save the ice, trees, and bees-gees! Saturday night disco fever, up 2 degrees and a broken freezer, gotta keep cool, honeybun, in 2021. Music has the power to heal and appeal to our emotions. No wonder music plays a huge role in the natural world with many greatest songwriters who have written compositions for the planet. All songs remind us of the impact, history and future survival. For instance, Miley Cyrus’ hit Wake Up America is on global warming, going green and waking up America to environmental issues in her melodious voice. The 1968’s The White Album by John Lennon and Paul McCartney is an ode to nature. Their song Mother Nature’s Son is a moving rendition taking insights from a lecture by Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi while the Beatles were in India. This song has been revisited by Harry Nilsson for his album Harry, John Denver on his Grammy winning An Evening with John Denver album, and Sheryl Crow ...

Wine in Maharashtra may soon be available in supermarkets, shop in shops, daily needs shops, departmental stores, bakeries and similar outlets as the state government is likely to draft a new policy shortly, allowing winemakers to broaden their retail footprint. The thinking behind this shift is that majority of wines have very low content of pure spirits as compared to other liquors. Also, a large number of restaurants and bakeries use wine for food making. The existing wine policy, which allows sale of wine only through exclusive liquor stores, has been in force for the last 20 years and will lapse by the end of this month. The government has already announced Rs 10 per litre of (all types of wine) bottle as a nominal excise tax. This will earn only` 5 crore revenue for the state but will help the excise administration know the amount of wine bottles sold in the market, according to senior officials of the excise department. Maharashtra has between 40 and 45 operational wineries. ...

The Indian residential real estate sector is entering 2022 with optimism. Sales of houses have picked up pace and were higher by 26% in 2021 compared to last year. In another positive, the inventory overhang has come to under 24 months for the first time in the last six years. However, since the supply is below absorption, buyers should brace up for some price increases in the coming year. Data sourced from PropEquity show that between January and October, over 3.89 lakh residential units were sold across the country — an increase of 26% over 2020, while the new launches increased by a mere 9% during the same period to a tad over 3.16 lakh units. Meanwhile, the unsold stock is at the lowest in four years at 1.05 crore units versus 1.20 crore units in 2018. Samir Jasuja, founder and CEO, PropEquity, told FE that prices are expected go up by 5-10% in 2022. “Pricing will marginally inch up due to rising inflation and increase in cost of construction. Also, since there has been no price ...

Pre-payment of deferred spectrum liabilities by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio amounting to over Rs 26,200 crore will see the government meeting its budgetary revenue target from telecommunications during the current fiscal. Recently, Bharti Airtel paid Rs 15,519 to the department of telecommunications (DoT) towards prepayment of the entire deferred liabilities pertaining to spectrum acquired in the auction held in 2014, while Reliance Jio paid around Rs 10,700 crore for spectrum acquired in 2016 auction. The government had fixed a revenue receipt target of Rs 53,986.72 crore from telecommunications services for FY22. Once the annual licence fee and spectrum usage charges paid by the telecom operators, which would be in the range of Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 28,000, is added to the amount paid by Bharti and Jio, the budgetary target is likely to be achieved. The government’s receipts from licence fee and SUC have been increasing due to rising adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of all telecom ...

This is the time of the year when Santa Claus is believed to visit homes with gifts. He may disappoint many, but the belief persists. It is a story to entertain children.  A figure that I am certain does not resemble Santa Claus — but no one knows who — has been visiting India throughout the year that is drawing to a close. He was an unwanted visitor. He brought unwanted gifts. Count them:  Touching New Highs >  For households:  Retail inflation at 4.91 per cent. Of which, fuel and light inflation at 13.4 per cent. Santa’s suggestion: find a job that gives you dearness allowance and house rent, and the employer pays electricity and water bills. >  For Farmers:  Freedom to lease the land to corporates, freedom to borrow from corporates, freedom to sell the produce anywhere to corporates and freedom to become landless agricultural labour. It is a different story that farmers refused the generous offer.  >  For all producers and co...