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Showing posts from February, 2022

Future-ready — Internet of Things: An essential ingredient for digital transformation

By Praveen Arora In this new world of work, as enterprises reimagine their business strategy, new-age technologies like IoT, AI, ML and others are setting the pace for a digital makeover. From smart cities to smart manufacturing, IoT solutions are gaining adoption across industries. There is certainly no escaping the deployment of IoT solutions for any enterprise; a look at its importance across sectors and how technology must evolve. Integrated IoT platform Enterprises are moving beyond the integration of the technology to niche functions like supply chain management or production line automation. They are conscious of deploying IoT across the value chain to create better efficiencies and looking for a holistic solution and not just a point solution to the device, or the network or the application. They are looking at an integrated implementation or an integrated platform. Hence, it is vital for IoT to evolve and provide a full suite of solutions as a platform. For instance, retail...
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GOVO GOBASS 910 earphones: Say goodbye to tangled wires

We have all found ourselves unravelling tangled headphone wires sometime or the other. The GOBASS 910 pair of earphones from Bengaluru-based startup, GOVO, might be wired, but it’s tangle-free. Trust me that’s a big relief. The GOBASS 910 is priced at just Rs 549 and is enabled with features such as hands-free pickup and high definition mic. With a 9mm driver unit, the GOBASS 910 comes in a metallic bullet finish and offers a good audio experience with 3D sound. The earphones also promise passive noise cancellation and elevated audio experience with deep bass. The perfect audio companion for your on-the-go lifestyle, GOBASS 910 is a braided tangle-free headset with magnetic earbuds. The 910s are ideal for workouts, travel, and anytime you are out and about. The enhanced call clarity will help you stay connected while you take advantage of its lightweight design. Estimated street price: Rs 549 from The Financial Express https://ift.tt/0BEdGm4 https://ift.tt/40wLbrD Anish Mondal
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pTron Tangent Jade wireless gaming neckband: Pumps out powerful sound with deep bass

It’s the wireless age and frankly, you don’t really need a cable to enjoy quality game audio and voice chat on your mobile device or laptop. Wireless audio accessories such as headphones, neckbands, in-ear earphones and earbuds have become the most desired form factor for on-the-go listening or playing a thrilling mobile game. At a time when consumers are connecting and communicating with these wireless wonders for work, play or entertainment, sound quality remains the preferred parameter when it comes to choosing their new wireless accessory, followed by the demand for longer battery life. Homegrown Hyderabad-based electronics firm pTron, that has built a strong reputation in the marketplace for its affordable audio accessories products, has debuted a new wireless gaming neckband called pTron Tangent Jade, at a modest price of Rs 999 on Amazon India. These earphones have plenty of features to wow gamers—an industry-leading 30ms low latency, allowing you to keep the game running with ...
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AQFiT W9 Quad Smartwatch: Stay active, stay connected

These are pandemic times and the desire to stay in shape encourages people to take up physical exercises of all kinds—yoga, running, jogging, cycling and more. There are many features in smartwatches that are of much benefit to users and fitness tracking is one of them. If the wrist-wear has a calling feature, even better. Take for instance, the W9 Quad Bluetooth calling smartwatch from AQFiT with an all-new quad shape and stylish appearance. Priced at Rs 2,799, it’s an ideal wrist companion for doing most tasks without having to take out the phone from your pocket. The W9 Quad smartwatch comes with IP67 rating, which means it is splashproof and dust resistant. It has a gorgeous 1.69-inch curved HD display with a Zinc Alloy casing that secures the 3D curved surface built in an all-new quad shape that calls for a second glance. You can get the best out of your athletic activities with this fitness watch that can track almost all daily activities. Tracking your vital health parameters ...
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Go to NPCI app or website to verify bank apps: Amit Relan, founder & director, mFilterIt

As mobile phones have become our wallets, individuals should never click on unverified links promoting investments or selling financial products. Parallel apps are used to run simultaneous service and are used to compromise on OTPs and other account credentials leading to cyber fraud attacks, says Amit Relan, founder & director of mFilterIt, a cyber fraud detection company, in an interview to Saikat Neogi. Excerpts: How can installation of fraud apps hurt individuals doing net banking or other digital financial transactions? As only 36% of the traffic on the internet are humans, and the rest all are a mix of good/bad bots, the banking and financial services sectors is one of the worst affected in terms of installation of fraud apps. As mobile phones have become our wallets, individuals should never click on unverified links either on email or SMS or WhatsApp promoting investments or selling financial products. Parallel apps are used to run simultaneous service on the same device a...
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Investment planning: Three steps to reduce portfolio risk

The equity markets witnessed a sharp sell-off on Thursday as the Russia-Ukraine standoff escalated into a full-blown war last week. The 30-share BSE Sensex lost 4.7% on Thursday, recovering some lost ground on Friday even as investors chose to move out of risky assets and go for a safe haven like gold. However, experts suggest that long-term investors with good quality stocks should hold on to their portfolio and wait out the current storm. Here are some investment strategies to lower the portfolio risk. Build positions For equity investors, there is no merit in selling shares in panic. Instead, they should utilise this phase and accumulate quality names on every significant fall. Amar Ambani, head, Institutional Equities, YES Securities, says the next 7-odd trading sessions will offer tremendous opportunity for the long-term investor. “Invest in good quality management in sunrise sectors,” he says. Similarly, Naveen Kulkarni, chief investment officer, Axis Securities, says geopoliti...
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A pitch to remember | Book review: ‘Indian Innings: The Journey of Indian Cricket from 1947’ by Ayaz Memon

Cricket needs no introduction in India, and countless books have been written on this sport that has the power to halt the nation. And yet, here comes a collection of write-ups on the game that takes fans down memory lane but still offers something new. Ayaz Memon, who is probably one of India’s foremost sports commentators, puts together various articles on the game of cricket in India, tracing the game from the Seventies. This was the time when Indian cricket reached its peak with victories in the West Indies and England. The author includes several articles that were published in various newspapers and magazines in the past, thus giving readers detailed perspective of the game that otherwise might be difficult to obtain from casual conversations or web searches. The second set of articles is by some distinguished names and tracks the game in contemporary times and cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. So, if the book includes recollections of Sunil Gavaskar who play...
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A populist pamphlet | Book review: ‘India’s Undeclared Emergency’ by Arvind Narrain

If the Internet today is spewing algorithm-based content, tailored to fit reader preferences, pamphlets served the same purpose before the World Wide Web existed. For instance, in Delhi University during the late-80s or early-90s, there were several centres selling books and articles at subsidised rates on communism, which were basically USSR-based publications. The syllabi and teachers in the university were mostly Left-leaning. The result was that in 1991 when the USSR was disintegrating and the Berlin Wall collapsed, students joining the university as undergraduates to study political science tended to triumphantly announce after attending a couple of classes that the whole world would soon turn communist. Arvind Narrain’s  India’s Undeclared Emergency  is less of a book and more of a pamphlet that relies on algorithm-based reading of source materials. So, if you are a regular reader of portals like  Wire  and  Scroll  and a publication like  Carav...
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New year calendar: Almost every other month, a community celebrates the onset of a new year in India

By Reya Mehrotra We are already two months into the New Year, but in India, a land of cultural diversity, each community has its own new year celebrations based on their traditions and calendars. This means, almost every other month, a community celebrates the onset of a new year in India. Ugadi Ugadi marks the new year in Karnataka and other states in southern India. It is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. The word ‘ugadi’ means ‘new beginning’. It is meant to welcome prosperity, abundance, happiness and marks the onset of spring. It is considered to be an auspicious time for new ventures. People wear traditional clothes, clean their homes and offer prayers. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. A special delicacy called Bevu Bella is prepared and consumed. Jamshedi Navroz This marks the start of the Iranian calendar and is celebrated by the Parsi community that includes Iranians and Zoroastrians around the world. ‘Navroz’ means ‘new day’ and ...
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Plate from the past: Living it up is the credo of the times, and some nostalgic fine dining lets us do exactly that

With every hope that the pandemic is a thing of the past, and as we learn to live with the dreaded virus plaguing our lives for the past two years, living it up is the credo to go by. Be it travel or dining, going big is the trend worldwide. The industry is responding to this demand with its own innovations, aiming to offer unique services and experiences and even revisiting old offerings. After all, nostalgia can be unbeatable at times. Just like reviving perhaps the country’s first fine-dining restaurant, the Zodiac Grill from the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, at various other Taj hotels across the country. The Zodiac Grill was known for the finest of European cuisine with ingredients like caviar, escargot, Vietnamese Mekong River Basa, Norwegian Pink Salmon, fine cheeses and more. A special menu has been curated as part of the reincarnation of the restaurant, termed Zodiac Grill Nights, that includes signature dishes of the iconic restaurant, and is being served at Delhi, Mumbai and Be...
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Corrective excise: Things to cheer about

If legalese was the work of the devil, then making the excise rules of any country is what the devil does as experimental R&D for the next level of torture. I exaggerate but the reality remains that when it comes to the excise rules and regulations, to be on the right side of the law would literally require a superpower, one that enables us to defy logic and sound reasoning. But today, we aren’t mulling over the funny archaic laws that govern the flow and distribution of alcohol in our country. Instead, we are going for a more forward-looking approach, trying to gauge the recently introduced changes and amendments to see all that’s wonderful about them. For the longest time, a chap could vote the next government to power in the world’s largest democracy, get married and have kids, but still needed to wait almost half a decade before being allowed to touch alcohol. It was mostly in the NCR but this ridiculousness nevertheless has been done away with. The reduced age now stands at 2...
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Winds of change: Couples and wedding planners are moving towards smaller, hybrid and more intimate celebrations

Indian weddings have always been about week-long ceremonies and extravagant celebrations. However, the Covid-19 pandemic showed that change is inevitable. More and more young couples and wedding planners are now moving towards smaller, hybrid and intimate affairs. And interestingly, most of these trends are here to stay. The Covid-stricken world also taught people to be more creative and resourceful. For instance, during the pandemic, customers were introduced to the concept of contactless hospitality or minimising the interaction between staff and guests. This, in turn, has now set the tone for hybrid events. “The wedding business in India has most certainly been subjected to various modifications in the past year. We are still constantly adapting to better and tenable alternatives from the conventional ‘big fat Indian wedding’ to move towards hybrid, intimate and small-scale weddings,” says Puneet Dhawan, senior VP—operations, Accor India & South Asia. The leading multinational...
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The vow factor: Millennial couples are personalising wedding rituals, ditching traditions that are no longer relevant

By Reya Mehrotra Recently, a wedding made headlines after a couple from Tamil Nadu decided to tie the knot in a unique venue—one unaffected by the pandemic restrictions— metaverse. A metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection. Dinesh Sivakumar Padmavathi and Janaganandhini Ramaswamy invited 2,000 people to their virtual wedding and a Hogwarts-themed reception in metaverse with the help of a start-up called TardiVerse. The couple even got Ramaswamy’s late father to ‘give blessings’ during the wedding by creating a 3D avatar that looks similar to him. The wedding also included special edition NFTs including artwork that featured backgrounds and attires from Harry Potter. The metaverse wedding, said to be Asia’s first, is not the only one that has changed the way we celebrate the big day. The pandemic saw all kinds of wedding ceremonies—at-home weddings, small weddings and zoom weddings, among many others. As the Indian economy shrank during the pandemic...
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NBFCs likely to report 14% loan growth in FY23: Ind-Ra

Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are likely to report a 14% year-on-year loan growth in the next financial year because of higher demand in the secured asset class segment, India Ratings & Research said in its FY23 outlook for non-bank lenders. The rating agency expects NBFCs to report a 7%-8% loan growth in FY22. Products such as loans against property (LAP) and housing and vehicle loans could witness a higher demand than personal and unsecured business loans which saw a higher demand during the pandemic, it said, adding that growth in the vehicle finance segment could revive depending on the availability of vehicles which are facing shortage of components. The gold loan segment could see a moderate growth in tandem with gold prices along with opening up of other financing avenues for borrowers. NBFCs would begin the year with sufficient capital buffers, stable margins and sizeable on-balance sheet provisioning, while adequate system liquidity would aid funding. Nevertheles...
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Gold prices hit 13-month high on safe-haven buying

By Ruchit Purohit Gold prices rose sharply on Thursday to hit a 13-month high, surpassing $1,976.50 in the international markets and Rs 52,797 (April contract) per 10 grams on the MCX. Escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine triggered safe-haven buying across the globe. Additionally, strengthening of the US dollar and crude prices inching above $102 a barrel supported the rally in the metal prices, analysts said. So far this year, the yellow metal has outperformed other asset classes after underperforming riskier assets in 2021. From $1,796 in January-end, the gold prices surged 10.02% and hit $1,976 on Thursday. Amid the shift of capital allocation from riskier assets to bullion, gold is likely to cross $2,050 in the international markets, as investors will seek refuge in metals amid a possibility of a full-fledged war between Russia and Ukraine, and a subsequent jump in the crude oil prices. “Gold has edged up on safe-haven buying as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified with...
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Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer sizzle in India’s crushing 62-run win over Sri Lanka in 1st T20

Ishan Kishan gave a glimpse of his enormous potential with a 56-ball-89 before the bowlers joined the party in India’s clinical 62-run demolition of Sri Lanka in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the three-game series here on Thursday. This was also India’s longest winning streak in T20Is which has now gone up to 10 matches. Asked to take first strike, Kishan was unstoppable at the top as he blasted a blistering 56-ball 89, while Shreyas Iyer provided the late charge with an unbeaten 57 as India racked up a massive 199 for 2. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuveshwar Kumar (2/9 in 2 overs) and Venkatesh Iyer (2/36), then provided the finishing touch, limiting Sri Lanka to 137 for 6 in 20 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal (1/11) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/28) also claimed one wicket each. The victory extended India’s winning streak to 10 T20 games. For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka regained some confidence with an unbeaten 47-ball 53 but he didn’t get any support from the other batters. Rohit, Ch...
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Prescription for growth: Digital talent can make India a health tech leader

By Srinath Srinivasan Siemens Healthineers, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, announced its plan to set up an innovation hub in Bengaluru, with an investment of over Rs 1,300 crore. This centre is expected to be ready by 2024 and will house nearly 5,000 professionals. The company’s existing technology development centre in Bengaluru focuses on long-term research and development work, and the tech talent there has successfully developed several innovative solutions to address immediate Covid-19 diagnostic challenges. “India and Slovakia are the two main pillars of Siemens Healthineers’ software and digital technologies comprising over 50% of the technical workforce. India is one centre where Siemens Healthineers’ entire tech suite is present,” says Dileep Mangsuli, head, Development Centre, Siemens Healthineers. “We were pioneering rapid Covid-19 antigen and RT-PCR tests during the peak of the pandemic. We also brought out AI-based solutions to diagnose Covid-19. We gre...
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Robust till Q3, states’ capex pace in Q4 crucial to meet hefty FY22 target

Prodded and aided by the Centre, state governments have maintained a healthy pace of capital expenditure so far in the current financial year. Data gathered by FE of 20 big states showed that these states reported a combined capex of Rs 2.74 lakh crore in April-December of FY22, up 52% on year albiet on a low base. A year ago, these states’ capex declined 21% on year, as the pandemic hit industrial activities and governments had to scale up revenue spending even amid severe revenue constraints. The capex pace of the states reviewed is impressive even in comparison to level in the same period in FY20, the pre-pandemic year, with a growth of 20%. The combined capital expenditure of all states need to grow 44% on year to achieve their investment target of Rs 7.23 lakh crore for FY22. Though this looks achievable given the pace in the first three quarters of the fiscal, since the states’ capex had surged in the final months of last fiscal, the target may still be missed by a thin margin....
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Financial Planning: Is a permanent portfolio strategy a safer bet?

Given the current volatility in the markets, investors are uncertain about the financial markets and what investment strategy they should adopt now. However, instead of panicking it is important for investors to take this opportunity to re-evaluate their current long-term investment strategy to find ways and means to improve their portfolio performance. It is a challenge for not only new investors but also for experienced investors to decide on how to go about building an investment portfolio which will optimise growth and at the same time minimise risk. When building a long-term portfolio, diversification among various asset classes is a key factor. But what is the best diversification method? Let us find out the answer for the same through a permanent portfolio investment strategy. Mechanics of permanent portfolio strategy The concept of permanent portfolio was introduced by free-market investment analyst Harry Browne. The goal of the permanent portfolio is for it to perform well ...
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Analyst Corner | Maintain buy on Sobha as housing upcycle unfolds

Key takeaway: Sobha’s operating performance stayed strong in Q3 as evident in an Op. CF surplus driven net debt decline of 4% q-o-q/11% y-o-y to a near 3-year low. Pre-sales performance was also good, driven by core Bangalore. Management is confident of accelerating new launch pace over next ~5 quarters to take advantage of the strong housing markets. We readjust our target multiple, driving TP lower to Rs 1,025. Maintain buy as the housing upcycle unfolds. Q3 P&L below estimates: Sobha’s Q3 net profit of Rs 0.33bn, -32% q-o-q/+51% y-o-y, was below estimates on real estate revenues miss. Revenues, at Rs 6.9bn, -16% q-o-q/-1% y-o-y, were a miss as real estate revenues, -32% q-o-q/-4% y-o-y at Rs 4.5bn, were below estimates on lower project deliveries. Contract & manufacturing revenues were +30% q-o-q/+1% y-o-y to Rs 2.4bn. We note the lumpiness in real estate project revenues will take time to smoothen and company highlighted a large Rs 78bn of pre-sales yet to be recognised ...
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Analyst Corner | Retain ‘hold’ on NBCC with a revised TP of Rs 46

Along expected lines: NBCC’s Q3FY22 revenue declined 4% y-o-y to Rs 20 billion (up 5% q-o-q). Ebitda margin continued its upward trend, improving ~60bp y-o-y and ~90bp q-o-q to 3.6%. Higher tax rate dragged PAT down 11% y-o-y to Rs 830 million. The company removed ~Rs 60 billion of slow-moving orders from its order book; consequently, the order book declined q-o-q to ~Rs 650 billion (~Rs 720 billion in Q2FY22) with redevelopment projects contributing ~Rs 300 billion. Running projects stand at ~Rs 165 billion with another Rs 25 billion projects under tendering. The pace of realty monetisation on ‘self-revenue generation’ projects is a key catalyst, in our view. Retain ‘hold’ with a target price of Rs 46 as we roll forward valuations to Jun-23E. Margins improve: Revenue improved 5% q-o-q to Rs 20 billion as the company continued its recovery from the pandemic. Ebitda margin rose ~90bp q-o-q to 3.6% (up ~60bp y-o-y). However, higher tax rate led to PAT falling 11% y-o-y to Rs 830 milli...
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Tax Talk: More clarity in tax assessment procedures to build confidence among taxpayers

The government had introduced a faceless tax assessment regime with effect from April 2021. However, there were several procedural lapses and often the assessment orders were passed without providing the taxpayers an opportunity for physical hearing. In fact, several courts ruled in favour of the taxpayers quashing the assessment orders completed under the faceless regime on the basis of natural justice. Learning from these experiences, the Union Budget has endeavoured to remove the inefficiencies in the faceless scheme. It has proposed various amendments under Income Tax Act to streamline the assessment procedures, litigation provisions and correct certain drafting errors. Faceless assessment The Budget proposed to abolish the RFAC and abridge the number of reviewing authorities. In case of complex matters, it is proposed to grant authorities the power to request for a special audit. Specific provision has been introduced for granting an opportunity for personal hearing to taxpayer...
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Mutual Funds: Are solution-oriented funds the right choice?

For investments related to long-term goals such as retirement, children’s higher education or wedding, both mutual funds companies and life insurers offer investment products. In mutual funds, children’s funds and retirement funds are classified as solution-oriented funds, which manage about Rs 30,000 crore of investor money, according to data from Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). These funds are suitable for those who cannot decide on investing in open-ended funds to link investments to long-term goals or not deft at asset allocation and periodic portfolio rebalancing. These funds have a five-year lock-in period and returns are lower compared to open-ended equity funds. How solution-oriented funds work Most of the solution-oriented funds are hybrid funds. They predominantly invest in the equity and debt asset classes in their portfolio. Individuals can invest in these funds through systematic investment plans or lumpsum. The longer holding period helps balance any short...
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