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COVER STORY
India's Balance of Payments :
Troubled Times
- T Jyotsna
India is currently facing a severe balance of payments deficit, which, if not contained now, will ignite a crisis
of similar proportions witnessed in the 1990s.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
BRIC Economies : Losing Ground
- Arvind Sonmale
Even the BRIC economies could not escape the fallout of the current financial crisis, though they were
supposed to be decoupled from the West.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Browser War : Enter Version 2.0
- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Ramana Pemmaraju
Google's entry into the Web Browser space has stirred competition in an already crowded market
for browsers. It also means that the much famed Google-Microsoft rivalry is not going to die down
anytime soon.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Tapping the Tide :
Future Power?
- Y Bala Bharathi and G P Mrudhula
As the world looks for alternative fuel sources, the most predictable and reliable form of renewable
energy, tidal power, is hogging the limelight with its potential to emerge as a future power source.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Indian MSMEs :
Beating Slowdown Blues
- Dinesh Rai, IAS
To deal with the adverse impact of global economic slowdown, the Indian Government and Reserve Bank of
India have taken several measures to pump sufficient liquidity into the banking system and to assist the MSMEs
in meeting their immediate needs.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Alternative Energy :
Betting on Biofuels
- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Ramana Pemmaraju
Biofuels are not only environment-friendly but are also cheap and do not raise concerns about food
scarcity, unlike ethanol. However, this has not prevented many from dubbing it as yet another bubble in the making.
Can they be the best bet for countries seeking an answer to the dual issue of energy security and global warming?
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Credit Policy 2009-10 :
A Watershed
- N Kamakodi and S Sundar
RBI's recent monetary and credit policy is aimed at containing the effects of the global financial crisis on
the Indian economy. Along with a series of interest rate cuts, RBI has specified a host of institutional measures
to ensure that the growth momentum is maintained.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
US Municipal Bonds :
Defaulting on Debt
- N Janardhan Rao
Many of the state and local governments, including that of the big cities, have grown vulnerable to tough
times as their economies relied on a few industries which have gone under. At the moment, a cloud of fear, that
such cities and states will default on their debts, hovers around.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
Gilt Funds :
Losing Glitter?
- Y Bala Bharathi
Gilt funds which delivered a stellar performance towards the end of 2008 failed to inspire confidence this year
as they slipped into the negative zone.
BANKING
Entry of Foreign Banks :
Shelved, For Now
- Y Bala Bharathi and Sanjoy De
Recently, the RBI put on hold its policy regarding the presence of foreign banks in the country.
BANKING
Brazilian Banks :
Stronger Despite Downturn
- N Janardhan Rao
Despite a decline in economic growth, the land of Samba is well-positioned for a rebound, backed not just
by healthy forex reserves but, more importantly, by a fundamentally sound banking system and a solid public
sector debt position. It is one of the few nations where banks are still held in high regard.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
GSK-Pfizer Joint Venture :
Big Pharma's New Bet
- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Sudesh Gonela
The rare collaboration between GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Pfizer Inc. to combine their HIV-drug businesses is
a manifestation of the challenging or rather changing business environment that the Big Pharma is
finding themselves in—from falling revenues to drying blockbuster drug pipeline, to onslaught of generics and the
rise of competition from small yet R&D-focused rivals.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Sharp's Global Production Model :
Can It Deliver?
- Amit Singh Sisodiya and Sudesh Gonela
The Japanese consumer electronics giant plans to shift to the now much-vaunted global production
model to beat recessionary blues. But it might be too late to latch on to the bandwagon.
PERSPECTIVE
Global Economy : Green Shoots in Sight
- P K Banerjea
A redeeming feature of the current financial crisis is the very quick action by the major powers of the world.
M&As
Tech Mahindra-Satyam Deal : Tough Tasks Ahead
- Y Bala Bharathi and Sanjoy De
Despite some complementarities, there lies a huge task ahead of Tech Mahindra before it produces
any visible gain from this deal.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
US' PPIP :
Sure Hit or Damp Squib?
- T Jyotsna
Geithner's latest plan attempts to de-clog banks' balance sheets and rev up lending with least burden to
the taxpayer. But it is not free of holes.
COMMODITIES MARKETS
Investing in Gold :
The Midas Touch
- R Venkatesan Iyengar
In February this year, gold prices touched $1,000/ounce, as the struggling stock markets sent the
investors scurrying to take refuge in the yellow metal that has held mankind in its sway since prehistoric times. And
the metal is back to doing what it does best: enticing.
ARTS & ARTISTS
Pride and Prejudice :
Elegant Symphony
- Dr. Nirmala PG
Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as
desirable for everybody.
APOLITICAL
LTTE :
A Lesson for Leaders
- grk
Pride "is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have
ever read, I am convinced that it is very common
indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it," said
Jane Austen some two centuries back. And that perhaps is the
real reason behind Prabhakaran's ignominious death.
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