Cover Story

India Catching up with China

-- Amit Singh Sisodiya and N Janardhan Rao

India shares a minuscule 1% of the $8 tn world trade, more than 70% of which is in the area of processed manufacturing. China, on the other hand, shares around 3% of the world pie and continues to dominate the world with its newly acquired status as the manufacturing hub of the globe. However, the situation might change for the better, if India Inc.'s latest level playing with the dragon is any indication. But taking the dragon on its own turf, in a game in which it dominates the world, would not be an easy task for India. Is India Inc. ready?

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Spotlight

Grasim-L&T Cement : Changing equations -- Ramakrishna Neti

Another step towards consolidation of the Indian cement industry, signaling more mergers and acquisitions in future.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Case Study

Nokia'S SQUEEZE : Between CDMA and rivals -- CSV Ratna

From lumber to rubber to cellphones Nokia's journey so far is nothing less than spectacular. Given the competitive pressures and the rapid rise of CDMA, its future seems to be even more impressive.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Corporate Finance

Off-balance sheet financing : Time for a requiem?
-- Ch Rajeshwer and A Sowdeepti

An accounting change, that seeks to alter the way SPEs or off-balance sheet entities are treated, is making the entities run for their life. Corporate users, banks and financial market players are busy attempting to understand the potential impact.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Financial Markets

Banking Stocks :Is the party over? -- Shashidhar Mishra

Indian bourses have rediscovered the banking company stocks. What are the reasons behind this?

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Maruti IPO's Success :Breaking the ice --Ramakrishna Neti

The Indian primary markets have not witnessed a remarkable response to an Initial Public Offer (IPO) like that of Maruti for quite some time. Does this signal any revival of the waning primary market?

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Industry

ERP Industry : The road ahead --Anindya Roy

recent merger announcements by a few ERP vendors have brought some vital issues regarding the future of ERP industry into the forefront.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

US AUTO MAJORS :Destiny in doubt? --DG Prasuna

Ford celebrates its 100thbirthday amidst widespread gloom about the future of the big three US auto majors, GM, Ford and Chrysler. But it is too early to write them off.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Strategy

Information Technology : Whither strategic value? -- CSV Ratna

The power of IT has made it abundant, but to be of strategic value it has to be scarce.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Business Environment

Gold vs. Dollar : Changing equations --N Janardhan Rao

The incredible debt of US government, plummeting interest rates and sliding dollar offer the recipe for the yellow metal to become bullish. Will the honeymoon last?

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Debate

The Future of Indian Rupee -- Y Chandra Sekhar

Ever since the beginning of 2003, Indian Rupee (INR) has been showing signs of appreciation vis-à-vis the US dollar. Though the initial reaction to the appreciation was termed as a temporary phenomenon, the persistent appreciation of the INR during the last six months reveals a different story. Throughout the last decade, INR had been depreciating. In March 2001, dollar was at Rs. 26.40 and on May 2002, rupee reached the bottom at Rs. 49.08 to a dollar.

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Corporate

ONGC : Reaping the oil fortunes -- Ramakrishna Neti

A furtive turnaround program carried over a period of two years has enabled ONGC to become the first company in India to report a net profit of above Rs. 10,000 cr

© IUP. All Rights Reserved.