The Core Report

In this engaging discussion, Sheetal Sapale, Vice President at PharmaRack, highlights the surge in respiratory drug sales due to alarming air quality levels. Gautami Gavankar, President of Banking Solutions at Kotak Mahindra Group, emphasizes the importance of succession planning in family-owned businesses, addressing the evolving roles of heirs and the need for efficient management transitions. They also explore China’s shifting export strategy towards India, alongside the nuances of investment choices like gold jewellery.

Dharmakirti Joshi, Chief Economist at Crisil, shares insights on macroeconomic trends, particularly surrounding recent RBI rate cuts. He explains how low inflation prompted the RBI's decision and discusses the implications for borrowing costs. The conversation also touches on India's transition from coal and the broader impacts of the rate cut on currency and capital flows. Additionally, Joshi offers a historic context for India's repo rate, while exploring what data to monitor as we approach year-end. A must-listen for market enthusiasts!

In this engaging conversation, Pramath Raj Sinha, founder and trustee of Ashoka University and ex-dean of ISB, discusses the challenges facing Indian higher education. He reveals why tightening visa rules haven’t deterred students from studying abroad, highlighting the allure of better campus experiences. Pramath explains Ashoka's innovative approaches to curriculum flexibility and faculty autonomy, while addressing the vital need for philanthropy and high standards in education. He shares actionable insights on scaling world-class institutions in India.

Capt. Amit Singh, an aviation safety strategist with extensive experience in large aircraft operations, joins to discuss the recent disruptions at IndiGo. He highlights how poor planning and pilot shortages led to cancellations and stresses the need for better fatigue risk management. Amit also critiques India's flight duty regulations, advocating for health-based limits to ensure safety. Additionally, he compares IndiGo’s challenges with Air India's pilot capacities, pushing for accountability in the sector.

Indrani Bagchi, a columnist and CEO at Ananta Aspen Centre, shares insights on India's diplomatic position, particularly regarding Putin's visit and the implications for India-Russia trade relations. Venkata Satish Guttula, an independent cybersecurity consultant, discusses the controversial Sanchar Sathi app aimed at combating cybercrime. He highlights its limitations against international scams and suggests better user awareness strategies. Together, they navigate the intersections of geopolitics, trade, and cybersecurity.

Anindya Banerjee, Head of Research at Kotak Securities, dives into the intricacies of the rupee's current lows and explains the impact of non-deliverable forwards. Alongside him, G. Chokkalingam, founder of Equinomics Research, shares insights on historical market peaks, forecasting a consolidation in Sensex and Nifty, and sectors like IT and solar poised for growth. Together, they unravel the challenges and dynamics surrounding Indian markets and currencies, providing listeners with a valuable perspective on upcoming trends.

Join Ajay Kedia, a commodity expert, as he explores why silver prices are soaring due to heightened demand and central bank purchases. Akhilesh Tuteja discusses the complexities of adapting to new data protection rules, emphasizing the need for cultural shifts in organizations. Meanwhile, Venkat Mangudi highlights the compliance challenges for MSMEs and offers practical advice for data retention. The conversation wraps up with a winter health outlook—setting the stage for a season of change.

Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA, shares her insights on India's surprisingly strong GDP growth. She attributes this boost to public administration and services, amid some expenditure discrepancies. The conversation dives into potential future challenges like adverse base effects and trade uncertainties that could hinder growth. Aditi also discusses the implications of a rising gold-driven current account deficit, painting a complex picture of India's economic landscape.

Devina Mehra, founder and CMD of First Global, shares her extensive investment insights. She warns against the emotional attachment to stocks and emphasizes the critical need for risk management and data-driven decisions. Devina discusses the dangers of IPO frenzies, small-cap euphoria, and how missing just a few key market days can devastate long-term returns. She also explores the importance of global diversification, the unique challenges of AI investments, and offers practical tips for building resilient portfolios. Perfect for navigating India’s evolving market landscape!

In this discussion, Devina Mehra, Chairperson and Managing Director at First Global, shares her insights as a seasoned market professional. She analyzes the recent record highs of Sensex and Nifty, attributing the gains to a narrow range of large-cap stocks. Devina dives into the risks posed by small-cap collapses, examines sector rotations, and discusses portfolio positioning strategies. Additionally, she highlights their innovative 'human plus machine' investing approach, which aims to minimize biases in stock selection.