The Core Report
The Core
Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology
Episodes
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Feb 4, 2026 • 34min
#791 Why Markets Have To Reckon With Two Powerful Forces
On Episode 791 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Abhishek Bisen, Head of Fixed Income, Kotak Mahindra AMC as well as Ajay Srivastava, Founder at Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). We also feature testimonials from attendees at our recent exclusive roundtable discussion.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:41) Why markets have to reckon with two powerful forces(07:11) Why are the bond markets so volatile?(16:17) How will the India-US trade deal as we know it actually pan out?(25:33) Walmart crosses the $1 trillion mark(26:58) Blockchain and DPDP ActRegister for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Feb 3, 2026 • 26min
#790 Markets Zoom On India-Us Trade Deal
On Episode 790 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gaurang Shah, Senior VP, Geojit Financial Services as well as Krishan Arora, Partner and Indirect Tax National Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:02) Markets zoom on India-US trade deal but could the fine print put a damper?(04:48) Why the Rupee’s revival may be in question.(05:27) Brokerages are upselling gold and silver to fresh highs despite the carnage of last week.(14:10) GCCs could employ 2.8 million in 4 years time.(15:40) Could the India-US deal revive sentiment and investments beyond stock markets?(24:29) Disney bets on its theme park head for CEO.Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Feb 2, 2026 • 31min
#789 The Markets Are Up Again But All Eyes On Metals
On Episode 789 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Prasanna Tantri, Associate Professor of Finance and the Executive Director of the Centre for Analytical Finance at the Indian School of Business (ISB) as well as Rajesh Sinha, Independent Director at Sahyadri Farms.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) India-US Trade Deal Finalised(02:41) The markets are up again but all eyes on metals(05:23) The gold and silver story(10:47) Oil prices dip after Trump says he will talk to Iran.(11:47) What are the top level Budget numbers looking like?(20:50) India’s farmers can seize the FTA opportunity but there is work to do.Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Feb 1, 2026 • 28min
#788 The Sunday Slump
On Episode 788 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gautam Khattar, Principal Price Waterhouse & Co LLP, Uday Ved, Partner at KNAV as well as Jairaj Purandare, Chairman of JMP Advisors in an excerpt from an extensive discussion (Available here on our youtube channel). Our reporters were also on the ground to gather responses to the Union Budget 2026 from industry leaders.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:21) A Sharp Correction(06:32) The Big Infrastructure Push(08:39) Responses to the Union Budget from Industry Leaders(14:53) Tax and the Union BudgetRegister for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Jan 29, 2026 • 24min
#787 Fear Is Driving Up Gold And Silver Prices
On Episode 787 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Kedia, Director at Kedia Commodities, Himanshu Sinha, Head of Tax Practice at Trilegal as well as Shankkar Aiyar, veteran economic journalist and author.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Fear is driving up gold and silver prices even as the dollar stays weak.(05:09) India is an oasis of macro stability says India’s economic survey(10:39) Gold demand is set to fall because of subdued jewellery purchases.(15:56) Will the Union Budget address the fallout of the Supreme Court’s decision to deny tax treaty benefits in the Tiger Global case?Register for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Jan 28, 2026 • 27min
#786 It's The Worst Start To A Year In A Decade
On Episode 786 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dr. Ajit Ranade, Economist and Former Vice Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune as well as Ashok Atluri, Chairman and Managing Director at Zen Technologies.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories Of The Day(01:00) It's the worst start to a year in a decade, will it shift?(05:03) Gold now clearly represents the hedge to an uncertain global economy(07:51) A macro view on the Union Budget(16:31) India’s anti-drone systems are gearing up for battle(24:50) Why a toilet company is benefiting from the chip maniaRegister for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Jan 27, 2026 • 34min
#785 The Markets Struggle To Make Up Their Mind
On Episode 785 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Sanjay Notani, Partner, Economic Laws Practice as well as Krishan Arora, Partner and India Investment Advisory Services Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat. We also feature an excerpt from our India Energy Week interview featuring Energy Expert Anas Alhajji.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(03:14) The markets struggle to make up their mind(06:41) A landmark EU India deal is in place, what will it really deliver?(16:23) How India moved rapidly away from Russian oil amidsts global oil dynamics(23:37) Why there is a need for a customs amnesty schemeRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateRegister for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Jan 26, 2026 • 33min
#784 Will The Markets Get A Breather From The India-EU FTA?
On Episode 784 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Chakri Lokapriya, Chief Investment Officer at LGT Wealth Management as well as Ajay Rotti, Founder and CEO of Tax Compaas. We also feature an excerpt from our India Energy Week interview featuring Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) with additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director at BPCL.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:02) Gold prices cross $5,100 as the relentless rise continues(16:13) Will the markets get the breather they want from the EU FTA?(18:23) Refining major BPCL’s safety push for consumers.(24:09) Why tax changes in the Budget seem unlikely.Energy Special with Sanjay Khanna, Director (Refineries) with charge of CMD at BPCLRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateRegister for India Finance and Innovation Forum 2026https://tinyurl.com/IFIFCOREFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Jan 25, 2026 • 31min
#783 Oil Surplus Or Illusion: Why 2026 May Defy Energy Market Forecasts | Govindraj Ethiraj x Anas Alhaji | India Energy Week 2026 | The Core Report
Anas Alhaji, an energy expert on global oil and gas trade and geopolitics, breaks down why 2026 forecasts of a huge oil surplus may be misleading. He unpacks distorted inventory counts, oil-on-water and trade-route shifts, pipeline and export quirks, strategic stockpiles, and geopolitical moves shaping real market balances.
Jan 24, 2026 • 41min
#782 Why CNG Is Beating Petrol & Diesel In India’s Cities | Govindraj Ethiraj x Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Indraprastha Gas Limited | India Energy Week 2025 | The Core Report
Why CNG is beating petrol and diesel in India’s cities is no longer a prediction. It is already changing everyday mobility and household energy choices across urban India.In this India Energy Week 2026 special episode of The Core Report, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Managing Director, Indraprastha Gas Limited. The conversation explains why CNG adoption in India is accelerating faster than petrol and diesel, even as electric vehicles dominate public debate.From Delhi NCR to emerging cities and rural regions, this episode breaks down the real drivers behind CNG’s growth. Lower running costs, cleaner emissions, improved vehicle performance, shorter refuelling queues, and a rapidly expanding CNG station network are making gas the preferred fuel for a large segment of India’s middle-income urban population.The discussion also goes beyond mobility to examine India’s broader gas-based economy. It explores piped natural gas for homes and villages, compressed biogas from agricultural and municipal waste, domestic gas production, imported LNG, and how city gas distribution companies are quietly reshaping energy access across the country.This episode cuts through assumptions and forecasts to offer a grounded view of how affordability, infrastructure, and scale are shaping India’s energy transition in real time, and why CNG continues to gain relevance alongside newer technologies.Register for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate
