The Core Report
Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology
Latest episodes
Jun 15, 2025 • 20min
#607 Markets Take A Hit On Israel-Iran War
On Episode 607 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks you through the top business news of the day. We also feature an excerpt from our recent weekend edition featuring Anshul Jain, Chief Executive – India, SE Asia & APAC Tenant Representation at Cushman & Wakefield. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:19) Markets take hit on Israel-Iran war, uncertainty returns (08:34) Oil prices zoom, bigger concern than stockmarkets(09:57) India holds back rare earth exports to Japan(13:26) The world’s hottest office space market is…https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 13, 2025 • 40min
#606 India's Office Space Boom: Why Global Firms Are Betting Big On GCCs
In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Anshul Jain, Chief Executive - India, SE Asia & APAC Tenant Representation at Cushman & Wakefield, to unpack the sharp rise in commercial real estate demand across India — especially driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs), domestic expansion, and post-pandemic workplace shifts.From Bangalore’s dominance in leasing activity to the rise of institutional investors, Anshul breaks down the numbers, the sectors driving growth (like BFSI, pharma, and engineering), and how green buildings, amenities, and hybrid work models are transforming modern office demand.The conversation also explores:a) Why GCCs are driving a third of India’s office space demandb) How net absorption post-COVID surged by over 30%c) The premiumization of office space and rise of Grade-A infrastructured) The future of REITs and office investments in Indiae) Key policy and infrastructure gaps that must be addressed to sustain growth🎙️ This is a must-watch for anyone tracking India’s commercial property market, real estate investments, or the future of work in India.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:20) Office Space in India(03:13) Absorption(05:30) GCCs(06:30) Other Sectors(10:50) Office space, GDP growth, Offshoring(12:38) Global companies vs Indian companies(15:00) Factors driving demand(18:52) Understanding the supply side(20:44) Supply Trends in India(22:29) Demand is outstripping Supply(23:38) Institutional Investors(25:38) Office Space v Residential(27:25) Entry and exit plans(29:02) Problems of Land and Ownership structure(30:29) Disaster resilience (32:50) Build-to-sell v build-to-rent(34:24) What allows GCCs to flourish(38:30) A good office spaceThe Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 12, 2025 • 28min
#605 Markets Plunge Suddenly By Over 990 Points
On Episode 605 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist and Head - Research & Outreach at ICRA, Safi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor at National Disaster Management Authority as well as Captain Sam Thomas, President at ALPA India. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:48) Markets plunge suddenly by over 990 points(03:30) Retail inflation drops to 6-year low of 2.82%(12:00) Air India’s shocking disaster.(20:09) Heat waves return to India as monsoon stalls. A check on preparedness.https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 11, 2025 • 27min
#604 Markets Edge Up Once Again, Tracking Asia
On Episode 604 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gopal Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Gaja Capital. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take: Cable TV’s Digital Disruption(06:17) Markets edge up once again, tracking Asia(06:39) US says it has a trade deal with China, the latter yet to respond(10:56) Dedollarisation is rising, differently from what was predicted earlier(13:51) Should you buy stocks of companies that provide steady dividends…or not?(24:31) Malls are converting retail stores to entertainment zones as ecommerce pressure buildshttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 10, 2025 • 24min
#603 Markets Take A Breather As Bank Stocks See Selling
On Episode 603 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to G Chokkalingam, Founder at Equinomics Research & Advisory Pvt Ltd. We also feature an excerpt from our extended interview with Algorand’s Anil Kakani and Nikhil Varma in our ongoing “Build On Blockchain” Series. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets take a breather as bank stocks see selling(03:12) Is it the macro story or micro story that is driving Indian stockmarkets right now(11:00) How Wall Street banks are doubling down on Indian derivatives(13:00) Rare earth crisis escalates for Indian companies, Maruti to slash production of some models(15:29) Build On Blockchain(21:08) Apple’s Liquid Glass fails to enthuse the markethttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 9, 2025 • 19min
#602 Nifty Hits 2025 High As Markets Gather Strength
On Episode 602 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO at AuthBridge.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Nifty hits 2025 high as markets gather strength(03:41) How the froth in railway stocks highlights the valuations dilemma (08:00) Big payouts by companies as dividends(09:34) Nvidia founder Jensen Huang gushes about the UK, says he will invest there(11:07) How lenders are scanning way more data points about you thank you think before clearing your loan applicationshttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 8, 2025 • 28min
#601 The Markets Rise On Rate Cut News
On Episode 601 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vivek Kumar, Economist at QuantEco Research as well as Ashish Modani, Senior Vice President and Group Head (Corporate Ratings) at ICRA Ltd for Infra.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:29) The markets rise on rate cut news, strong macro fundamentals(06:51) Steepest interest rate cut in 5 years surprises bankers, markets(16:43) RBI says still wary of Crypto(18:20) Inventory levels at auto dealerships rise again as entry level cars see sustained pressure(19:43) Infrastructure shifts, sectors like roads are slowing down, newer, possibly unexpected ones are picking uphttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 6, 2025 • 33min
#600 How HesabPay Is Powering Mobile Payments in Crisis Zones
How do you build a mobile payments network where banks barely function and cash is king?On this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Nigel Pont, Senior Advisor for Humanitarian Affairs, HesabPay (Afghanistan’s leading mobile payments platform — now expanding into Syria) and the Algorand Foundation.From war zones to wallets, this episode dives into how HesabPay is helping people access money digitally — even without smartphones or bank accounts — and why trust, not technology, remains the biggest challenge.Timestamps:(00:00) How Nigel Pont got involved with HesabPay(02:40) How HesabPay fills a gap and how it works(05:20) The trust deficit(06:39) How the e-wallet works and integrates with the Afghanistan Banking system(08:15) Understanding the blockchain aspect(10:38) The challenges with blockchain(13:03) limitations of the digital payment infrastructure(15:00) A Model for setting up digital payments infrastructure(17:27) Cross border transactions(18:50) On-ramping fiat to crypto(22:15) Digital payment infrastructures in advanced country users(24:39) Adoption rates and need for inbound payments(26:50) The fee rates(28:01) Tech applicable for disaster response(30:30) Working within regulation in Afghanistan and SyriaListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 4, 2025 • 32min
#599 Markets Break Out Of Their Losing Streak
On Episode 599 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Rohit Arora, CEO & Co-Founder at Biz2Credit & Biz2X as well as Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary-General at the ASCI.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets break out of their losing streak(02:49) Rupee among the worst performing Asian currencies in recent periods(04:32) India’s census exercise is slotted, 7 years behind schedule(05:17) Rare earth supply fears spread around the world, automotive companies gear for plant shut downs(08:06) Did you know who actually makes almost 90% of the famous Dubai viral chocolate?https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
#598 Rich Valuations Put Pressure On Markets Again
On Episode 598 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Nikhil Dhaka, Vice President, Primus Partners. We also feature an excerpt from our upcoming interview with Nigel Pont from our Build On Blockchain series.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Rich valuations put pressure on markets again(04:09) Oil prices are climbing once again, crossing $65 a barrel(05:50) OECD says US growth will slow to 1.6% from 2.8% the previous year(07:34) India Inc’s expenditure and interest costs are muted(08:27) Why China’s clamp down on rare earth exports is causing panic world over(18:07) How tech is enabling humanitarian cash transfers in Afghanistan and Syriahttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
