

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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Dec 27, 2024 • 46min
#469 The Three Avatars of Dr. Manmohan Singh: A Retrospective
In this edition of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj is joined by AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director at the Business Standard and Shankkar Aiyar veteran economic journalist and author, to look back on the life and times of Dr. Manmohan Singh and his contributions in his various roles as RBI Governor, Finance Minister and Prime Minister of India. Taking a holistic view of his life and impact, they talk about his achievements through the crisis of 1991 and the reforms that transformed India’s economy, how his tenure as Prime Minister established a slew of rights-based policies but was also mired by inefficiency and accusations of corruption, and much more.
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Dec 26, 2024 • 43min
#468 Why Short-Term Thinking Is Killing India’s Business Potential with Rajendra Srivastava
In this Special Edition of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj engages with Professor Rajendra Srivastava, former Dean of the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Novartis Professor of Marketing strategy and Innovation, to dissect India’s evolving business landscape and its implications for economic growth. The episode critiques the Indian business' focus on short-term profitability over long-term investments in product design, supply chain networks, and branding—a mindset that hinders India's competitive edge. Drawing parallels with global leaders like Tesla and Meta, the discussion illustrates how Indian companies can learn from these examples to build sustainable growth strategies.With Maruti as an example of ecosystem-driven success, Professor Srivastava underscores the need to harness India's human capital and technological potential. The conversation also unpacks how the Indian diaspora and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are reshaping the talent landscape, positioning India as a hub for design and engineering excellence.
(00:00) The Challenge of Short-Term Profit Focus
(02:30) Resilience and Immunity in Business Growth
(05:00) The Ambassador Car's Legacy
(07:00) Leveraging Indian Human Capital and Technology
(09:00) Looking Ahead to 2025: Challenges and Opportunities
(11:00) The Impact of Global Trade and Tariffs
(13:00) Indian Diaspora's Role in Economic Growth
(16:00) The Service Industry as an Export Sector
(19:00) GCCs and Talent Retention in India
(22:00) The Growth of Engineering and Design in India
(25:00) Economic Value of India’s GCCs
(28:00) Impact of Visa Restrictions on India’s Growth
(30:00) India's Economic Outlook: Opportunities and Strategic Focus
(35:16) Global Trade Dynamics and U.S. Tariff Strategies
(37:00) Education Expenditure: A Key Outflow to the U.S.
(39:00) The Role of GCCs in India's Future Economic Growth
(41:00) Innovation and Talent Retention in India’s Tech Sector
(42:00) Closing Remarks and Reflections
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Dec 25, 2024 • 39min
#467 The Private-Consumption Slowdown: Gauging 2023-24 Economic Trends with DK Joshi
In this Special Edition of The Core Report, financial journalist Govind Ethiraj engages with DK Joshi, Chief Economist at CRISIL, to provide a comprehensive analysis of India's economic trajectory. The discussion delves into how investment patterns have evolved since 2019-20, the pandemic’s lasting impact on GDP, and the alternative paths India’s economy could have taken. Joshi sheds light on the critical need to address skill mismatches, prioritise vocational training, and enhance workforce productivity. He examines the unprecedented dip in private consumption for 2023-24 and the complex dynamics of premiumisation affecting the mass market.
The conversation also explores the importance of updating India’s labor data through a new census, the migration of labor from agriculture to high-productivity sectors, and the economic implications of workforce mobility. Climate change perspectives take center stage as Joshi discusses India’s pragmatic approach to balancing environmental goals with affordability and security concerns. Looking ahead to 2025, he provides insights into tariff challenges, India’s strategic global positioning, the transformative role of digitalization, and an optimistic forecast for interest rates. This episode offers a thorough exploration of the forces shaping India's economic future.
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Dec 23, 2024 • 46min
#466 Navigating Market Trends And Investment Strategies with Samir Arora
In this episode of The Core Report's year end Special Editions, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj interviews Samir Arora, a veteran fund manager and the founder of Helios Capital, delving into his perspectives on mutual fund trends, market cycles, and investment strategies. Arora highlights the remarkable rise of direct mutual fund investments, with over 40% of their flows bypassing traditional distributors, and shares his insights on the dynamics of Indian retail investors. He also shares candid opinions on the consumer durables sector, identifying its cyclical nature and susceptibility to macroeconomic shifts. He argues that while the industry offers growth opportunities, its volatility and dependency on discretionary spending demand cautious optimism from investors. This episode offers a wealth of insights on India's investment landscape and more.
(00:00) Introduction and Investment Beginnings(03:41) Defining Investment Philosophies(07:21) The Role of FII in Indian Markets(11:01) Market Cycles and Investor Behavior(15:01) The Rise of Indian Retail Investors(18:31) The Impact of Global Macroeconomics on Indian Markets(23:11) The Significance of Sectoral Allocation(27:01) Tech, IT, and the India Growth Story(31:31) The Influence of Dream-Selling in Investments(38:18) Equity vs Other Asset Classes(39:45) Domestic Investment Flows and Investor Behavior(42:35) Defining Bull Runs in the Indian Market(43:27) HDFC Bank: A Timeless Investment(45:24) Closing Remarks
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Dec 22, 2024 • 25min
#465 The Stock Markets Take A Pounding On Foreign Investor Selling
On Episode 465 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dinesh Kanabar, CEO at tax advisory company Dhruva Advisors as well as Sheetal Sapale, Vice President at Pharmarack.
SHOW NOTES
(00:00) Stories of the Day
(01:19) The stock markets take a pounding on foreign investor selling, the last week has no real good news.
(02:54) Rupee hits fresh low, forex reserves drop sharply
(06:18) India’s direct tax collections are rising, what is driving it?
(13:35) Indians are willing to seek treatment for more disease conditions including depression and that is driving up sales of cures
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Dec 20, 2024 • 39min
#464 Insights on India’s Tech Future with Rajesh Nambiar
With generative AI poised to reshape industries, how can India’s IT sector keep up? In this episode, Rajesh Nambiar, President of NASSCOM, joins Govindraj Ethiraj to explore the transformative impact of AI on the traditional IT model. Reflecting on pivotal moments like Y2K and the importance of learnability, Nambiar discusses how the industry can pivot to seize new opportunities. What lessons from the past can guide India’s next tech revolution? And how can the country leverage its strengths in data and innovation to thrive in an AI-driven future? Tune in to uncover strategies for staying competitive in this watershed era.
(00:00) Introduction to the Future of AI and Work
(02:01) The Impact of AI on Job Creation and Replacement
(06:01) The Importance of Skill Development in Emerging Technologies
(09:16) Challenges and Opportunities for Deep Tech Startups
(12:01) India’s Position in the Global Startup Ecosystem
(16:31) The Semiconductor Ecosystem and India’s Role
(25:18) Leveraging India’s Strengths for Semiconductor Growth
(29:33) Startups and Leveraging Technology to Solve Real Problems
(32:16) Advice for Young Engineers Entering the Workforce
(34:20) The Evolution of IT and What’s Next for the Industry
(37:23) Closing Remarks: The Future of Work and Technology
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Dec 19, 2024 • 24min
#463 Markets Fall Again, on Hawkish US Interest Rate Stance
On Episode 463 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Krishan Arora, Indirect Tax National Leader and Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat.
SHOW NOTES
(00:00) Stories of the Day
(01:00) Markets fall again, on hawkish US interest rate stance
(03:20) Rupee crosses Rs 85 per USD now
(04:23) Time to brace, consumer product companies are hiking prices sharply
(07:32) An important GST meeting coming up might see some rates being reduced, so what will go up?
(20:04) The US is considering banning router maker TP-Link which also commands a significant share of Indian market
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Dec 18, 2024 • 28min
#462 Markets Slip Again On Fed Fears
On Episode 462 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Yves Padrines, CEO at the Nemetschek Group.
SHOW NOTES
(00:00) The Take
(05:00) Markets slip again on Fed fears
(07:44) Direct tax collections stay strong
(09:23) Institutional investment in real estate is rising
(10:38) Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs on India in sign that he has not forgotten his original threats
(11:58) How software is changing construction industry practices and timelines
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Dec 17, 2024 • 32min
#461 Markets In Steep Fall On US Interest Rate Fears
On Episode 461 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO (India, South East Asia, Middle East & Africa) at CBRE as well as Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research.
SHOW NOTES
(00:00) Stories of the Day
(01:00) Markets in steep fall on US interest rate fears
(02:30) The Reliance stock is now in negative territory for 2024
(04:54) Rupee hits fresh low, oil prices slide
(06:27) Data centre investments could cross $100 billion by 2027. What’s driving it?
(18:01) Why AI embedded smartphones are yet to catch fancy and overall trends
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Dec 16, 2024 • 30min
#460 Markets Dip As Investors Wait For Cues
On Episode 460 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ameera Shah, Executive Chairperson and whole-time Director of Metropolis Healthcare as well as Jairam VG, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions.
SHOW NOTES
(00:00) Stories of the Day
(00:41) Markets dip as investors wait for cues
(03:29) Gold frenzy grips Indian buyers
(07:49) Why the cancer diagnostics market is growing
(19:18) Legend Zakir Hussain’s unfinished agenda
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