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
Mentioned books
Mar 9, 2025 • 24min
#527 The Markets Saw Their Best Week in 3 Months
On Episode 527 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dhairyashil Patil, President of the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF).SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:50) The markets saw their best week in three months, where will they go next?(07:50) The dollar is weak and the rupee is steady(08:20) Large gold shipments continue to move around the world on fear of US import tariffs(10:17) Why are Indian consumer product distributors taking quick commerce companies to the competition commission?(21:51) And Bill Gates recommends this for fighting food shortagesListeners! 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
Mar 7, 2025 • 25min
#526 AI In Business: How AI Is Transforming Supply Chains, Logistics & Quick Commerce
AI is reshaping the future of consumer goods, logistics, and quick commerce. In this conversation, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & MD of Nestlé India, about how AI is helping companies optimize supply chains, demand forecasting, procurement, and distribution.From reducing logistics costs by 500 million rupees to using AI for better coffee and cocoa price predictions, this discussion reveals how AI-driven predictive models are changing the game for businesses and consumers alike.(00:00) Introduction(01:50) How AI can help utilise all the data of consumer companies(03:30) The data and forecasting in coffee(05:43) The value of AI should be before it leaves the factories(08:18) AI and crop estimates(10:05) importance of data integrity(11:00) Logistics, delivery, and offtake cycles(13:21) Stocking and AI predictive(15:49) Quick commerce(17:55) Optimise volume business to pay for disaggregated business(19:46) Understanding the consumer space(21:30) Category wise consumer trends(22:44) Premiumisation for Nestle(24:00) What Nestle stands forAI is revolutionizing supply chains, logistics, and quick commerce. Watch our exclusive conversation with Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & MD of Nestlé India, on how AI is optimizing demand forecasting, procurement, and distribution.Listeners! 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
Mar 6, 2025 • 26min
#525 Markets Continue Their Upward Rise
On Episode 525 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to G Chokkalingam, Founder, Equinomics Research & Advisory Pvt Ltd as well as C S Vigneshwar, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(03:43) Markets continue their upward rise on lower oil prices(15:01) The RBI could tighten norms for lending against gold in sign of overheated market.(15:57) Auto sales are falling as customers postpone decisions and financiers tighten their pursesListeners! 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
Mar 5, 2025 • 30min
#524 The Markets Stage A Smart Rebound
On Episode 524 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Chandrakant Lahariya, Consultant Physician and Founder- Director Foundation for People-centric Health Systems (FPHS) as well as Prabhu Dhamodharan, Convenor at the Indian Texpreneurs Federation.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:41) The markets stage a smart rebound. Will they hold(07:17) Reliance Retail’s valuation is half of what it had raised funds two years ago as company embarks on cost cuts(09:46) How India’s apparel export industry hopes to benefit from the latest tariff war(19:13) India’s obesity levels are rising and why that is an issue individuals and organisations should be talking aboutListeners! 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
Mar 4, 2025 • 23min
#523 Markets On Standby As Tariff Bombs Start Dropping
On Episode 523 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets on standby as tariff bombs start dropping(03:12) Oil prices are sliding down now even as gold prices look up(04:27) Trump friendly WSJ calls tariffs the dumbest move for whacking friends not adversaries(06:17) Warren Buffet says Trump moves against Canada and Mexico are act of war(09:03) Amazon to invest in data centre in India(10:17) How ready is India for extreme temperatures in March?Listeners! 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
Mar 3, 2025 • 31min
#522 Markets On Pause As More Tariff Bombs Start Flying
On Episode 522 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Bagga, veteran market analyst as well as Captain Sam Thomas, President of the Airline’s Pilots Association of India (ALPA).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets on pause as more tariff bombs start flying(14:26) Why does the Government like gold?(16:19) FDI into India has fallen in the last quarter(17:23) India manufacturing slows even as China picks pace(20:43) Are airlines not hiring pilots from each other?Listeners! 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
Mar 2, 2025 • 28min
#521 Can Indian Markets Recover From This Drubbing?
On Episode 521 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at Bank of Baroda as well as Ajit Velonie, Senior Director at CRISIL Ratings Ltd.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:38) Can Indian markets recover from this drubbing?(09:53) India’s GDP last year was now 9.2%. It has emerged even as GDP for the third quarter rises(11:13) Outlook for the economy amidst strong agricultural demand (20:38) Will lower risk weightages boost consumer loans and thus demand in the economy?Listeners! 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
Feb 28, 2025 • 40min
#520 How Marico Dominated Coconut Oil Market With One Bold Move
In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj sits down with Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico, to discuss his incredible journey of building one of India’s most successful consumer goods companies. Discover how his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship transformed Marico into a market leader with iconic brands like Parachute and Saffola.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Introduction(01:35) Innovation at Marico(05:20) Innovation in Parachute(07:30) Coconut oil Bottles and Reducing Plastics(11:43) Innovation in Saffola and being a leader in oats(13:48) Differentiation and technology(15:43) Facilitating Organisations and creating business opportunities(20:08) D2C brands and Growth Avenues(25:36) Multinationals v Local Players(28:33) How the name ‘Parachute’ came about(30:05) Companies that are exemplary currently(33:00) Entrepreneurs and Talent(35:27) Business problems today and disruptions(38:00) US marketsListeners! 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
Feb 27, 2025 • 31min
#519 The Markets Go Flat in Search Of Signals
On Episode 519 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Varun Singh, Managing Director at XIPHIAS - Certified Investment Migration consultant. We also feature an excerpt from a recent panel discussion moderated by the Core’s editor-in-chief (at BioAsia 2025 in Hyderabad) which featured amongst others G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman & Managing Director Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, India.SHOW NOTES (00:00) Stories of the Day (01:09) The markets go flat in search of signals(05:44) Brace for one of the warmest March ever (07:25) A personal story in the life sciences innovation journey(16:39) India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant says Mahindra and Tatas will give Tesla a run for its money (18:21) The new US gold card replacing the EB5, what will be the outcome? (28:08) Air cargo is growing but growth slows down in JanuaryListeners! 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
Feb 26, 2025 • 33min
#518 The Markets Are Still Struggling To Find A Bottom
On Episode 518 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief Commodities Analyst of SEB Research. We also feature an excerpt from our interview with Noshir Kaka, Senior Partner, Mumbai at McKinsey & Company from the recent Nasscom Technology Leadership Forum 2025 in Mumbai.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:29) The markets are still struggling to find a bottom(02:58) RBI reduces risk weightages for banks, possibly to drive retail demand revival(04:19) How natural gas demand for Europe is driving a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal(04:53) BP to increase oil & gas investment to $10 billion per year in return to fossil fuel focus(16:27) The EU wants India to open up too, just says it more nicely(19:15) Where is AI taking us and Indian enterprises?(30:01) Tesla sales fall 45% in Europe as scepticism about an early India success risesListeners! 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
