Primer

Digital gold is a good alternative to physical gold as one can take delivery in cash or gold (Bloomberg )

Not equities or FDs, e-gold is all that glitters now

2 min read . 09:58 AM IST Renu Yadav

There are many ways to invest in e-gold, such as government-backed SGBs issued by RBI, gold ETFs, and gold funds that invest in ETFs

A worker walks past containers stacked under a gantry crane at the Haldia Dock Complex part of the Kolkata Port Trust

Trade numbers of some nations are overstated

2 min read . 25 Oct 2020 Vivek Kaul

The intermediate goods, which go into the making of final products, shipped back and forth across these networks, make for more than half of all international trade

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has not closed the option of a third stimulus package (MINT_PRINT)

Demand thrust must be at heart of next stimulus

2 min read . 22 Oct 2020 Karan Bhasin

Experts argue that the Centre needs to expand its expenditure so as to cushion demand in the economy
The Indian economy has been underperforming since the second quarter of 2018, before covid-19 struck

The two-wheeler vehicle dealers have built up a very high inventory of 45-50 days (MINT_PRINT)

The drop in sales of two-wheelers is worse in reality

2 min read . 20 Oct 2020 Vivek Kaul

The actual sales of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, might actually be lower than revealed

In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India’s per capita GDP in 2020 is estimated at $6,284 by IMF. (Photo: Reuters)

East Asia nations can give India few lessons in growth

2 min read . 19 Oct 2020 Karan Bhasin

While some have questioned the appropriateness of the comparison, others highlighted India’s failures vis-à-vis Bangladesh

Photo: Mint

Goods trade data hints at recovery, albeit at soft pace

2 min read . 19 Oct 2020 Vivek Kaul

India’s goods exports in September were up 6% from last year to $27.6 billion. Growth in exports was seen after six months of contraction. On the other hand, goods imports continued to contract and were down 19.6% to $30.3 billion. What’s happening here? Mint explores.

Globally, 42 vaccines are undergoing human trials right now, with another 151 in the pre-clinical stage

Vaccines, the long and only route to herd immunity

2 min read . 15 Oct 2020 Leroy Leo, Neetu Chandra Sharma

While the WHO is of the view that vaccines are the only shot at achieving herd immunity, two major clinical trials have been temporarily halted following unexplained illnesses
Mint analyses how long the immunization drive would take to materialize

CPI for Sept was at 7.34%—the fifth consecutive CPI print above the MPC’s target of 2-6%

Rising inflation is a supply-induced problem this year

2 min read . 15 Oct 2020 Karan Bhasin

CPI for Sept was at 7.34%—the fifth consecutive CPI print above the MPC’s target of 2-6%. The task of taming inflation, reviving growth and ensuring macro-stability has become complex since the onset of pandemic. Mint takes a deep dive

Photo: Mint

Stock valuations hit historic highs amid headwinds

2 min read . 13 Oct 2020 Vivek Kaul

The stock market has got back to rallying since late September. The current levels of the Nifty and Sensex are very close to the peak levels seen in the beginning of 2020. The Sensex has rallied 11% since 24 September. So, what is happening? Mint takes a look.

Gold prices have witnessed a 24% gain this year

Gold still shines bright in times of high uncertainty

2 min read . 13 Oct 2020 Karan Bhasin

Gold prices have witnessed a 24% gain this year and may continue to rise, leading Berkshire Hathaway to buy stake in the world’s largest gold mining company. This, after the Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett has highlighted the metal’s lack of utility in the past. Mint explores.

Photo: Mint

Pvt lenders set to tide over defaults better than peers

2 min read . 27 Sep 2020 Vivek Kaul

Interest rate data shows that private banks are better prepared to handle the post-covid loan defaults, which as things stand now, will start hitting the balance sheets of banks early next year. Meanwhile, state-led banks are trying to pump-prime the economy. Mint explains.

Photo: iStock

Murugappa feud points to deeper gender bias woes

2 min read . 23 Sep 2020 Dhirendra Tripathi

On Monday, shareholders rejected Valli Arunachalam’s bid for a seat on Ambadi Investments Ltd’s board. Valli, the daughter of late M.V. Murugappan, has 8.15% stake in Murugappa Group’s holding firm. It highlights the glass ceiling women face in boardrooms. Mint explores.

In the words of finance minister Arun Jaitley, GST is the “single most important tax reform after 1947”. Photo: Vijay Verma/PTI

(Nearly) everything you wanted to know about GST but were afraid to ask

10 min read . 22 Apr 2015 Rohan Shah, Ranjeet Mahtani

Why on earth is it taking so long and will tax officers end up having nothing to do if it simplifies things?

Robyn Beck/AFP

All you wanted to know about the US shutdown

4 min read . 03 Oct 2013 Rajesh Kumar

The entire world is watching the US. Here's what the shutdown is all about and its repercussions

The unprecedented pace of decline in poverty sparked a furious debate on the veracity of the commission’s claims and the significance of the decline. Photo: Indranil Bhoumik/Mint
(Indranil Bhoumik/Mint)

Everything you wanted to know about the poverty debate

8 min read . 15 Aug 2013 Aishwarya Deshpande, Pramit Bhattacharya

Here are some of the most compelling takes on the poverty estimates

The debate on economic policy has never been as riveting as it is today, with two giants from the world of academic economics, Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati, tackling each other on what India’s governance priorities should be. Photo: Mint
(Mint)