Whichever way you look at it, these are uncertain times for the markets. Any investor, institutional or otherwise, will have to weigh multiple factors before putting money into different asset classes, many of which would be impacted by both global and local concerns. Investing amid such choppy waters is, therefore, not for the weak-hearted. With the Chinese economy battling problems and its tremors being felt across the world economy, oil prices hitting new lows and emerging markets growth expected to remain moderate, taking an investment outlook isn’t going to be easy. From an Indian perspective, however, the expert view seems to be about India’s cyclical upturn continuing in 2016, mainly, as Goldman Sachs puts it, driven by domestic demand. Technology, Education and Ease of doing business (TEE), the investment bank says, can boost potential growth to 8 percent from FY17-FY20. And Credit Suisse adds: “India’s macroeconomic indicators continue to look attractive, and it remains the economy with the fastest nominal GDP growth, and the second best earnings growth. However, continuing global weakness could be a drag/overhang…” Our annual Investment Special issue, therefore, brings you some ideas which can help navigate these uncertain waters. As our Senior Associate Editor and resident investment expert Pravin Palande, who helmed this issue, puts it, the essence of what we bring you is about “survival in the age of turbulence ”. With this in mind, our 20-stock portfolio is of companies which are managing to reduce debt, while building assets.
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The good news: India is among the rare emerging markets with improving economic activity. “What matters is that today’s India is full of ideas,” Palande says.
This issue brings you strategies adopted by hedge funds and experts on equities and fixed income, and also gets you views from the real estate sector. We also have a special focus on some interesting fintech startups which are disrupting the investment world with new ideas and empowering investors with information and technology. An expert weighs in on investing in startups, if angel investing is your cup of tea.
But this issue is not only about investing. We also bring you the 30 Under 30 list from America, a lineup of the brightest entrepreneurs and game changers from the US. For those with an ear for music, there’s also the story of how Saavn became a leading player in the highly competitive music streaming business.
