The experts, whose views you will find in this issue, have shared their opinions on various asset classes against this backdrop, in which the government is keen to roll out the next phase of important reforms, with oil prices declining sharply (something which most believe will augur well for India) and inflation finally showing signs of coming under control. In fact, even as I write this note, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a 25-basis-point cut in the repo rate, signalling the beginning of an easier interest rate regime. This has, expectedly, also pleased the markets and the 30-share S&P BSE Sensex is up smartly as a result. The overall optimism since the new government has taken charge is also manifested in the fact that the Sensex has risen 13.7 percent between May 16, 2014, the day the general election results were announced, and January 13, 2015. Significantly, during the same period, Brent crude has declined from $109.75 per barrel to $45.65 a barrel, a 58.4 percent fall, making life a lot easier for the government. The stage seems set for investors to have a good year, but as our Markets and Finance Editor Pravin Palande, who helmed this special issue, puts it, we are still a fair distance away from euphoria.
While on the subject of investing, this issue also introduces you to a lineup of India’s most successful and prolific angel investors who are powering the country’s fast-growing entrepreneurship ecosystem by funding startups with great ideas and passionate teams. You will meet them on page 80. These are the people who have been able to spot ideas early and have had the courage and conviction to back them, creating excellent businesses in many cases. India, as most of us will agree, needs many more like them.
Best,
Sourav Majumdar
Editor, Forbes India
Email:sourav.majumdar@network18publishing.com
Twitter id:@TheSouravM
First Published: Jan 23, 2015, 07:07
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