The emergence of US tariffs as a policy tool, is a decisive shift in global trade and indeed the liberal world order, which facilitated the emergence of Asia’s tiger economies. Once dismissed as a temporary measure, tariffs are now rooted in a broader economic agenda that merges protectionism, domestic manufacturing and geopolitical influence.

For companies, this carries far-reaching implications, shaping inflation, growth and production strategies. At the start of the year, markets assumed tariff increases would remain limited, more negotiation tactic than economic reality. However, recent decisions from the US administration, targeting Canada, Mexico, China and potentially Europe and India, have splintered that expectation. This podcast explains.

In the discussions that your columnist has had, over the course of the past couple of months, with IMA Forum Members, it was evident that urban consumption has begun to taper.

As it happens, the trend really became apparent several quarters ago. Still, consumer goods companies are likely to record annual revenue growth between 5% and 8%. But that is largely on account of higher prices rather than larger volumes. Analysts have offered various explanations such as greater inflation, poor wage growth and higher home rentals.

Whilst these may well be true, the fact is consumption growth is usually in sync with urban employment. That has failed to happen. This podcast explains.

Zomato’s recent announcement that it will be rebranding its parent company as ‘Eternal’ raises an important question: Why do companies change their names? Typically, an organisation’s name is one of its most valuable assets, being instantly recognisable, carrying its history and shaping consumer perceptions. Yet, businesses do frequently change their names. Whether driven by consideration around strategic growth, crisis management or shifting consumer sentiment, this can be a high-stakes decision.

This podcast explores the key drivers behind corporate renaming, backed by real-world examples and lessons on what determines success or failure.

Traditional strategic plans are based on long-term goals and market forecasts. However, in a world of disruption, companies must adopt more agile approaches that allow them to pivot quickly. Methodologies associated with software development, emphasise flexibility, enabling companies to continuously evolve. Rather than relying on a single forecast, businesses are using scenario planning. This involves conceiving different future outcomes and preparing for them in advance.

In the business world, companies that have thrived are often the ones that have adapted swiftly to shifting circumstances. Adaptability, allows them to pivot and innovate, in response to new challenges, ensuring their survival in the face of uncertainty. This podcast explains.

We expect the US dollar to gain in value against a basket of global currencies, as higher inflation in America will force policy makers, in its central bank, to keep a hawkish stance on interest rates. With higher yields, therefore, capital will be attracted back to lower risk returns offered in the US treasuries, with a consequent sell off in emerging market bonds and equities. Moreover, The S&P 500 index, which tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States, fell from around 6100 in end January 2025 to 5800 at the beginning of March.

Inflation, which the United States Federal Reserve assumed had been tamed, has demonstrated a new spark of energy and seems to be edging upwards again. So, the interest rate cuts factored in, previously by markets, are now open to question. It’s a double whammy. In January America’s “core” consumer-price index, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, jumped by 5.5% at an annualised rate.

This podcast explains.

India’s road sector is on a transformative path. Propelled by the Bharatmala Pariyojana – an ambitious plan to construct 34,800 km of new highways and expressways – the country’s highway network expanded by 60% in the decade to 2024. However, roadblocks remain, clouding both the near- and the long-term view. In the current fiscal year, owing to a host of issues (including national elections), the government is likely to fall well short of its target of building or upgrading 13,000 km of highways. From a longer-term perspective, it remains a challenge to ensure strong private-sector participation in the sector.

After experimenting with various models of public-private partnership (PPP), the government has now returned to the tried-and-tested Build-Operate-Transfer (BoT) model, albeit with revised norms that help address past inefficiencies and attract private participation. We spoke to several industry leaders to arrive at a clearer, ground-level view of the pluses and minuses of the current approach. On the whole, despite continuing challenges, they are optimistic about the sector’s long-term potential.

This podcast summarises our findings,

The 2025-26 Union Budget came at a time of moderating domestic growth and heightened global uncertainty. At a recent joint session of the India CEO, CFO, CHRO, CMO, ISF and CFO NxT Forums, AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director of the Business Standard, provided a medium-term outlook for the Indian economy. He assessed the Budget’s key policy announcements and their impact on India’s growth trajectory. Further, he examined the prospects for reforms and fiscal consolidation, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This podcast summarises these discussions.

As climate changes intensify, consumers across segments are demanding sustainable alternatives – and the automotive industry is no exception. Clean(er)-fuel options make up a rising share of India’s passenger vehicle market and this trend is expected to only strengthen in the years ahead.

This research was developed in partnership with Ayvens a leading sustainable mobility player, under the agegis of IMA’s India Sustainability Forum (ISF). It examines the current market dynamics in terms of consumer demand, manufacturer preferences and government policy, aiming to identify which of the three broad types of ‘green alternatives’ – compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) – are likely to come out ahead in the longer term.