NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to meet Obama next month

US President Barack Obama will meet NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg next month to discuss a range of issues, including the progress made to "destroy" Islamic State (ISIS) terror outfit.

Obama will host Stoltenberg at the White House on April 4 and will reaffirm that the US stands together with NATO in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks that struck Brussels, Belgium, the site of NATO Headquarters on Tuesday   Indian stock market astrology prediction

"The President looks forward to discussing with Secretary General Stoltenberg the progress allies are making in theinternational effort to degrade and destroy ISIL (ISIS), as well as the important role NATO is playing in alleviating the refugee and migrant crisis spurred in part by the terrorist group," Earnest said.        Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

The meeting gains significance as it also comes days after Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump calling for review of America's association with NATO.Obama and Stoltenberg will also discuss preparations for the July 8-9 NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, including allied efforts to reinforce deterrence in Europe, address instability on Europe's periphery, and strengthen NATO's base of capabilities and partnerships, he said.   Sensex Astrology 

"The secretary general's visit underscores the importance the US places on the transatlantic bond that NATO embodies, and on a North Atlantic Alliance whose full adaptation to a changing strategic environment will ensure that the alliance continues to uphold international order and advance the interests of the US and all of NATO's members and partners," Earnest said.Six people were being held after raids across the Belgian capital yesterday, days after airport and metro suicide blasts took place that left 31 people dead and 300 injured.   Stock Market Trading Tips

Volatility seen ahead of F&O expiry

Markets are likely to remain volatile in the week next week ahead of the expiry of March derviative contracts as traders roll-over positions to the April 2016 series.  Share Market Astrology

In the week to March 23, benchmark share indices gained for the fourth straight week to end 1.5% higher with rate sensitive shares leading the gains on hopes of a greater-than-expected rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India support by robust foreign inflows during the holiday-truncated week.

The S&P BSE Sensex ended up 1.5% or 385 points at 25,338 and the Nifty50 gained 1.5% or 112 points to close at 7,717.        

The broader markets outperformed the benchmark indices with BSE Midcap index rising 2.2% and Smallcap index ending 1.9% higher.        Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

"We will get into the derivative expiry week as well as the financial year-end. Short-covering and NAV propping up has potential to boost frontline as well as second rung names next week. We hope to come back refreshed from a long-weekend to take up fresh positions to gain from further upsides. Nifty could face headwinds at 7800 and the 200-dma at ~7900. Even these levels present a 1-2.5% gain from the current level for the next week," said Ravi Shenoy, AVP-Midcaps Research, Motilal Oswal Securities.             Indian stock market astrology prediction

Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in equities to the tune of Rs 3,468 crore during the truncated week, as per provisional stock exchange data.Markets will remain closed on Thursday on account of Holi and on Friday on account of Good Friday.   Share Market Astrology

The country’s current account deficit (CAD) narrowed to $7.1 billion (1.3 per cent of gross domestic product) in the quarter ended December 2015, from $ 7.7 billion (1.5 per cent of GDP) in the year-ago period.The CAD was also lower when compared to $8.7 bn (1.7 per cent of GDP) recorded in the second quarter ended September 2015.       Commodity Market Astrology Tips

Shares from rate sensitive sectors such as Banks, Realty and Auto were among the top gainers during the week under review.    Nifty Trading Tips

Hi-tech route to cut subsidy but long road ahead

In this state of information technology professionals, now even a village woman knows how the malfunctioning server in Hyderabad can affect the delivery of subsidised foodgrain to her.

Technical snags can make the queues longer at fair price shops in Andhra Pradesh, even a year after the government pushed for digitisation of the services.     Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

Beneficiaries often find themselves waiting or are asked to return the next day, if the point of sale (POS) device in their neighbourhood fair price shop finds it difficult to access the central server at the Aadhaar database.           Indian stock market astrology prediction
In the financial year 2013-14, or FY14, the data of below poverty line (BPL) households were digitised and linked to the Aadhar database. The purpose was to eliminate bogus beneficiaries - who had given a bad reputation to the popular subsidised rice distribution programme of undivided Andhra Pradesh.       Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips


From March 2015, in a number of phases, the Biometrically Authenticated Physical Uptake (BAPU) mode was introduced in the public distribution system (PDS) of the state.Under this model, beneficiaries get themselves identified by scanning their thumbprint or iris on a POS machine while buying a subsidised product such as kerosene or, in this case, rice.

A number of teething problems, too, afflict the BAPU mode in Andhra Pradesh.As the seeding of BPL cards with Aadhar data eliminated double entries (a family having multiple cards or the same individual getting different cards) just before the bifurcation, the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led government of Andhra Pradesh has quickly rolled out the end-to-end automation of the supply chain of PDS to plug leakage at other levels.     Commodity Market Astrology Tips
Now, foodgrain can be tracked extensively - right from when it is loaded into trucks at the Food Corporation of India warehouses to the fair price shops. The system also tracks the delivery to the BPL beneficiaries, ensuring that the weight of the product being supplied is accurate.

If a truck carrying PDS goods stops anywhere for more than five minutes, officials concerned will get a message through the global positioning system (GPS) tracker, said Karikal Valaven, the principal secretary of the state, who also holds the additional charge of commissioner, civil supplies department.

Lunch with BS: Ananya Birla

She does not carry money. She has learnt to play guitar all by herself. She is planning to launch her own soul and R&B album, and has got a tattoo on her arm that says “conquer”. She could easily pass for a rock star in the making. But at 21, Ananya Birla has also built a microfinance business with a loan book of Rs 500 crore and plans to turn it into a small finance bank. If that isn’t enough, she has another start-up ready for launch. Little wonder that her mother keeps reminding her that Rome was not built in a day.  Share Market Astrology
On a Thursday afternoon, I am waiting at the lobby of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Mumbai, as the young Birla enters in a pair of blue denims, a grey shirt and gold-streaked hair. Her high-heeled sandals make her an inch taller than me.    Nifty Trading Tips

We take the lift to the Souk, a rooftop restaurant in the 22-storey tower section of the hotel that has the picturesque Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India as its backdrop. She has chosen her favourite restaurant in town. As we settle down and go through the menu card she talks about her love for Asian food, especially the Lebanese fare that the restaurant offers. I struggle with the menu and prefer to take cues from her. She says she is learning to pronounce the names of the dishes correctly with help from a Lebanese friend.   Commodity Market Astrology Tips

We order her favourite vegetarian salad, the tabbouleh as starter, and a dish of falafel and hummus for the main course. She adds a virgin mojito while I settle for some fresh lime and soda.

With a second venture in the offing, this fifth-generation entrepreneur from the Birla clan is no doubt quite prolific. I ask what is the source of her inspiration. “I literally follow my heart,” says Birla, who counts start-ups and music as her two passions. “I think a combination of these two can make a great difference to the world,” she quips.    Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

I am aware of her microfinance business, Svatantra, that lends to women entrepreneurs in rural India. It provides technology-enabled cashless disbursement and is working on a cashless collection mechanism that will require the use of digital wallets. I am also aware about her next start-up venture that will entail selling inaccessible artwork over an e-commerce platform. Sensex Astrology 

We switch to her other passion — music. She has been playing the santoor since she was seven and the guitar for about six years now. She writes lyrics and composes music and is planning to launch a soul and R&B album. “It sounds rather silly and clichéd but reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull (by Richard Bach) has really turned around my life,” she says.

Kejriwal on Fortune's list of '50 greatest leaders', PM Modi conspicuous by his absence

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has finally gotten a leg up on his political bête noire Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kejriwal has been ranked 42nd on Fortune magazine's third annual 'World's 50 Greatest Leaders list which does not include Modi's name. Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

Fortune's list features men and women from across the globe from the fields of business, government, philanthropy and the arts who are "transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same".       Indian stock market astrology prediction

So far, Modi has been featured on several prominent lists of world leaders and influential personalities. Also, earlier this month, world famous wax museum Madame Tussauds announced that they would be featuring a wax figure of the prime minister.     Share Market Astrology

For some of Modi's colleagues and fellow party members, who have have taken to flaunting the prime minister's popularity, this might come as a shock. Earlier this month, during the Bhartiya Janta Party's (BJP's) national executive meeting, senior BJP leader and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had sung paeans in Modi's name and said, "Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi made it to Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential    Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

Kejriwal, who is the only Indian leader on the Fortune list, was selected for his efforts towards curbing air pollution in Delhi and his government's.       Commodity Market Astrology Tips

National-level volleyball player stabbed to death by stalker in West Bengal

A 15-year-old national volleyball player, who took part in at least two under-14 national and three state-level volleyball championships, was brutally murdered by another national level player, who was allegedly stalking her, in a volleyball coaching centre at Barasat in North 24 Parganas on Friday afternoon.

The victim, Sangita Aych alias Tina (15), was killed bySubrata Sinha alias Raja (20).

More than 25 volleyball players and three coaches looked on in horror as the victim, Sangita, desperately trying to escape her senior playmate, was chased and laterstabbed on her head and neck with a sharp weapon at least three times by the accused while she was being trained for an inter-state volleyball tournament.   Indian stock market astrology prediction

The incident took place around 4.30 p.m on Friday when Sangita, a class ninth student from Barasat Girls' High School was practicing in her volleyball coaching camp at Natunpukur Volleyball Association near her Natunpukur residence.   Nifty Trading Tips

One of her coaches who came to her rescue was also injured after being grazed by the dagger.After a preliminary probe, police suspect Sinha hacked her to death after being spurned in lovPolice are looking for the killer who has gone into hiding soon after committing the brutal murder.

One of the coaches, Swapan Das said, "She was sitting with us on the ground. We saw Raja entering the ground silently and called her repeatedly from a distance. But Sangita refused to meet him every time."      Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

"Suddenly he rushed towards her and started threatening her with dire consequences. Sangita also protested against him. Initially we tried to stop the quarrel but the duo continued. During altercation, suddenly I heard the screams of the girl and turned back at her to find her escaping while Raja holding a dagger was chasing her desperately," he added.   Stock Market Trading Tips

Narrating the series of events, the coach said that he immediately rushed towards Raja and threw his chair to obstruct him but he was hit on the hand by Raja with the weapon, who continued chasing her.        Commodity Market Astrology Tips

"The others on the ground also tried to catch him, but the monster already caught Sangita after chasing barely a 60 meter distance and stabbed her repeatedly while we were yet to cross barely 20 feet to reach the duo as we couldn        Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog     

L&T Infra Debt Fund to raise up to Rs 2,750 crore via bonds

The money raised via non-convertible debentures (NCDs) will be used to fund infra projects, including those inrenewable energy sector (wind and solar). L&T Financial services group will also inject more equity in the subsidiary to support expanding asset base. L&T IDF's net worth was Rs 615 crore (including additional equity infusion in December 2015) and debt of Rs 775 crore. It has disbursed Rs 998 crore to eight projects till end of December 2015.  Financial Astrology

CRISIL has assigned "AAA/Stable" rating to the proposed non-convertible debentures of L&T IDF. The IDFs are essentially non-banking finance companies. Initially, Reserve Bank of India had permitted IDFs to refinance projects with a guarantee from government-owned project authority through a tripartite agreement. These projects - roads, ports and airports - work on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.       Indian stock market astrology prediction
 
Later, RBI eased norms for IDFs to make more projects eligible for refinancing. IDFs can now refinance non-tripartite agreement-backed projects with lower concentration ceilings.

The government has confirmed that IDFs floated as finance companies would enjoy income tax exemption to give infra refinancing a push.       Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog 

According to CRISIL, at least 40 per cent of L&T IDF's medium term portfolio will continue to be in tripartite-backed projects. The balance portfolio will be in projects without a tripartite agreement. The potentially higher asset-side risk with these projects is offset by many factors.

The non-tripartite project portfolio will consist of either highly-rated assets or projects in sectors with good recovery track record. The emphasis will be on greater diversification in the portfolio and reduction in steady-state leverage.        Share Market Astrology

CRISIL said L&T IDF is expected, on a steady-state basis, to maintain the leverage ratio well below nine times at all points of time. These leverage levels provide healthy capital coverage to the company against potential asset-side risks. L&T IDF would have limited asset-liability mismatches and it is expected to raise only long-term funds with a minimum five-year maturity.

US says it hasn't changed position on Syria's Bashar Assad

The Obama administration has maintained that PresidentBashar Assad shouldn't lead Syria any longer, rejecting a Russian claim that the US has changed its position. Nifty Trading Tips

Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying Washington now accepts Moscow's argument that Assad's future shouldn't be open for negotiation right now.

Assad's Russian-backed government and Western-supported rebels recently concluded a round of peace talks and will meet again next month.   Personal Numerology

Secretary of State John Kerry visited President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials in the Kremlin this week to plot the next steps.       Indian stock market astrology prediction

State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Friday: "Any suggestion that we have changed in any way our view of Assad's future is false. Assad has lost his legitimacy to govern. We haven't changed our view on that."     Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

The US softened demands last year for Assad's immediate departure, but still insists he should resign at some point in a political transition process. Russia says outside powers shouldn't try to determine Syria's leadership.    Commodity Market Astrology Tips

At least 250,000 people, and perhaps as many as a half million, have been killed in the five-year civil war. The fighting also has spawned Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II and has led to the emergence of the Islamic State group.   Share Market Astrology

Unions await clarity on strike call in IDBI Bank

The unions which were planning a day's strike in IDBI Bank in protest against the Centre's plan to reduce its shareholding in the lender, are waiting for clarity on whether orders issued by two courts in two states would go against their strike.   Commodity Market Astrology Tips

According to AIBEA's general secretary C H Venkatachalam, a court in Karnataka and another in Telangana have issued orders restraining the unions from conducting strikes from March 28 to March 31. The order was issued based on a petition filed by IDBI Bank, and was related to a four-day strike call by a section of bank officers.   Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

Both AIBEA and All India Bank Officer's Association (AIBOA) had given a one-day strike call on March 28. However, a section of officers went ahead and announced a four-day strike from March 28 to 31. This, according to sources, could create difficulties, considering that the bank would be non-functional for nine days at a stretch starting Friday, March 25 , and that too just before the start of the new financial year.     Share Market Astrology

"There is also a confusion prevailing in terms of the strike. It is only in IDBI Bank that the strike is going to happen and not in other banks," said Venkatachalam.

Various unions were mentioned by IDBI Bank in its petition and it has to be clarified whether the order is binding on all unions and whether or not the unions can go ahead with the one-day strike announced, he added.    Nifty Trading Tips

The one-day strike has been announced by the employees' union against the central government's proposed move to reduce the equity stake in IDBI Bank to less than 50 per cent.

SBI seeks merger of 5 rural banks in N-E

Five regional rural banks (RRBs) in the Northeast under the sponsorship of State Bank of India (SBI) are to soon be merged.    Stock Market Trading Tips

The five RRBs are Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank, Meghalaya Rural Bank, Mizoram Rural Bank, Nagaland Rural Bank and Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank (based in Assam), said a source close to the development.   Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

The proposal was recently made by SBI, which has asked the RRBs to seek board approvals. The merger requires approval by the state and central governments. SBI holds a 35 per cent stake, the Centre 50 per cent, and the respective state government 15 per cent in each of the five RRBs.

The merged entity would have a deposit base of Rs 3,578 crore, with advances of Rs 1,736 crore. Total net profit of the five banks on March 31, 2015, was Rs 44.52 crore. Of the five, only Nagaland Rural Bank reported losses last financial year.   Financial Astrology

"At present, the sponsor bank is acting as master, detrimental for the growth of RRBs. Also, three other regional rural banks in the Northeast not under the sponsorship of SBI should be brought into the amalgamation scheme,' said A Sayeed Khan, secretary-general, All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association.  Personal Numerology

In the first phase of amalgamation, RRBs were merged within a state on the basis of their sponsor banks. In the second phase, mergers were initiated across sponsor banks within a state.Of the five banks to be merged, Mizoram Rural Bank is the largest in terms of loan outstanding, at Rs 203.52 crore as of December 2015. The smallest bank being Nagaland Rural Bank, with dues of about Rs 5.52 crore.        Indian stock market astrology prediction

Final-day sell-off sends S&P 500 to first yearly drop since 2011

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost its grip on a fourth consecutive annual gain in the year's final trading session, as technology shares led a decline in US stocks paced byApple Inc.

Apple fell for the fourth time in five days to extend its 2015 retreat to 4.6 per cent, its worst since 2008. The year's last day featured seesaw moves as energy producers in the benchmark index advanced with oil after erasing an early drop, though the group capped its biggest annual retreat in seven years.      Indian stock market astrology prediction  

The S&P 500 slumped one per cent to 2,043.76 at 4 pm in New York, with gauge falling 0.7 per cent for the year as selling accelerated in the final minutes of trading.

"This is the most poetic way you could end the year," said Jeff Clark, an analyst at Stansberry & Associates in San Francisco. "The market has basically done nothing. We've had some attempts to rally and some attempts to drop, but it's been a pretty frustrating year for trading. The momentum is in the bearish camp right now."    Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

Markets are closed tomorrow for the New Year holiday. Trading volume has been thin all week, and the number of shares changing hands on US exchanges yesterday was the lowest for a full session this year.             Financial Astrology

Equities bucked the historical trend of gains in December. Amid a series of sharp sell-offs and rallies focused around the Federal Reserve's interest-rate boost, the S&P 500 fell 1.8 per cent this month, its worst December drop since 2002. Energy companies lost 10 per cent this month to cap their worst year since 2008.             Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

The market's torpor is likely to be broken next week as investors will return from the holiday to a swath of data, including gauges on the manufacturing and services industries, the monthly jobs report and minutes from the Fed meeting that ended with the first rate increase since 2006. While policy makers have forecast a gradual pace for future rate increases, they also stressed a dependence on the progress in economic data.   Nifty Trading Tips

A report on Friday showed the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits rose more than projected during the Christmas week, reaching the highest level in almost six months, perhaps reflecting typical swings during holidays.   Share Market Astrology

Global stocks charmed by central banks as oil jumps, bonds fall

US stocks added to a global rally in equities, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index heading for the first weekly gain this year, on speculation that central banks will expand stimulus measures to counter turmoil in financial markets. Oil surged with emerging-market currencies, while haven assets retreated.     Indian stock market astrology prediction
The S&P 500 rose a second day after falling to a 21-month low. The Dow Jones Industrial Average's gain lagged, as disappointing results dragged down American Express and General Electric European shares enjoyed the biggest two-day rally since 2011, while the euro approached a two-week low on the European Central Bank's signal that it may bolster economic support as soon as March. Asian stocks climbed the most since September on speculation Japan and China may also take steps to calm markets. Crude was poised for its steepest two-day rally in five months.

The turnaround in sentiment came amid signs central banks may be prepared to act after $7.8 trillion was erased from the value of global equities this year on China's slowdown and oil's crash. Diminished inflation expectations and a strengthening yen are seen as increasing pressure on the Bank of Japan to enlarge stimulus at its meeting next week. China will keep intervening in its equity market to "look after" investors and has no intention of further devaluing the yuan, Vice President Li Yuanchao said.     Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

"It's a classic oversold bounce after Draghi's comments yesterday and the noise on Japanese stimulus overnight, the question is where do we go from here," said Veronika Pechlaner, who helps oversee $10 billion at Ashburton Investments, part of FirstRand Group. "It's become harder and harder for stimulus to really support the economic fundamentals so it doesn't mean a medium- and long-term change,    Sensex Astrology 
The S&P 500 jumped 1.3 percent at 12 p.m. in New York, erasing its loss for the week. The gauge pared its drop in 2016 to 7 percent, and it remains 11 percent below its all-time high set in May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.7 percent, with gains tempered by the biggest one-day slide in American Express since 2009.  Financial Astrology

"It looks like central banks are on the warpath against weakness," said Andrew Brenner, head ofinternational fixed income for National Alliance Capital Markets in New York. "That's going to put a real risk-on component to today. You've seen enough volatility in the last six months that it's hard to determine if we're going to close up.   Commodity Market Astrology Tips

Robert Leary sees room for stock rally

Robert Leary, who oversees $854 billion as chief executive officer of TIAA Global Asset Management, said he expects US stocks to rebound, based on the enduring strength of the world's largest economy, at a time where bonds offer a less attractive alternative. Nifty Trading Tips

"The US economy is more strong and more robust than it's been given credit for, so we do think we're going to see, in the second half of this year, a bit of a pickup" in stocks, Leary said in a televised interview on Thursday. "We actually think we could go back above the S&P highs that we have reached before, and maybe be up five to 10 per cent in the S&P this year."

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is trading below its 2014 closing level amid slowing growth in China and a slump in commodity prices. Leary said the US is well positioned to withstand those pressures.

"Some people I know, they think there's a recession ahead," he said. "But overall, we think that there is fundamental strength in the economy and we do think that there's a lot of room for the equity markets to grow."   Commodity Market Astrology Tips

Leary cited employment gains and wage growth as potential catalysts for stocks. Filings for initial jobless claims in the US have been less than 300,000 for 55 weeks, the longest stretch since 1973 and a level economists say is consistent with a healthy labour market. Share Market Astrology

TIAA provides retirement services and insurance to teachers and customers who work for academic, research and other non-profit organisations. The company, led by former Federal Reserve Vice-Chairman Roger Ferguson, also manages funds for institutional clients and invests in assets such as agriculture and real estate.     Nifty Trading Tips

Leary said TIAA tends to invest based on a company's prospects in a period of two-to-five years. He was asked whether European lenders such as Deutsche Bank AG and Credit Suisse Group AG will rebound from their slump in that time.    Personal Numerology

"I think it depends on what happens in the overall economy," he said. "It's a tough slog for the European banks right now, and it will be."   Financial Astrology

Jewellers protest: AIBJSF to hand over shop keys to finance minister

Jewellery industry body AIBJSF on Friday decided to continue their strike for an indefinite period against imposition of 1 per cent excise duty on non-silver jewellery and announced plans to hand over keys of their shops to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.   Stock Market Trading Tips

All India Bullion, Jewellers, Swarankar Federation (AIBJSF), which had organised a big rally at Ramlila maidan in the national capital on March 17, is continuing their strike, though three major associations -- GJF, ABJA and GJEPC -- had called off strike last Saturday after government's assurance that there would be no 'Inspector Raj'.     Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

AIBJSF and other local associations, particularly those in Delhi- NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, were against calling off the strike.

“Nothing less than a complete roll back of excise duty levied on jewellers is acceptable to us,” AIBJSF President Praveen Goel said in a statement issued by CAIT.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which is supporting the jewellers protest, has urged the government to initiate the process of dialogue with protesting traders to end the logjam.

In a meeting held today, AIBJSF said representatives of more than 375 Jewellery trade associations from different states “unanimously decided to intensify the strike” till the government rolls back the excise duty.     Indian stock market astrology prediction

A large number of jewellers and bullion traders across the country continued their strike for the 24th day today, despite the government constituting a panel to look into their demand. AIBJSF said it will hold a series of protests beginning next week including "handing over keys of shops to the Finance Minister, blowing whistle in front of buffalo, ringing bells at district headquarters, gherao of MPs and presentation of memorandum, forming of human chain and transfer of registration papers of shops in the name of Finance Minister."   Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

The panel, which has been asked to submit its report in 60 days, will look into issues related to compliance procedure for the excise duty, including records to be maintained, forms to be filled, operating procedures and other relevant issues.   Share Market Astrology

The government in the Budget for 2016-17 had proposed 1 per cent excise duty on jewellery without input credit or 12.5 per cent with input tax credit on jewellery excluding silver other than studded with diamonds and some other precious stones.   Personal Numerology

Cotton price slide continues

The price of cotton has been falling since the start of this year, both following a global trend and due to worm attacks on the standing crop in Punjab and Gujarat.  Stock Market Trading Tips

The benchmark Shankar-6 variety is quoting at Rs 9,026 a quintal, a four per cent fall over a month. In the same period, the price for delivery in May fell 10 per cent to 57.72 cents a pound on the benchmark InterContinental Exchange (ICE). “Prices dropped due to subdued demand in the domestic spot market. Besides, reports on China preparing to auction some of its vast stockpile of the natural fibre next month had fuelled the downtrend,” said Ajay Kedia, managing director, Kedia Commodity Research.  Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) has forecast a 7.5 per cent decline in output at 35.2 million bales (170 kg each) this year as against 38 mn bales last year. Trade sources estimate sowing at 12.6 million hectares, marginally lower than last year’s 12.66 mn. Output, though, is likely to decline by 3.5 mn bales, owing to attacks of white fly in Punjab (travelling from bordering Pakistan) and pinkbollworm impact in Gujarat.   Indian stock market astrology prediction

Genetically modified (Bt) cotton seems to have lost momentum. Between 2002 and 2008, overall yield doubled to 554 kg a ha but has stagnated around this since then and, in fact, has declined in the past two years, though it covers 95 per cent of sown area.  Personal Numerology

“We cannot say Bt has not worked but the technology failed to keep momentum going after the initial years. In fact, as against the claims by companies like Monsanto of the Bt seed being bollworm-resistant, the crop witnessed attacks of bollworms in 2016,”   Sensex Astrology 

Said a spokesman of Mahyco Monsanto: “Bollgard technology has been widely accepted by India’s cotton farmers and has played a pivotal role in increasing yield from 302 kg/ha lint in 2002-03 to 552 kg/ha lint in 2013-14, generating an additional farm income of Rs 42,300 crore. This has played a key role in transforming India from being an importer of cotton in 2002 to becoming the world’s second largest exporter in 2015.”    Commodity Market Astrology Tips

BS Annual awards: Celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship

In a full house at the Crystal Room of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, famous names and familiar faces gathered to celebrate the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship at the Business Standard Annual Award 2015.  Stock Market Trading Tips

The 16th edition of the Business Standard Annual Awards was about many firsts. It wasn’t only about celebrating success and revenue growth. It was an evening when the old economy was brought closer to the new in a master class on disruption, and where activism rubbed shoulders with the czars of profit. And, for a change, the encounter wasn’t adversarial. (Saluting the best & the brightest)

The mood seemed to have a rub-off effect on Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of the Centre for Science and Environment, which received the ‘Public Institution of the Year’ award from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the guest of honour. In his short speech, Bhushan said it was a welcome surprise to get this award from a jury comprising industry doyens. “I thought the kind of work we do is adversarial to what you do. This award will give a tremendous impetus to build many more public institutions,” he said.  Personal Numerology

The sense of bonhomie was evident when Parrikar later said he was happy to give away the award as the role of public society was important, though there should be a balance between development, security needs and those of the environment.     Share Market Astrology

From start to finish, the awards ceremony, held here on Thursday evening, toasted a new India that is coming to terms with disruption. The guests who assembled to honour the outstanding businesses and business people of the year came from far and wide. While Parrikar came from Delhi and Nandan Nilekani, chief guest, and wife Rohini came from Bengaluru, quite a few other award winners and guests were from Delhi, Chennai and elsewhere.     Commodity Market Astrology Tips

The awards function also saw old money and successful professionals coming together. While the corporate world was represented by Vodafone India MD and CEO Sunil Sood, Pfizer India chairman RA Shah, Asian Paints chairman Ashwin Dani,   Himanshu Tiwari Astrologer Blog

Maruti races ahead to capture nearly half the market

While most carmakers are struggling to push sales, market leader Maruti Suzuki is racing ahead in the domestic segment, capturing a 14-year-high share in it.   Personal Numerology

Riding high on double-digit growth in sales, the company is set to close the year (2015-16) with a share of 47 per cent - compared to 45 per cent last year (2014-15).Its nearest competitor, Korean auto major Hyundai, too, will close the year at an all-time-high market share of 17.5 per cent. Last year, Hyundai's market share was 16.2 per cent.   Stock Market Trading Tips

Sales of the two companies, in volumes, are also at a record high.
Together, they now enjoy 64 per cent share of the market. Last year, it was 61 per cent.
All other carmakers together - about a dozen - have 36 per cent of the market, with none of them in double digits.The third largest player in the market, Mahindra & Mahindra, has a share of 8.26 per cent.          Indian stock market astrology prediction


While Maruti increased its share this year by two per cent, General Motors, Nissan andVolkswagen have a share of well below two per cent each. Market share is a function of how other players also perform.Seven companies lost share in the current year because of different reasons. Toyota, Tata Motors, Volkswagen and General Motors figure in this list. New launches have not worked for everyone.   Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

R S Kalsi, executive director (sales and marketing), Maruti Suzuki, said a combination of factors helped the company gain share.    Commodity Market Astrology Tips
"We have added close to 200 regular sales outlets and 125 Nexa (premium) outlets this year to reach the customers. While new launches such as Baleno and Brezza have been well accepted, the older models such as   Financial Astrology

Paytm, Snapdeal can wait. Alibaba likely to enter India on its own

Whether the Jack Ma-led Chinese major enters the Indian e-commerce sector as Alibaba or 'Alibaba plus', there will be two definite gainers, consumers and the segment.
Analysts and stakeholders said so to Business Standard after the surprise statement by a company executive on Friday evening. "We are planning to enter the e-commerce business in India in 2016,'' Alibaba group president J Michael Evans told reporters here, after his meeting with communications and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.     Personal Numerology

Alibaba, in the headlines for months following a stunning initial public offering in 2014, is yet to reveal its India plans. This has kept the e-commerce world guessing on what its entry would mean to the existing entities and the sector.      Share Market Astrology

Most experts say Alibaba is likely to make a dash into Indian e-commerce on its own, quite like Amazon did almost three years earlier. Its investments in existing players such as Paytm and Snapdeal could run parallel to its standalone India play, they suggest.

A comment on the latest development could not be had from digital wallet and online marketplace Paytm, where Alibaba has a majority shareholding.   Jackpot Stocks Trading Tips

Harish H V, partner (India leadership team), Grant Thornton, said Alibaba has substantial cash and is sure to make massive investments here. That will mean two big international players, the other being Amazon, competing in India. How the competition unfolds will depend on whether Alibaba comes alone into e-commerce or along with the companies where it has already invested, such as Paytm and Snapdeal. Reports suggested it considered investing in Flipkart, too, which the latter denied.

"If Alibaba actually enters India in tie-ups with the other e-commerce companies, the sector could well split into two camps-Amazon versus the rest,'' the consultant said, adding this was only one of the scenarios. However, this looks unlikely. Most leading companies have been talking of a long-term play in this space. Also,  Indian stock market astrology prediction

Arvind Singhal, founder of retail consultancy Technopak, argued Alibaba would not acquire an Indian e-commerce entity unless it gets the right price. With no restriction on foreign direct investment in online marketplaces, Alibaba might want to come on its own.  Commodity Market Astrology Tips
"Amazon announced an investment of $2 billion (Rs 13,300 crore) in the India market in 2014, and is still left with cash from that tranche. Alibaba might want to spend at that level, rather than acquire a Flipkart or Snapdeal at multi-billion dollars,'' Singhal said. He agreed, though, that there could be savings from infrastructure and technology sharing between companies.

Alibaba has tested the India e-commerce market passively through its investments in Paytm and Snapdeal. Now is the time for big play, felt Singhal. He says consumers will benefit the most from Alibaba's entry, as it will mean greater choice of products and higher discounts. Another beneficiary will be the e-commerce sector. The numbers projected by Goldman Sachs, that e-commerce will be a $100-billion market        Nifty Trading Tips