CPI Demystified: More Than Just a Number Introduction: Imagine CPI as the economy’s thermometer. Just as a fever signals health issues, rising CPI indicates inflation heating up your daily expenses. In India, the Consumer Price Index tracks price changes for essentials like food, housing, transport, and healthcare. It’s not just a statistic—it’s a pulse check

Picture this: You’re baking a cake, but instead of rushing to the store for fancy ingredients, you work with what’s in your pantry. That’s bootstrapping in a nutshell—crafting a business from scratch using grit, creativity, and the resources already at your fingertips. No investor sugar daddies, no loans—just raw hustle. Companies like Zoho and Mailchimp

In financial news, you must’ve heard the term “repo rate”, but what exactly does it mean for you and how does the repo rate affect a common man? Let’s understand. Imagine banks occasionally need quick cash—just like we do. Instead of a friend or relative, they turn to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). But

Picture this: you’ve got a little money pot, right? You put some rupees in there. Now, the bank, or wherever you keep it, gives you a little extra, like a bonus, for keeping your money with them. That’s called interest. Now, here’s the cool part: with compound interest, that bonus money? It starts earning its

Introduction Investing in bonds or debt instruments involves evaluating the creditworthiness of issuers—a task that can feel daunting without the right guidance. This is where credit rating agencies step in, offering a trustworthy way to assess the financial trustworthiness of entities issuing debt. In India, these agencies are vital to the financial ecosystem, empowering investors

Looking for stable returns beyond traditional options? Let’s decode Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs). These are debt instruments companies use to raise funds, offering fixed interest payouts without the option to convert into equity. Unlike convertible debentures, NCDs are repaid in full at maturity, making them a go-to for investors craving predictable income. With interest rates often

Capital markets are the backbone of economic growth, acting as bridges between those who need funds and those looking to invest. Whether you’re a business expanding operations, a government funding infrastructure projects, or an individual planning for retirement, these markets keep money flowing where it’s needed most. Let’s break down how they operate, their different

Introduction: Two Friends, One Bond Conversation Imagine two friends, Rohan and Priya, sipping chai at a Mumbai café. Rohan, a seasoned investor, boasts about earning steady returns from bonds. Priya, intrigued, asks, “But how does taxation on bonds work? Will I lose half my profits to taxes?” Rohan smiles, “Ah, that’s where strategy comes in!” Like Priya,

The global financial ecosystem in 2024 was riddled with turbulence, yet the fixed-income landscape, particularly in India, emerged as a beacon of stability. With markets reeling from geopolitical unrest and economic volatility, Indian bonds delivered calm, steady returns. By the end of September 2024, the Indian bond market had grown to an impressive $2.69 trillion

RFQ stands for Request for Quote, a platform that allows investors to buy and sell bonds by requesting quotes from multiple dealers and choosing the best one. Consider this: You’re in a busy marketplace filled with sellers offering nearly identical goods or services. Instead of haggling with each seller, you ask a select few for

Introduction   In our previous blog, the impact of inflation on bond investments, we discussed how inflation can significantly erode the real value of bond investments. Imagine earning 8% interest on a bond, but with inflation running at 4%, your actual gain in purchasing power is only 4%. As a response to this issue, Inflation-Indexed

Introduction Here’s a fun fact: In 1970, a cup of coffee in India cost about 50 paise. Today, the same cup would cost you anywhere between ₹20 to ₹50, depending on where you buy it. That’s over a 4000% increase in price! Now, I know there’s nothing fun about this fact, but what’s undeniable is