US Treasury markets are suggestive of a cooling economy. Investors expect many rate cuts, as yields on bonds have refused to rise. Lower yields on long-term Treasuries, suggest that there is still a scramble to buy safe assets as volatility in riskier asset classes, specifically shares, will continue with further bouts of pounding.

Gold is in high demand – a situation that normally presents itself when other assets face trouble. It would be reasonable to assume that investors are no longer exuberant about market conditions, a phase usually associated as a forerunner to a correction. This podcast provides a perspective on commodities, markets and interest rates.

Recently, the government passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP). Its primary purpose is to regulate the collection and processing of digital personal data and respect individuals' rights.

The way the system will work is that the government will create a Data Protection Board, as the supervising agency to monitor, enforce rules and impose penalties when appropriate. The board would adjudicate a dispute between those whose personal data has been given to a platform and the platform which has in turn breached the obligations under the Act. Companies are understandably concerned that even unintended slips can lead to serious charges of violation. This opens up a completely new industry that promises auditing of an organisation’s processes to ensure compliance. The cost of doing business will consequently jump.
This podcast explains.

IMA recently published its ‘Vision 2030: India’s Growth Frontiers’ report, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors driving the country’s economic transformation. This report aims to provide strategic insights and recommendations to navigate what is undoubtedly an exciting and dynamic environment, while decoding the nuances of India's economic journey in the years ahead. Given the sheer length of the report, we will be sharing bite-sized extracts from the study over the next few weeks.

The first episode of this series looks at the both the drivers and the challenges that will shape the India of 2030, including:

• Economic Growth: India’s GDP could reach between USD 5.2 trillion and USD 7.8 trillion by 2030, greatly boosting per capita income and consumption.
• Consumption-Led Expansion: By 2030, India will be one of the world’s main growth drivers, with private consumption exceeding 60% of GDP, supported by a young population and rising incomes.
• Sectoral Shifts: Agriculture's share will decline, while services, manufacturing and infrastructure will dominate the economy.
• Capital Inflows: Strong FDI, particularly in services and IT, coupled with evolving financial markets, will open new opportunities for growth.
• Challenges: Key risks include low investment rates, fiscal pressures, declining savings, skill gaps and inadequate social security. These must be addressed to sustain growth.