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November 10th, 2008

Less profit is not loss

Posted by: Anirban Roy

The times they are a changin', and indeed they have. For better or for worse, I am not sure, but what has changed is the way we look at making money from money.

Call it what you may -- credit crisis, crisis of confidence, financial tsunami, meltdown -- erosion of wealth is never good news. And rattled markets often lead to political turmoil and even shift in power.

So what is happening in the markets, economy, and banks; well, with anything to do with the art and science of making money?

Global markets have turned schizophrenic, banks are not lending and investor over-confidence has turned to no-confidence.

Money begets money, they say, and so does greed. I think greed has been the single biggest factor in driving markets to the levels they were at some months back. And now, greed again to cut losses and take immediate profits by selling short is not helping the cause.

Fundamentals, economic health, robust balance sheets and healthy credit, once the buzzwords of sound investing, have now been reduced to classroom theories of an ideal world. Good on paper, lost in greed.

I have never directly invested in any market for I never understood the exact reasons why markets go up or when shares hop, leap and jump. Also, I could never time the market.

Then again, I felt safe investing in an instrument which I could understand. My returns were far less and my net worth still a joke but my logic still remains -- LESS PROFIT IS NOT LOSS.

November 10th, 2008

Less profit is not loss

Posted by: Anirban Roy

The times they are a changin', and indeed they have. For better or for worse, I am not sure, but what has changed is the way we look at making money from money.

INDIA STOCKS/5PCTCall it what you may -- credit crisis, crisis of confidence, financial tsunami, meltdown -- erosion of wealth is never good news. And rattled markets often lead to political turmoil and even shift in power.

So what is happening in the markets, economy, and banks; well, with anything to do with the art and science of making money?

Global markets have turned schizophrenic, banks are not lending and investor over-confidence has turned to no-confidence.

Money begets money, they say, and so does greed. I think greed has been the single biggest factor in driving markets to the levels they were at some months back. And now, greed again to cut losses and take immediate profits by selling short is not helping the cause.

MARKETS-SOUTHASIA-STOCKS/

Fundamentals, economic health, robust balance sheets and healthy credit, once the buzzwords of sound investing, have now been reduced to classroom theories of an ideal world. Good on paper, lost in greed.

I have never directly invested in any market for I never understood the exact reasons why markets go up or when shares hop, leap and jump. Also, I could never time the market.

Then again, I felt safe investing in an instrument which I could understand. My returns were far less and my net worth still a joke but my logic still remains -- LESS PROFIT IS NOT LOSS.

August 20th, 2008

Vodafone to sell 3G iPhone in India from Rs 31,000. Pricey?

Posted by: Anirban Roy

It's official. Vodafone will sell the 8GB 3G iPhone for 31,000 rupees ($712) and the 16GB model for 36,100 rupees ($828). And this for a 3G model when India does not even have 3G services yet.

The Apple iPhone 3G is displayed in Toronto July 11, 2008.Vodafone and Airtel will launch the 3G Apple iPhone in India on August 22. Airtel is yet to announce its price for the phones but it's unlikely the pricing will differ much.

The price of the 8GB model in the U.S. is $199 and $299 for the 16GB model. So is buying the iPhone in India worth it or will the grey market rule?

Who will buy the new iPhone? All those who had pre-booked? The ones who want to get the latest gizmo on day one of its official launch in India or the geeks who cherish anything Apple?

August 11th, 2008

Abhinav Bindra wins India’s first solo Olympic gold

Posted by: Anirban Roy

By Erik KirschbaumGold medallist Abhinav Bindra of India (C) shows his medal as he stands with silver medallist Zhu Qinan of China (L) and bronze medallist Henri Hakkinen of Finland after the men’s 10m air rifle shooting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 11, 2008.:
Abhinav Bindra won India's first ever individual Olympic gold medal on Monday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the men's 10m air rifle.

Bindra had been fourth after qualifying but had a brilliant final round and even hit a near perfect 10.8 on his last shot to pull in front of Henri Hakkinen of Finland, who dropped to bronze with a poor final shot of 9.7.

That allowed China's Zhu Qinan, the defending Olympic champion and heavy favourite, to pass him on his final shot and win the silver medal.

"It's just great," Bindra told Reuters just before climbing on to the podium.

And -- the celebrations have begun .

Babli Bindra, Abhinav's mother, quipped: "Now I have lots of work ahead as he is the country's most eligible bachelor."

Already, the 25-year-old shooter's female fan base is growing.

"Abhinav, will you marry me? My parents will have to buy that much less GOLD now," read one congratulatory message posted by 'Kaveri' on the Reuters website.

Join us in congratulating Bindra.