Friday, September 11
With interest rates stabilising and inflation unlikely to drive further monetary easing, investors may want to shift focus to shorter-maturity corporate bonds.Shriram Ramanathan, CIO–Fixed Income at HSBC Mutual Fund, believes the two- to three-year corporate bond segment currently offers the “best bang for your buck,” combining attractive yields with lower duration risk.In a recent conversation, he explained why widening spreads and stable rate conditions make this segment a sweet spot for fixed income portfolios. Edited Excerpts –Kshitij Anand: And yes, with inflation coming in at 2.1%, do you see there is room for further rate cuts as well? And yes, we are in a wait-and-watch mode. The RBI has already front-loaded, we would say, for the year 100 basis points. But yes, could there
Brightcom Group, on Friday, announced the formation of 'Brightcom Defence' - a new division focused on next-generation aerospace intelligence and autonomous aerial defence software.The company's Board approved the formation of Brightcom Defence to tap into the rapidly expanding markets for aerospace intelligence and autonomous defence solutions, the company said.Under the new division, Brightcom aims to develop AI-powered UAV flight systems, high-fidelity mission simulation engines, and aerial platform cybersecurity program, along with defence solutions for real-time threat detection and coordinated drone swarm operations.With the new defence division, the company is planning to collaborate with governments, global defence innovators, and allied technology partners."...Our strategic expans
Independence Day reminds us that true freedom is built on stability and foresight. The same applies to personal finance. Stock markets can create wealth but can also be unpredictable, with sudden swings that disrupt carefully planned goals. Bonds offer a way to anchor a portfolio, delivering steady income and protection when markets turn turbulent.Bonds are straightforward. You lend to an issuer and receive regular interest plus your principal back at maturity. The rate, term, and schedule are fixed when you invest, making them a rare source of stability in today’s fast-moving markets. A well-chosen bond will keep paying regardless of short-term market noise, giving investors breathing space to focus on long-term goals.Hedging against market swingsOne of the most effective yet overlooked
Despite the Reserve Bank of India retaining its 6.5% GDP growth forecast for FY26 and projecting 6.6% growth in Q1 FY27, HSBC Mutual Fund’s CIO – Fixed Income, Shriram Ramanathan, believes the road ahead remains challenging.In an interview with ETMarkets, he said that while rural consumption, a good monsoon, and resilient services are providing much-needed tailwinds, urban discretionary spending, tepid private capex, and a subdued industrial sector continue to weigh on momentum.Against a backdrop of global uncertainties, including tariff tensions and currency pressures, Ramanathan sees the RBI’s latest policy as a careful balance between confidence in growth and caution on macro stability — a “tall ask” for policymakers to maintain. Edited Excerpts –Kshitij Anand: Well, the R
