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OLM Desk - 30 November 2022

Renting Vs. Buying

I planned to buy a home after joining a fintech company in Gurugram in 2019. The prospects looked good, with plenty of property options and a stable income. But that changed quickly after the pandemic struck. Home prices have skyrocketed since, and so also the bank rates. The exorbitant house prices in my choice of localities in the Delhi-NCR region mean I have to postpone my plans. Moreover, I want to pay more as a down payment so that I borrow less, and I need more time to raise that money. So, renting makes more sense than buying a house now. Renting Vs Buying What Works For You? has accurately captured my sentiments. Other pros and cons highlighted in the article were in sync with what I believe is the right thing to do. However, given the country’s current job market scenario, a long-term financial commitment required after taking a house loan could be a challenge. For tax deductions, I already have life insurance and a medical policy. I also get benefits on the rent I pay. Hence, I plan to continue living in my rented accommodation till I get another opportunity.

–Alex Chacko, email


Index Movers

The Indian stock market performed incredibly well compared to its global counterparts, especially after the coronavirus pandemic began to ease—a period when supply and labour issues and high inflation stalked nations. Surprisingly, for most international stock markets, including India, it had been an easy ride during the pandemic in 2020 as market valuations of securities surged to record levels. Post-pandemic, though, it was a different story in some economies. The Indian market showed resilience and resolve in the face of a global slowdown hastened by the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the tightening of monetary policy by central banks around the world. Thanks to the robust demand for goods and services and relatively positive sentiments, Indian markets didn’t get fully sucked into that morass. The Index Movers has amply demonstrated the positive trends at home. Indeed, sectors like financial services, information technology, and oil and gas have done remarkably well. As an investor, I look forward to a stellar performance in the Indian market as we wrap up 2022 in a few weeks.

–S. Sukumar, email


RBI’s CBDC

The explainer on the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is apt and timely for people like me who are slow in understanding the latest technologies or struggle to keep pace with the changes. In this context, RBI’s CBDC: What’s Cooking was educative and quite an eye-opener for me as I didn’t know about the subject. This has given me confidence that will help me embrace the new digital currency for transactions. Moreover, it is heartening to see RBI’s alacrity in taking the first concrete steps on its CBDC journey, perhaps even ahead of some developed nations and certainly among India’s neighbours.

–P. Mahato, email

Time To Tighten The Seatbelt
Markets Insulated, Multi-Assets New Flavour