TMS Ep283: Wheat stocks, asset allocation, Andrew Holland, aircraft lease

Wheat exports from India shot up by 116% in the first five months of the current financial year, thanks to aggressive buying by private players who offered lucrative prices to farmers. Meanwhile, India’s own stocks of the food grain saw a decline, and procurement fell by 57 per cent. The wheat stocks with the Food Corporation of India stand at a six-year low now, slightly above the minimum prescribed buffer. So what is the likely road ahead? Will India turn into a net wheat importer now, just months after promising to feed the world? 

Almost all the countries of the world are scrambling for ways to prop-up their economies. Central banks are raising rates to suck liquidity and bring down the soaring inflation. And banks too are passing on the rates. Amid all this, where should you park your hard-earned money? 

Given the volatility, one should tread cautiously on Dalal Street. Though there have been stock-specific wealth creators, the overall scenario wasn’t that good this year. Andrew Holland, CEO, Avendus Capital Public Markets Alternate Strategies spoke to Business Standard’s Puneet Wadhwa on the opportunities and pitfalls investors should be mindful of in Samvat 2079.

Thanks to the Gift City, which has come up in Ahmedabad, Indians can now invest in international stocks too. And, through this special zone, India is also trying to become a global hub for aircraft leasing. But why do most airlines prefer leasing aircraft rather than buying them? And what kind of leasing options do they have? Find out in this episode of the podcast.