Government should set up `shadow' IBRD cell
The stock markets continue to plunge deeper south, post US sanctions. Sadly, this is in contrast to the recovery in other Asean markets along with the recovery of yen. Of course, there are other immediate factors depressing the market sentiments too. Marketmen have rightly been concerned about rumours about payment crisis, despite official assurances on this score. With 1992 scam memories, many players preferred to quit the market until they can see a clearer picture.

Why Digvijay Cement, Pentafour Software are making waves in a bear market
The overall mood, caught up between the Big-Bull scam tactics and the bear-cartel sham assaults, this week in Dalal Street was indeed turbulent. The BSE Sensex lost almost 200 points in one day, only to bounce back on the very next day with a gain of about 240 points! However, one scrip has sailed through this wild current unscathed. And, perhaps, for the first time, the scrip has lived up to its name, Digvijay!

For a hybrid mix of debt and equity instruments, invest in balanced funds
They are the most ignored segment of the fund industry, lacking the glamour of equity funds and steady returns of income funds. Yet for a small investor, a balanced fund is perhaps the most prudent and practical investment vehicle - a fact amply demonstrated by developments in the past fortnight. While the Sensex fell by 14.47 per cent and an average open-end equity fund fell by 15.38 per cent, an average open-end balanced fund dropped by just 7.47 per cent.