Blog

September 9, 2010

India to Divest another State Owned Commodity Company Manganese Ore (MOIL) through an IPO

India has divested small equity stakes in a number of state owned Commodity Companies this year and the trend is expected to continue in the future […]
September 9, 2010

After Solar and Wind,Canadian Energy Behemoth Enbridge Dips its Feet into Geothermal Energy as well

Enbridge the Canadian Energy Company which is mainly into the business of Gas and Oil Distribution has been aggressively expanding into Renewable Energy in the past […]
September 9, 2010

US Union can only Complain Against Chinese Green Protectionism even as China overtakes USA in all Aspects of Cleantech Investment

China has overtaken the US and EU in Green Industry Leadership.US Utilities like Duke Energy have openly acknowledged Chinese primacy in this regard .Investment in the Renewable Energy Sector in China at $38 billion in 2009 was more than double that in the USA.Companies in the US are outsourcing Green Jobs to Mexico and China due to high costs and lack of Government support.2010 should see this gap widen further with Chinese plans to spend almost $760 Billion in Green Investments in the next decade.The Ernst&Young Ranking of the Most Preferred Green Investment Countries has further bolstered the case of Chinese Leadership.
September 9, 2010

Massive Buying of JGBs by China contributes to Yen Appreciation making Japanese see Red

One of the factors behind the Yen Rise is the Chinese record buying of Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs).The Japanese Finance Minister has become concerned as the Japanese cant reciprocally buy Chinese Government Bonds which are not freely traded.Note Japan has a huge government debt load of around 200% of Japans GDP which is mainly financed by domestic investors.China with its humongous Foreign Reserves is the biggest player in the Foreign Exchange Markets Today.
September 8, 2010

In China and India,it Pays to be a Skilled Blue Collar Worker than a While Collar one

Increasing College Education in Developing Countries has led to Unemployement and Low Wages for White Collar Workers.The increasing number of people armed with College Degrees has […]
September 8, 2010

Brazen Indian Stock Market Shenanigans continue as Prakash Steelage Stock Starts Falling

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that stocks are being manipulated to the detriment of the small investors.Experienced people in SEBI would surely know of such manipulation but they are not doing anything.The Prakash Steelage has followed the "Pump and Dump" Script to the letter with the stock in the process of being dumped.The stock fell 13% for no apparent reason and I expect it to soon fall far below its issue price.Note the Promoters of this Stock have already been convicted of Tax Evasion.
September 8, 2010

India's Weak-Kneed Reaction to Earlier US Discrimination leads IT Sector to become a Target of Anti-Outsourcing Politics again

India’s IT Sector had recently become a victim of new US Protectionist Policies when US Legislature imposed a $2000 Visa Fee on Companies with a Large […]
September 8, 2010

Government to give $500 million Performance Incentive to Greenest Indian States

India’s Powerful Central Planning Commission has decided to give $500 million from next year to Indian States making the most Progress in Going Green.The Agency has […]
September 8, 2010

Finland Proposes Innovative Blend of Renewable Energy,BioFuels,Smart Lighting and Electric Vehicles to Power a Highway to Russia

Finland is proposing to build a Billion Dollar Highway from its Capital Helsinki to a City near the Russian Border.This Highway will be the first Zero […]
September 8, 2010

Telecom Lobby and Lower Cost overcomes Security Concerns as Huawei,ZTE bag Indian 3G Equipment Orders

The Indian Government had blacklisted Huawei and ZTE earlier this year on Security Concerns.These Firms were said to have close relations with the Chinese Government and […]
September 8, 2010

Why does India's Electricity Regulator need a Minimum Renewable Energy Plant Size for Grid Connection

The Indian Electricity Regulator has reduced the Renewable Energy Plant Size for Grid Connection to 50 MW.This has been done after State Electricity Boards were not […]
September 7, 2010

Can Oerlikon Turnaround its ailing Solar Thin Film Equipment Business

Applied Materials which was the 800 lb Gorilla in the a-Si Thin Film Equipment raking in Billions of Dollars in Orders from established Solar Leaders like Q-Cells and Suntech also found itself in trouble.With its SunFab Division leading Millions of Dollars and fast losing its economic viability,AMAT was forced to conduct Euthanisia.Its customers like SunFilm,Moser Baer,Suntech also have pretty much shut down their factories writing off large investments.However Oerlikon is not giving up like AMAT
September 7, 2010

How will Germany's Nuclear Plants Extension Affect Green Energy Growth

Germany is planning to extend the life of the nuclear reactors that are supposed to close in 2022 by an average of 12 years.Note extension will […]
September 7, 2010

India's Politicians Call another "Uncalled For Nationwide Strike"

India has recently seen 2 Nationwide Strikes in the past month on the issue of Inflation and Food Insecurity.These Strikes have been called by Opposition Parties […]
September 7, 2010

China's Authorities wake up to Energy Efficiency Targets through ad hoc Electricity Cuts,Plant Closures and Increased Tariffs

The country also has a 20% Energy Efficiency Improvement Plan for 2006-2010 which it is almost sure to miss.China energy reduction plans have gone haywire due its fast growing economy's dependence on fossil fuels.China has recently talked of increasing the percentage of Renewables to 15% by 2020 from the single digit figure now but the progress of Energy Efficiency has been not upto the mark.China's Energy Efficiency in fact decreased in the first half of 2010 instead of increasing.This decrease is due to the breakneck industrialization occurring in Chinese provinces determined to outdo each other in the Growth Game.Diktats by the Central Party Leadership have failed to rein in the provinces.
September 7, 2010

Steel Giant Posco Decides to make a Surprise Solar Entry through Orkla Silicon Subsidiary Elkem Acquisition

Polysilicon Demand has been skyrocketing in the recent years due to Exponential Growth of the Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells.This made Elkem decide on building a 5000 ton solar specific plant in Norway through a new cheaper process of refining Silicon called Metallurgical Silicon.However the 2008 GFC and poly Oversupply has made this process suspect as $400/kg poly prices went crashing down by 90%.Timminico,a Canadian Producer which was in the process of setting up a giant mg-Si plant has almost collapsed as orders for this less refined Polysilicon Form dried up.
September 6, 2010

Indian Power Exchanges set the ball rolling in Renewable Energy Certificates Trading

India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) had suddenly come up with an order mandating 6% Renewable Energy Generation for Utilities under National Action Plan on Climate […]
September 6, 2010

ADB to Finance its Ambitious Multi-Billion Clean Energy Fund by smartly selling Multi-Currency Bonds to yield hungry Japanese

Asian Development Bank has made ambitious plans to Fund Clean Energy in Asia.It has already invested $5 Billion since 2005 and plans to increase it to […]
September 6, 2010

Wind Energy Boom has Estonia thinking of sharply Cutting Support Tariffs

Estonia is facing increasing burden of renewable energy subsidies with electricity tariffs rising for the general population.With prices expected to be up almost 10% due to […]
September 5, 2010

The Global Financial Epicentre is Shifting from the Western World to Asia

.Europe and UK remain in equally difficult conditions suffering to some extent from the debt induced overhang.Hong Kong and the rest of Asia in comparison have escaped relatively unscathed and countries in the region have resumed their strong growth trajectory.Its not a wonder then that global talent is looking at Asia for newer growth opportunities.Non-Resident Indians are migrating back to their homeland in record numbers to take advantage of the booming economy.Its the same in case of other Asian centres like Singapore,Hong Kong and Shanghai.Asian companies are now raising money from capital markets in HK rather than NY.
September 5, 2010

EU and Japan worried about Chinese Discrimination against their Domestic Companies

Now Japan has warned China that it will lose FDI if it continues to use such policies against foreign companies.Recent labor unrest in Honda and Toyota factories have become a sticking point for the Japanese.Opaque and confusing rules,export controls over rare earth minerals and heavily biased judiciary have made life quite difficult for the foreign companies.The European Union on the other hand has complained of the lack of access to the Chinese market.Rules meant to deter foreign investment has made EU companies look elsewhere.
September 5, 2010

Cisco goes all out to win the Smart Grid Market through Alliance with No.1 Smart Meter Maker Itron and Alta Rock Acquisition

.Cisco has said that the Smart Grid Opportunity will be 100-1000 times bigger than the Internet as the Electricity Infrastructure of the world is modernized.Pike Research estimates expenditure on Smart Grid to become $200 Billion by 2015 from $20 Billion at Present.Already large sums of money from the ARRA Stimulus are going to be spend by US Utilities on Smart Grid Projects.There are a host of Software and Hardware Companies in the Race for the Smart Grid Pie.IBM,Google,Microsoft,Honeywell,GE,SAP,Oracle every big company wants a piece of this Multi Billion Dollar Pie.However Cisco is the one putting serious money and effort into its Smart Grid Initiative.
September 5, 2010

India and China suffer from Crippling Traffic Jams as Road Infrastructure fails to keep up with Exponential Car Growth

Indian Cities are in general totally unorganized with drivers being scant attention to traffic rules.Space constraints make most cars park illegally as there are no garages.In India's Capital Delhi,it is a common sight to see fight between neighbours for parking spaces.Some of these fights have even led to murders and jail terms.Road Rage has become common malaise as nobody follows traffic rules and jams stretch on for hours.Indian cities are seeing a huge influx of cars on a daily basis with little expansion in road infrastructure.Sick people are known to have died in traffic jams as ambulances can't navigate the serpentine jams.
September 5, 2010

India to make Environmental Protection an Integral Part of the new Shale Gas Policy

Shale Gas Extraction has seen doubts being raised against its Environmental Safety Record.This new form of Fossil Fuel Extraction has seen a Gold Rush from Global Oil and Gas Majors looking to tap into this major new Energy Form.In the initial helter and skelter,environmental norms have been bypassed.Recently a NGO blamed regulators and companies of illegally diverting millions of tons of water in Pennsylvania.India's Biggest Private Company Relaince Industries has invested a huge amount in acquiring Shale Gas Assets in order to assimilate this Technology. The Indian government is writing a new Shale Gas Policy as India is said to have geographical formations with potential Shale Gas Deposits.
September 5, 2010

India looks to extend Cruise Missile Lead through Development of Mach 5 Brahmos Missile

India and Russia have jointly developed the Brahmos Cruise Missile which is said to be one of the most advanced Cruise Missiles in the World.This Cruise Missile is also the Fastest in the world with a speed of 3000 km/hr or around 2.6 times the speed of sound and can be launched from multiple air,sea and land platforms.India's Traditional Adversaries Pakistan and China are one generation behind in the Cruise Missile Technology Race.While Pakistan's lone Cruise Missile Babur is based on the outdated Tomahawk Missiles,China's Cruise Missiles also don't match upto Brahmos in speed and sophitication.
September 5, 2010

India's Tata Power looks to become a Geothermal Energy Leader,Targets 25% from Renewable Sources by 2017

ndia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with fundamentals indicating that this rapid growth will continue for the next 10-20 years as well.However Green Investing in India is fraught with risk since major Green Energy Companies like Suzlon and Moser Baer have proven to be abject failures till now.A Good Way to do make Green Investments into India is through Renewable Energy Focused Utilities.Tata Power which is one of India's largest utilities is looking to focus on Green Energy as well.The company has 16% of its power supplied from Renewable Energy Sources and is looking to increase it to 25% by 2017.
September 5, 2010

Food Riots Break out in Africa while Food Inflation Soars in Asia

The recent weather catastrophe in different parts of the world has pushed up the food prices.The Russian Wheat Export Ban imposed earlier had exacerbated the situation […]
September 5, 2010

Green Investing Weekly – Top Reads from the Web

Renewable Energy Tata, Origin and Supraco jointly win geothermal contract – Recharge News Iberdrola Wins 258 MW Contract for 9 Brazilian Wind Farms – RenewableEnergyWorld JDSU […]
September 1, 2010

Coal India Limited (CIL) IPO – In Depth Analysis of India's Largest IPO shows it to be a Safe Investment at Cheap Valuation

Coal India Limited (CIL) would be a safe stock to invest in if it priced in the indicated manner that is a $33 Billion Market Capitalization.This stock won't be a multi bagger but would offer decent price appreciation with almost no downside risks.At trailing P/E of 15x and 3 year average trailing P/E of 20x,the company is not expensive given its competitive strengths.Its dividend yield would be around 1.5% with growth of around ~10-12%.However if you exclude $8.5 Billion in Cash,then the stock seems cheap at around trailing P/E of 11x.It has a P/B of 6x and P/S of around 3x.With its ASP being at a 65% Discount to the International Price,the Company has a huge moat around its business model and I would recommend it as a Buy.
September 1, 2010

Sino-Indian Relations show Signs of New Strains with Increasing Chinese Provocations

China regards India warily and think it a threat to Chinese domination over Asia.India has responded meekly in the past but recent provocations have made India retaliate back.Chinese Navy presence in the Indian Ocean by building ports in Pakistan and Burma have further queered the pitch.China is also deploying advanced missiles at the Tibet Border while border violations are also rising.India's Cabinet is regarding this with increasing concern with a meeting called to assess the situation arising from Chinese troops in POK.An investment in India's Defense Industry makes good sense in such an environment