Steel and cement prices have appreciated over the last six months and led to runaway inflation. The government has alleged that companies in these sectors have formed cartels to keep prices high. How justified is the government angst? Or rather, is it a combination of factors that have conspired to push up prices? BT’s Arnab Mitra and N. Madhavan find out.

There’s a new leader in the Indian tyre market. Raghupati Singhania, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyres, recently acquired Tornel, a Mexican tyre maker with an installed capacity of 6.6 million tyres, for Rs 270 crore.

The Indian Economy may be showing signs of slowing down but foreign investors still seem to be sold on the country’s growth story.

TVS currently ranks #8 in the global pecking order of two-wheeler manufacturers, with players such as Hero Honda, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Bajaj Auto way ahead of it. Buoyed by a spate of product launches, including a new 125cc motorbike, TVS Motor’s Venu Srinivasan is looking to not just wrest back market share but also become a global heavyweight. BT's N. Madhavan reports. TVS Motors: Stepping back to win

Writing off farm loans worth Rs 60,000 crore, increasing Income Tax exemptions, slashing excise duties?Finance Minister Chidambaram’s Budget 2008 is aimed at winning votes in an early poll. Full coverage: Budget 2008

The Finance Minister was uniquely positioned to present a landmark Budget, as Budget 2008 comes in the backdrop of robust economic growth in GDP of 8.7 per cent in 2007-08.

Writing off farm loans worth Rs 60,000 crore, increasing Income Tax exemptions, slashing excise duties?Finance Minister Chidambaram’s Budget 2008 is aimed at winning votes in an early poll. Watch complete Budget speechHighlights of Union Budget 2008Full coverage: Budget 2008Surfers' comments on Budget 2008Read full text of FM's speechClick to read sectoral analysisRead experts views on Budget 2008Budget at a glanceWhat’s cheaper, what’s dearer?

Has the FM done enough to address the potential impact of a US recession on India, exporters reined in by an appreciating rupee and investors caught out by volatile markets?

Strong domestic demand for steel has led to both greenfield and brownfield capacity expansions, making India the fifth-largest crude steel producer in the world.

Outlook for 2008-09 continues to be positive. Budget 2008 has done its bit by slashing excise on two-wheelers and small cars.

The luxury segment is growing the fastest, and how.

Real estate, financial services and infrastructure firms made hay as the sun shone on Dalal Street. But these may tumble the hardest as markets return closer to fundamentals.

Check out Business Today's annual listing of companies you need to keep your eye on.

The market's valuation has soared to an all-time high. Now is the time to look for undervalued gems in the unfolding growth themes.

If you doubt whether thematic or sector funds really do well, take a look at the top 10 funds in the market. Eight of the top 10 funds over the last year have been either sector or thematic funds.

Interest rates are up, but passenger vehicle sales show no sign of slowing down.

The why, what and how-to of policy making.

Indian brokerages are roping in foreign partners to compete in a market that's both booming and fiercely competitive.

The overall optimism was kept alive by India Inc. which reported another good quarter ended June 2007. At first glance, the performance seems fantastic.

It offers the unbeatable combination of big-spending and experimentative consumers, who have the appetite and the wallet to spend. Some smart marketers are finally waking up to its lure.