What a news

Citigroup Names Pandit CEO, Ending Closely Watched Search - WSJ.com

Citigroup Names Pandit CEO,

Indias real estate in numbers.

How to Play India's Commercial Real Estate Boom - TheStreet.com University - Personal Finance

In my first column on the prospects and opportunities in Indian real estate, I looked at the residential sector and my favorite way to play it, Unitech Corporate Park (listed on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in addition to its home listing in India). In this column, I'll examine the commercial real estate sector, which I believe offers significant upside potential, and my favorite pure-play on it: DLF, listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Please do a favour for yourself use this resource

I wonder why MIT is considered world leader. This is what any educational institution should do. Disseminate knowledge. I love this resource to my core heart.

There are few instances where I used this resource extensively. I was asked to walk through a 80 / 20 real estate model. ( Which is considered one of the complex models in real estate valuation). I learned a lot from the course by Dr Geltner under Urban studies and planning and able to impress the person.

The resource especially in Capital Markets and the depth of the courses are really amazing. This is the same course what people pay 50,000$ for studying. All you need is passion and you are right there.

MIT opens its academic doors to all online - The Boston Globe

An MIT education is now just a click away

What will happen to this place if its a company

The Raw Story | National debt grows $1 million a minute

US National Debt Expanding at Mind-Numbing Rate, Nearly $1.4 Billion Per Day

Powered by ScribeFire.

Marks comment on beacon

What the world needs a balance. These are great learning opportunities. I learn from mistakes I made than any other things.

A VC: Is There A Happy Medium Between Opt-In and Opt-Out?

Mark Zuckerberg talks about this challenge in his post yesterday:

But we missed the right balance. At first we tried to make it very lightweight so people wouldn't have to touch it for it to work. The problem with our initial approach of making it an opt-out system instead of opt-in was that if someone forgot to decline to share something, Beacon still went ahead and shared it with their friends. It took us too long after people started contacting us to change the product so that users had to explicitly approve what they wanted to share.

I love Tiger woods

I feel the same way about many things. I start with a bang and feel pretty much the same.

Paul Kedrosky: Quotes du Jour: Dave Grohl and Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods on returning to golf after a break:

First day I hit it like a god. Next day I'm a 5-handicapper. Third day I'm an 18. Next week or two I try to get it back to a 0 handicap. I don't know why it's like that. I always start out hitting it great, then I have this immediate falloff [as I] start thinking about my game, it goes all to pieces and I have to build it back up again

Origin of risks Lloyd Blankfein

Lloyd Blankfein and Ken Moelis on Wall Street Risks, Rewards and Opportunities - Knowledge@Wharton

How Risks Originate

The bulk of Goldman's risks, Blankfein said, do not result from proprietary trading, but rather from facilitating client objectives. Being an effective M&A advisor, for example, means giving advice that is actionable, which frequently requires the advisory firm to support the client through loans and other balance sheet commitments. Most of Goldman's current exposure to mortgage risk came about in just this way -- through commitments to support client originators.

India and real estate

Businessworld : Number one Indian business portal with incisive analysis and surveys - Rajas Of Real Estate

A letter changed their lives. Some 30 years ago, the Hiranandanis were in the textile and property business. They did badly in both and decided to withdraw from one of the businesses.

25 most powerful people in business

25 most powerful people in business FORTUNE

25 most powerful people in business
Some are empire builders. Others are hired guns. But if they truly have world-class oomph, they're on Fortune's subjective - yet really quite accurate - list of the most powerful businesspeople in the world.

India real estate riches shun US real estate market

Bloomberg.com: India & Pakistan

India's 10 richest property investors have more funds than Donald Bren, Donald Trump, Samuel Zell and the next seven wealthiest U.S. real-estate investors, Forbes Magazine reported. Mumbai has the world's second-highest office rents after London's West End, according to data compiled by real-estate broker CB Richard Ellis. Rents in Mumbai rose 55 percent in the past year to $189.51 per square foot, almost double the costs in midtown Manhattan, CB Richard Ellis reported

Subprime contained in planet earth

Paul Kedrosky: Best Subprime Quote du Jour

Best Subprime Quote du Jour

Best subprime quote of the day goes to John Mauldin. He is paraphrasing Jim Grant, and Grant has been saying this for some time, but it still counts:




"The subprime problem, we were told, would not spread to other markets. It would be "contained." And it has, according to Jim Grant. He quipped last week that it has been contained on planet Earth."

interesting..

15 Successful Entrepreneurs Who Didn’t Need College | College-Startup

15 Successful Entrepreneurs Who Didn’t Need College

The opening of India's Real Estate Market

The Opening of India's Real Estate Market

Pulling Out All the Stops: The Opening of India's Real Estate Market

Spring 2005, Opened Indian real estate Market

Compelling is Foriegn investment is early in Life cycle. reallly really early stage
Mauritius Cyprus and Singapore. With out allowing Indian capital gain. Hope to maintained

Current environment is very conducive for foriegn investment.

Economic model is spectacular, Infrastructure is the Key
Contraint is improving roads, airports and hotel room ( Infrastructure deficit) forming funds with government which is awesome.

Driver of opportunities of FDI ?

We have a country prdoucing 2.5 mln educated employable workers a year.
Economy producing GDP 8 and 9 highest in the world.
Projections of growth is expected to continue in the long term.

Ripple effect in the econmomy.

72% in the villages. Moving to cities. More office space, housing and sure thing. Constrained by infrastructure.

Bangalore very significant portion with no mass transit. It will fly in to populated city.
Rental, Residential, and Hospitality is really a key with retail operations.
Home owners are 25 to 30 years. Rental units to condomnium.
Cultural evolution is assuming debt and lack of rental porperties is the opportunity.

Indian and China real estate differences

Investor would favour infrastructure.
India is service based and china is manufacturing based
very very early life cycle in India.
2/3 under age 35. english speaking democracy highly educated (Just the begining)
can India sustain that returns, Risk adjusted return is gonna be same.

“Why India?,” but “Why not India?

Pulling Out All the Stops: The Opening of India's Real Estate Market

Unprecedented investment opportunities are beckoning in all sectors – retail, residential, commercial and hospitality.

Real estate values have been appreciating at a staggering 30 percent annually, spurred by government reforms and the relaxation of foreign real estate ownership constraints. Direct foreign investment is surging – and with good reason.

India is the world’s most populous democracy with a growing middle class and the largest English-speaking workforce outside of the United States. In purchasing power,

India’s is the world’s fourth largest economy with a growth rate nearly equal to China’s. Thanks to urbanization and easier credit access, developers can’t build residential real estate fast enough. In spite of red tape, sometimes inadequate infrastructure and widespread poverty, skyrocketing demand in the office, commercial and manufacturing sectors is likely to keep the Indian real estate market hot for years to come. The question may no longer be “Why India?,” but “Why not India?”.

Transactions in emerging markets

Transactions in emerging markets

Key success factors for deals in emerging markets are identifiable at each stage of the transaction lifecycle:

• Strategic analysis: Clarity of purpose drives success
  
• Opportunity analysis: Know the deals, build relationships with all stakeholders
  
• Transaction development: What you don’t know will come back to hurt you
  
• Negotiation and execution: The 'best' deal is the most workable deal
  
• Transaction effectiveness: Getting it right at the end means getting it right at the start
  
  

Money has to go somewhere

Tech Stock Oasis: Can It Last?

There's good reason, however, why tech companies might perform well amid current conditions. Technology companies, which traditionally do not carry much debt, are looking like a safe alternative to the housing market and the heavily leveraged financial sector. "Money has got to go somewhere," says David Geltner, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Real Estate and a professor of real estate finance. "A lot of money left the tech sector in the early part of this decade and went to real estate, and now maybe some of that money will leave real estate and make its way back to tech." Geltner says the shift is already happening,

Emerhing markets over valued

I strongly criticize the article. While I have to agree with his PE multiples i have to say there is quite less to worry about atl least for couple of years especially in India. Too much money chasing few deals. I think from the governance part India has did a pretty good job in locking in as much as money as can when they come in.

While the fundamentals of the finance past valuation are past. I am sure the high PE multiples are driven by the projected growth not for one quarter but for coming years. Recalling exactly the same book. World in flat ( Had it flattened enough) definitely know they are enough bumps in lot more areas and its slowly catching up.

I can challenges the author . If we can come up with a consensus for real estate investing in India.

Emerging Markets: An Increasingly Poor Bet? - Seeking Alpha

Consider for example the Price to Earnings (PE) ratios of these markets (on estimated 2007 earnings):

United States S&P 500: 15.5x

United Kingdom FTSE 100: 12.1x

France CAC 40: 12.4x

Germany DAX 30: 12.6x

China Shanghai: 42.7x

India Sensex: 22.4x

Venezuela: 20.6x

Pakistan: 18.6x

Slovenia: 35.6x

Success breeds success

Success breeds success:

I had been really fortunate to collaborate with some of best minds. Both in my work and in academia. These people are immensely successful few of them are Ivy league degrees and people with extra ordinary character and manners. Definitely in the long tail of the standard distribution.

I think Stephen Colbert is not much different from John Chow. Both of them understands mass psychology. Needless to say I learn more from watching and listening to him than any other. There is a need for any one who wants to be successful to be associated with more success. This is definitely true in case of me. And I recall Ram Shriram saying that always hire A type people because they are not worried about their job security and all. They know they are good and always can find more people. Especially in the below interview Larry answers Doerrs questions by saying how you fund these growth.

He answered "I am going to hire 10.000 brilliant engineers and they will lead us to there".

Doerr Interview

John Doer and John Battelle interview from searchblog

Amazing interview. Definitely I like the breadth of interview covering all the points from past investments and the upcoming trend. I guess Doer is a stat guys. He always talks in numbers.

My best liked few points.

Battelle to Doerr what makes you invest in Google.

Technical expertize
Outstanding management team
Reasonable approach to financing the company
Sense of urgency because of tremendous growth
Nerdy - Single college drop outs white male with no social life

People always under estmaite the power of free

A VC: Kindling This Blog

My favorite VC Fred Wilson, has a very interesting post about Amazon Kindle. What to say, when content distributors are going to learn their lesson.

If you cant be a leader learn from leaders. Google doesn't have a single page in terms of content and still best revenue stream. Give a break and make the content available for free and if you are lucky you will make a buck or two for yourself and your poor share holders.

ps: Amazon is a great company which I have a lot of admiration and respect, who ever over seeing the kindle is just screwing it up.

New lesson. Who ever associate with the telecom companies its time for them to revamp their PR department.

Indias real estate riches

If you follow my articles, I am sure would have noticed most of its centered around Finance, real estate and infrastructure, venture capital and private equity.

I kind have this inner feeling that this is were we are heading to. There is a enormous amount of growth prospective in this area and I dont wonder the foray of US biggies to these sectors in to emerging markets, Especially India and China.

I can definitely bring a lot of value for any firm who is interested in India real estate through local expertize especially in south India Bangalore, Chennai and Ernakulam and leverage the valuation methodologies used in US through real estate consulting work. It makes definitely my life easier that I can speak all the four local languages at ease. So why not.. May be this India trip in December can bring some things which I am looking to do. As per say I don't have any special agenda but surely Market research and quick trip to Bangalore will be definitely in the charts.


India's real estate riches story

"Kushal Pal Singh is fourth on the 2007 India
Rich List with a net worth of 35 billion dollars, making him the
world's richest real estate developer," Forbes said.Singh's
wealth appreciated over 250 per cent after his company, DLF, went
public in June this year and the stock has surged 60 per cent since
then, it added.

Unitech's Ramesh
Chandra ranks 8th with a net worth of $11.6 billion, followed by
Wadhawan at the 26th spot with a wealth of $2.35 billion.

Raheja and Hiranandani, real estate developers from the financial capital of India - Mumbai, rank 30th and 31st with a net worth of $2.15 billion
and $2.1 billion respectively.

Although
there are 54 billionaires in India according to Forbes, 14 of them
could not make the cut for the 'India's 40 Richest' list which required
a minimum wealth of $1.6 billion.

Pradeep
Jain of Parsvnath Developers ranks 46th with $1.25 billion net worth,
while Rohtas Goel of Omaxe is positioned at 48th place with $1.2
billion. Parsvnath and Omaxe are based in India's capital New Delhi.

Of the seven real estate companies that have entered the Forbes' list, DLF, Omaxe and HDIL got listed in the stock exchanges this year, while Parsvnath entered the stock market last year.

What to say more..

K P Singh: World's richest realty developer

India's booming real estate sector has more than doubled the number of billionaires from this space in just 12 months, with DLF's Kushal Pal Singh emerging "the world's richest real estate developer."

Among 54 Indian billionaires identified by Forbes magazine, there are seven real estate developers with a net worth of over a billion dollar each

M&A firm acquires M&A firm

Oligopoly Watch

M&A firm acquires M&A firm

Japanese
company GCA, which specializes in advising other companies on mergers
and acquisitions, followed its own advice, we hope, in announcing its
acquisition of US company Savvian, also an M&A advisory firm. The deal is for $780 million.

Founded in 2004, GCA is #2 in its category in Japan, following financial services company Nomura. It has clients such as Nikko Cordial
(just sold to Citigroup) and Matsushita. Savvian specializes in
high-tech acquisitions, an area that is still hot in spite of the
recent slowdown in US M&A activity. Created in 2003, it has advised in 70 deals adding up to $12 billion.

The
announcement was part off a growing tendency for Japanese companies to
be involved in international acquisitions, something in which GCA may
be better equipped to advise them. Japanese M&A activity is growing, according to the Financial Times, up over 10 percent this year, reaching over $122 billion so far this year.

As a Wall Street Journal article ("Japan's GCA Joins Push to Look Abroad", 11/2/2007)
puts it:

Many Japanese
companies have grown increasingly worried that growth in their home
market will slow as the country's population shrinks. To push profit
higher, many are looking for ways to expand into markets overseas where
growth promises to be faster. To do that, many Japanese companies have
decided they need to acquire a local firm,

Stay health Physically

Physically

1. Simple food, quality, quantity.
2. Regularity in eating and sleep.
3. Masticate (means chew your food); leave table hungry.
4. We are a part of all we have eaten.
5. Exercise, five minutes, three times daily.
6. Air — most important.
7. Sunlight, artificial light.
8. Water inside and outside.
9. Loose clothing.
10. Early to sleep; get plenty.

How Low Can the Dollar Go? Thoughts from 12 Experts

How Low Can the Dollar Go? Thoughts from 12 Experts
November 1st, 2007

Recently the dollar has seen troubled times. After reaching parity with the Canadian dollar and the offloading of US Treasuries from Asian countries, things just aren’t looking good. Find out what financial experts have to say about the dollar’s future.
Paul Robinson, Barclays: “We expect it to get quite a bit weaker.”
The Telegraph reports, “Barclays expect the Fed to cut rates by another quarter point to 5pc in a move that further erode one of the dollar’s key props.” Paul Robinson, strategist for Barclays, explains, “We’re dollar bears. The dollar is coming up for an important few weeks. We expect it to get quite a bit weaker.” They believe that it’s possible the dollar could fall to $1.50 on the euro.
Thomas Stopler, Goldman Sachs: “The data suggests there will be a weaker dollar.”
Thomas Stopler, economist for Goldman Sachs, predicts a troublesome future for the dollar. Based on the negative capital-flows situation, he interprets data to mean that “there will be a weaker dollar.”

http://www.currencytrading.net/2007/how-low-can-the-dollar-go-thoughts-from-10-experts/

Conditions for Foreign Investment in Real Estate Sector in India

Real Estate Investing in India

Foreign
Direct Investment in some of the aforesaid areas (not all) is
subject some conditions, some of which are as follows:

• 
  

  Develop a minimum
  land area of 10 hectares for serviced housing plots, and a
  minimum built-up area of 50,000 sq m in case of construction
  projects. The policy does not clearly define ‘built-up’, though
  FSI (Floor Space Index)/FAR (Floor Area Ratio) could be used as
  a basis for the same.

  
  
• 
  

  Fulfill the minimum
  capitalization norm of $10 million for a wholly-owned subsidiary
  and $5 million for JVs. The funds would have to be brought in
  within six months of commencement of business (which needs to be
  defined) of the subsidiary or JV.

  
  
• 
  

  Complete at least
  50% of the integrated project within five years from the date of
  obtaining all clearances.

  
  
• 
  

  Do not sell
  undeveloped plots (with no infrastructural backup). Provide
  infrastructure and obtain the completion certificate from the
  concerned local body before disposal. This clause needs
  amendment because certificates are sometimes not issued for
  months on end, even years, an uncertainty which tends to raise
  project cost, often beyond viability.

  
  
• 
  

  Do not repatriate
  original investment before three years from completion of
  minimum capitalization. Early exits require prior approval of
  the Foreign Investment and Promotion Board.

  
  
• 
  

  Conform with all
  applicable local and state laws, and abide by all regulations
  and norms.

Indian Job market for the coming years

Tier II, III cities preferrable job destinations: Assocham - livemint

New Delhi: Job opportunities within NCR including Delhi and metros will weaken by 50% in the next three to four years as huge investments are being pumped in Tier II and III cities which are turning into ideal employment destinations for educated youth.

Mukesh Ambani is world's richest man

Mukesh Ambani is world's richest man

Mukesh Ambani is world's richest man
Press Trust of India / Mumbai October 29, 2007


Billionaire Mukesh Ambani today became the richest person in the world, surpassing American software czar Bill Gates, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu and famous investment guru Warren Buffett, courtesy the bull run in the stock market.

Following a strong share price rally on in his three group companies, India's most valued firm Reliance Industries, Reliance Petroleum and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure, the net worth of Mukesh Ambani rose to $63.2 billion (Rs 2,49,108 crore).

In comparison, the net worth of both Gates and Slim is estimated to be slightly lower at around $62.29 billion each, with Slim leading among the two by a narrow margin.

A quiet revolution in China’s capital markets

From Mckinsey Quarterly

When China first allowed private investment in state-owned enterprises, the government created a two-tier approach that, in its initial design, would let companies raise additional capital while retaining a high degree of supervision over their assets.
Although this approach was successful at first, over time it did not facilitate a deepening of China’s capital markets and led to uncertainty about how the structure of ownership would be reformed—uncertainty that contributed to an almost five-year decline in the Shanghai stock market.
New reforms put in motion in 2005 and 2006 will reach a milestone this year, with the elimination of the two-tier structure. The reforms spurred a massive rally in the stock market over the past year and a half. In the longer term, they have profound implications for mergers and acquisitions, equity markets, and corporate governance in China.

Steven Cohen

By Justin Fox

Fifteen years ago, options trader Steven A. Cohen left the middling Wall Street firm where he worked to start a hedge fund. Hardly anybody noticed, and Cohen appeared to like it that way. He spent the next decade quietly earning spectacular returns (average annual gain of nearly 40%, even after Cohen's hefty fee) by making trade after hair-trigger stock and options trade—and discussing them with almost no one.

Eventually, though, Cohen became so successful that he could no longer fly under the radar. Forbes last year estimated his net worth at $3 billion. The huge addition he built onto his house (plus ice rink) became the talk of Greenwich, Conn. And because of its huge trading volumes and reputation for moving stock prices, Cohen's hedge fund, SAC Capital, with 700 employees and $13 billion under management, has become perhaps the most talked-about force on Wall Street. Cohen, 50, the son of a dress manufacturer from Long Island, N.Y., has adjusted, in a fashion. His firm now holds on to stocks longer and has branched into lending and private equity. He has become a major collector of modern art. Last year he even spoke to the Wall Street Journal! A couple of things haven't changed, though: Cohen still spends weekdays glued to his trading desk, and in 2006 the firm's main fund was up an ad

How content affects the buying and selling of ad links

This article is absolutely amazing. I didnt get enough time to read through the thesis. Definitely on my weekend list.

Katona

Katona says the results are supported not just by the model that was developed, but also by empirical study. “By using Google we took web pages from different positions in a search for a particular word – from the first click through to the 800th position for example. We repeated the process for 50 different search words. For every web page we counted the number and size of banner adverts. The lower the ranking of the page, the more banners. On the first page there is almost nothing and this supports the fact that high content sites don’t sell a great deal.” He says that the more advertising there is, the greater the risk of visitors getting distracted and clicking on other links.
“For higher content sites it hurts more to sell advertising.

Sruvival

This article is more about discipline.

Survival of the Richest

Survival of the Richest

by Andrew W. Lo

In financial markets, as in many human endeavors, there’s a battle between reason and madness. On one side are the disciples of the efficient-markets hypothesis: the notion that markets fully, accurately, and instantaneously incorporate all relevant information into prices. These adherents assume that market participants are rational, always acting in their own interest and making mathematically optimal decisions. On the other side are the champions of behavioral economics: a younger discipline that points to bubbles, crashes, panics, manias, and other distinctly unreasonable phenomena as evidence of irrationality.

Finance markets turmoil..

Buttonwood | Paint it black | Economist.com

Paint it black

Oct 18th 2007
From The Economist print edition
The stockmarket crash of 1987 has lessons for today's markets

College Football USF vs Rutgers

This is pretty interesting week. I actually took a leave for college football. My college USF has been on a winning streak for the past 6 games. While we lost the game I am sure to say that It was not a easy victory for Rutgers. After all rutgers has a 150+ years of college football to boost of. We have only 11 years. Definitely a college team to watch.

Wearing so many hats

I read Fred Wilsons blog very religiously and I have a chance to meet with him once during the facebook hackathon meet up.

He wrote a post today about wearing a lot of hats. Why I think he is a brilliant. A VC: Wearing A Lot Of Hats . Since I read about him every day and even the Gotham girls blog. I have a very good idea of whats happening around him.

I am wondering what are the things I am doing.

1. I have a full time job with one of the financial service firm in Wall st

2. Preparing for GMAT

3. Looking in to higher education other than GMAT

4. Follow up with financial markets ( WSJ, Economist, etc etc)

5. Keep up with technology valuation side

6. Follow with Indian markets especially my few investments in India


Definitely I dont some of these. Which is a huge problem but being an immigrant is not easy we have to play the thing just for a couple of years just to get settled and keep things moving.

May be every one goes through some thing similar. I am hoping that, I am considerably young and in the right track and miles to go. But this young this is definitely not an excuse for some. May be I should have done a better research.

May be I should find a career coach. Just waiting for this India trip in December to get over. I need to pursue some things aggressively though.

Interesting things about Ambani

Mukesh Ambani Profile - Executive Articles - Portfolio.com

Everything about Ambani is over-the-top: He’s moving into the world’s most expensive house; he’s constructing the world’s largest oil-refining complex; he’s trying to remake India’s scattershot retail industry. Yet despite all of his almost absurdly big plans, Ambani is anything but a publicity-seeking social climber. In fact, he’s a semi-recluse: awkward, shy, a traditional Hindu who practices strict vegetarianism and abstains from drinking alcohol. With his mix of hubris, business savvy, and personal eccentricity, he may be a modern-day Howard Hughes.

Future cities in India

My thoughts on Indian real estate market

Its so hard to comment on it. The only similar comparison in terms of performance is Google shares. While the bears cry for their demise reports are there in both sides. Are people buying the hype from a Wharon article and more money coming to India. I thought a stronger rupee will delay the party but alas its going guns as usual.


I think if you have any money and can afford a decent cash flow you should invest in real estate. I am happy to see bears among us. Like Fred wilson said. If every one says the party is over the contrarian in me says no.

Why should you invest. India is a growing country with higher GDP and the development is in accelerating phase. More and more money is there in the country due to young crowd and rising middle income.

India has less people in the city nearly 28% compared to 40% in China. Rising salaries and growing of IT cities are definitely key drivers.

Where we should invest in..

Tier 1, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, The prices are already peaked in this areas. I am not saying its going higher but these properties have a easy in and out. Since there is always takers. Definitely the prices are higher but I think the growth in this area is gonna be slow when compared to the Tier 2 cities. But definitely in the liquidity side its very easy.

Tier 2. This is where a middle class should invest in. You make a decent amount of money to pay your bills and have some money left for savings. Please do a favor for yourself and invest the money in Land rather than in deposits. I am sure that you guys can afford a decent mortgage and pay it off.

India as Eldorado or real estate

India as Eldorado or real estate from Wharton

"The most interesting opportunities are in Asia and India. Real estate developers are swarming over those areas." David Pyke, associate dean for the MBA ...

What is about the url Gdrink.com, Domain appraisal

Diggers,

I have no clue what is hot in the url Gdrink.com. I have been having the url for quite some time and as my friend recommended I listed the domain in Sedo for resale. From the day 1 I have been numerous mails asking whether the domain is for sale. If so how much should I ask for.

Diggers please help in appraising the domain name www.gdrink.com

India in the view of finance minister P Chidambaram - India will be an economic power

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram: 'India Will Be an Economic Power, and Nothing Will Stop Us' - India Knowledge@Wharton

For the next 20 years, India will be an economic power, and nothing will stop us," Chidambaram stated, after noting that India will be alone among large countries in boasting of a working-age population -- compared to a population of dependents -- that will continue to grow for another generation, until roughly 2040. The resulting gains in jobs, income and investment should guarantee a steady cycle of growth "as long as we don't do anything stupid."

Citigroup's Pandit Buys Tony Randall Co-Op for $17.9 Million

Vikram Pandit House spending

Sept. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Vikram S. Pandit, chief executive
officer of Citigroup Inc.'s alternative investments unit, bought a
10-room Manhattan apartment that belonged to the late actor Tony
Randall for $17.9 million, according to public records.

The co-operative in the Beresford building at 81st Street is
a full floor, overlooks Central Park to the east and has its own
elevator, a listing by the Corcoran Group real estate brokerage
said when the apartment was offered. The New York Finance
Department's Web site recorded the sale today.

I always looked up to this guy what an amazing talented person..

Who doesnt know this..

Private Equitys Jackpot Is the Fees

The lion’s share of attention on private equity these days centers
on on the roughly 20 percent cut of profits that firms hold for
themselves. But is that focus misplaced?

Rehabiliation...

Building New 'Ecosystems' in Mumbai's Slums

Published: September 06, 2007 in India Knowledge@Wharton








On
September 1, the most ambitious program yet to resettle Mumbai's
Dharavi slum entered an active phase, promising to free the city of the
biggest embarrassment in its quest to become a global business
destination. A government agency began evaluating "prequalification"
bids submitted by developers across the world to build housing and
social infrastructure to resettle the slum's residents.

Any one who wants to make a quick buck. Guys go and buy some places near these slums and you will end up in a buck or two in the long run.

Mortgage and Beige book

Beige book claims that Housing impact on US economy is not that significant. I tend to disagree. Read more..

Beige Book Sees Little Impact Of Market Distress on Economy - WSJ.com

The National Association of Realtors' pending home sales index, a leading indicator of sales, plunged 12.2% in July. Meanwhile, jobless claims have risen in recent weeks, and a report Wednesday from Automatic Data Processing Inc. and Macroeconomic Advisers estimated that only 38,000 private-sector jobs were created last month.

What I did on Labour day weekend

I really had the best time of my life after a long and tiring. I met with nearly twenty of my friends from my Alma matter and went for a trip to Poconos.

What to say its definitely stunning to see what my friends had achieved over the past 3 years.

The trip started on saturday where we went to BuschKill falls. End up doing Trekking and Hiking ( This one was cool because we five of them skipped the trekking trail and pursued a path in woods).

Ended the day in country bar with catchup and some awesome 70s music.

Sunday we head to John Thorpe river for rafting. This one was even more amazing rafting in category 3 fore more than 5 hours.

Head back to manhattan after a tiring day around 12 pm.

Monday morning got up and head to Sarvana Bhavan a south Indian restaurant which serve come local delicacy called Dosas and so.

Continued my taking my friends around Manhattan South street seaport and Empire state building and wall street.

The night begins with Hooters which eventually progressed towards guys party in a Manhattan club.

Amazing summary

The Secret to Getting Others to Talk about You at Weekly Articles About Blogging - NxE

Action Summary:



* Do something worthy so that people can talk about you

* Make more friends with self disclosure

* Provide tools to people that makes it easy for them to talk about you

* Reward people when they promote you

50 Factors that Affect the Value of the US Dollar | Currency Trading.net

50 Factors that Affect the Value of the US Dollar | Currency Trading.net

50 Factors that Affect the Value of the US Dollar

August 8th, 2007

CNN Money

CEOExpress: Business portal for executives created by a busy executive

New home sales up, prices down Sales pace bucks forecast to show increase as builders cut prices in effort to cut inventories.

Business week

Not So Smart

Not So Smart
In an era of easy money, the pros forgot that the party can't last forever

Truth telling Risk Amaing HBR case study

The Risks of Truth-Seeking: HBR Interactive Case Study - Harvard Business Online's Conversation Starter

The Risks of Truth-Seeking: HBR Interactive Case Study

Good look premium

Beautiful people earn 12% more than Ugly Bettys - Independent Online Edition > Sci_Tech

Help, I look like a workplace failure

Work guru Catherine Kaputa has formulated a five-point plan for salvaging your looks and achieving success:

1 Package yourself: clothes will not help you perform but will help how your performance is perceived

2 Emphasise features: be confident about your looks and build a strong image

3 Have a trademark: think Bono's shades or Sir Robin Day's bow ties. Stand out from the crowd

4 Focus on "soft power": use your values, style and point of view to attract others to you. Stand tall, and never slouch

5 Hone your speech: the ability to sell yourself and your ideas is critical

Vijay wants to share sites with you...

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"Join StumbleUpon to discover my favorite sites"

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Indias richest..

India's 40 Richest - Forbes.com

India's 40 Richest
By Naazneen Karmali 11.16.06, 6:00 PM ET

India's rising fortunes are underscored by the increasing prosperity of its wealthiest citizens. Members of our third annual ranking of India's 40 richest businesspeople are worth a collective $170 billion, up from $106 billion last year. India's top 10, worth $112 billion, account for two-thirds of that wealth. The rankings include 36 billionaires, 9 more than last year. India's hot stock market, up 39% this year, and its robust real estate market helped swell most fortunes. The minimum net worth needed to make the cut rose to $790 million, up from $590 million

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Investing Mantras..

rediff.com: Great investment tips by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

To be successful in investing, five things are critical. There has to be:

an attractive, addressable, external opportunity;

a sustainable competitive advantage;

scalability and operating leverage; and

a qualified and integral management

Last but not least, it is of vital importance what one buys and at what price.

Goldmans Alpha

Goldmans Alpha

Across most sectors, there has been an increase in

overlapping trades, a surge in volatility and an increase in

correlations. These factors have combined to challenge many of the

trading algorithms used in quantitative strategies

China Has a Worse Mortgage Problem Than the U.S.

Paul Kedrosky: China Has a Worse Mortgage Problem Than the U.S.

China Has a Worse Mortgage Problem Than the U.S.

Here's the some inverted reassurance: One Chinese academic told the
South China Morning Post today's' that China's mortgage market is in
even worse shape than the U.S. sub-prime market.

Indian real estate

Indian real estate: boom or bubble? - July 10, 2006

Indian real estate: boom or bubble?
Property prices are rising fast as the tech boom spreads across the country.

At Home and Abroad, What Value Do Non-Resident Indians Bring to Multinational Corporations?

At Home and Abroad, India Knowledge@Wharton

"The most important contribution of NRIs to first-generation MNCs was probably indirect,"
he adds. "Through their outstanding professional contributions in the
U.S. and Europe, NRIs established the credibility of Indian talent and
added luster to the India brand. This cleared the way for Indian
companies to sell their products and services in the West. And through
their annual remittances of $20 billion or more, NRIs helped strengthen
the Indian rupee, making overseas acquisitions more affordable."

Closing the deal in negotiations

How do you close a deal in negotiation

Stage 1: Bridge (Relationship and communications)

Stage 2: Substance (Interests/options/legitimacy)

Stage 3: Decision-making (Alternatives/Commitment)

A CEO's Six Steps to Effective Feedback from HBR

Harvard Business Review

A CEO's Six Steps to Effective

Feedback

1. VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL
2. ASK THE PERSON TO IDENTIFY HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGES
3. PROVIDE TARGETED FEEDBACK
4. AGREE ON WHICH AREAS TO DEVELOP FOR THE FUTURE
5. AGREE ON THE BENEFITS OF IMPROVING AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT IMPROVING
6. COMMIT YOUR SUPPORT, AND REAFFIRM THE PERSON'S VALUE

25 Most Popular Business Websites | eBizMBA

25 Most Popular Business Websites July 2007

In today’s competitive financial environment you need to be armed
with the best information possible in order to succeed in business. To
that end, we at eBizMBA here provide you with the Top 25 Business
Websites ranked by a combination of Inbound Links, Google Page Rank,
Alexa Rank, and U.S. traffic data from Compete and Quantcast. For
entries where a wide range exists between the two data sets the highest
numbers were used for ranking purposes. Although no traffic metrics are
completely accurate we do believe the data below to be useful for
gauging relative audience size. [Banks and financial service sites have been excluded from our list.]

Essential Elements of a Powerful Elevator Pitch

How to Craft a Killer Elevator Pitch That Will Land You Big Business - Dumb Little Man

Essential Elements of a Powerful Elevator Pitch

1. Concise. Your pitch should take no longer than 30-60 seconds.
   


2. Clear.
   Use language that everyone understands. Don't use fancy words thinking
   it will make you sound smarter. Your listener won't understand you and
   you'll have lost your opportunity to hook them.
   


3. Powerful. Use words that are powerful and strong. Deliver the "Sis-Boom-Bang" to grab their attention!
   


4. Visual. Use words that create a visual image in yo

What is the value of stuff..

Another brilliant essay

Stuff

The value of some new acquisition wasn't the difference between its retail price and what I paid for it. It was the value I derived from it.

Types of business innovation

Doblin - Ten Types of Innovation™

The Ten Types of Innovation™

The US Dollar: On the Edge of the Abyss

Digg / Business & Finance

The US Dollar: On the Edge of the Abyss

Watch the USD fall below 80 and you have witnessed the beginning of the end of the dollar.

There are only 12 kinds of ads in the world. Resist them all!

Digg / Business & Finance

There are only 12 kinds of ads in the world. Resist them all!

Are business plans over rated

How to Change the World: How to Write a Business Plan: Ten Questions with Tim Berry

How to Write a Business Plan: Ten Questions with Tim Berry

Entreprenuers and Equity split

The Equity Equation

An investor wants to give you money for a certain percentage of
your startup. Should you take it? You're about to hire your first
employee. How much stock should you give him?

These are some of the hardest questions founders face. And yet
both have the same answer:

1/(1 - n)

Awesome one

Market stat based on the day of the week.

The Strangest Market Stat You’ll Read All Day

July 20, 2007

The Strangest Market Stat You’ll Read All Day

Since the beginning of the 2006, here are the cumulative S&P 500 returns by days of the week:

Monday 1.40%

Tuesday -0.36%

Wednesday 18.72%

Thursday 4.36%

Friday -0.61%

So what’s the deal with Hump Day? It’s responsible for over
three-quarters of the S&P 500’s return. And today’s data point will
make it even more.

Told ya it was a strange stat.

Wealth in desh :-)

Bombay Shining - Sepia Mutiny

According to the latest Forbes ranking, the global center of desi wealth is Bombay, not Silicon Valley (thanks, WGIIA).
India is the only South Asian country with billionaire private citizens
(though a Sri Lankan Tamil émigré to Malaysia made the list), and
Bombay has the most.

Vinod Khosla fell below the cutoff, as did most desi American techies except Ram Shriram,
an angel investor in Google who is now apparently the wealthiest desi
in the U.S. So with India’s recent economic growth, Indians are making
more money by staying home than emigrating, quite a reversal, even
though most who emigrated were not born into ultra-wealthy families.
And these figures are in dollars, not even adjusted for purchasing
power in the desh.

10 articles for bloggers

10 Articles All Bloggers Should Read (at least once) | Performancing.com

1. How to Write Magnetic Headlines

In my view, headlines are the most important aspect of blogging both
from a reader standpoint and an SEO standpoint. Brian Clark has written
the authoritative guide to Headline writing, and if you haven't read it
yet, let me just suggest that you should easily be able to double your
readership and search traffic just by following his suggestions.

2. How Can 10 Simple Articles Change Your Life?

 read more from the headline

On chinas economy for next decades

Broken China

Broken China
Beijing can't clean up the environment, rein in stock speculation, or police its companies.

Paul you nailed it

Paul Kedrosky: VCs are Lying Buffoons, Part XXXIV

Why VCs are lying buffoons, Part XXXIV in a series. Collect 'em all:

But a lot of times VCs ... say they have all of these strategic relationships and will make all of these introductions and then it doesn't happen.

What?! You're kidding!

Wealthiest american based on time value of money

The Wealthiest Americans Ever - New York Times

The Wealthiest Americans Ever

Rakesh Junjunwallahs Latest portfolio March 07

This man is a Buffet of India. Thanks AIII

India Banking @ 2040

India to emerge as third largest Banking

India to emerge as third largest banking hub by 2040: PwC
PTI 06:37 PM | June 26,2007
According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report, the domestic credit in India would grow to $23 trillion in 2050 from $0.4 trillion in 2004

Awesome news

I am going to be watching this thing quite closely and to see what is happening as a part. No Foreign companies understand India. Hire some politicians Guys..



What next? India?s first carbon credit exchange - livemint

Chris Wills/Reuters
London: Two Asian exchanges to trade permits for greenhouse gas emissions are to be set up soon, featuring major companies from the start, according to the company that runs a US and European exchange.
Britain’s Climate Exchange Plc expects to set up voluntary exchanges in India and China in the near future, its chief executive Neil Eckert told Reuters.
The exchanges will help firms in the region cut their carbon footprints and could add to pressure on their governments to sign up to international agreements to cut emissions.

Debt in corporate finance 101

.

Damodaran Online: Home Page for Aswath Damodaran

Ratings agencies want companies to issue equity, since it makes them

safer. Equity research analysts want them not to issue equity because it

dilutes earnings per share. Regulatory authorities want to ensure that

you meet their requirements in terms of capital ratios (usually book

value). Financing that leaves all three groups happy is nirvana

US in becoming stagnant

List of countries to watch out.



  BRIC, Brazil, Russia, India and China,



  Look at the Goldmans N11 for long term returns I guess. I am not sure about the N11 list but sure that bric is as strong as a Brick.



Bangladesh,

Egypt,

Indonesia,

Iran,

South Korea,

Mexico,

Nigeria,

Pakistan,

The Philippines,

Turkey and

Vietnam.



The Next China: Five Emerging Markets To Watch - Seeking Alpha

China's biggest rivals are the other BRICs -- Brazil, Russia and India. But Goldman Sachs also compiled a list of the "Next 11" (N11) -- regions it thinks are snapping at BRIC's heels -- Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam.

This is a stunning feature of Yahoo Finance and I love them for it

Market Overview - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.

The Dow Jones Industrials and the broader S&P 500 had risen to record highs before last week's pullback, helped by a flood of merger and acquisition deals and increased investment activity. However, ongoing inflation concerns and rising global interest rates dampened investors' outlook for economic growth and fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve might raise the fed funds rate.

Dont know what to say

People say this all the time. If thats the case if you are looking for a job. Should you say that you are looking or not. If you want to get married should u say that or not. If you want to do some thing say or not.

People all time talk about this but I never get it. Could some one please explain.



I know acts go a long way than just talking. But acting is the way, not all people have a Y combinator God father to help them.  Dont lose hope Entrepreneurs If you want to get acquire work hard for it and I bet you will one day.



The Startup Game: How a six-month-old startup got bought by Google

Don't focus on getting acquired. That's like being a single woman who desperately wants to get married. Of course you want it to happen, but 99% of the time if you purposely try to get acquired (or married), it won't. "Stick to your knitting," says Paul Graham, a founding partner of Y Combinator, the startup factory that funded Zenter. "The way to get acquired really fast is to not focus on it. If people get the impression that you want to get bought, you won't."

IPO and Beyond

Paul Kedrosky: My 2007 IPO Thesis: Part XXIV in a Series

More info, via Om, on the turnaround in the tech IPO market:

• The deal volume is on the up, and there are six companies out raising money.
• Of the 23 IPOs (year-to-date), 19 are above issue price.
• Four deals done in June 2007 (including Infinera) are up average of 28%.
• The average deal size has been $150mm and the median $100mm.
• 12 companies that went public were coming off an unprofitable year.
• The average market cap at IPO was $722 million nd the median $521 million.
• 10 of the 23 deals are communications related, including two of the semiconductor deals.

More than Youtube

Matters of the Mind - WSJ.com

That's just one of countless examples of the way in which the Web is coming into its own as a source of what might be called smart video. While YouTube has captured a great deal of attention and traffic for its vast collection of mostly goofy videos, a growing number of sites are providing more-cerebral alternatives: documentaries, speeches, panel discussions, research reports and more.

WSJ.com

Overview

FUELED BY CHEAP CREDIT and record-setting fund-raising, the LBO boom, which has been building since 2004, has exploded in the past 18 months. Private-equity deal volume more than doubled in 2006, and LBOs accounted for almost 20% of last year's record $3.5 trillion in global M&A, according to Thomson Financial. Private equity's buying binge, despite some industry insiders' concerns, continues to roll along this year. LBOs accounted for more than 17% of the $2.26 trillion in deals through June 11, 2007 and are on pace to exceed last year's record volume.

Blackstone Group Assets Under Management: $79 billion Headquarters: New York Founded: 1985 Chairman & CEO: Stephen Schwarzman Blackstone, the world's biggest private-equity firm, has a history of diverse investments. It led a group in the $17.7 billion leveraged buyout of Freescale Semiconductor. Last summer, Blackstone and Bain closed a $6 billion bid for arts-and-crafts retailer Michaels Stores. In a mammoth property deal, Blackstone beat out Vornado to acquire Equity Office Properties, the nation's largest office-building owner, for $23 billion. In late 2005, Blackstone was one of five firms that bought Danish telecom company TDC for $12 billion and was part of the group that picked up VNU in May for $9.8 billion. More recently, Blackstone is part of a group buying Biomet for $11.4 billion, and it just agreed to pay about $6.4 billion, excluding debt, to buy Alliance Data Systems. It has closed a global buyout fund with total commitments of $15.6 billion -- since raised to nearly $20 billion -- securing its predominance. It filed to go public soon in a $4 billion IPO, but since China has said it would invest $3 billion in Blackstone, the firm has expanded its stock-market offer to nearly $8 billion. • How Blackstone Will Divvy Up Its IPO Riches Research: Worth Civils

Why Carlos Helim Selu is in telecom

CrossingWallStreet.com: Avaya To Be Taken Private

Another stock is leaving the public market. This time, it’s Avaya (AV), which is one of the spin-offs of the spin-offs of AT&T.

It’s been 25 years since Judge Greene ordered AT&T to be broken up, and the pieces are now all over the place. One of the rules of the breakup order is that the new companies had to have worse and worse sounding names. This started with Nynex and continued through with Lucent, Avaya and Agere.

In 2000, Avaya was spun-off from Lucent which isn’t even Lucent anymore, it’s Alcatel-Lucent (ALU). Although I doubt the hyphen will stay around much longer. In 1996, AT&T spun-off Lucent. I remember I sold my shares almost immediately and the stock shot up from there.

I told you so

India's Real Estate Sector On A Surge - Forbes.com

Oxford Analytica
India's Real Estate Sector On A Surge
Oxford Analytica 06.04.07, 6:00 AM ET

Favorite Three Questions for Early-Stage Companies

Paul Kedrosky: Favorite Three Questions for Early-Stage Companies

    At the risk of making life too easy for early-stage companies I'm
talking to, here are three of my favorite questions to ask the team --
which is usually only 2-3 people at this stage -- in one of the first
meetings. I usually select a different person for each distinct question

1. I'm a star prospective employee (I usually alternate between salesperson and engineer) you'd like to hire. Recruit me.
2. I'm a nervous prospective customer. Gently size the opportunity, and then sell me.
3. I'm an angel investor you've just met. You have one minute, so get me interested in taking you seriously.

Google and ranking algorithm

Google Keeps Tweaking Its Search Engine - New York Times

Mr. Singhal is the master of what Google calls its “ranking algorithm” — the formulas that decide which Web pages best answer each user’s question. It is a crucial part of Google’s inner sanctum, a department called “search quality” that the company treats like a state secret. Google rarely allows outsiders to visit the unit, and it has been cautious about allowing Mr. Singhal to speak with the news media about the magical, mathematical brew inside the millions of black boxes that power its search engine.

K K R the Giant

Wall $treet Folly: Henry Kravis: What bubble? The "Stars are aligned" and the "Golden Era" of buyouts is set to continue; On the flip side, preparing for the inevitable crash, Distressed Debt hires the best since 2002

Borrowing costs keep buyouts affordable, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. co-founder Henry Kravis said.

``The private-equity world is in its golden era right now,'' Kravis said today in a speech at the annual meeting of Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association in Halifax, Nova Scotia. ``Stars are aligned, there is plenty of capital on one side, and you have a very receptive community of companies.''

Buyout firms spent $911 billion worldwide to acquire companies last year, an almost ninefold increase from the $106 billion total in 2001, Kravis, 63, said. About two-thirds of the money needed for most transactions is borrowed. The amount of extra yield investors demand to hold speculative-grade bonds over similar maturity U.S. Treasuries narrowed to 2.45 percentage points May 25, compared with a record low set Oct. 17, 1997, according to Merrill Lynch & Co. indexes.

Low interest rates mean yields on investments such as U.S. Treasuries are relatively low, spurring investors to explore asset classes such as private equity. According to the New York- based firm's Web site, its holdings were valued at more than $74 billion as of December on about $30 billion of invested capital. It's completed about 150 deals since it was founded in 1976.....

I like this kid

He is climbing ladders I guess.



DealBreaker.com

“There is ABSOLUTELY a reason for me to be upset and let me be clear that you grossly misunderstand how things work,” Roger replied. “In banking all nighters are part of the job, not an excuse for an attitude. I spent most of my weekend in the office and have been at work past 3am for 3 days in a row. I’m mature enough to understand that my superiors have their own problems and me not getting too much sleep is not something I should be advertising/whining about. Learn this.”

U.S., India Near Pact On Nuclear Energy

U.S., India Near Pact On Nuclear Energy - WSJ.com

NEW DELHI -- India and the U.S. are nearing a
compromise on a landmark civilian-nuclear-energy deal, a top U.S.
official said, as the two countries attempt to salvage the symbol of a
new strategic partnership.

In an interview, U.S. Ambassador David Mulford said
yesterday he expected that India and the U.S. would surmount most of
the major obstacles during two days of talks scheduled to start Friday
in New Delhi. Mr. Mulford acknowledged the two sides must still work
through some "deeply political issues," but he said, "We have been very
anxious to take the next step."

India and the near future for infrastructure

U.S. Home - WSJ.com

India's plans for increasing infrastructure spending will rely mostly on private investors, in a shift from China's model of enlisting government-backed banks and companies to build new roads, airports and power projects.

Watch out for the richest indian He is coming Kushpal Singh

VC Circle - Indian Venture Capital, Private Equity, M&A :: DLF Prices IPO In Rs 500-550 Range; Grey Market Premium At Rs 20-40

DLF Prices IPO In Rs 500-550 Range; Grey Market Premium At Rs 20-40
by Sahad on Fri 25 May 2007 10:48 IST | Permanent Link | Cosmos
Real estate giant DLF Universal has priced its IPO a bit conservatively between Rs 500 and Rs 550 ($12-13.75). It was earlier expected to price the issue around Rs 600 ($15). At the upper band of the issue price, DLF will raise about Rs 9,625 crore ($2.4 billion), valuing the company at 93,500 crore ($23.3 billion). The company is issuing 175 million shares of Rs 2 each, which will be about 10.2 per cent of the enhanced paid-up capital. The issue will open on June 11 and close on June 14

I know that it was coming.

These people from TATA are awesome double your money in 6 months. Crazy man. Better than hedge funds returns.



Coca-Cola Buys Glaceau for $4.1B | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is betting big that Glaceau will help it expand its water and energy drink offerings and jump-start North American sales.

On Friday, the world's largest beverage maker said it would buy the privately held maker of Vitaminwater for $4.1 billion in cash. And Coca-Cola executives said the price-tag, which is nearly twice what Glaceau's estimated value was less than a year ago and represents Coke's largest acquisition ever, is worth it.

I love this news

DealBreaker.com

We hire physicists, mathematicians, astronomers and computer scientists and they typically know nothing about finance. We haven't hired out of Wall Street at all.

Couple - De Couple

Things are quite interesting here in this part of the world. What is happening to dollar. Is it going up or down. Definitely  its  really performing very bad against Asian currencies at the least. China and Kuwait are raising concerns over dollars. I recall what I learnt from the past.



  Is a weakening dollar good? At least its not good for India as I know. Hopefully all the firms have hedged against a weakening dollar.



Continue reading more on..



Will Weakness In Dollar Bust Some Couples? - WSJ.com

Will Weakness
In Dollar Bust
Some Couples?

Blackstone India Fund returns 30%..

 		 	Year of Inception	 	Combined Fund Level Annualized IRR or Return Since Inception(1)	 	Annualized IRR or Return, Net of Fees, Since Inception(2)	 
Corporate private equity		 	1987	 	30.7	%	22.6	%
Real estate opportunity		 	1991	 	39.7	%	31.0	%
Funds of hedge funds		 	1990	 	13.0	%	12.0	 
Mezzanine		 	1999	 	17.2	%	10.6	%
Senior debt vehicles:		 	 	 	 	 	 	 
 	Equity tranches	 	2002	 	23.6	%(3)	16.2	%(3)
Distressed securities hedge		 	2005	 	11.5	%	8.0	%
Equity hedge		 	2006	 	26.1	%(4)	20.0	%(4)
Closed-end mutual funds:		 	 	 	 	 	 	 
 	The India Fund	 	2005	 	—	 	30.1	%(5)
 	The Asia Tigers Fund	 	2005	 	—	 	38.2	%(5)

---

The Blackstone Group L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Cuban Theory

Ripping up the rules of management - "If everyone agrees with you, it's a waste of time" -- Mark Cuban, co-founder, HDNet (1) - Business 2.0

So does Cuban deliberately tilt against the prevailing wind? "Absolutely," he says. "If other people are coming to the same conclusion as I am, I think, 'This is a business I shouldn't waste my time with.'

Manhattan Condo records

$50 M. Plaza Condo Sale: City's Most Expensive | The New York Observer

But things have been different since August 2004, when New York developer El-Ad Properties, headed by the Israeli-born developer Miki Naftali, bought the Plaza for $675 million. El-Ad is spending $400 million to refurbish the 805-room hotel: When it opens in October, the Central Park landmark will have 182 private condos and 130 hotel rooms--plus 152 units that owners will live in for about a quarter of the year before renting them out.

DE Shaw increase stake in financial service. Short Apple

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

The hedge fund manager increased its financial holdings 1.7 percent. The firm almost doubled its stake in Ameriprise, the brokerage firm spun off from American Express Co., to 4.95 million shares as of March 31. Shaw also boosted ownership in Archstone-Smith Trust, the second-largest U.S. apartment real estate investment trust, and AMR Corp.

PE and Corporate buyers simplified

LBO Wire

"A private equity firm's goal from day one is to sell the business, while a corporate's goal from day one is to grow the business," Heckler said.

Roaring China

China is growing at 10% more annual rate. I know you heard this many time. But this time a microscopic view.



Paul Kedrosky: China's Boomtowns

China's Boomtowns
The current National Geographic has a fascinating feature on capitalism in China's boomtowns, cities like Lishui that are growing so fast that city planners have razed 108 hilltops to accomodate the runaway growth.

Off the Topic

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes

Note: Although this list of translations may offend some people, the list was
originally sent to me by a Chinese friend of mine and other Chinese friends who have seen
this have thoroughly enjoyed it.

English phrase  	Chinese Interpretation
Are you harboring a fugitive?  	Hu Yu Hai Ding?
See me A.S.A.P.  	Kum Hia Nao
Stupid Man  	Dum Gai
Small Horse  	Tai Ni Po Ni
Your price is too high!!  	No Bai De Thing!!
Did you go to the beach?  	Wai Yu So Tan?
I bumped into a coffee table  	Ai Bang Mai Ni
I think you need a facelift  	Chin Tu Fat
It's very dark in here  	Wai So Dim?
Has your flight been delayed?  	Hao Long Wei Ting?
That was an unauthorized execution  	Lin Ching
I thought you were on a diet  	Wai Yu Mun Ching?
This is a tow away zone.  	No Pah King
Do you know the lyrics to the Macarena?  	Wai Yu Sing Dum Song?
You are not very bright  	Yu So Dum
I got this for free  	Ai No Pei
I am not guilty  	Wai Hang Mi?
Please, stay a while longer.  	Wai Go Nao?
Our meeting was scheduled for next week.  	Wai Yu Kum Nao
They have arrived  	Hia Dei Kum
Stay out of sight  	Lei Lo
He's cleaning his automobile  	Wa Shing Ka

7 trading sins

The Kirk Report

1) No good reason to trade
2) Chasing price
3) Not letting profits run
4) Seeking high-probability trades
5) Assuming the trend is linear
6) No averaging down
7) Overtrading

Man this place is filled with Entrepreneurs?

» Google Will Make Your Video Ads For You » InsideGoogle » part of the Blog News Channel

Google has announced the Google Ad Creation Marketplace, a place where its AdWords advertisers interested in running video ads, but with no expertise or budget for high-quality commercials, can go to get ads created by video professionals at a price they set (suggested at between $100-1000). You say what you’re willing to spend, and if someone accepts your budget they’ll provide end-to-end service, including concept, script-writing, voice-over, editing, and production.

Google needs to take this a step further, tying in with YouTube to let YouTube users create ads for AdWords advertisers. Advertisers can put up a bounty, even a small one for small advertisers, and YouTubers can show off their skills and maybe win the contract. I think it’d be a great way to monetize YouTube and legitimize some of the content. So, how does someone get to be one of these video professionals?