With markets staging a smart rally during the week and the results season starting on a relatively stronger note, sound bytes were abundant in the studio. A slice of the conversation:

Sameer : After a terrible last week, the markets staged a nice comeback. Isn't it? A five per cent gain in key indices sure did cheer investors.

Natasha : Yeah, after several quarters of disappointing analysts and market participants, Infosys delivered a sound set of numbers for the September quarter. A balanced performance across verticals, services and other operational parameters sent the stock soaring up.

Sameer : Don't forget that the rupee depreciation against the dollar to Rs 49 levels played a significant part in this. Of course, that still does not take any credit away from its stellar show. It remains to be seen if TCS and HCL Tech manage to better this, which is what analysts expect.

Natasha : Hey, did you look at the new telecom policy that was released earlier in the week? From free roaming to unrestricted net telephony and inter-circle number portability, apart from the contentious spectrum allocation methodology, it tries to touch upon a number of issues.

Sameer : Yeah, but don't forget that many of the things you just mentioned are going to lead to loss of revenue for top operators, though subscribers would love every bit of it. And nice as the policy sounds, there are no specifics on timelines for implementation, 2G spectrum pricing or how it plans to increase rural tele-density.

Natasha : Yup, very true! Meanwhile, headline inflation still continues to be stubbornly above 9 per cent and is now at 9.72 per cent.

Sameer : So the pause in interest rate hikes, that some bankers expected, may not come through as the RBI continues to view inflation seriously and acts to slow down growth to fight price rise.

Natasha : Talking about fighting, the two-week long strike resorted to by Bosch's workers over the management's supposed decision to outsource manufacturing of certain parts, has come to an end. A Karnataka government order reportedly states that the issue has been referred to for adjudication to the industries tribunal.

Sameer : But the situation at Maruti's plant in Manesar continues to be in a state of flux. The Punjab and Haryana High Court declared the stay-in by workers as illegal and asked them to vacate the premises. The Haryana police had to remove agitating workers from the facility on Friday. The loss of production is affecting the stock's price as well.

Natasha : The power situation in the country has taken a turn for the worse. An estimated 8,000 megawatt of capacity has been hit due to low coal supplies as a result of strikes at Singareni coal mines in Andhra Pradesh and NTPC shortages.

Let us hope that the powers that be listen to the public voice and take some sane decisions.

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