Zerodha

Today on The Daily Brief: - Meesho is challenging Amazon and Flipkart by targeting price-conscious shoppers across small towns with ultra-low prices and a zero-commission model. Its upcoming IPO highlights how “value commerce,” powered by small sellers and low-cost logistics, is reshaping India’s e-commerce landscape. - SEBI uncovered a network of traders using confidential trade information from a major client to make quick profits before large orders hit the market. The regulator traced call logs, synchronized trades, and money trails — leading to settlements, bans, and penalties.

By the way, the credit for the support goes to K (Kailash Nadh) and our tech team. I am just the guy who posts about all the FOSS stuff they do. 😬 I'm only good at Excel, and that is an overstatement. 😬

Today on The Daily Brief: - Electric cars are depreciating quicker than gasoline cars, mainly because of concerns around battery life, rapid tech upgrades making older EVs obsolete, and market quirks like subsidies and cheap “zero-mile” Chinese EV exports. But much of this fast depreciation reflects an industry that’s still evolving — with better warranties, battery certifications, and new policies improving resale prospects over time. - Delhi conducted its first cloud-seeding trial to trigger rainfall using chemical salts released into clouds — aiming to clear toxic winter pollution. The technology works only under perfect conditions and provides limited, temporary relief, but it could become a useful tool alongside long-term measures to control emissions.

Today on The Daily Brief: - We’ll explore India’s big push to install 25 crore smart electricity meters and why progress is slower than expected. This story highlights how smart meters can cut power theft, improve billing, support prepaid usage, and strengthen discom finances — all crucial for India’s renewable energy future. - We’ll talk about how Indian companies bounced back from the pandemic’s economic shock. Despite massive revenue losses, smart cost-cutting, RBI support, and focus on profitability helped businesses recover strongly, reduce debt, and emerge more resilient than before.

The investing world has changed, but value investing remains as relevant as ever. We are excited to host a full-day immersive bootcamp on Value Investing with Vishal Khandelwal. While this is a free session, seats are limited to ensure an intimate learning experience. We have a screening process for applicants and also require a minimum ₹500 donation to a social cause (link provided in the application form). The event is in Pune. To register, scan the QR code or click on the link in the comments.

Today on The Daily Brief: - A major chip crisis is brewing as Dutch-based chipmaker Nexperia, controlled by Chinese investors, becomes the latest flashpoint in the China–West tech war. After the Dutch government seized control citing security concerns, China retaliated by blocking exports — threatening global auto production and reviving fears of a chip shortage like the one during COVID. This showdown could reshape the global semiconductor supply chain and accelerate India’s push for chip self-reliance. - China’s $800 billion lending spree to developing nations is now unwinding, revealing the risks of its opaque, collateral-backed loans. As countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka struggle to repay, China faces mounting defaults — but offers only temporary relief instead of real restructuring. With global debt distress rising and China’s own economy slowing, this could mark the biggest test yet for the world’s financial stability and Beijing’s global influence.

Happy Diwali 🪔 everyone!

A look at how markets have fared from Diwali to Diwali over the past decade.

We started FLOSS/fund in 2024 to give up to $1 million annually to support the development of FOSS (free and open-source) projects globally. Here's what K (Kailash Nadh) in a post reflecting on the past year, making the case for the Indian government also to fund FOSS for strategic tech sovereignty: "Actually, no amount of material resources can enable governments to develop, nurture, and sustain complex, high-quality FOSS projects themselves in the way a community of passionate maintainers can. The incentives, DNA, and motivations simply do not align. Realistically, the idea of tech sovereignty cannot be rooted in 'owning' and creating all technology, especially software, from scratch. There is no way but to participate in the collaborative global FOSS ecosystem." Without open source software, it's impossible for us to realize our digital and economic ambitions. It's in the best interests of both the Indian government and Indian companies to support open source projects that they use and derive benefit from. I can imagine a "sovereign FOSS fund" to support open source projects that are crucial to the country's interests. The same goes for Indian companies with the financial ability to do so. Barring everything else, supporting FOSS is a logical business choice. I've said this numerous times: without open source software, there would be no Zerodha. Link to the post in the replies.

Today on The Daily Brief: - This story breaks down the work of Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt — the winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics. It explores how Mokyr explained the origins of economic growth through the spread of knowledge and cultural openness during the Industrial Revolution, while Aghion and Howitt modeled how growth is sustained through innovation and creative destruction. Together, their research shows how openness, competition, and policy shape long-term economic progress. - This story breaks down the work of Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt — the winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics. It explores how Mokyr explained the origins of economic growth through the spread of knowledge and cultural openness during the Industrial Revolution, while Aghion and Howitt modeled how growth is sustained through innovation and creative destruction. Together, their research shows how openness, competition, and policy shape long-term economic progress.