The Core Report episode #887 discusses the ongoing West Asia conflict's impact on markets, with Indian stocks bracing for a fall and oil prices nearing $100 a barrel. It also explores potential tax cuts for foreign portfolio investors, airline cutbacks due to rising fuel costs, and lessons from Kenya's Starlink experience showing that satellite internet can boost competition without disrupting established providers.
Summarized by Podsumo
Indian markets are set for their first annual decline in over a decade, with foreign investors pulling out $23 billion in 2026, as the West Asia conflict continues for three months without resolution.
The government may reconsider capital gains taxes on foreign portfolio investors, but tax expert Ajay Rotti argues that litigation and administrative instability are bigger deterrents than the tax rate itself.
Kenya's Starlink experiment shows that satellite internet can spur incumbents to improve pricing and coverage, but remains a niche solution for rural areas rather than a market disruptor.
"Today we have a situation where you actually grandfathered it in the law but you are actually questioning the grandfathering in the courts."
"Ajay Rotti, CEO of Tax Compass"
"They overreacted the Starlink threat... it doesn't have the ability or capacity to handle what a fiber-based internet service provider can do on the ground."
"Moses Kemibaro, digital entrepreneur in Kenya"
"I think addressing our whole tax litigation, tax administration, approach to scrutiny is one of the biggest things that any investor would want."
"Ajay Rotti"