Weekend Bulletin - 10th Aug'24 : Ed. 184
A compilation of few interesting, multi-disciplinary links from the internet
In his recent book Slow Productivity, Cal Newport points to the time and effort the administrative tasks take up in knowledge work. The solution he suggests is simple, effective and somewhat counterintuitive: Do fewer things [Read this and more such book excerpts every Tuesday morning on our Linkedin page here]
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Section 1 - Investing & Personal Finance
When Bill Ackman got wrong with his Bungled IPO [LINK]
One of the world’s most celebrated hedge-fund managers just pulled the plug on a new fund. He might have gotten a warmer welcome if the deal had been better for all. Jason Zweig fill us with details.
A history of stock market bubbles - by Jeremy Grantham [LINK]
Jeremy has been a bear for quite some time, and wrong at the same time. Jeremy gives his updated views on the recent stock market run-up, how today’s market compares to market bubbles of the past and indicators that point to the potential bear market that lies ahead. Always a good time to read contra views to your bullish mindset.
Section 2 - Economic Trends & Themes
Ultratech and Adani group in a M&A rush [LINK]
We have tracked the cement space for recommendation in our special situation strategy very closely over the last two years since Adani group bought Holcim stake in ACC and Ambuja cements. Many M&A have taken place since then and many more are likely to be in pipeline. Price wars may not happen but capacity war is definitely on and likely to keep investors interested over next two years. The BT article trace the contours of this M&A rush between the two conglomerates.
Section 3 - Personality study & Development
The curse of Knowledge - by Ness labs [LINK]
Understanding the curse of knowledge is one thing, but how can you actively overcome it in your everyday interactions? By implementing simple strategies to bridge the knowledge gap. Anne tells how to bridge the knowledge gap
Section 4 - Business History & management
We didn’t built Naturals to sell it [LINK]
When Raghunandan Kamath started Naturals in 1984, his heart didn't melt for an FMCG or QSR ice cream company. He wanted to build a differentiated, premium, artisanal, parlour brand. Forty years later, Naturals is the biggest brand in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Now the next-gen is taking it forward
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths [LINK]
BBC tells a fascinating and tragic story of a dramatic decline of India's vulture population that led to half a million additional human deaths over five years. It started with the use of diclofenac, a painkiller that was given to cattle in the mid-1990s. The drug turned out to be fatal to vultures when they consumed the carcasses. As a result, the vulture population dropped from 50 million to near zero, and some species experienced long-term losses of 91-98%. The loss of vultures created a significant gap in the ecosystem's natural sanitation system.
Section 5 - Sports, literature & Entertainment
Vinesh Phogat and the people who abandoned her [LINK]
Phogat had the will and the heart to take on the five-time BJP MP and Indian wrestling supremo Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and compel the court to hear charges of sexual harassment against him. As the Paris Olympics drama unfolded this week, a look back on the controversy and her path to the big event over last few months.
The Karnad-Benegal-Dubey trinity that transformed theatre and cinema [LINK]
Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal and Satyadev Dubey have their names etched in the history of Indian cinema as path-breakers. Their lives are intertwined. Just how much makes itself apparent in one of the essays published on ‘The World of Girish Karnad’. An edited version of a post appears on Scroll.
A tribute to Graham Thorpe - by Andrew Miller [LINK]
Thorpe's tragic death at the age of 55 has, quite rightly, unleashed a wave of heartfelt tributes from across the sport, spanning his former team-mates and rivals, as well as a host of the modern-day stars whose careers were moulded during his long second innings as a coach with Surrey and England.
July’24 review of our equity research strategy- Special Situation & Wealth Compounders [We have initiated 1 new stock positions in FC WC and 1 position in FC SS in the month of July. Visit www.fintrekkcapital.com for more details]
That's it for me. Have a great weekend ahead!
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Disclaimer:
The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment, or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information set forth on this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated on this newsletter