By Jeff Glekin
India is wasting a good economic crisis. Key reforms tend to follow economic slowdowns. Not this time. Instead of springing into action, the political system is paralysed. The best it can offer are handouts and subsidies, which will further exacerbate the country’s problems.

Yang’s goodbye finally frees Yahoo

By Robert Cyran
The Internet firm’s co-founder has quit its board and those of valuable Asian properties. That gives Scott Thompson, the new CEO, fresh flexibility. Yang once got in the way of a high-priced sale to Microsoft; disposal or dismemberment of Yahoo is now that much more likely.
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Social VAT - great idea for after the revolution

By Edward Hadas
Also known as fiscal devaluation, a shift of taxes from labour to consumption might help euro zone members rebalance trade. But the actual effect would be limited. The real appeal is conceptual. When goods are ample and jobs are scarce, taxes should not discourage hiring.

Samsung's $41 bln binge may shake Apple's tree

By Wayne Arnold
At least half of the Korean conglomerate’s planned investment will probably go to expanding its global lead in smartphones and the electronics inside them. It’s a bold bet in a slowdown, but Samsung’s record is good. This may lengthen the company’s lead over its chief U.S. rival.

Global inflation falls - and the global economy?

By Ian Campbell
Inflation is down from China to the UK. The pleasing fall comes with unwelcome signs of weaker growth and trade. The Baltic Dry Index of sea freight is close to a three-year low. The fear is of another global downturn. There are dangers but healthy rebalancing may be taking place.

TPG can be forgiven its mile-high club fetish

By Jeffrey Goldfarb
A successful contrarian bet on bankrupt Continental in 1993 was the buyout firm’s seminal deal. Since then, David Bonderman has chased airlines across the globe, including now American, and scored with a few like Ryanair. Even bad romances like Midwest can’t dampen the thrill.

Japan makes better hangar for RBS air unit

By John Foley
Selling its aircraft leasing arm to Sumitomo of Japan for $7.3 bln frees up vital capital for the UK lender at a good price. It’s better yet for the buyer, which has low funding costs, a strong yen and needs to diversify. If only divestments were always so easy.

Predictions 2012: Upside down and inside out

By Robert Cole
Planet finance has a propensity to turn itself upside down and inside out. It’s up to its old tricks again. A new collection of commentaries from Breakingviews sets the financial agenda for the next 12 months.
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