Feeling blue?

• HDFC SEC
• 03 Apr 2020
• Basket investing

HDFC SEC, Tester

Coronavirus is scary, we get it. More often than not, news updates on coronavirus have been distressing. What’s missing in the world today is a supply of positive news. We have collated some positives arising from this pandemic to lift your mood.

Breathe better

There has been progressive drop in Nitrous Oxide emissions¹ in the USA, China, South Korea, and Italy - although this may be temporary, it does give the Earth some breathing space.

One step closer

WHO launches a global trial of promising coronavirus treatments². It consists of an HIV drug currently in use, a malaria medication, and a new antiviral created against Ebola last year.

A model country

Singapore has managed to steer clear of a catastrophic outbreak of coronavirus by doing all the right things at the right time³.

Fighting for a cause

Anand Mahindra offers several services⁴ to fight the pandemic. He plans to provide Mahindra’s manufacturing facilities to make ventilators and Club Mahindra Holidays’ resorts as temporary care facilities.

Putting people first

The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced creation of an assistance and emergency situation relief fund. People from all walks of life continue to donate. Notable donations include Rs 25 Cr by Akshay Kumar, 1 Cr by Karthik Aryan, 25 Lakh by Lata Mangeshkar among others.⁵

A breather for businesses

In order to tackle the liquidity crisis, State Bank of India (SBI) has set up an emergency credit line⁶ for its borrowers. This news comes as a ray of hope for businesses that are affected by the virus.

Doling out data

As self quarantine and the ‘Work from Home’ mode of work style is increasing across the country; telecom companies like ACT Fibernet and BSNL⁷ have launched free data plans to help business continuity and aid employees.

Defensive Bets

Indian retail investors are opting for defensive IT, FMCG, pharma and diagnostic company stocks. It’s now more important than ever to strengthen the core⁸ of a portfolio.

An idiom comes to mind at this time, “the person who moved mountains started by moving pebbles”. No matter how little things look to you, it can have colossal effects on others. Keep spreading positivity, it matters!

Sources:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution
2. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/who-launches-global-megatrial-four-most-promising-coronavirus-treatments
3. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/31/countries-in-lockdown-should-try-what-singapore-is-doing-coronavirus-expert.html
4. https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/quarantine-in-club-mahindra-resort-anand-mahindra-offers-ventilators-hospitals-to-fight-coronavirus/1905880/
5. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/hrithik-hema-rajini-play-good-samaritans-donate-for-covid-19-relief/kriti-sanon/slideshow/74884064.cms
6. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/sbi-announces-emergency-credit-line-in-light-of-covid-19/articleshow/74737506.cms?from=mdr
7. https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/bsnl-introduces-free-work-at-home-broadband-plan-with-5gb-data-everyday-1657800-2020-03-20
8. bit.ly/core-for-portfolio