The Economic Times

The Economic Times
source
Name	The Economic Times
Caption	Front page of The Economic Times
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Founded	1961
Owners	Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited
Publisher	Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited
Editor	Editor
Language	English
Headquarters	Mumbai

The Economic Times is an English-language financial newspaper founded in 1961 and published from Mumbai by Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited. It focuses on business, finance, markets, and industry reporting with editions across major Indian cities including New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Over decades it has become a prominent source for coverage of corporations such as Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and financial institutions like State Bank of India, Reserve Bank of India, and SBI Mutual Fund.

History

The paper was launched in 1961 during a period marked by policies from the Rajiv Gandhi era precursors and economic planning under the Planning Commission of India. Early reportage intersected with events involving Industrial Development Bank of India, National Thermal Power Corporation, Steel Authority of India Limited, and public sector reforms influenced by figures such as Manmohan Singh and P. Chidambaram. Coverage expanded through landmark episodes including the 1991 liberalisation associated with Narendra Modi’s later policies and contemporaneous shifts involving World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and bilateral ties with United Kingdom and United States. The publication tracked corporate milestones like the privatization of Air India and mergers involving HDFC Bank and HSBC India operations, as well as crises such as the 2008 financial crisis's impact on ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro.

Ownership and Corporate Structure

Published by Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited (BCCL), the title sits within a portfolio that includes The Times of India, Navbharat Times, and broadcast entities linked to Times Internet. BCCL's corporate governance has intersected with regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India and litigation involving conglomerates like Wadia Group and Reliance Communications. Board-level decisions have been discussed in contexts involving private equity investors, shareholder meetings tied to BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India listings, and compliance with statutes administered by agencies like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Editorial Profile and Content

Editorially, the newspaper emphasizes reporting on markets, corporate earnings of firms like Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services, and policy analysis touching central bankers including Raghuram Rajan, Urjit Patel, and commentators from Reserve Bank of India. Opinion pages have featured columnists referencing treaties such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade discussions and analyses of trade with blocs like the European Union. Coverage includes sectors from energy conglomerates such as ONGC and NTPC to technology events like product launches from Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics. The paper runs supplements on personal finance, mutual funds, and start-up ecosystems involving entities like Flipkart, Ola Cabs, Paytm, and venture capital firms.

Circulation and Readership

Circulation grew alongside urbanisation in metros such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, and Ahmedabad, attracting readership across executives at corporations including Mahindra Group, Godrej, Bajaj Auto, and banking professionals at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Audience metrics reported engagement among investors tracking indices like the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, and among students in institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, and business schools participating in National Stock Exchange internships. Advertising relationships have involved multinational advertisers including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, HSBC, and Citibank.

Digital Presence and Platforms

The publisher expanded into digital media via platforms connected to Times Internet and mobile apps supporting real-time coverage of markets such as live feeds for Bombay Stock Exchange ticks and commentary on policy statements from Ministry of Finance (India). Digital initiatives included events and conferences featuring speakers from World Economic Forum, startup showcases with participants like Google India and Amazon India, and newsletters targeting subscribers such as portfolio managers and analysts at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Influence and Criticism

The newspaper's influence is evident in citation by policymakers, citations in filings at Supreme Court of India hearings, and recognition in awards connected to institutions like the Press Council of India and journalism prizes referencing reporting on corporate frauds involving firms such as Satyam Computer Services and investigations paralleling inquiries by Central Bureau of Investigation. Criticism has arisen over perceived editorial proximity to business elites and conglomerates including Reliance Industries and Adani Group, and scrutiny from media watchdogs, parliamentary committees, and rival outlets like The Hindu, India Today, and Hindustan Times regarding coverage balance during major corporate controversies.

Category:English-language newspapers published in India