You're sitting at your desk, the Nifty 50 is zigzagging like a caffeinated toddler, and you need to know if that headline about a massive merger is actually going to happen. You open your browser. One of the first results is almost always from The Economic Times. It’s the second-most-read business daily in the world, right after The Wall Street Journal. But is it actually good? More importantly, is The Economic Times reliable enough to bet your portfolio on?
Honestly, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It's a "yes, but watch out for the fluff."
If you're looking for raw data—stock prices, commodity rates, or government policy shifts—they are the gold standard in India. They’ve been doing this since 1961. They have the deepest pockets and the most reporters on the ground. But if you’re reading a "lifestyle" piece or a hyped-up "exclusive" about a startup's valuation, you might want to take a breath before you hit the buy button.
The Power of the Pink Paper
Most people call it "the pink paper" because of its distinctive salmon-colored newsprint. This isn't just a gimmick. It’s a legacy inherited from the Financial Times in London. Owned by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL)—the same folks who own The Times of India—it has a reach that other business dailies like Mint or Business Standard can only dream of.
Why does reach matter for reliability? Access.
When the Finance Minister has something to say, they often say it here. When a CEO of a Fortune 500 company visits Mumbai, their first stop is usually an ET interview. This gives the paper a level of "insider" reliability that’s hard to beat. You’re getting the news straight from the source.
However, being the biggest player in the room comes with baggage. BCCL is a massive conglomerate. They pioneered "Private Treaties," a practice where the company takes equity in a startup in exchange for advertising space. While ET claims its newsroom is separate from its business arm, critics often point out that this can create a "halo effect" around certain brands.
Is The Economic Times Reliable for Market Moves?
When it comes to hard financial reporting, the reliability is generally high. If ET reports that the RBI is considering a 25-basis point rate cut, it’s probably because a high-level official whispered it in a hallway.
But there’s a nuance here.
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- Breaking News: Often first, but sometimes "developing." They'll push a notification to your phone based on a single source. It’s fast, but speed sometimes sacrifices the full context.
- Analysis: This is where things get better. Their editorial team, led by Bodhisatva Ganguli, has seasoned veterans who can actually explain why the market is panicking.
- ET Prime: This is their subscription-based long-form vertical. If you want depth, this is where you go. It’s significantly more rigorous than the standard daily news feed.
I've noticed that their standard web articles can be a bit... noisy. There are a lot of ads. Sometimes the headlines feel a bit "clicky." You know the ones: "This Stock Just Jumped 10%; Should You Buy?" That’s not news; that’s basically a weather report for money. It's accurate in the sense that the stock did jump, but the "should you buy" part is usually just a collection of quotes from different analysts.
The "Paid News" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about it. The Indian media landscape has faced long-standing criticism regarding "paid news" or advertorials that look like articles. While The Economic Times maintains a cleaner slate than some of its general-interest cousins, the lines can sometimes blur in their "Brand Equity" or "ET Panache" sections.
Is that interview with a tech founder a genuine profile or a sponsored bit? Usually, they label it. But "usually" isn't "always." You have to keep your eyes peeled for small tags like "Brand Connect" or "Partner Content." If those tags are there, the reliability for objective truth drops to zero—it's an ad.
Ownership and Bias
BCCL is owned by the Sahu Jain family. They are a business-first family. Consequently, the paper generally leans toward a pro-market, pro-growth stance. This isn't necessarily a "bias" in the way political papers have them, but it means they are naturally more optimistic about corporate India. They like big deals. They love a good GDP growth story.
If you’re looking for a critique of capitalism, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to know what the movers and shakers in Dalal Street are thinking, it’s arguably the most reliable window you have.
How to use ET without getting burned
To get the most out of it, you've gotta be a smart consumer. Don't just swallow every headline whole.
- Verify the "Exclusives": If ET says "Company X is in talks to buy Company Y," check if Reuters or Bloomberg is saying the same thing. If it's only on ET, it's a "lead"—not a fact yet.
- Read the Bylines: Learn the names. Some reporters have incredible tracks records in specific sectors like Telecom or Aviation. If they write it, it's bankable.
- Avoid the Noise: Skip the "viral" trending stories on their homepage. Focus on the "Economy," "Markets," and "Policy" sections.
- ET Prime is Worth It: If you’re a serious investor, the Prime articles are researched for weeks, not minutes. The reliability there is much higher because they aren't chasing the 24-hour click cycle.
Basically, The Economic Times is a tool. Like a hammer, it’s great for driving nails, but it’s a terrible screwdriver. Use it for what it’s good at—market data, policy announcements, and executive movements. For speculative "hot tips," maybe keep your guard up.
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The Verdict on Accuracy
Is it a "newspaper of record"? Yes. If you look back ten years from now to see what the gold price was on a Tuesday in 2026, ET will have the right number. Its factual reporting on data is solid. Its opinion pieces are usually written by genuine experts—economists, former bureaucrats, and industry titans.
The struggle is with the "news-lite" content. The stuff designed to keep you scrolling. That stuff is meant for entertainment, not for financial planning.
If you want to stay informed about the Indian economy, you can't really ignore them. They are too big and too well-connected. Just remember that their primary goal, like any other business, is to be profitable. Sometimes that means publishing a story that is "mostly" true but framed in a way to get clicks.
Next Steps for You: Start by cross-referencing their "exclusive" corporate news with a second source like Mint or The Hindu Business Line for a week. You’ll quickly start to see which reporters are the real deal and which ones are just chasing the rumor mill. This habit alone will make you a much sharper investor.