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Ready for passive investing? Here's how to kickstart your portfolio
With several passive funds out there, here are the dos and donts when starting with passives.
HDFC Bank and RIL among top 10 stock holdings of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund in December
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Indias second largest AMC with Rs 11.49 lakh crore AUM, remained heavily invested in large caps like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RIL, Infosys and Axis Bank, with marginal weight reductions across most top holdings in December.
5 mutual funds made complete exit from these 7 midcap stocks in December
Five mutual funds, including HDFC, SBI, Kotak, Axis, and ICICI Prudential, completely exited seven midcap stocks in December, adjusting portfolios to optimize returns amid market movements.
JioBlackRock Mutual Fund: MCX, HAL, Paytm among stocks bought and sold in December
JioBlackRock Mutual Fund increased stakes in 475 stocks, reduced 29, and added four new companies in December. Financials dominated with 30% allocation, followed by consumer discretionary, industrials, IT, energy, and commodities.
The Labour Ministry is reportedly developing a system allowing eight crore EPFO members to directly withdraw their money using UPI. It aims to facilitate quick access, streamline withdrawal and enhance services.
Gold rally adds Rs 117 lakh crore to Indian household wealth in 2025
Indian households gained 117 lakh crore in 2025 as gold prices surged, delivering the biggest wealth boost in 25 years. The windfall strengthened spending buffers, lifted gold-backed loans, highlighted equity underperformance, and reinforced disciplined asset allocation across equity, debt and gold.
Banks and NBFCs among 7 key investment themes for 2026: DSP Mutual Fund
DSP Mutual Fund, in its latest equity report Beyond the Efficient Frontier, has identified key investment themes to watch in 2026 amid evolving interest rates, policy signals and global trends. The fund house sees opportunities in select pockets of the market, including banks and NBFCs, IT services, consumer-focused businesses, PSUs, power, healthcare and agri-inputs.
RIL, HDFC Bank, Infosys among top holdings in JioBlackRock MF in December
Loan rejected or high interest rate? Your data might be the real reason
Credit reports are crucial for borrowing and reflect your financial history. Accuracy in credit information, including optional details, is vital for lenders to assess profiles and make informed decisions, especially for first-time borrowers.
NFO Alert: ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund launches 2 funds under iSIF segment
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has launched two new investment strategies under its Specialised Investment Funds (SIF) segment: the iSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund and the iSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund. Both funds, designed to offer adaptive, risk-managed investment solutions, are open for subscription through their NFOs, which will close on January 30.
HDFC Mutual Fund portfolio December moves: RIL, IndiGo, HAL among key buys and sells
The fund house added 10 new stocks to its portfolio during the month. Among these, nearly 40 lakh shares of Aequs were added, followed by 37 lakh shares of Wakefit Innovations and 20 lakh shares of ICICI Prudential AMC.
In Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made several announcement that came as a boon for taxpayers and salaried people. Will Budget 2026 do the same?
7 mutual funds trim exposure in 18 midcap stocks in December. Check details
Seven mutual funds reduced exposure to 18 midcap stocks in December as part of portfolio rebalancing. Funds including HDFC, SBI, Kotak and Quant Mutual Fund trimmed stakes across banking, capital goods, pharma and consumption-focused names.
As Union Budget 2026 approaches, investors are focusing on PSU, infrastructure, manufacturing, and defence sectors. Experts anticipate continued government support and policy reforms in these areas. Mutual funds aligned with these sectors are drawing attention. Investors are advised to assess these opportunities for potential growth, considering the medium-term outlook and disciplined investment approaches
Best arbitrage mutual funds to invest in January 2026
Arbitrage funds are taxed like equity mutual funds. This means they qualify for long term capital gains tax of 12.5% if investments are held for more than a year. If investments are for less than a year, short term capital gains tax of 20% will be applicable.
M&M Share Price Live Updates: M&M's three-month performance showcases resilience
HDFC Life Share Price Live Updates: HDFC Life's Price Movement Today
Divis Labs Share Price Live Updates: Divis Labs reports a drop in three-month returns
Power Grid Share Price Live Updates: Power Grid's performance under scrutiny with negative returns
MFs rebalance new-age, IT portfolios ahead of Q3 result season
Mutual fund managers adjusted portfolios in December, buying Swiggy and Zomato amid underperformance and favoring Tata Consultancy Services over Infosys. They also rotated allocations in InterGlobe Aviation following a selloff due to mass flight cancellations, preparing for the Q3 results season.
Mint Horizons brings investment gurus Neil Parikh, Jay Kothari to Kolkata
The Kolkata masterclass by Mint Horizons aims to equip investors with knowledge on global investment opportunities. Discussions will focus on navigating international markets, risk mitigation strategies, and essential themes for successful long-term investing amidst economic shifts.
Bima Lokpal called and asked me to claim a refund for a lapsed insurance policy. Is this fraud?
Experts confirm this is a common scam, as government bodies never solicit payments or new policy purchases to release unclaimed funds.
SBI Mutual Fund: ITC, RIL, Infosys among top 10 stock holdings in December
SBI Mutual Fund, Indias largest by AUM, held Rs 12.74 lakh crore in December 2025. Its top holdings were led by HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank, with marginal monthly weight changes across major banking, telecom and industrial stocks.
Your will wont save your family if your passwords die with you
Across Indian households, there is typically one person who handles everythinginvestments, bills, demat account, UPI apps, bank logins. If that key family member dies without sharing the digital access trail, the family is stuck
Missed income? ITR-U gives a second chance, but at a steep cost
Missed income disclosures after the December deadline? The updated return offers a second chancebut only if it results in higher tax, and with penalties that rise sharply over time.
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund adds Eternal; trims stakes in Swiggy & 3 others in Dec
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, a leading fund, added Eternal to its portfolio in December while reducing holdings in Swiggy and three other firms. The fund also boosted its stake in Infosys. Its portfolio now spans 51 stocks across 21 sectors, with a significant allocation to banks.
7 mutual funds trim their exposure in 18 smallcap stocks in December
Seven mutual funds trimmed exposure across 18 smallcap stocks in December, with stake reductions seen in names such as HUDCO, BSE, City Union Bank and Craftsman Auto, reflecting cautious portfolio rebalancing amid market volatility.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: ITC and Infosys among stocks bought and sold in December
Silver ETFs rally up to 188% in 1 year. Should investors stay invested or book gains?
Silver ETFs have surged up to 188% over the past year on strong industrial demand and supply constraints. While experts remain constructive on the long term outlook, they advise profit booking, portfolio rebalancing and staggered investments amid elevated volatility.
Best aggressive hybrid mutual funds to invest in January 2026
If you are bothered about the uncertainties and volatility in the market, you can consider investing in aggressive hybrid mutual funds. Mutual fund advisors typically recommend aggressive hybrid fund schemes to conservative equity investors to create wealth to achieve their long-term financial goals.
Germany's DEG makes maiden bet on India debt fund via Vivriti's GIFT City vehicle, sources say
German development finance institution DEG has approved its first-ever investment in an Indian debt fund, committing capital to Vivriti Asset Management's asset-backed securitisation fund based in GIFT City, two people familiar with the matter said.
S Naren re-appointed as executive director of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company for 2 years
ICICI Prudential AMC reappointed Sankaran Naren as executive director for two years starting July 2026, subject to shareholder approval. The board also reappointed Antony Jacob as independent director, reinforcing leadership continuity at one of Indias largest asset managers.
Can you refuse life support through your will? Here's what Indian law says
You may consider making an advance medical directive, or a living will, in which you may communicate your wishes regarding your medical care in case you become critically ill.
PPFAS, Zerodha Mutual Fund among 8 AMCs with over Rs 1,000 Crore inflows in Dec
Specialised Investment Funds saw inflows double to Rs 1,933 crore in December, led by hybrid strategies. Passive funds, SIPs, and equity schemes also posted strong inflows, highlighting sustained investor confidence despite market volatility, according to AMFI data.
Quant Mid Cap Fund exited IRCTC in December, sold GMR Airports shares, and added stakes in Anthem Biosciences, PB Fintech, SBI Cards, Premier Energies and Godrej Properties. Biocon entered the portfolio. AUM stood at Rs 8,057 crore, with exposure largely unchanged elsewhere amid cautious positioning by the fund management team.
When diversification becomes diworsification in small caps
As a fiduciary managing investors money, liquidity should be an important element of the investment strategy.
Mutual funds bet over Rs 12,000 crore on nine IPOs in December. Check details
5 mutual funds made complete exit from 8 smallcap stocks in December
Five mutual funds fully exited eight smallcap stocks in December, according to Nuvama Institutional Equities. HDFC, SBI, Kotak, Quant and ICICI Prudential Mutual Funds exited names including HUDCO, Nazara Technologies, EPL, Bharat Dynamics and Pricol as part of portfolio realignment.
Balancing life, money, and retirement: Mid-50s essential checklist
As retirement nears, financial planning in ones 50s shifts from aggressive growth to risk control, debt reduction, and liquidityaimed at protecting savings from market shocks.
RIL, MCX, JSW Energy feature among mutual funds key December trades
Mutual funds injected Rs 38,900 crore into Indian equities in December, actively managing portfolios by adding and exiting stocks across large, mid, and small-cap segments. Key additions included ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank, while Infosys and State Bank of India saw significant sales. The report highlights consistent buying in certain large-cap stocks and specific mid and small-cap companies.
The Ghost Mansion fallacy: Why we build palaces we never live in
Many professionals build extravagant houses in their villages as status symbols, neglecting the financial implications. These 'Ghost Mansions' serve more as displays than homes, leading to wasted investments and maintenance costs. It's more sensible to renovate homes for utility rather than ego.
Investor interest in sectoral and thematic mutual funds saw a significant drop in December. Monthly inflows fell by 49% as many funds failed to beat their benchmarks. Experts attribute this to the cyclical nature of these funds and investors reacting to underperformance. This trend reflects a cautious approach to concentrated strategies, with a shift towards alternative assets like precious metals.
7 mutual funds had over Rs 10,000 crore cash in their portfolio in December
Seven mutual fund houses including HDFC MF, SBI MF, PPFAS MF, ICICI Prudential MF, Motilal Oswal MF, Quant MF and Axis MF each held over 10,000 crore in cash in their portfolios as of Decembers month end, reflecting cautious liquidity positioning by fund managers.
Best value funds to invest in January 2026
Value investors buy such stocks and wait for the market to discover these stocks. When the discovery happens, the stock prices will go up, and value investors make money. It may sound simple. But it is not very easy to execute. The market may take very long to discover these stocks and it may test your patience. The discovery may not happen at all. That is why value mutual funds are recommended to only sophisticated investors.
How should investors tackle volatile bond yields?
Indian bond yields climbed unexpectedly despite a recent Reserve Bank of India rate cut. This surge was driven by a record borrowing plan from Indian states and foreign investor selling. Long-term debt funds experienced a negative impact as bond prices fell. Investors are now advised to adopt a barbell strategy to optimize returns in the current market.
Abakkus Mutual Fund has disclosed the first portfolio of its flexi cap fund since its NFO, with HDFC Bank as the top holding. The fund follows the MEETS framework and holds 16 stocks across market capitalisations.
HDFC Bank, Infosys among 6 stocks owned by over 600 mutual funds in December
Mutual funds heavily favoured large-cap leaders in December, with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, SBI, Reliance Industries and Infosys owned by over 600 schemes, highlighting institutional confidence in banking, telecom, energy and IT despite market volatility and growth outlook.
5 equity mutual funds see AUM fall by more than Rs 600 crore in December
5 equity funds saw a decline in their AUM by over Rs 600 crore in December.
Mutual funds increased cash allocation by over Rs 5,900 crore to Rs 2.07 lakh crore in December
Mutual funds raised their cash holdings by 5,913 crore in December to 2.07 lakh crore, increasing cash levels to 4.81% of AUM from 4.68% in November. Meanwhile, total equity AUM rose modestly by 11,000 crore month-on-month to 43.25 lakh crore.
HDFC Defence Fund increases stake in Bharat Dynamics, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, HAL, and 2 others
The HDFC Defence Fund made significant moves in December. It boosted holdings in Bharat Dynamics, Centum Electronics, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Hindustan Aeronautics and Astra Microwave Products also saw increased investment. Bosch and Aequs joined the fund's portfolio. The fund exited Dee Development Engineers completely. Its assets under management reached Rs 7,390 crore by December 31, 2025.
Another octogenarian loses 96 lakh in a digital arrest case: How to stay clear of such frauds?
A Delhi-based octogenarian couple lost their life savings and even took gold loan to pay to the fraudsters posing as CBI officials
What is Tamilnad Mercantile Bank's deposit scheme that offers 7.50% a year to senior citizens?
Tamilnad Mercantile Bank offers 7.50% to senior citizens for special deposit scheme of 456-day tenor
Can conservative investors still earn real returns in a falling rate cycle?
With interest rates falling and debt returns shrinking post tax, equity savings funds offer conservative investors a tax-efficient middle groundif chosen carefully and held long enough.
Sent money to the wrong UPI ID? What happens nextand what you should do
A wrong UPI transfer isnt always reversible. From frozen accounts to missed investment returns, heres how recovery works, why delays hurt, and what users should do to protect themselves.
Gold and silver-backed multi-asset funds see 40% jump in December inflows. Is risk aversion rising?
Multi-asset allocation funds, heavily weighted towards gold and silver, witnessed a significant 40% surge in December inflows. This rise suggests a growing investor preference for diversified, defensive strategies, driven by recent performance and a potential increase in risk aversion.
Best focused mutual funds to invest in January 2026
According to Sebi norms, focused equity mutual fund schemes must invest in a portfolio of maximum 30 stocks. These schemes have no other restrictions when it comes to investing- like flexi cap schemes they can invest in any market capitalisations and sectors. If that investment strategy appeals to you, you can get to know more about focused equity schemes.
The high cost of chasing market success too late
Behavioural bias and late entry into winning themes can destroy long-term wealth
Market turbulence drives investors to play it safe with flexicap bets
Investors are turning to fund managers for stock market decisions. Flexicap funds saw the biggest inflows in 2025. This shows less confidence in specific stock categories like small or mid-caps. Thematic and sectoral funds are less popular now. Investors prefer flexible mandates in uncertain times. Small and mid-cap funds still attract money due to past high returns.
NFO Alert: Bandhan Mutual Fund launches precious metals based two ETF Fund of Funds
Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched Bandhan Gold ETF FoF and Bandhan Silver ETF FoF, offering investors a simple, transparent, and cost-efficient way to invest in precious metals. The NFOs are open until January 20, with minimum investments of Rs 1,000 and SIPs starting at Rs 100.
An expert warns that retiring at 27 with a Rs 1.6 crore corpus and Rs 65,000 monthly expenses may be risky, as inflation, taxes, longevity, and emergencies could exhaust savings well before age 75.
Best-performing NPS equity funds: Offer over 12% returns in 1 year. Check details
Several NPS equity fund managers delivered strong one-year returns, with Tata Pension Management leading the pack. While select funds crossed 12%, others posted moderate gains, offering investors insight into comparative pension fund performance against the BSE 200 TRI.
Understanding retail direct gilt account and how it compares with FDs and debt funds
Unlike debt mutual funds, where portfolio churn and mark-to-market movements affect returns, RDG allows investors to hold securities till maturity and receive the contracted cash flowsprovided they do not exit early.
JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund raised exposure to Adani Energy, HAL and several largecap stocks in December while trimming holdings in IndiGo and others. The fund also exited multiple stocks, added new names and saw a rise in assets under management.
Selling Gold ETFs as an NRI? Know your India tax rules
Long-term capital gains (LTCG) from Gold ETFs held for over a year are taxable in India at 12.5%.
NFO Alert: Shriram Mutual Fund announces launch of Shriram Money Market Fund
Shriram Mutual Fund has launched the Shriram Money Market Fund, an open-ended debt scheme focused on high-quality money market instruments with maturities of up to one year. The fund aims to offer regular income, high liquidity, and controlled risk, with its NFO open for subscription from January 19 to January 21.
ICICI Prudential India Opportunities Fund turns Rs 10,000 SIP into over Rs 20 lakh in 7 years
ICICI Prudential India Opportunities Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 20 lakh in seven years. Strong returns across SIP and lumpsum investments highlight the funds special situations strategy and long-term wealth creation potential.
Big bets in equities: 7 mutual funds garner over Rs 800 crore in December. Check details
Flexicap mutual funds saw record inflows of over Rs 10,000 crore in December. This surge highlights investor confidence in the category's flexibility and consistent performance. Experts advise sticking to long-term asset allocation rather than chasing trends. Flexicap funds are recommended as core holdings for investors, especially first-time equity investors, best accessed through SIPs.
ITR Refund Delay: Still didn't get your income tax refund? Here's what you should do
Income tax refunds usually get delayed because often times the returns are not fully processed, or the I-T Department finds mismatches or non-compliance in your tax filing.
