Investment News
8th Pay Commission effective from January 1: The 8th Pay Commission is set to revise the pensions, allowances, and salaries of current and retired central government employees. The commission is set to be effective from 1 January 2026.
New insurance law eases investors' lives. But what about consumer protection?
Meaningful insurance education would require honesty. It would begin by acknowledging that many products approved and aggressively sold in the market may hurt customers' financial well-being
Looking to invest in smallcaps in 2026? 5 big predictions by 5 experts
After a steep underperformance in 2025, Indias smallcap stocks enter 2026 amid divided expert views. While some see improving earnings and selective opportunities, others warn valuations and ownership risks remain. Most strategists agree largecaps offer better visibility, with stock selection and active management critical in smaller segments.
Indias pension reset: Why 2025 was a turning point
Structural changes were made to the NPS to increase its wider acceptance among households, while EPFO took some tough calls to plug complete withdrawals of the provident fund. Here are the headline events of 2025 in the space that you should take note of.
Slideshow: Top 4 small cap mutual funds to invest in December 2025
ETMutualFunds has identified top-performing small-cap mutual funds based on rolling returns, consistency and risk parameters, highlighting schemes suitable for aggressive investors with long-term goals.
Equity mutual funds offer upto 4% return last week. Check top 10 performers
Equity mutual funds recorded mixed performance last week, with select international and sectoral schemes delivering gains of up to 4%, led by Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund.
Flexi-cap funds are back in favour. But do they really offer the best diversification?
Flexi-cap funds may offer diversification without forcing exposure to expensive market segments. But these are not the only ones that promise diversification across market caps.
Top 7 flexi cap mutual funds to invest in December 2025
ETMutualFunds shortlisted top flexi cap funds using rolling returns, consistency, risk and size filters. Parag Parikh and HDFC Flexi Cap emerged as consistent leaders, while others showed mixed quartile performance, highlighting the importance of long-term horizons for investors.
NFO Alert: ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launches Sector Leaders Index Fund
ICICI Prudential Life launched a Sector Leaders Index Fund under ULIPs, offering passive exposure to market-leading companies across 20+ sectors, aiming to simplify long-term equity investing with diversification, discipline and a rule-based approach aligned to Indias growth story.
Mutual funds launched a record 222 NFOs in 2025 till November, raising Rs 63,631 crore. Index funds dominated launches, while sectoral and thematic schemes attracted the highest inflows, highlighting investor preference for targeted and passive strategies.
HDFC Mutual Fund announces change in fund managers for its 3 equity funds as Roshi Jain exits
HDFC Mutual Fund has reshuffled fund managers for three key equity schemes effective December 8, 2025, following the exit of Roshi Jain, while all scheme terms and investment objectives remain unchanged.
How equity and gold SIPs can turn Rs 24,000 into Rs 6 crore in nearly 2 decades
Long-term wealth hinges on disciplined SIP investing, regular step-ups and diversification. A 22-year equity-focused SIP, complemented by gold allocation and annual contribution increases, can significantly enhance retirement corpus while countering inflation.
8th Pay Commission: How fitment factor is determined and how it affects salarieswhat we know
The 8th Pay Commission, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, seeks to adjust salaries and pensions using a fitment factor influenced by inflation. Projections suggest a factor of 1.83 to 2.57, affecting around one crore government employees and retirees.
Ace investor Ramesh Damani has picked up Rs 13 crore worth of John Cockerill India shares in a bulk deal on Friday, while promoter John Cockerill SA offloaded Rs 91 crore worth of stock. The shares were purchased at a price of Rs 4,704.45 apiece, a 1% discount from the Wednesday closing price of Rs 4755.40 on the BSE.
Personal loan cooling-off period explained: Bank-wise cancellation charges
Banks usually allow borrowers to cancel their personal loans, if required, during the cooling-off period with no or low charges.
UTI Mutual Fund announces change in symbols of ETFs across NSE and BSE
UTI AMC has revised the trading symbols of select equity, debt, and commodity ETFs listed on NSE and BSE, effective December 24, 2025. The new naming convention adds a BETA suffix to improve clarity, consistency, and ease of identification, with no change to investment objectives or portfolios.
2025 mutual fund scorecard: Top performers, laggards, and key surprises
In 2025, equity performance varied significantly with silver funds leading at 128% returns. Large and midcap funds excelled due to quality stock selection, while smallcap funds struggled.
Mutual fund AUM set to surpass Rs 300 trillion by 2035: ICRA Analytics
The Indian mutual fund industry continues its robust growth trajectory, with AUM rising to Rs 81 trillion by November 2025, driven by strong retail participation, SIP inflows, and digital adoption. Flexicap, multi-cap, and smallcap funds led equity growth, while debt and money market funds delivered steady returns. Industry outlook remains bullish.
Personal loan after death: Who pays, who doesnt, and what banks wont tell you
On the borrowers death, the bank asks the co-applicant or guarantor to pay, or recovers the personal loan amount from the deceased persons estate.
Precious metals lead, mid caps power equity returns in 10 years
Gold and silver topped long-term returns over a decade, while equities across market caps created wealth with volatility and debt delivered steady performance.
Market-first vs goal-first: Financial planning should start with required rate of return
The financial planning in India needs to move away from being product-centric to problem-centric.
Mutual fund AUM surge by 21% in 2025, passive funds lead the growth
Indias mutual fund industry recorded a 21% rise in assets under management in 2025, led by strong growth in passive funds, gold ETFs, hybrid schemes and equity funds, according to AMFI data.
Logan Paul purchased the Pikachu Illustrator card for millions of dollars four years back, during which he broke a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokmon trading card sold in a private auction.
Why have multi-asset allocation mutual funds been best performers in 2025?
Multi-asset allocation funds outperformed equity funds in 2025, driven by strong gains in gold and silver and dynamic asset allocation strategies.
Silver ETFs deliver over 160% return in 2025. Is more shine left?
Silver ETFs have surged over 160% in 2025 amid record-high silver prices, driven by strong industrial demand, supply tightness, and safe-haven buying, with experts advising partial profit-booking and disciplined portfolio rebalancing.
Best medium duration mutual funds to invest in December 2025
As per Sebi mandate, medium duration funds must invest in debt and money market instruments with Macaulay duration of three to four years. As you can see, these schemes are suitable for investors looking to invest for three to four years or more. However, you should check the portfolio duration of the scheme to ensure that the scheme is in line with your investment horizon.
Sensex, Nifty edge lower in thin year-end trade ahead of earnings
Indian stocks opened slightly lower on Friday, with both the Sensex and Nifty struggling for direction. Thin year-end trading volumes saw investors holding back on fresh bets ahead of upcoming earnings cues. Market participants believe future upside will depend on earnings momentum rather than short-term flows.
Tata vs Reliance Industries vs Adani: Which conglomerate made stock market investors richer in 2025
Tata Group experienced a significant market value erosion in 2025, underperforming rivals like Reliance and Adani. Key drags included sharp losses in Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Consultancy Services, despite some bright spots. Investors now await a turnaround in 2026, focusing on earnings visibility and execution.
PSU banks gain MSME and home loan share, but Motilal Oswal backs HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and AU Bank as cycle stabilises.
Hindustan Zinc shares rally 14% in 10 days as silver prices scale record highs
Hindustan Zinc shares soared to unprecedented levels on Friday, a direct result of the silver market's remarkable uplift, with prices surpassing $75 per ounce. The surge in silver can be attributed to various factors including robust industrial consumption, a flight to safety by investors, and supply challenges.
Friday brought a significant rise in defence stocks, fueled by the upcoming Defence Acquisition Council meeting that is poised to greenlight substantial defence contracts totaling Rs 80,000 crore. The spotlight will be on essential military technologies, including airborne early warning systems and drones, designed to fortify India's defensive infrastructure and elevate domestic production capabilities.
Ola Electric shares rally 5% after Rs 366.78 crore PLI incentive sanctioned for FY25
Ola Electric Mobility shares surged after the company secured a Rs 366.78 crore incentive under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components for FY 2024-25. This significant sanction from the Ministry of Heavy Industries underscores Ola Electric's manufacturing prowess and commitment to advancing EV technology in India.
PNB Housing Finance among 4 stocks flashing bullish signals, indicating possible uptrend
A White Marubozu is a bullish candlestick pattern in technical analysis that forms when the opening price is the lowest and the closing price is the highest for a given period.
Nuvama Wealth Management among 5 F&O stocks that saw a sharp rise in futures open interest
As of December 24, five stocks in the NSE F&O segment witnessed a sharp rise in futures open interest, signalling increased derivatives activity. Rising open interest indicates fresh positions or expansion of existing bets, reflecting stronger trader participation and growing conviction on near-term price direction.
IndusInd Bank shares slip 1% as SFIO initiates probe into Rs 2,600 crore accounting discrepancies
IndusInd Bank shares fell 1.2% after the bank confirmed receiving a formal letter from the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) regarding an ongoing probe. This investigation stems from accounting irregularities, including discrepancies totaling Rs 2,600 crore, discovered during audits of its financial results.
Hindustan Copper among 4 stocks closed crossing above VWAP
DCM Shriram Industries shares in focus as demerger record date takes effect
DCM Shriram Industries shares are in focus as the stock trades ex-demerger following its approved scheme. Shareholders on the record date will receive a 1:1:1 ratio of shares in the residual company, DCM Shriram Fine Chemicals Ltd, and DCM Shriram International Ltd.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone among 4 Nifty stocks showing bullish RSI upswing
An uptrend signal is generated when the RSI crosses above the 50 mark from below.
Bajaj Finserv Share Price Highlights: Bajaj Finserv Stock Price History
Adani Ent Share Price Highlights: Adani Ent. Stock Price History
UltraTech Cem Share Price Highlights: UltraTech Cem. Stock Price History
Income Tax Refund Status LIVE: I-T department has issued most of the tax refunds for the people who had filed their income tax returns (ITRs) this year, but some have been delayed. Heres a quick guide to help you check your ITR status online.
The Income Tax Department has notified taxpayers via email and SMS that their refunds are being held due to discrepancies in their ITR filings. Many affected individuals are seeking clarity and an extension before the 31 December deadline to correct their filings.
Critical illness claim rejected by insurer? Here's what you can do
Always read policy wording carefully, maintain complete medical documentation, and make use of the grievance and ombudsman mechanisms when needed.
A revised ITR is filed to correct any mistake in the original ITR. A belated ITR is an original ITR filed if a taxpayer misses the due date for ITR filing. Here is a detailed breakdown.
Old vs new tax regime: Why PPF still holds ground while ELSS loses appeal
For many, the new tax regime's appeal lies in paying a lower or comparable amount of tax while avoiding the hassle of submitting proof for deductions.
Updated vs Revised ITR Income Tax Department gives the taxpaying citizen an opportunity to file a revised income tax return (ITR) and an updated ITR. Here's what taxpayers should know about their differences ahead of the 31 December deadline.
Income tax refund failed? Here's a step-by-step guide for taxpayers to request refund reissue
Most taxpayers have received their ITR returns, but some still await refunds. If refunds fail, taxpayers can request reissue via the e-filing portal, ensuring bank details are correct.
How many times can you file a revised income tax return? Here's what I-T Department says
Taxpayers can rectify errors in income tax returns by filing revised returns ahead of the deadline. The Income Tax Department has not prescribed any limits on filing revised returns.
Who needs to file revised ITR after Income Tax Department's message?
The Income Tax Department has alerted many taxpayers that their refunds are on hold due to ITR mismatches. The identified taxpayers must file revised returns by 31 December 2025, or face additional tax liabilities.
When buying insurance, why honesty is the best policy for claims and coverage
Concealing health details may help secure a policy, but it can derail claims later. Why full disclosurenot approvalis the real test of a successful health insurance plan.
Tax benefits on loans explained: Home, education, vehicle and personal loans
The article highlights tax benefits for various loans, focusing on home loans, education loans, vehicle loans, and personal loans.
Stage collapses to flight delays: Why wedding insurance remains a hard sell
India will host weddings worth 6.5 trillion this year, yet few couples insure them. High costs, rare mishaps, and confusing exclusions keep wedding insurance on the sidelines.
Does holding a joint account with parents create tax liability for NRIs?
Many NRIs are unsure about the tax implications of operating family accounts. Heres clarity on beneficial ownership rules and key reporting requirements.
Got income tax alert for filing revised ITR before 31 December? Step-by-step process explained
While filing ITR initially, taxpayers can often overlook certain things or make mistakes. However, the mistakes in the ITR filing can be corrected. Under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, taxpayers are given the opportunity to file a revised income tax return.
Gold in your portfolio: What to expect from the safe-haven asset in volatile times
While most experts remain optimistic about gold, citing a macroeconomic backdrop that continues to favor it, some warn of short-term risks.
5 practical steps to avoid legal action after a personal loan default
A personal loan default can lead to legal action, but timely communication, repayment planning, restructuring options and understanding recovery rules can help borrowers reduce risk and protect credit health.
Lumpsum investments disappoint many MF investors in 2025. Will 2026 be different?
Lumpsum mutual fund investments in 2025 yielded mixed results, with some schemes delivering negative returns up to 20%. This divergence highlights timing risk in volatile markets. While SIPs offered a less volatile approach, selective lumpsum investments in 2026, particularly in large and flexi-cap funds, are advised.
Income Tax Refund LIVE Updates: The income tax department has reportedly started sending bulk SMS and emails to taxpayers, saying that their refunds had been put on hold due to risk management measures.
Why have multi-asset MFs beaten equity funds this year?
Multi-asset allocation funds have surprised investors by outperforming pure equity funds. These funds invest in at least three asset classes, including gold and silver. Their allocation to precious metals, which saw a sharp rally, drove their strong performance. Investors seeking automatic asset allocation can consider these funds. The Indian mutual fund industry has 32 such schemes.
Several taxpayers who filed their income tax returns (ITR) in September for the Assessment Year 2025-26 are waiting for their refunds to be credited. Here's all you need to know about the process.
Taxpayers can claim deductions not reported to employers while filing their income tax returns, even after the employer's TDS calculation. The final deadline for belated returns is 31 December, allowing corrections for missed claims.
Income Tax Return: Here's what experts suggest taxpayers can do ahead of the 31 December 2025, if they miss the revised or belated ITR deadline. Check if you can revise your ITR after the December time limit.
Amid rising pollution, is green real estate in Delhi-NCR a smart investment?
As air quality worsens, sustainable housing could offer health benefits, regulatory readiness and long-term value.
Income tax alert: Disclose foreign assets and income in revised ITR by December 31
Taxpayers must disclose foreign assets and income in revised ITR by December 31. Failure to report can lead to penalties.
PAN-Aadhaar linking: Will your PAN card get deactivated if not linked to Aadhaar by 31st December?
Your PAN will be rendered inoperative after 31 December if not linked with Aadhaar. There are several consequences of getting your PAN inoperative, including penalties.
The NPS makeover and retirement security
Recent reforms have addressed long-standing concerns around lock-ins, annuitization and equity exposure, strengthening the case for NPS as a retirement vehicle.
Record SME IPOs, fragile returns: What retail investors should watch out for
Strong demand has not translated into consistent returns for SME IPOs. Of the 250 companies listed in the space in 2025, 129 are trading below their issue price
Flexi cap funds attracted Rs 70,959 crore in 2025 as investors sought flexibility in a volatile market. Experts say the categorys appeal lies in fund managers ability to shift between large, mid and small caps as conditions change. SIPs and long-term horizons remain key for investors using flexi caps as core equity holdings.
Best gilt mutual funds to invest in December 2025
Gilt mutual funds may deliver strong gains when the RBI begins cutting interest rates, but they are highly sensitive and suited only for informed, risk-taking debt investors. Gilt funds are debt mutual funds that invest in government securities or G-secs. As per Sebi norms, these schemes must invest 80% of their corpus in government securities.
Why 2025 was a turning point for tax planning and investments
Changes in income tax law and new regime have done away with the year-end rush for investments to save on tax. But experts still advise active tax planning and asset allocation.
Should investors consider Nifty Next 50 Index fund for their portfolio?
Investors can consider the Nifty Next 50 Index fund for a contrarian investment. Its recent underperformance compared to Nifty 50, coupled with attractive valuations, presents an opportunity. The index offers exposure to high growth sectors and a unique risk-return profile. Wealth managers suggest staggering investments over the next three months, potentially accumulating during market corrections.
Application submission for the Kerala government's Sthree Suraksha Scheme has reportedly begun. The state government had earlier released the guidelines and norms related to the implementation of the scheme.
Warren Buffett believes that big opportunities are rare and must be seized, but decisions should be well thought out and considered rather than impulsive, if you want to make money.
Best corporate bond mutual funds to invest in December 2025
Investors seeking relatively safe debt options for short- to medium-term goals can consider corporate bond mutual funds in December 2025. These funds invest largely in AAA-rated papers, offering lower credit risk than other debt schemes, though investors must still track interest rate risks and fund manager prudence.
Eighteen equity mutual funds have delivered over 15% XIRR on SIP investments in 2025. SBI Focused Fund and ICICI Pru Focused Equity Fund led with over 20% XIRR. Mirae Asset Midcap Fund and ICICI Pru Midcap Fund also showed strong performance. Investors who started SIPs on January 1, 2025, saw significant returns.

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