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Equity investors can save income tax on long-term capital gains. A strategy called tax-harvesting involves selling equity investments before March 31, 2026. This allows investors to book gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh tax-free each financial year. After booking profits, investors can repurchase the same assets to remain invested.
The Kerala High Court refused to quash an FIR against an excise inspector accused of accepting liquor bottles as a bribe for issuing transport permits. The court found that the recovery of liquor bottles established a prima facie case of corruption, dismissing claims of rivalry and procedural objections. The investigation into the alleged illegal gratification will now proceed.
Sebi moves to review MF distributor framework
Sebi has formed a working group to review mutual fund distributor regulations and address overlaps with investment advisers. The regulator is also developing a common advertisement code and a digital platform, Sebi Setu, for investment advisers. A standardized penalty structure and simplified NISM module are also planned, amidst concerns over a decline in registered investment advisers.
Investors turn to passive funds as active funds lag
Active equity mutual funds have failed to beat their benchmark indices over the past year. This underperformance has revived the debate on shifting investments to low-cost passive funds. Large-cap, flexi-cap, multicap, midcap, and smallcap funds all lagged their respective benchmarks. Despite this, wealth managers advise against completely abandoning active funds.
Microfinance sector undergoing structural transformation in ticket size composition
The share of loans below 50,000 has declined to 17 per cent from 33 per cent in October-December 2025
Sebi has set up a working group to review regulations for mutual fund distributors and investment advisers, address overlaps, curb unregulated finfluencers, and strengthen compliance, transparency, and investor protection in Indias advisory ecosystem.
No clear evidence linking medical inflation to insurance premium hikes: IRDAI
IRDAI has also mandated actuarial reviews to ensure transparency in pricing and capped annual premium hikes for senior citizens at 10 per cent unless approved by the regulator.
Sundaram Home Finance forays into Puducherry in the emerging business segment
The company is targeting disbursements of over 10 crore in the initial phase in this segment in Puducherry
Cant confirm or deny that strategic sale is being scrapped, says IDBI Bank
Earlier, government officials have repeatedly indicated that the divestment process will be completed in the fiscal year ending March 2026
DA Hike for central government employees: When will government announce dearness allowance increase?
Central government employees are eagerly awaiting the Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for January 2026. The government typically announces these increases around major festivals. Past trends suggest an announcement could be made anytime now until early April. The DA hike is calculated based on inflation and impacts employee salaries.
GSTN has issued a new advisory for GSTR-3B filings. Starting February 2026, taxpayers must confirm the 'Tax Liability Breakup, As Applicable' section. This feature auto-populates based on previous period supplies. Taxpayers need to save this breakup before filing. GSTN acknowledges feedback and is working on a resolution for cases without prior period liabilities.
5 portfolio rebalancing rules smart investors follow
The government has reiterated its stance on the minimum EPS pension, currently set at Rs 1,000 per month, emphasizing the need for fund sustainability. In line with a Supreme Court ruling, an online system has been established for eligible members to opt for higher pension contributions, with a three-month deadline to deposit dues after receiving a demand letter.
GAIL among 10 energy stocks that hit 52-week lows; slip up to 18% in a month
Credit score: Equifax now offers lenders 2-year trend in customer score movement
Currently, when lenders pull a credit information report from a CIC, they get a three-digit customer credit score, which is a point in time representation of his/her creditworthiness
Sensex's 1,800 point intraday surge powered by fantastic four: HDFC Bank, RIL, SBI and ICICI Bank
Indian stock markets experienced a strong rebound today. The Sensex surged over 900 points, while the Nifty also saw significant gains. This recovery was largely driven by major banking and financial stocks. Experts suggest this was a short-covering rally after a sharp correction. While markets showed resilience, volatility remains a concern. Investors are watching key levels for future direction.
Union Bank of India approves plan to raise up to 20,000 crore via long-term bonds
Long-term and green/sustainable bonds to fund infrastructure, affordable housing and other initiatives
REC declares Rs 3.20/share dividend. Check record date, dividend yield
REC Limited announced a fourth interim dividend of Rs 3.20 per share, with the record date set for March 20. The dividend will be paid on or before April 14. This marks the companys 45th dividend since 2008, with a 12-month equity payout of Rs 20 per share.
NPS update 2026: PFRDA splits corporate scheme and revises subscriber charges; what it means for you
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced major changes to the National Pension System (NPS). The regulator has reclassified the existing corporate sector model and updated the charge structure for Points of Presence (PoPs). The revised structure came into effect on January 1, 2026, streamlining the way different entities participate in the NPS framework.
Sensex ends 3-day losing streak, settles 939 pts higher, Nifty above 23,400
Indian stock markets rebounded sharply on Monday, snapping a three-session losing streak with Sensex and Nifty closing significantly higher. Despite volatile trading, value-buying emerged after last week's selloff. Geopolitical tensions and persistent FII selling continue to influence market sentiment, while the rupee remains near all-time lows.
GSTN has resolved a long-standing issue where taxpayers faced double GST payments when filing appeals. The new GST DRC-03A form now allows payments made under protest via Form GST DRC-03 to be correctly adjusted against demand IDs. This ensures that pre-deposit amounts are accurately calculated, preventing taxpayers from having to pay the same GST amount twice.
Paytm shares jumps 4% after rival PhonePe halts IPO plans
Paytm shares jumped on Monday after rival PhonePe paused its IPO plans, easing near-term competition in digital payments. PhonePe cited geopolitical uncertainty and volatile global markets for deferring its listing. The move reflects broader market caution, with fintech firms reevaluating IPO timing and valuations amid heightened investor uncertainty and equity market volatility.
85% of bank clients plan to work with non-bank lenders: Report
Corporate and investment banks are losing ground to non-bank financial institutions. Clients demand faster, more transparent, and responsive services. Banks struggle with outdated systems and limited AI adoption. Innovation efforts are not yielding expected revenue or cost savings.
SIP contributions continued to grow despite market volatility, reflecting sustained retail investor confidence. Contributions rose 14.79% year-on-year to Rs 29,845 crore in February 2026, according to ICRA Analytics, although inflows dipped slightly from January. SIP accounts and assets under management remained robust despite mark-to-market corrections in equity markets.
FIIs, retail investors increase stakes in 12 midcap stocks in Q3; shares slump up to 40% in 3 months
An analysis of the BSE Mid-Cap Index shows that both FIIs and retail investors increased their stakes in 12 stocks during the December quarter. However, market volatility has weighed on returns, with 11 of these companies delivering negative performance over the past three months and some stocks declining by up to 40%.
Fino Payments Bank shares crash 19% on report of possible ED probe; lender clarifies
Fino Payments Bank shares tumbled over 19% to a record low after a report said some online gaming transactions linked to the lender may attract scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate. The bank later clarified it is not under any ED investigation and is cooperating with DGGI Hyderabad in an ongoing GST-related probe.
Central government employees and pensioners await the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations, with AITUC advocating for implementation from January 1, 2026, to ensure no loss of arrears. Past trends show governments often backdate pay revisions, and AITUC also calls for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and improved benefits for pensioners.
Is gold still a safe haven amid West Asia tensions? 5 mutual fund experts weigh in
13 equity mutual funds saw inflows of over Rs 1,000 crore in February. Check details
2008 global crash to 2020 COVID: How Nifty 50 plunged up to 59% in crises but rebounded
Despite recent volatility triggered by geopolitical tensions, India's Nifty 50 has historically demonstrated resilience, recovering from major global crises like the dot-com bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 crash. The benchmark index has consistently bounced back, proving that losses are temporary for long-term investors.
Bandhan Bank shares plunge 12% as promoter explores stake sale for long-term investor exits
Bandhan Bank shares fell sharply after ET reported that Bandhan Financial Services is exploring long-term investor exits. Options under consideration include selling stakes to private equity or an IPO. The move aligns with regulatory mandates to reduce promoter stake and comes amid mixed quarterly performance.
Cipla Share Price Live Updates: Cipla Stock Price History
NTPC Share Price Live Updates: NTPC's performance shines with 5.91% return
Bajaj Finance Share Price Highlights: Bajaj Finance Stock Price History
UltraTech Cem Share Price Live Updates: UltraTech Cement's monthly performance shows a downturn
Nestle India Share Price Live Updates: Nestle India Stock Price History
Asian Paints Share Price Live Updates: Asian Paints Stock Price History
Most RBI rate actions happened during periods of neutral stance over past decade: SBI Report
Analysis of past decade shows repo actions largely aligned with stated monetary stance, according to a report by State Bank of India
ONGC Share Price Highlights: ONGC Stock Price History
Axis Bank Share Price Live Updates: Axis Bank Stock Price History
ITC Share Price Highlights: ITC Stock Price History
Sectoral and thematic mutual funds experienced an 187% surge in February inflows, reaching Rs 2,987 crore. Experts attribute this jump to new fund launches and opportunistic investments in select sectors with attractive valuations, rather than a broad-based demand increase. Year-on-year data, however, shows a significant decline, indicating moderate overall participation.
FASTag annual pass: The National Highways Authority of India is increasing the FASTag annual pass fee. Starting April 1, 2026, private vehicle owners will pay Rs 3,075 for the pass. This allows one year or 200 toll crossings without per-trip charges.
Bitcoin in Iran limbo as old economy assets steal limelight
The original cryptocurrency is beating stocks and gold since the Iran war broke out, but that says more about how far it had already fallen than where its headed. The token is down more than 40% from an October peak
7 ways you can create passive income faster via SIPs and ETFs in 2026
Silver and gold ETFs saw significant drops of up to 6% on Monday as surging energy prices and geopolitical tensions dampened expectations of near-term U.S. interest rate cuts. Rising inflation concerns and a strengthening dollar have also weakened gold's safe-haven appeal, with experts advising investors to buy on dips for long-term diversification.
Sensex down 8K pts in 1 month. Experts recommend flexicap, multi asset funds & continuing SIPs
Indian stock markets, including BSE Sensex and Nifty, have seen significant declines. Experts advise investors to maintain discipline by continuing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). They suggest focusing on established equity funds and diversifying with large-cap, flexi-cap, and multi-asset allocation funds. Gold and silver funds can also offer diversification. Investors should avoid short-term market predictions and focus on long-term goals.
Best focused mutual funds to invest in March 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.
Can landlords ask tenants to pay for repairs after vacating? Heres what law says
Landlords can seek repair costs from former tenants. This applies only when damage exceeds normal wear and tear and is proven to be tenant-caused. Routine maintenance like whitewashing remains the landlord's duty. Tenants can contest claims with defenses like pre-existing damage or lack of proof. Security deposits can be withheld for justified damages, not arbitrarily.
Fund managers bet on metals, power amid geopolitical turmoil
Amidst geopolitical tensions and AI disruption fears, fund managers strategically invested in metals, energy, and power stocks. Hindalco and Nalco saw buying interest due to their integrated mining operations, while demand for aluminium in data centers and EVs is anticipated.
7 portfolios show why diversification matters
Market crashes are unavoidable, but portfolio damage is not. Analysis of major crises shows diversification across equity, debt, and gold significantly lessens losses. While aggressive portfolios fall more, balanced approaches offer a compelling middle ground. Investors should prepare for uncertainty by staying disciplined and focusing on long-term asset allocation.
4 investors share tips to survive market crash
Global tensions are not deterring investors. A young software engineer tracks oil routes. A CFO invests in tranches. An engineer stays invested, ignoring market noise. A retired executive sticks to his seven-year plan. These individuals demonstrate resilience, adapting strategies to navigate current uncertainties without panicking. Their approaches highlight diverse methods for maintaining portfolio stability amidst geopolitical events.
How capital goods sector survives market turbulence
The capital goods sector is performing strongly. Robust order inflows and demand from key industries are driving growth. Companies are seeing multi-year revenue visibility. Despite global challenges, the sector's outlook remains positive, supported by government spending and policy incentives. Investors are advised to focus on companies with strong fundamentals and execution capabilities.
How to protect retirement corpus from market swings
You cant control whether you retire in a bull or a bear market. But if you start derisking your retirement corpus as you approach retirement, it can significantly mitigate sequence of returns risk.
'Hospitals too important not to have a regulator'
Anup Rau of Generali Central Insurance addresses health insurance challenges. He highlights issues like policyholder dissatisfaction and rising premiums. Rau suggests solutions such as a health regulator and customisation of products. He also discusses the role of AI in improving insurance services and distribution.
Gas shortage fuels inflation fears
Mumbai restaurants face a severe cooking gas shortage. Tushar Dhadam raised thali prices by 10% due to black market cylinder costs. Some small stalls are using domestic cylinders illicitly. This gas crunch is fueling inflation fears and impacting the rupee. Policymakers are concerned as global energy costs rise. Restaurants are halting operations.
Health insurance claims: Key mistakes to avoid
Hospital documentation errors, like incorrect entries in discharge summaries, are leading to health insurance claim rejections. Patients are facing disputes when insurers treat these mistakes as non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions, necessitating persistent follow-ups and clarifications from doctors to resolve.
9 small actions that can help you get promoted
Your career success hinges on daily actions, not just major achievements. Small habits like prompt replies, clear communication, and reliability build trust. Managers often choose dependable professionals over erratic stars. Focus on consistent positive behaviours to enhance your professional image and unlock future opportunities. This approach shapes how others perceive your capabilities and potential.
10-year performance: Equity vs gold vs silver
Welcome to TrendMap, your quick guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. By Sameer Bhardwaj.
Life cycle funds: Pros and cons explained
India's market regulator Sebi has launched lifecycle funds, a new mutual fund category. These funds automatically adjust investments from equity to safer options as a set maturity date approaches. This aims to simplify investing for goal achievement and reduce emotional trading. The move offers a structured approach for investors seeking automated portfolio management and tax efficiency over the long term.
Why NRIs must be cautious buying property in India
Losses from unoccupied properties repaired remotely at a steep cost; distress from unscrupulous renters; unfamiliarity with local laws and sale procedures; inability to make frequent trips to sell property; and the possibility of dealing with underhand practices are real risks for NRI property investors.
Mutual fund NFOs: 2 ETFs will open for subscription now on Monday. Check details
Two new passive funds, a commodity-based ETF and a mid-cap ETF, are opening for subscription on Monday. The HSBC Gold ETF closes on March 18, and the SBI Nifty Midcap 150 ETF closes on March 24, both with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000. Investors are advised to choose funds based on their individual risk profiles and financial goals.
Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund: HDFC Bank and RIL among 28 other stocks bought in February
Sunil Singhania-backed Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund saw its AUM grow to Rs 3,073 crore in February. The fund increased its stakes in several banking and industrial stocks, while adding BEML and Fractal Analytics as new entrants. Its portfolio expanded to 44 stocks across 22 sectors.
Can NRIs appoint a relative as power of attorney to manage property in India?
ET Wealth Reader's Query: Our daughter-in-law, an NRI in the USA, jointly owns a residential property in Mumbai with her sister, also an NRI based in the US. The property is currently under redevelopment. As both are unable to travel to India to complete the legal formalities, can they appoint their maternal uncle as their power of attorney (PoA) holder for all related tasks?
SBI Mutual Fund: RIL, Infosys, and ICICI Bank among top 10 stock holdings in February
BI Mutual Fund, managing Rs 12.92 lakh crore, revealed its top stock holdings for February. The fund house heavily invested in banking giants like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, while also holding significant stakes in Reliance Industries and State Bank of India.
A 75-year-old mother in Odisha has successfully evicted her son and daughter-in-law from her self-owned house. The Orissa High Court ruled that a son has no legal right to reside in his mother's property against her wishes, especially when she fears for her safety. The court upheld the mother's ownership, dismissing claims of joint family property.
Quant Small Cap Fund : HDFC Bank and Jio Financial Services among stocks bought and sold in February
Quant Small Cap Fund added HDFC Bank and others, trimmed Jio Financial, and exited Stanley Lifestyles in February.
Planning to build Rs 10 crore by retirement? Starting early with mutual fund SIPs can make it easier
Starting early with mutual fund SIPs leverages the power of compounding, making it easier to build a bigger retirement corpus.
Mutual funds reduce investments in IT stocks in February, weight slips to 8 year low
Mutual funds reduced exposure to IT stocks in February, with the sectors weight in portfolios falling to an eight-year low of 6.9%, according to a Motilal Oswal report. The decline follows a sharp fall in tech stock values, even as some fund houses selectively increased holdings in key companies like Infosys and TCS.
Taxpayers are receiving emails from the Income Tax Department about 'significant transactions' and potential shortfalls in advance tax payments. These 'nudge' emails, sent as a taxpayer service initiative, highlight financial activities that may not align with advance tax deposited. Experts advise reviewing these alerts, as they are reminders and not statutory notices, and may contain errors.
FD rates up to 7.9% for senior citizens investing for five years; Check list of banks
Senior citizens can secure attractive fixed deposit rates, with some banks offering up to 7.9% for a five-year tenure on deposits up to Rs 3 crore. While banks deduct TDS on interest exceeding Rs 1 lakh, eligible individuals can submit Form 15H to avoid this deduction if their total tax liability is zero.
Data presented in Parliament reveals a stark disparity, with only one NPS pensioner for every 139 OPS pensioners. While NPS was implemented in 2004, a low number of central government employees have retired under it. As far as pensioners receiving pension under NPS are concerned, as many as 49,802 pensioners were receiving their payouts under the new scheme.
Volatility is a feature of equity markets, not a bug: Radhika Gupta urges new investors to stay calm
Radhika Gupta urged new investors to stay calm during market swings, saying volatility is a natural feature of equity investing. Citing past geopolitical events, she noted markets typically fall during crises but recover over time, advising investors to avoid panic decisions and continue SIPs for long-term wealth creation.
Vijay, a 43-year-old IT professional, noticed his mutual fund portfolio fall Rs 1.5 lakh in 12 days, raising concerns about regular versus direct plans. Experts say short-term declines are driven by market volatility and geopolitical tensions, not plan type, and advise diversification, disciplined rebalancing, and a long-term investment approach.
Tenants cannot avoid paying increased rent on the ground of rent agreement not being registered
Tenants cannot refuse to pay increased rent simply because their 11-month rent agreement is unregistered. Courts have consistently ruled that rent escalation clauses are enforceable even without registration, as long as they were part of the original agreement. While unregistered agreements may have limitations as evidence, the contractual obligation to pay enhanced rent remains valid.
Minimum balance charges: Banks collected significant penalties from customers for low account balances. Public sector banks alone gathered over Rs 8,000 crore. However, zero-balance accounts like those under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana are exempt from these charges.
The Supreme Court quashed a dowry harassment case against a brother-in-law, deeming the allegations vague. The wife's FIR, alleging her veins burst due to dowry demands, lacked specific details regarding dates, times, or the nature of harassment. The court found no proximate link between the alleged harassment and the injury, leading to the case's dismissal against him.
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed today on March 14, 2026?
Bank holiday today? Banks will be closed on March 14, 2026? Banks are open on the first, third and fifth (in some cases) Saturdays of the month unless specified as holiday in the RBI holiday calendar. Several other state-specific holidays are also listed for March 2026, impacting bank operations across various regions.
Paying your final car loan EMI doesn't automatically make the vehicle legally yours. Hypothecation, where the bank's name appears on your registration certificate, remains until you formally remove it. You must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Form 35 from the lender and submit them to the RTO to transfer full ownership.
The Latest Home Loan Interest Rates: Mar 13, 2026
The Latest Home Loan Interest Rates: Mar 13, 2026
The Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates: Mar 13, 2026
The Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates: Mar 13, 2026
Banks log robust growth in deposits and advances in Feb-end fortnight
In the reporting fortnight, deposits and advances of all Scheduled Banks jumped by Rs 4,20,091 crore and Rs 3,24,432 crore, respectively
Rupee ends the week at an all-time low of 92.4550/dollar
Since the Israel-US alliance war with Iran started two weeks ago, the rupee has weakened about 150 paise
The action was part of the raids conducted in Chandigarh, Punjab's Mohali, Haryana's Panchkula and Gurgaon and Karnataka capital Bengaluru in connection with the IDFC First Bank Scam
Sebi sets new conditions for intraday borrowing by mutual funds from April 1
Capital markets regulator Sebi introduced a framework allowing mutual funds to use intraday borrowing to manage temporary liquidity mismatches. Effective April 1, the rules cap borrowing to same-day receivables, restrict usage purposes, mandate board-approved policies, and ensure asset management companies bear related costs and risks.
Growth Leaders: 10 midcap stocks with stellar 50%+ YoY sales gains
Several NSE midcap companies delivered strong growth in the December 2025 quarter, with sales rising over 50% year-on-year. Firms across sectors such as metals, real estate, energy and healthcare reported sharp demand-led expansion, highlighting strong business momentum and growth potential.
Digital transactions are rising in India. This has led to an increase in digital frauds. The RBI is proposing compensation for customers losing money in small-value fraudulent transactions. This move aims to protect vulnerable users and build trust in the digital payment system. Banks and merchants will share some liability.
