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RBI likely selling dollars via state-run banks to steady rupee, traders says
The rupee was quoted at 96.32 per dollar on Tuesday, off a low of 96.3850
Can Rs 1.5 crore retirement savings give you Rs 1 lakh monthly income for 20 years? Heres the math
With a Rs 1.5 crore retirement corpus earning 6%, withdrawing Rs 1 lakh monthly can last about 22 years, leaving little balance. Slightly higher returns allow marginally higher withdrawals but nearly exhaust the corpus. Experts caution that returns from the corpus arent guaranteed and suggest a safer 35% withdrawal rate to sustain funds longer. A balanced mix of debt and hybrid funds, with focus on stability over high returns, is key to avoiding premature depletion.
Indian students studying in the USA on an F1 visa need specific authorization to work. This authorization comes from an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) linked to Optional Practical Training (OPT). A confirmed job offer alone is not enough. Students must complete their studies and obtain the EAD before starting any employment.
Have assets in the USA or UK? Why an Indian Will alone may not protect your heirs
Indian families with assets in the USA and UK need robust succession plans. A single Indian Will may not suffice for overseas properties. Experts advise considering jurisdiction-specific documents and trusts. This ensures smooth wealth transfer and avoids disputes. Proactive planning is crucial for protecting heirs and managing foreign tax implications.
Q4 Results Today, 18th May 2026 Updates: Catch updates
ViyonaFintech gets NPCI certification
With this milestone,Hyderabad-based Viyonajoins a select group of fintech infrastructure players building end-to-end payment orchestration capabilities aligned with National Payments Corporation of India standards.
Not activating countercyclical capital buffer: RBI
The framework envisages the credit-to-GDP gap as the main indicator, which may be used in conjunction with other supplementary indicators
Fintechs turn to AI for personalised finance, fraud detection and smarter operations
The sector looks beyond basic automation and chatbots toward more intelligent financial services infrastructure
RBI dispenses with commercial banks requirement for investment fluctuation reserve
This move is aimed at reducing operational rigidity while preserving prudential safeguards
Central Bank of India keen on supporting Indian exporters: ED Murali Krishna
Timelybanking assistance is vital to enhancethe competitiveness of Indian exporters in global markets, says Executive Director
TVS Venu Group to acquire 9.9% stake in Jana Small Finance Bank for 193 crore
The move follows TVS groups recent expansion in financial services, including its agreement to acquire PGIM India Asset Management, and reflects its focus on Indias growing digital financial ecosystem
SBI nation-wide 2-day strike next week
All India State Bank of India Staff Federation puts forth 16-point charter of demands
West Bengal state government employees will see salary and pension increases with the 7th Pay Commission approval. A new Annapurna Bhandar scheme offers financial aid to women, linked to Lakshmir Bhandar.
IndusInd Nippon Life Insurance FY26 profit up 15% at 248 crore
New business premium increased 18.5% year-on-year to 1,475 crore in FY26
Edelweiss Mutual Fund: BSE, ICICI Bank and MCX among top 10 stock holdings in April
Edelweiss Mutual Fund held major allocations in banking, telecom and financial stocks during April 2026, with portfolio adjustments in MCX, L&T and BSE reflecting active investment and rebalancing strategies.
Private landlords in the UAE can now access tenant credit scores. This new system requires tenant consent through the UAE PASS digital identity platform. The Etihad Credit Bureau facilitates this secure, consent-based data sharing. This initiative aims to increase transparency in the real estate market. The service was announced at GITEX 2025 and launched in April 2026.
7 mutual funds trim exposure in 19 smallcap stocks in April. Check key details
Seven mutual funds reduced stakes in 19 smallcap stocks during April, trimming exposure across sectors to actively manage portfolios, rebalance holdings, and improve returns amid changing market conditions and valuations.
IndusInd Nippon Life Insurance posts 18% rise in new business premium
The results mark the companys first full financial year since rebranding from Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, following IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL) acquiring a stake alongside existing partner Nippon Life Insurance
How Trump's crypto venture and Iran's top exchange tapped into the same industry networks
Sun and Binance, the crypto exchange owned by Zhao, are both prominent backers of World Liberty Financial, the crypto firm co-founded by Trump and his family
The Unique Identification Authority of India has extended the free Aadhaar document update service on the myAadhaar portal. Aadhaar holders can now update their identity and address proof documents without any charge until June 14, 2027. This facility is exclusively available online. The authority encourages citizens to update their details to ensure accuracy in the Aadhaar database.
Liberty Mutual raises India stake to 74% in Liberty General Insurance
The remaining 26% stake in LGI is held by Enam Securities
Top 10 largest offshore India-focused equity funds and ETFs. Check details
India-focused offshore funds saw mixed trends as Franklin FTSE India ETFs attracted strong inflows, while the top 10 funds combined assets declined 22% in March 2026 amid broader market weakness.
Want to invest Rs 6 lakh? Expert suggests mix of mutual funds, gold and silver for balanced returns
Market expert Nisreen Mamaji advised a balanced, structured approach to a Rs 6 lakh mutual fund investment, suggesting 80% allocation to equities and 20% to gold and silver, deployed via staggered investing. She projected potential long-term returns of 1214% for equity, 78% for gold and 911% for silver, highlighting disciplined investing, diversification and avoiding overcomplex portfolios for wealth creation.
Bank of India hikes FD interest rates on select tenures: Senior citizens to earn up to 7.45% rate
Bank of India has raised interest rates on fixed deposits for tenures between one and three years. These new rates are effective from May 18, 2026. Senior citizens and super senior citizens will receive additional benefits. The bank has also outlined its penalty charges for premature withdrawals of fixed deposits.
India directs State-run banks, insurance firms to cut costs, shift to EVs
The order, part of a broader austerity push, will cover institutions like the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Life Insurance Corp of India and million of their employees across the country
Govt weighs options to revive stalled IDBI Bank privatisation
One of the options is to reduce the reserve price by as much as 20% after buyers balked in the previous round, which was halted in March, sources said
Gold prices dipped on May 18, 2026, influenced by global market weakness and shifting investor sentiment. While international rates saw a sharp weekly decline, Indian domestic prices remained high due to rupee movement and local demand. Leading jewelry brands and IBJA reported a decrease in gold and silver rates.
EXIM Bank eyes 10% jump in loan book in FY27 despite West Asia tensions
Export-Import Bank of India expects its loan book to grow 10% in FY27 despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia, according to Managing Director and CEO Harsha Bangari. The projected growth is lower than FY26s 12% rise, which was partly boosted by favourable currency movements as a large share of the banks loans are denominated in foreign currencies.
NFO Alert: Edelweiss Mutual Funds Altiva SIF to launch Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund
Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched its second Altiva SIF offering, the Altiva Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund. This equity-led strategy aims for long-term capital appreciation by focusing on small and midcap companies, offering a differentiated investment opportunity beyond the top 100 by market capitalization.
The 49th annual meeting of the NC-JCM, presided by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, addressed key central government employee concerns. Discussions focused on demands for the 8th Pay Commission, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, and the increasing number of pending court cases. The meeting also highlighted issues like delayed government order implementation for AIIMS employees and non-implementation of arbitration awards.
Retiring soon? How to split your PF and gratuity corpus between safe investments and mutual funds
Retiring soon and aiming for a Rs 1 lakh monthly income from your PF and gratuity corpus? Experts advise against investing the entire corpus in income products due to inflation and longevity risks. A prudent bucket strategy is recommended for sustainable income and portfolio growth.
Banks asset quality stable in Q4FY26, West Asia risks may emerge in Q2FY27: Report
The report noted that most banks continued to maintain healthy asset quality metrics, with net slippage ratios remaining under control despite macroeconomic uncertainties and pressure on margins following the repo rate cut
The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020-21 Series VIII at Rs 16,012 per unit. Investors can redeem their bonds early from May 18, 2026, after five years of the issue date. This offers online investors a significant return of 212.30% on their initial investment, excluding interest.
RBI lifts bond-trading target for primary dealers by 48%
Each of the 21 primary dealers must trade at least 4 lakh crore ($41.8 billion) of bonds in the financial year starting April, up 48% from last years target
Mutual funds have significantly reduced their technology sector exposure to an eight-year low, driven by concerns over AI disruption, slowing global IT spending, and muted earnings. This strategic shift reflects investor caution amid a transition phase for the IT sector, with a preference for domestic sectors like financials and defence.
Big relief for Delhi power consumers: SC says this cost can't be charged for no-supply period
Delhi electricity consumers receive significant relief as the Supreme Court ruled they cannot be made to pay for the depreciation costs of a TATA Power Delhi Distribution plant during periods of no supply. The court stated that consumers should not bear costs for services they do not receive.
NRIs: Your India investments could be losing money without these 8 rules
Q4 Results Today, 18th May 2026 Live Updates: Catch live updates
UK Renters Rights Act: These are the 11 legal grounds landlords can still use to evict tenants
The UK Renters' Rights Act, effective May 1, 2026, introduces significant changes to tenant evictions. Landlords can now evict tenants under 11 specific legal grounds, categorized as mandatory or discretionary. These grounds include situations like the landlord or family needing to occupy the property, the intention to sell, or mortgage repossession, each with strict notice periods and conditions.
Salary hike this appraisal season? New labour codes and tax rules may change your real take-home pay
Appraisal season this year saw companies begin aligning salary structures with new labour codes and updated income tax rules. While some firms implemented changes from April, broader adoption remains gradual. Higher basic pay and social security contributions may reduce take-home salaries despite hikes. The choice between old and new tax regimes now depends on deductions, HRA claims and paperwork readiness.
Metro to small town: Pros, cons and costs
Many are trading metro life for tier 2 cities, seeking better quality of life, cleaner environments, and reduced stress. While income may fall, lower expenses and proximity to family are significant draws. However, career growth, job opportunities, and infrastructure quality remain crucial considerations for this evolving relocation trend.
Benami trap: Family deals under scanner
Where family arrangements are involved, they must comply with legal conditions, including joint ownership where required. Informal arrangements, especially involving unrelated persons, carry significant risk. The consequences are serious. It is no longer just about losing a legal claim. It can mean complete confiscation of the asset.
EGRs vs ETFs: Which gold format works best?
An EGR is a digital certificate backed by actual physical gold stored in a Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-regulated vault. The receipt is held in your demat account, like a share or ETF. You can buy EGRs in denominations of either 0.1 gram (i.e. 100 mg), 1 g, 10 g, 100 g and 1 kg.
MF-PMS: Are higher advisory fees worth it?
PMS-style mutual fund advisory can fetch you a curated selection of funds with allocation and execution embedded. This convenience faces a test of capabilities and the burden of costs.
Smart beta funds: Too much passive noise?
While there is a growing tribe of passionate passive-only believers (a perfectly legitimate approach), its best to take a middle path and build a portfolio that has allocation to both passive and active components.
Your monthly spend also decides your retirement
Expense-tracking apps, spreadsheets, Artificial Intelligence (AI) -generated analysis, and budgeting dashboards are not merely bookkeeping tools. They reveal recurring patterns, unconscious leakages, and hidden habits that quietly shape long-term wealth outcomes. Before you can plan where your money goes, you have to see where it is already going.
Japan, Brazil in top global equity markets in 2026
Welcome to TrendMap, your visual guide to investment performance. This edition tracks 10 years of global equity returns. Currency fluctuations impact the returns on foreign investments. To capture the real value from an Indian investors standpoint, these returns are adjusted to reflect their equivalent in Indian rupees. Key takeaway: diversification helps navigate market cycles.
First fuel price hike in 4 yrs: More increases ahead?
India is the worlds third-largest oil importer, heavily dependent on global markets and energy flowing out of the Persian Gulf. In a crisis, the government typically prioritises the protection of its 1.4 billion, price-sensitive consumers and containing inflation, but last Fridays increase suggests it is beginning to restore a balance as fiscal and market pressures grow.
Yield curves decoded: How they help investors
Yield curves are usually of three typesnormal, flat and inverted depending on the varying slopes of the curves. A yield curve can be used as a predictor for future interest rate movements of debt instruments, and can subsequently help in taking investing decisions based on their existing investments.
Liquid fund inflows at a 7-year high as investors avoid risk
Liquid funds saw a record inflow of over 46,000 crore in April, the highest in seven years. This surge was driven by ample money in the banking system and attractive short-term returns. Investors also chose these low-risk options due to equity market volatility. Liquid funds offer quick access to money, making them ideal for parking surplus funds.
Prudential buys 75% stake in Bharti Life Insurance for 3,500 crore
The transaction will be funded from existing resources, says Prudential
Proceeds of MFLs 4K cr IPO to be used for biz growth: CEO
7 mutual funds reduce exposure to 18 midcap names in April. Check details
NFOs this week: 4 SIFs and 1 passive fund to open for subscription
iSIF Equity Long-Short Fund and iSIF Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund will open for subscription on May 19 and close on June 2. The minimum investment amount for both funds is Rs 10 lakh.
Muthoot FinCorp post 73,448.82 crore AUM in FY26
The companys standalone performance was strong, with AUM at 56,185.10 crore, PAT at 1,640.21 crore, and revenue at 8,364.28 crore as of March 2026
Equity mutual funds rally up to 28% last week, international funds lead; check top 9 with 20%+ gain
Margins may stay under pressure in FY27 as banks brace for West Asia risks, ECL transition: Report
For SBIN, AXIS Bank and Indian Bank, the sequential decline in Yield on Advances was steeper than peers
Gold prices surged by Rs 766 per gram this week, with 24k gold climbing nearly Rs 800 before retreating from record highs. This volatility follows Prime Minister Modi's appeal to reduce gold purchases and the government's increase in customs duty on precious metals, impacting both consumer demand and jewelry stocks.
PFC-REC merger plan moves ahead, to seek Presidential approval
Once approved, RECs assets and liabilities will be transferred to PFC, with REC eventually being dissolved
IDBI Bank to raise up to 10,000 crore via long-term rupee bonds in FY27
Move comes in the wake of banks deposit growth continuing to lag credit growth
Gold and silver prices saw a dip on Saturday, May 16, 2026. This followed a volatile week where rates fluctuated sharply. Factors like rising US inflation and anticipated interest rate hikes influenced the market. Local factors also played a role, including government duty increases. Consumers can check rates at major jewellers like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
NPS launches Retirement Income Schemes: New drawdown option for pension payouts, benefits & rules
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has launched new Retirement Income Schemes and drawdown options for National Pension System subscribers. These changes aim to provide predictable cashflow and extend the life of retirement funds.
RIL, HDFC Bank among 18 stocks from which these 7 mutual funds reduce their exposure in April
Seven top mutual funds trimmed exposure to 18 major stocks in April, signalling a strategic shift in market positioning.
10 equity mutual funds cross Rs 60,000 crore AUM; top 3 manage over Rs 1 lakh crore each
Around 10 equity mutual funds managed over Rs 60,000 crore in assets by April 2026, led by Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, while HDFC Mutual Fund dominated with three entries.
Rs 2.46 lakh yearly income from SCSS: How senior citizens can earn regular interest income
The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers a high 8.2% interest rate for the April-June 2026 quarter, with a five-year tenure extendable by three years. Deposits up to Rs 30 lakh are permitted, and while interest is taxable, a deduction of up to Rs 50,000 is available under Section 80TTB.
Quant Mid Cap Fund exits Lenskart Solutions and 2 other stocks, adds SAIL in April
Quant Mid Cap Fund exited Lenskart Solutions, NMDC and SBI Cards in April, while adding Steel Authority of India to its portfolio, the funds monthly disclosure showed. The fund also increased exposure to Reliance Industries and maintained holdings in several key stocks, as sector allocations shifted toward healthcare and metals.
JioBlackRock Mutual Fund: HDFC Bank, ITC, and MCX among top 10 stock holdings in April
JioBlackRock MFs April portfolio reveals top allocations to banking, telecom, and large-cap leaders like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RIL, ITC, Infosys, and MCX.
PGIM India Mutual Fund reopens subscriptions in its 3 international funds for second time in CY26
PGIM India Mutual Fund has reopened subscriptions for three international funds, including the Global Equity Opportunities Fund of Fund, effective May 18. This follows a temporary restriction imposed on March 10 to avoid breaching overseas investment limits. Investors can now invest up to Rs 2 lakh daily per scheme.
England's new Renters Right Act offers tenants a 12-month eviction shield at tenancy start. Landlords cannot evict for personal use or sale during this period. New rules expand grounds for landlord possession, including tenant fault like rent arrears or antisocial behavior. Strict notice periods and court processes apply. This aims for tenant security and landlord flexibility.
Parking space dispute: What national building code says & what you can do
Homeowners facing inadequate parking spaces from builders have recourse beyond RERA, which doesn't mandate specific parking dimensions. While the National Building Code isn't always legally binding, it serves as a benchmark. Buyers can pursue claims under the Consumer Protection Act for deficiency in service or unfair trade practices if parking is unusable or misrepresented.
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed today on May 16, 2026?
Banks in only one state will be closed today. For all other states, banks will operate as a regular working day, as they are typically closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
RBL Bank gets regulatory, govt approvals for investment by Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD will subscribe to up to 959,045,636 fully paid equity shares of RBL Bank at 280 per share through a preferential issue, representing approximately 60 per cent of RBL Banks post-issue paid-up share capital.
SBI cuts bulk term deposits rates in four tenors by 25 bps
Experts said the move can help in improving the net interest margin without affecting the flow
The Latest Home Loan Interest Rates: May 15, 2026
The Latest Home Loan Interest Rates: May 15, 2026
The Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates: May 15, 2026
The Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates: May 15, 2026
Senior citizens seeking higher returns on their retirement savings can explore 3-year Fixed Deposit options. Small finance banks like Jana and Utkarsh lead with 8% interest, while private banks such as Bandhan and YES Bank offer up to 7.75%. Public sector banks, including Bank of India and Standard Chartered, provide 7%.
Recent petrol price hikes across metropolitan cities and increased CNG costs in Delhi and Mumbai are impacting car owners. For those commuting 1,000 km monthly, the additional fuel expenses can range from a few hundred to a few thousand rupees. Despite the price adjustments, CNG cars continue to offer significant savings compared to petrol vehicles.
An ideal allocation between gold and silver should depend on an individuals risk appetite, financial goals and investment goals, Guha underlines. Gold can be part of the core investment portfolio. Silver can be allocated for a diversified profile and a tactical allocation to benefit from industrial demands and short-term higher returns.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund: RIL, Infosys, HDFC Bank among top 10 stock holdings in April
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Indias second-largest fund house with Rs 11.72 lakh crore AUM, reshuffled holdings across banks, autos, energy, and IT, with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank topping exposure, while RIL, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, NTPC, and Maruti Suzuki saw selective buying and selling changes.
Bengaluru property owners can now convert their B-Khata to A-Khata through government-organized camps starting May 16th. Under the 'Bhoo Guarantee' scheme, this conversion requires paying only 2% of the guidance value, a significant reduction from the previous 5%. This initiative aims to formalize property records, enhance transparency, and provide legal security to lakhs of families.
Indias invisible workforce gets a new safety net: Key labour reforms for migrant employees decoded
India's inter-state migrant workers gain significant protections under new labour code rules notified on May 8, 2026. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2026, bring millions of self-driven migrant workers into legal recognition. Key reforms include mandatory appointment letters, a digital database, portable ration cards, and tracked journey and displacement allowances.
RBI raises dealer targets, lifts bond trading activity
Each of the 21 primary dealers must trade at least 4 lakh crore ($41.8 billion) of bonds in the financial year starting April, up 48% from last years target, say people familiar with matter
Gold prices saw a dip on Friday, May 15, 2026. Rates fell across leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also reported lower gold and silver prices compared to the previous day. This decline follows a sharp rise in gold rates earlier in the week.
TN DA hike: Check how much Tamil Nadu government employees monthly salary may increase now
Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers will see their dearness allowance (DA) increase from 58% to 60% of basic pay, effective January 1, 2026. This 2% hike, also extended to pensioners and family pensioners, will result in an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 1,230 crore for the state.
5 mutual funds made a complete exit from 9 midcap stocks in April. Check details
Mutual funds exited nine midcap stocks in April. SBI Mutual Fund sold Uno Minda and Dabur India. Kotak Mutual Fund divested FSN E-Commerce. Nippon India Mutual Fund exited Havells India and Meesho. Quant Mutual Fund sold Dabur India, SBI Cards, and Lenskart Solutions. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund sold Tube Investments and Tata Communications.
Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund exited Reliance Industries, Bank of Baroda, and L&T Finance in April. The fund also increased stakes in Titan Company, MCX, and 16 other stocks, including NTPC and ONGC. It added MTAR Technologies, Tata Steel, and Kirloskar Oil Engines as new holdings, expanding its portfolio to 42 stocks.
New labour code provisions are now effective across India from November 21, 2025. Employee benefits like faster full and final payments and annual leave encashment are already applicable. Companies must comply with these changes even without state government notifications. This update impacts salary calculations and statutory dues for employees nationwide.
