The Economic Times News

Investors are increasingly choosing fund-of-funds schemes. These schemes offer automatic diversification and professional management. They also provide tax efficiency, especially for long-term holdings. First-time investors find them appealing due to their simplicity. Fund-of-funds schemes invest in a mix of other mutual fund schemes. This approach simplifies investment decisions for many.

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.

The BSE Sensex has achieved remarkable wealth creation over four decades. It has grown from a modest start to a lifetime high, transforming into a democratized wealth engine for millions. This journey reflects India's economic transformation and its rise as a global powerhouse. The Sensex has become a true barometer of the Indian economy.

Indian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, with the Sensex and Nifty steadying after a flat close. Stronger U.S. economic growth data boosted risk appetite, though foreign fund outflows and thin year-end trading volumes tempered the optimism.

Despite a challenging market in 2025 that saw many portfolios decline, investor Mukul Agrawal's equity holdings featured five multibagger stocks. While his overall portfolio saw a slight dip, these select companies delivered significant returns, outperforming the broader market slump in small-cap stocks.

Vietnam's stock market hit a record high, extending its weekly rally as investors reacted positively to signs of political stability. A senior Communist Party meeting agreed on candidates for the next leadership, with party chief To Lam widely expected to retain his powerful post.

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company shares are set to be in focus after the company rejected allegations of governance lapses, reaffirmed its guidance and highlighted strong liquidity and capital buffers. Brokerages including Motilal Oswal, Morgan Stanley and Jefferies reiterated their positive stance, citing improving disbursements and resilient fundamentals.

Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage on PhysicsWallah with a Neutral rating and a 135 target price, citing strong execution and a large market opportunity. It expects 24% revenue CAGR and over 80% EBITDA CAGR during FY2530, driven by organic traffic, a stable competitive landscape, and a scalable pricing model.

Hindustan Zinc shares: Silver prices hit record highs above $72/oz, up over 140% in 2025. The surge is driven by strong industrial demand, supply constraints, safe-haven buying, and expectations of looser US monetary policy, with MCX silver also touching fresh all-time highs in India.

Seven NSE-listed stocks with market capitalisation above Rs 1,000 crore signalled bullish momentum on 23 December after forming White Marubozu patterns. This candlestick formation reflects strong buying interest throughout the session, suggesting buyers remained in control from open to close and indicating potential continuation of the prevailing uptrend.

As of December 23, five stocks in the NSE F&O segment recorded a sharp rise in futures open interest, signalling fresh derivatives activity. A rise in open interest reflects increasing participation, with traders either initiating new positions or expanding existing exposure, pointing to stronger conviction on near-term price direction.

Coal India share price: In a significant boost for investors, Coal India has seen its shares gain traction after the announcement of plans to list its subsidiaries, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and South Eastern Coalfields Limited. This strategic initiative aligns with directives from the Ministry of Coal, paving the way for further communications with the Ministry regarding submissions to DIPAM.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Planning a Rs 1.5 crore corpus for a childs overseas education requires more than market returnscurrency risk is key. Experts recommend starting early with equity mutual funds, disciplined SIPs with 22% annual step-ups, and strategic allocation to international funds, combining growth and rupee depreciation protection over a 20-year horizon