Livemint

HDFC Bank has revised its SmartBuy rewards program, introducing a cap on reward points for brand voucher purchases on major premium credit cards. Here's what changes for customers.

Market swings often lead investors to seek ideal buying moments. However, historical data shows systematic investment plans outperform market timing strategies, as cash on the sidelines incurs opportunity costs. 

The Centre has implemented the EPF Scheme, 2026, replacing the 1952 scheme. Effective June 29, 2026, it retains contribution rates while enhancing digital compliance and simplifying withdrawal processes for members. Details here.

SK Hynix commands a significant share of the HBM market and its Nasdaq listing may raise billions for expansion. However, the overall demand is high, suggesting both SK Hynix and Micron can grow together despite increased competition in memory chips.

Dream Sports will shut down its fintech platform Dream Money on July 30. Here's what happens to your mutual funds, fixed deposits and digital gold.

Capital gains tax can be minimized through strategic planning and compliance with the Income Tax Act. Taxpayers may claim exemptions, utilize capital losses, consider holding periods, maintain accurate records, and time sales effectively to reduce their tax liability legally.

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath highlights long account-opening processes as a barrier for NRIs to benefit from FCNR deposits. The RBI's favorable changes make it easier, but slow onboarding could diminish interest. 

SEBI has proposed a performance-based fee framework for mutual funds, linking fees to a fund's performance rather than a fixed ratio. However, industry hesitance stems from operational challenges and complexities associated with variable fee structures.

The Magnificent Seven tech stocks lost $2.3 trillion in value in June due to uncertainty over AI investments. Major declines were noted for Microsoft and Nvidia. Investors are advised to diversify portfolios and consider market concentration to mitigate risks amidst fluctuating valuations.

As the last date of filing ITR looms closer, it is important to be careful about certain key factors. These include choosing the right ITR form and regime, and cross-verifying taxable income against the disclosures made in AIS/TIS.

The tax regime choice becomes more nuanced at a 20 lakh annual salary, where the Section 87A rebate is no longer available. A comparison shows whether common deductions under the old regime can outweigh the new regime's lower tax rates.

Section 215 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 allows eligible NRIs to claim exemption from long-term capital gains tax. But the benefit is available only if strict conditions on investment source and reinvestment are met.

Low-volatility mutual funds seek to cushion market downturns while keeping investors invested in equities. Understand how the strategy works and who should consider it.

Several financial changes come into effect from 1 July, including revised ITR filing deadlines, free Aadhaar email updates and new RBI rules against bank mis-selling. Here's how they could affect you.

The once-difficult access to information has made borrowers more aware. They compare loan products and interest rates, and regularly track their credit scores. Borrowers now understand the importance of a credit score, and are increasingly conscious of maintaining healthy credit profiles. 

Delaying a SIP by 10 years can significantly reduce retirement corpus due to the loss of compounding. A 1,000 monthly SIP started at 25 years of age grows to an estimated 37.97 lakh by age 60, compared with 13.27 lakh if started at 35 years, assuming a 10% annual return.

The next wave of credit growth is likely to emerge from segments that have historically been underserved, overlooked, or difficult to evaluate through conventional methods. Today, only about 17.8% of new loans are disbursed to first-time borrowers. 

Smart investing starts with realistic expectations. The 10-5-3 rule helps beginners understand investment returns, compare asset classes, manage risk, and build long-term wealth through disciplined financial planning instead of chasing unrealistic market gains.

Fuel price shocks ripple through transport, food and household budgets. Here's what history teachesand the practical financial strategies families can adopt to stay ahead of inflation.

For tax purposes, each SWP payout is considered a partial redemption of mutual fund units. This means every withdrawal comprises two components: the return of the original investment (principal) and capital gains. Tax is levied only on the capital gains component of each withdrawal.

The new Aadhaar app replaces mAadhaar with safer digital verification, face authentication and QR features. Existing mAadhaar data remains available during the transition, allowing users to switch smoothly without losing important Aadhaar records.

Experts point out that course certificates alone don't count for much. Market premiums and career advancement go to those who can translate coursework into functional workplace optimization.

As wealth grows, financial planning shifts from chasing returns to matching capital with purpose. A three-bucket framework can help families protect lifestyle, preserve flexibility and build a lasting legacy.

A Karnataka trader won relief after the ITAT held that old currency deposits backed by business records and affidavits cannot be treated as unexplained income merely because they were made during demonetisation.

The tax on equity investments in India depends on the type of investment, the holding period and type of gains. While listed shares and equity mutual funds are subject to capital gains tax, income from intraday trading and F&O is taxed at the applicable income tax slab rate.

Gold and silver prices today, 1 July: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.

EPFO has extended its planned system migration, delaying the restoration of online member and employer services by another day. Subscribers will now be able to access claims, passbooks and other digital services from July 2, subject to completion of the upgrade.

DA hike July 2026 estimates rise after AICPI-IW reaches 150.8. Here's the latest inflation data, the expected Dearness Allowance revision, the calculation method and the final approval process.

Big changes are ahead as the 8th Pay Commission enters key discussions in July 2026, covering salary revision, fitment factor and pension updates for central government employees and pensioners. Here are some FAQs and the latest developments.

Taxpayers may believe that income tax doesn't apply to agricultural land sales, but this isn't always true. Tax liability depends on location and capital asset classification. Here's what is taxable and how to save taxes. 

Gold loans have become India's fastest-growing retail credit, recording a CAGR of 42.4% since March 2024, nearly double the 23% growth in non-housing retail loans. 

The RBI's stress tests revealed 44 open-ended debt mutual funds breached liquidity thresholds in March 2026. Despite this, the central bank reports no immediate concerns, as affected funds have either rectified the issue or initiated corrective actions.

Despite market volatility, SIP inflows reached a record 32,086 crore in March 2026, according to the RBI's Financial Stability Report. 

Krish, shared a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved in the move, including rent, security deposit, furniture, appliances and other household essentials.

A LinkedIn post by SEBI-registered investment advisor Vivek S G (Sulegai), founder of Wealth Crafts, is resonating with users after he shared the story of a Pune professional whose finances unravelled following a family medical emergency, eventually leaving him with a 15 lakh debt burden.

The government has maintained interest rates on small savings schemes for the July-September 2026 quarter, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of unchanged rates. 

Health insurance companies will soon offer top-up health cover to National Pension System subscribers via PFRDA's NPS Swasthya product, set to launch in 60-70 days.

Experts suggest Indian investors can get exposure through international mutual funds, US-focused ETFs, or direct overseas investing under the LRS. While SpaceX's Nasdaq 100 inclusion is expected to attract passive investment flows, experts believe its entry into the Dow remains years away. 

A will prepared using an online platform is legally valid in India if it meets statutory requirements. But families should ensure it reflects the testator's specific circumstances and assets.

Hybrid long-short strategies accounted for 9,709 crore of investor assets, which was around 70% of the total SIF AUM of 13,814 crore

The Government has extended the deadline for filing appeals with the GST Appellate Tribunal after stakeholders raised concerns about technical difficulties on the portal. Check new due date here.

Multi-asset allocation funds provide diversification by investing across at least three asset classes, helping reduce dependence on any single investment. However, each fund follows a different portfolio allocation strategy, resulting in varying levels of risk and return potential.

RSUs can be powerful wealth creators, but holding on to every vested share ties your career and investments to the same company, creating a concentration risk many employees overlook.

Avoid costly PF transfer delays before changing jobs. Checking your EPF transfer records, UAN, KYC and employment details before resigning can prevent processing issues and help ensure your provident fund balance moves smoothly to your new employer.

With UPI now live in Greece, eligible customers can transfer money instantly, securely, and seamlessly, with transaction costs reducing drastically to a fraction of conventional transfer costs, Goyal said in a social media post.

Used-car financing now drives nearly 60% of platform transactions, but loans carry steeper rates (9-18%) and hidden costs like GPS-device fees and hypothecation charges versus new-car loans. 

Gen Z professionals in India are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance and skill development over promotions and salary hikes, according to Naukris Gen Z Work Code report. 14% of Gen Z employees may quit within a year if growth is missing, compared to 3% of millennials.

Income Tax department offers an online service that allows taxpayers to check status of their filed returns both before logging in to e-filing portal and after signing in. The service also provides access to return-related documents and alerts users if any action, such as e-verification, is pending.

Smart habits build a stronger financial future by improving payment history and boosting credit scores. This guide offers practical steps to manage bills, avoid missed payments, and strengthen your credit profile

Taxpayers filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 must submit their returns by 31 July. Meanwhile, taxpayers filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 who are not subject to tax audit can now file their returns until 31 August, an additional month beyond the traditional deadline.