The Economic Times

Shriram AMC has refreshed the investment framework of three hybrid funds, introducing a research-driven, dynamic asset allocation strategy across equity, debt, gold and silver. The move aims to improve diversification, manage risk and support long-term wealth creation across market cycles.

The Income Tax Department has announced the Cost Inflation Index for the upcoming tax year. This index, set at 384, will adjust asset acquisition costs for capital gains. It becomes effective from April 1, 2026, impacting future tax calculations.

Rising inflation has crossed the Reserve Bank of India's target, signaling potential repo rate hikes. Higher inflation and increased credit demand suggest banks might raise fixed deposit interest rates soon. Banks monitor deposit growth and credit demand before adjusting their fixed deposit rates. High yields on government securities and small savings schemes also pressure banks to increase FD rates.

Quant Mid Cap Fund exited Reliance Industries and three other stocks in June while adding BHEL and L&T Technology Services to its portfolio, according to ACE MF data. The fund sold 21.38 lakh RIL shares worth Rs 282 crore and also exited PB Fintech, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) during the month.

ITAT overturns STCG tax on Gujarat house sale: When Kaminiben from Anand, Gujarat, sold her house for Rs 21.4 lakh in AY 2018-19, which she had originally bought in 2005 for Rs 1.94 lakh, the tax dept issued her tax notices. However, as she was living abroad as an NRI at the time, she could not respond to them.

Gold price today: Gold prices remained a key focus for buyers on July 16, 2026. Checking the latest gold rates across leading jewellers can help you make an informed decision when buying gold. Here's a look at the latest 22-carat gold prices at Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers today.

Five mutual funds exited 11 midcap stocks completely in June, including Tube Investments, Dixon Technologies, PB Fintech, and Kaynes Technology, as AMCs actively reshuffled portfolios, according to Nuvama.

The Reserve Bank of India has set the redemption price for SGB 2019-20 Series-II. Investors can redeem these bonds prematurely starting July 16, 2026. The redemption value is fixed at Rs 14,199 per unit of SGB. This represents a significant return of nearly 319% on the initial investment. Investors will receive this amount excluding the annual interest payments.

Seven equity mutual funds created exceptional long-term wealth, multiplying investors money up to 22.4 times over 20 years, led by Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund, according to FundsIndia.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has filed draft documents with Sebi to launch two new schemes: the JioBlackRock Corporate Bond Fund and the JioBlackRock Nifty 50 ETF. The Corporate Bond Fund will predominantly invest in AA+ and above-rated corporate bonds, while the Nifty 50 ETF will passively track the Nifty 50 Index, expanding the fund house's passive and fixed-income offerings.

A careful, timely, and well-documented filing approach can help employees avoid notices, interest, penalties, and refund delays while ensuring that all eligible deductions and benefits are correctly claimed. The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing due date for salaried individuals is July 31, 2026 if they are not liable for tax audit.

Government support for FCNR(B) deposits until September 2026 has sparked renewed investor interest. Banks are now offering higher interest rates on these foreign currency accounts. Non-Resident Indians can benefit from avoiding Indian currency depreciation risks.

Abakkus Mutual Fund has launched its third equity NFO, the Abakkus Large & Mid Cap Fund. This new fund aims to navigate volatile markets by investing in growth companies and established businesses. The fund employs an in-house MEETS framework for evaluating long-term value creation potential. Experts suggest caution with NFOs due to the absence of a performance track record.

Taxpayers must retain income tax documents for several years after filing returns. Digital copies are generally sufficient, but original physical records are vital for ownership. Documents depend on income sources, including salary, capital gains, and business income. Keeping records helps respond to tax notices and supports future tax calculations.

The CBDTs decision to upload foreign financial information into taxpayers annual information statements may be more than an administrative exercise. Read alongside the Finance Act, 2026, it appears to set the stage for the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme, 2026, and signals a new era of tax transparency.

Bank holiday today: Banks will be closed today, July 16, 2026, in few states today. These closures are to observe the Jagannath Rath Yatra and the Harela festival. The Rath Yatra involves parading deities on large wooden chariots through city streets. Harela is a festival celebrating the monsoon and the agricultural sowing season.

Unlike Gold ETFs, both physical gold and digital gold have longer required holding periods for realizing long-term gains. Additionally, Sovereign Gold Bonds will see changes in capital gains tax exemption starting April 2026. Tax implications for inherited or gifted gold depend on how and when the gold is sold.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation members anticipate receiving 8.25 percent interest today. This interest payment applies to the financial year 2025-2026 for many subscribers. EPFO subscribers can check their updated balances through the UMANG app or SMS. The EPFO member e-Sewa portal also provides access to account details. Interest accrues monthly, ensuring no loss if credit is delayed.

According to the income tax rules, car dealers are required to deduct 1% TCS if the ex-showroom value of the car exceeds Rs 10 lakh. However, do not confuse your total car cost with the ex-showroom price, which is the base retail cost excluding any kind of taxes, accessory charges etc.

Abakkus Mutual Fund has launched the Abakkus Large & Mid Cap Fund, an open-ended equity scheme that will invest predominantly in large-cap and mid-cap companies. The NFO is open until July 29 and aims to generate long-term capital appreciation through a research-driven investment approach.

Seven mutual funds fully exited 14 smallcap stocks in June, including Ramco Systems, Gland Pharma and JM Financial, as fund managers reshuffled portfolios to actively manage investments and rebalance holdings.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme offers farmers income support. Eligible farmers will likely receive the 24th installment in October 2026. Completing eKYC is mandatory for receiving these crucial scheme benefits.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund's equity portfolio was led by banking majors HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank in June, with Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro and Infosys also featuring among its top holdings. The fund house, which managed assets worth Rs 16,614 crore at the end of the month, maintained a diversified portfolio across financials, telecom, technology, industrials and metals, according to Prime Database data.

Home loan interest column for self-occupied house is disabled in ITR utility? Know what to do while ITR filing for AY 2026-2027. The reason for this is under new tax regime, home loan interest tax deduction cannot be claimed but in old tax regime it can be claimed. So check your ITR for tax regime.

Mutual funds invested Rs 50,600 crore in stocks during June. They significantly bought JSWInfra, Bajaj Finance, and HDFC Bank. Conversely, Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, and SBI saw major reductions. In midcaps, JSW Infrastructure and Meesho were key additions by funds. Smallcap segment saw buying in Acme Solar Holdings and Craftsman Auto.

Andhra Pradesh offers a one-time option to switch to the Old Pension Scheme. This applies to employees recruited before September 1, 2004, who joined later. They must meet specific conditions to avail this benefit. This decision aligns with a similar move by the central government in March 2023. Employees not opting will continue under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Gifts from specified relatives are fully exempt from income tax. Non-relative cash gifts exceeding fifty thousand rupees become taxable. Immovable property gifts are taxed based on stamp duty value. Specified movable assets received without consideration are also taxable. Taxpayers must report taxable gifts under 'Income from Other Sources'.

Gold Price Today: Gold prices saw an increase on July 15, 2026, as jewellers adjusted their rates. Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher prices for 22-carat gold. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also provided indicative rates for various gold purities.

The PFRDA has launched NPS PRIDE-Disha, a new digital toolkit for subscribers. This tool allows comparisons of historical pension fund performance using SIP returns. It utilizes nearly 5,000 days of historical NAV data for analysis. Subscribers can now evaluate investment choices across asset classes effectively. The platform aids in making informed decisions about retirement wealth accumulation.

Mutual funds cut cash holdings by over Rs 4,563 crore to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in June, marking a 19-month low, as fund houses increased equity exposure amid a market rally. The move came as geopolitical tensions eased and crude oil prices declined. The Sensex and Nifty50 gained 2.98% and 2.06%, respectively, during June 2026.

Individuals filing income tax returns for FY 2025-26 will need interest certificates. These documents verify interest income and loan interest deductions for tax purposes. The article provides step-by-step instructions for downloading these certificates from ICICI, HDFC, SBI, and Axis Bank.

Employee with Rs 68 lakh salary donated Rs 12 lakh to political party for Section 80GGC tax break; ITAT Ahmedabad upholds tax dept's order denying such deduction. Know why this salaried employee lost the case in ITAT Ahmedabad. Keep reading.

Mutual funds have reduced their technology sector allocation to 5.9 per cent. This marks an all-time low, reflecting investor caution and profit booking. Experts suggest this decline may present a long-term buying opportunity for investors. However, near-term volatility is expected due to global spending concerns. Diversified equity funds are recommended over concentrated sector bets.

Value investing has dominated the Indian stock market recently, offering strong returns. Mutual funds following this strategy have outperformed growth-oriented funds significantly. Value investors seek stocks trading below their intrinsic worth for long-term gains. Patience is crucial as market discovery of these undervalued stocks can take time. Investors should limit value fund allocations to a maximum of twenty percent.

Bhautik Ambani, CEO, AlphaGrep, explains why modern investing must take into account the limitations of predicting the market, and instead turn to a more agile adjustment of allocation and risk in response to shifts in markets.

Taxpayers can check income tax refund status online via the e-filing portal. Common statuses like 'Refund Issued' and 'Refund Failed' require specific actions. Delays often stem from incorrect bank details or unverified returns. Mismatches in AIS and Form 26AS can also cause processing issues. The department may adjust refunds against outstanding tax demands after intimation.

Fund houses experienced robust equity inflows during June. Money managers favored large-cap stocks trading below historical averages. Private banks like HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were consistently purchased. Healthcare companies also received fresh allocations for steady growth. This investment trend was supported by easing geopolitical tensions and softer oil prices.

Mutual fund flows show investor sentiment and money movement across categories. Consistent inflows suggest investor confidence, while outflows may signal caution. Equity fund inflows indicate more money allocated to stocks, but do not guarantee market rises. Fund flows help gauge market liquidity, not as direct buy or sell signals. Company fundamentals and other factors ultimately drive long-term investment returns.

Non-Resident Indians can invest foreign earnings in Indian rupees through NRE fixed deposits. These deposits offer tax-exempt interest and free repatriation of funds abroad.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has launched the Baroda BNP Paribas Services Fund, an open-ended thematic equity scheme that aims to capitalise on India's fast-growing services economy. The NFO is open until July 28.

Controlled inflation prompts economists to delay interest rate hike expectations. Retail inflation rose to 4.38% in June, exceeding the RBI's target. Core inflation remained around 4%, suggesting a lower annual average. This shift means the Reserve Bank of India may not tighten policy soon. Future rate hikes depend on sustained core inflation above 4.5%.