The Economic Times

Employers must file the Electronic Challan-cum-Return for September 2026 by October 31, 2026. The EPFO extended the previous deadline to accommodate changes in contribution calculations due to the new wage ceiling. For the period of September 1 to 16, contributions are calculated at Rs 15,000, while from September 17 onward, they will be at Rs 25,000.

The central government's recent decision to increase the dearness allowance from 60% to 63% will affect salaries significantly. This hike, effective from July 1, 2026, results in notable changes in retirement gratuity.

Several mutual fund houses have paused fresh investments in gold fund-of-funds, prompting investors to explore alternatives. Gold ETFs remain an option, but require a demat and trading account and have different costs and liquidity features.

Since the Nifty 500 peaked in September 2024, balanced advantage funds have steadily increased their net equity exposure between September 2024 and August 2026. Here is a detailed breakdown of top 10 funds with highest net equity holding, as reported by ETWealth.

HDFC Large Cap Fund has turned a monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 into Rs 8.46 crore over 30 years, while a lump-sum investment of Rs 1 lakh grew to Rs 1.30 crore. Launched in 1996, the fund has delivered a 17.62% CAGR, according to HDFC Mutual Fund.

Vijay Kedia says patience is essential to building wealth in the stock market, comparing investing with farming, where some crops take years to yield results. He shares his three principles for investors, the SMILE formula for spotting multibaggers and lessons from his investing journey.

Saurabh Mukherjea's 50:50 rule for Nifty and S&P 500

Saurabh Mukherjea recommends a simple 50:50 portfolio split between the Nifty 50 and the S

Gold rates today: Gold jewellery prices fell below Rs 13,000 per gram at several prominent jewellery brands on October 31, 2026. As buyers prepare for Dhanteras and Diwali, many are comparing current gold rates.

Effective November 1, 2026, IndusInd Bank will roll out new fees for any failed savings account transactions. Concurrently, Punjab National Bank will adjust service charges related to credit card transactions. Pensioners must provide their life certificates by November 30, 2026, to continue receiving benefits.

HIghest FD interest rate: Many senior citizens seek stable revenue through fixed deposits to support their daily expenses. Small finance banks typically offer higher interest rates than public sector banks for these deposits. Senior citizens should carefully compare options before making investment decisions.

Brothers resisted married sisters claim over late fathers properties; Karnataka HC rules in married sisters favour as properties are jointly held and Hindu Succession Act has an overriding effect in succession cases.

8th Pay Commission news: The central government has many more pensioners than employees. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced DA and DR hikes that will benefit both employees and pensioners. The 8th Pay Commission will consider various recommendations regarding pension adjustments. Estimates show potential pension increases based on fitment factors of 2.0, 2.25, and 2.57. However, the final decision will be made once the Commission releases its report.

Indian banks observe closures on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Despite holidays, digital banking remains available for customers. October and November bring a series of holidays that may impact banking hours in certain locations, prompting patrons to take advantage of online banking services during these breaks.

Reliance Industries reported record Q2FY27 profit of Rs 29,550 crore and revenue of Rs 3.62 lakh crore, driven by strong refining margins and Jio growth. Retail profitability weakened, while declining debt improved the conglomerate's financial position.

First Global's Devina Mehra urges Indian investors to diversify across countries, sectors, currencies and asset classes. She highlights global opportunities, changing market leadership and the risks of chasing popular investments, advocating broader international exposure for long-term portfolio resilience.

$1.5 trillion will change hands as India's 50-plus pass on wealth: Bajaj AMC's Ganesh Mohan

The Reserve Bank of India has declared a new interest rate of 7.26% per annum for the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2034, reflecting an increase from the earlier rate of 6.45%. This updated rate will be effective from October 30, 2026, to April 29, 2027, allowing investors to earn more on their six-monthly coupon payments.

Indias SIP growth story has a long runway, with household equity exposure still in single digits and a large number of investors in the wealth-accumulation phase, says Carnelian Asset Managements Vikas Khemani. Speaking at the ET Wealth Expo, he said SWPs may take another 25 years to gain widespread relevance as the population ages and more investors transition towards retirement.

Vivek Kannan has been appointed as the chief executive officer of Hinduja Housing Finance Limited. He succeeded Sachin Pillai, who stepped down but remains on the board as a non-executive director. Kannan joined the company as Chief Operating Officer in 2020 and contributed significantly to its growth and transformation. With over two decades of experience, he has held leadership roles in various financial institutions.

Swarup Mohanty of Mirae Asset urged investors to focus on the consistency and quality of their investment decisions rather than market movements. At the ET Wealth Expo, he stressed that financial goals should drive asset allocation, cautioned against chasing past returns and highlighted the importance of buying good businesses at reasonable valuations.

ICICI Prudential MF's S Naren cautions investors against chasing asset classes after sharp rallies, calling it anti-asset allocation. At the ET Wealth Expo, he highlighted the importance of investing in underperforming asset classes, including international debt, and using valuation indicators to guide decisions. He also discussed gold, real estate and the need for patience during market corrections.

Around 10 mutual funds and one specialised investment fund (SIF) are currently open for subscription, offering investors options across silver, debt, thematic, multi-asset and equity categories. Here is a look at their minimum investment amounts and subscription closing dates.

Since last Diwali, TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund has delivered an impressive return of 19.82%, exceeding expectations against its benchmark. The fund manager credits strategic investments concentrated in industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors for this success. Although small-cap investments are known for their growth prospects, they necessitate careful management and patience. Experts recommend a moderate allocation tailored to individual risk appetites and suggest systematic investment plans fo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 24th instalment of Rs 2,000 of the PM Kisan samman yojana scheme today in Gujarat. Farmers eagerly awaited this payment, which is crucial for their agricultural needs and expenses. Eligible farmers must complete their eKYC to receive this instalment, which is mandatory according to the PM Kisan portal guidelines.

Employees at the Bina branch of India Post defrauded depositors out of Rs 36.4 lakh through forged documents. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the postal department to refund the victims with applicable interest. This decision follows a case where the victims were misled by unauthorized employees posing as authorized staff. The High Court's ruling emphasizes the trust placed in the postal employees by the victims.