The Economic Times

Competition Commission of India approved BNP Paribas Cardif's proposal to acquire a 26% stake in IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd. The stake will be purchased from private equity company Warburg Pincus. The insurance firm said step in its international growth and diversification strategy and strengthens its presence in India. In a separate deal, CCI authorised Crystal Crop Protection Ltd to acquire FMC India Pvt Ltd.

The Jammu and Kashmir government is offering eligible employees a rare chance to transition from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This opportunity is available to those appointed to specific roles prior to December 2009, provided they joined on or after January 2010, with applications accepted until December 2026. To apply, employees must submit requests to a Drawing and Disbursing Officer.

Cupid shares jumped 10% to Rs 291 after the companys inclusion in the Nifty Smallcap 250 index, effective September 30. The stock has surged 250% in six months, while strong June-quarter growth and raised FY27 guidance strengthen its growth outlook.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered over 19% annualized returns over three years, led by ITI Small Cap and Bandhan Small Cap. Investors should consider risk appetite, investment horizon and financial goals rather than chasing past performance.

LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management has appointed Ashis Kumar as Managing Director and CEO, effective September 26. Kumar brings over three decades of experience across investments, operations, distribution and marketing, having previously served as COO and held senior leadership roles at LIC.

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund is launching the MSIF Equity Long-Short Fund, a Specialized Investment Fund using equity investments and selective derivative-based short positions. The NFO opens September 30 and closes October 14. The strategy targets long-term capital appreciation through macro and fundamental research, disciplined risk management and opportunities across varying market cycles.

Several mutual funds delivered over 30% returns in the last six months while maintaining relatively low expense ratios. Bank of India Small Cap Fund led with 41.32%, followed by Motilal Oswal funds, Edelweiss Recently Listed IPO Fund and others.

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 22.96 crore in nearly 31 years. The fund has delivered a CAGR of 18.37% since inception and outperformed the NIFTY 500 Index (TRI) in 21 of 31 calendar years.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD and CEO Radhika Gupta believes trust is central to navigating weak market fundamentals, global economic realignment and AI-led disruption. Drawing on The Entropy Trap, she highlights how understanding shifts in the global system is key to understanding Indias growth story, with trust playing a crucial role in attracting capital, strengthening customer relationships and sustaining pricing power.

BSE cautioned investors about international ETFs trading at substantial premiums to NAV due to exhausted overseas investment limits. The exchange warned that premiums could fall sharply if investment limits rise or pricing rules change. Investors should compare ETF prices with latest NAVs, assess liquidity and conduct due diligence before trading.

BSE shares rose ahead of their Nifty 50 inclusion, with the move expected to trigger significant passive fund inflows. While Macquarie remains bullish on BSEs growth prospects, Jefferies and Nuvama flag regulatory changes, CAS and trading-related headwinds.

Niftys September 30 rejig will trigger major passive flows, with BSE, Vedanta Aluminium and other stocks set for inflows, while Wipro, IHCL and others face outflows.

In the last six months, all 36 smallcap mutual funds have achieved impressive double-digit returns, averaging around 25.20%. This indicates a robust recovery from prior dips. Financial experts advise investors to keep up their SIPs if they can handle the volatility. With smallcap valuations currently elevated, future success will hinge on sustained earnings growth.

On September 30, 2026, the Finance Ministry will evaluate interest rates for small savings schemes. With high inflation and increasing G-Sec bond yields, many are speculating about potential rate hikes. Currently, various schemes offer competitive returns exceeding 7%. Despite indicators suggesting adjustments, the government has kept rates steady for several quarters. The upcoming review will clarify the government's stance on these interest rates.

Market experts project cautious optimism for Indian equities as valuations become less demanding and earnings growth aligns. Large-cap stocks appear more favorable compared to mid- and small-caps, which require prudence. Preferred sectors include financials, manufacturing, and consumer discretionary, while technology remains divisive. Investors are advised to avoid slow-growth sectors and overpriced mid-caps. Overall, low-teens returns are anticipated amid various global risks and economic condi

In what can be termed as a shocking theft, armed robbers boarded train number 5610 in 2004 and looted for about 1 hour 15 minutes then pulled the chain and managed to vanish without trace. Police are yet to find the actual robbers since the persons whom the police caught have been acquitted in court.

In October 2026, significant changes to banking and finance regulations will take effect, impacting numerous services. Furthermore, the Reserve Bank of India will introduce new disclosure protocols regarding bulk fixed deposits, and UPI transaction fees will be revised for amounts exceeding Rs 2,000 starting October 15.

HDFC Mutual Fund has reopened its HDFC BSE REITS and Commercial Real Estate Index Fund after its September 1517 NFO period. The passive fund tracks the BSE REITs and Commercial Real Estate Index, offering diversified exposure to listed REITs and commercial real estate companies.

The Central Government has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns for the Assessment Year 2026-27. Taxpayers subject to audit now have until November 21, 2026 to file their returns. Additionally, the tax audit deadline has been shifted to October 21, 2026, providing more time for compliance. Chartered Accountants must upload the tax audit report on behalf of their clients through the e-filing portal.

The ET Wealth Expo 2026 is set to unite diverse wealth builders across India, focusing on the dynamic financial landscape. The event will spotlight unique paths to wealth creation and management for family decision-makers, affluent professionals, and new high net worth individuals. Throughout this two-day experience, participants will join expert-led sessions and masterclasses, designed to enhance financial strategies for growth and security.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services sees improving risk-reward for Indian equities as valuations cool, earnings recover and domestic liquidity remains strong. The brokerage also highlights sectoral rotation and names 27 stocks across large-, mid- and small-cap segments as top ideas.

Currently, three mainboard IPOs are capturing the interest of investors: Moneyview, Orient Cables, and A-One Steels. Each presents unique growth opportunities alongside specific valuation hurdles. They have detailed their intended uses for the capital raised through their offerings. Analysts suggest all three IPOs merit consideration for subscriptions, despite varying levels of demand in the grey market. Investors should evaluate each company individually based on their own investment preference

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund launched a contra fund focused on research-driven, non-consensus opportunities in underperforming assets. The NFO closes October 12, with minimum investment of Rs 1,000. The open-ended equity scheme targets long-term investors and can invest across market capitalisations, alongside limited exposure to debt, commodities and InvITs.

Navigating overseas property purchases for NRI/OCI children can be complex for Indian parents, entangled in regulations like FEMA and RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. From understanding allowable remittance limits to distinguishing between gifts and loans, families must carefully plan to avoid potential tax and compliance issues. Learn the critical steps to streamline the funding process.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund launched the Life Cycle Fund 2056, an open-ended scheme with a predetermined maturity and mandatory glide path. The NFO closes October 12, with investments starting at Rs 5,000. The fund dynamically shifts allocations from equity toward debt, arbitrage and commodities as the 2056 maturity approaches.

India's GDP growth in the second quarter of FY26 surpassed the Reserve Bank of India's forecast of 7 percent. The growth prompted forecasts of gradual rate hikes, with expectations of a 25 basis points increase twice in FY27. Additionally, inflation is projected to hover above 5 percent due to various economic pressures. Rising oil prices are expected to widen the current account deficit to 1.3 percent of GDP in FY27.

Hybrid mutual funds are gaining investor attention, with assets under management rising sharply in recent years. Five hybrid schemes feature among the top 10 funds by AUM, offering diversification and lower portfolio volatility.

An analysis of 189 equity mutual funds found 19 schemes delivering over 15% CAGR across three, five and seven years. The group comprised nine midcap, seven smallcap, two largecap and midcap and one ELSS fund, highlighting sustained long-term performance across multiple equity categories, though the exercise is not an investment recommendation.