The Economic Times

Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week, Sanket Dhanorkar explains what are specialised investment funds and how they differ from other investment products.

Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. By Sameer Bhardwaj

The distinction matters for how HR teams design the benefit. A fixed benefit CI policy addresses income replacement and non medical costs that a health insurance policy does not cover, e.g. months of lost salary and family support during recovery. An indemnity CI policy addresses treatment cost coverage for critical conditions specifically.

Some insurers now reimburse visa fees if your application is rejected. But modest payouts, exclusions and multiple conditions can limit the covers value.

In the US, parents tend to protect their assets for their own use in retirement, and choose to not spend it disproportionately on their childrens education or marriage. In India, there is a clear understanding that the assets accumulated by parents will be bequeathed by their children, for many of whom it is a major wealth transfer.

Sebi has mandated a new colour-coded Credit Risk-o-Meter for all debt securities. This tool aims to provide transparent risk assessment to investors prior to investments. It categorizes risk levels with distinct colors representing credit ratings. Additionally, issuers must comply with standardized disclosures regarding unsecured bonds. This initiative is expected to enhance investor understanding and facilitate informed decision-making in the bond market.

The latest changes proposed by the GST Council will help cut costs and ease cash flow for companies.

Extending the tenure instead of raising EMIs will push up the interest outgo on your home loan.

The timing of investments and withdrawals can change investment returns. IRR helps measure that impact.

Four retirees tell us how they planned for a market fall long before it came.

Vetri Subramaniam took over as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UTI Asset Management Company in February this year. In this discussion with Sanket Dhanorkar, he shares his market outlook and the fund houses strategy to improve performance.

Online sales of big appliances are growing at 25% as the festive sales begin. With prices rising and bank offers everywhere, here is how to decide where to buy, and which card can cut your bill.

Abakkus Mutual Fund and JioBlackRock Mutual Fund have filed draft scheme documents with Sebi for six proposed launches. The offerings include three hybrid funds, two target maturity index funds and a silver ETF.

International mutual funds topped the returns chart for the week ended October 9, with the Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF FoF leading the pack with 10.66% returns. Of 626 funds, 148 delivered positive returns, while 474 posted losses.

In a significant legal clash in Bangalore, Mr. Thimmadasappa defended his land rights against K.M. Venkatamuniyappa's unfounded claim that he owned the land through a rectification deed. The Court decisively ruled that ownership cannot be established without valid documentation, reinforcing the notion that meticulous property records are essential to prevent disputes.

Around seven stocks may soon get demoted to the midcap segment from current largecap status by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) in its Semi-Annual rejig in H1 CY27, according to a prediction by Nuvama Institutional Equities.

Quant Small Cap Fund exited ICICI Bank and five other stocks in September while trimming its holdings in six stocks, including Zydus Wellness. The fund also added six new stocks to its portfolio and increased its stake in 10 others, according to its monthly portfolio disclosure.

For Indians earning income from overseas, securing a tax residency certificate is essential to avail benefits under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). To acquire this certificate, taxpayers must complete Form 42 online via the income tax e-filing portal. This form necessitates accurate details and supporting documents to confirm residency status.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund sees a more attractive risk-reward equation in equities after the recent market correction but cautions that a sustained recovery remains uncertain. In debt, it favours target maturity funds for investors with defined horizons, while recommending cash and money market funds for those with near-term liquidity needs.

For giving up 2,839 sq. metres of land, BBMP gives landowner TDRs which landowner sells to builder for Rs 6 crore; Income Tax Dept sends notice; ITAT Bangalore rules TDR sale attracts capital gains tax

Compounding can help mutual fund investors build long-term wealth by generating returns on accumulated gains. Through regular SIP investments, even small contributions can grow significantly over time. An example of a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP over 20 years shows how starting early, staying consistent and remaining invested can boost wealth creation.

The biggest misconception about no-cost EMI is that the bank doesn't charge any interest. In a no-cost EMI, the seller readjusts the interest amount so that the sum of all the EMIs adds up to the price you would pay upfront. However, interest still exists, and interest attracts GST. So, among A, B, and C, who would end up saving the most? Find out here.

Currently, multiple banks are offering attractive fixed deposit interest rates that go up to 8.25% specifically for senior citizens. Suryoday Small Finance Bank stands out, boasting the highest rate for five-year deposits. While many banks propose rates hovering between 5.75% and 7.77%.

The Reserve Bank of India has raised the repo rate, which positively impacts fixed deposit interest rates. Investors should explore the FD laddering strategy for various tenures, allowing them to reinvest at higher rates as shorter deposits mature. Moreover, diversifying across different banks can boost insurance coverage. It's essential for investors to stay aware of their liquidity requirements and any shifts in interest rates when engaging in this strategy.

The 8th Pay Commission recently held meetings in Bengaluru with several pensioners' organizations for discussions. Recommendations included raising the minimum basic pay to Rs 69,000 and pension to Rs 34,470. Suggestions also proposed merging existing pay scales and updating the Aykroyd formula to meet modern needs. Moreover, the annual increment rate was recommended to increase from 3% to 6% for better employee motivation.

On October 10, 2026, banking services will be suspended due to the second Saturday of the month coinciding with Mahalaya Amavasye celebrated in Karnataka and West Bengal. Following the Reserve Bank of Indias directives, banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays. With various festivals and holidays marked in October, it's essential for customers to plan their banking transactions wisely ahead of this date.

On October 8, 2026, the Central Board of Direct Taxes introduced a revised Form 161 for taxpayers. This new form allows eligible individuals to apply for a waiver of penalty related to misreported income. Taxpayers must meet specific statutory conditions when applying for this relief through the amended form. The application process requires timely tax payments and cannot involve pending appeals.

Starting October 11, 2026, Shriram Finance Limited is set to increase interest rates on fixed deposits, enhancing returns for all depositors regardless of tenure. Senior citizens and women will benefit from even higher rates, and those renewing matured deposits can expect additional interest perks. Investors should carefully review the terms and conditions prior to making investments in fixed deposits.

Axis Mutual Fund has entered the specialised investment fund category with Accelerate SIF, focusing on risk-adjusted returns and disciplined portfolio management. Nandik Mallik will lead the initiative, with equity and hybrid product launches planned soon.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund added 13 stocks to its portfolio in September, including DLF, Bharti Airtel, Petronet LNG and Indus Towers, while exiting The Great Eastern Shipping Company. The fund held 33 stocks during the month, compared with 34 in August, and did not reduce its exposure to any stock. Its assets under management stood at Rs 1.45 lakh crore, with 9.77% held in cash, debt, money market instruments and arbitrage positions.

Senior citizens often invest in Senior Citizens Savings Scheme and SBI fixed deposits for income. SCSS offers an 8.2% interest per annum with quarterly payouts, beneficial for regular cash flow. In contrast, SBI's senior citizen fixed deposit provides a lower rate of 7.05% with less frequent interest payouts. An investment of Rs 7 lakh in SCSS yields higher returns compared to the SBI fixed deposit.

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming how we analyze data and derive investment insights, yet human judgment plays an irreplaceable role in decision-making processes. Experts caution that merely processing data doesnt assure favorable investment results. Investors should evaluate which insights resonate with their financial goals and risk levels. Financial advisors must embrace technology while safeguarding skills in communication and accountability, particularly during market fluc

A teacher was approved for working till 62 years age however, she was denied gratuity payment on the ground that the retirement age was 60 so she should have exercised the gratuity option at 60 and not 62 years age.

Gold rates today: Gold rates increased today for 22k gold jewellery across major brands such as Tanishq and Malabar Gold.

Ramesh Nair, MD and CEO of Mindspace REIT, explains how investors should approach REITs as part of a diversified portfolio. He discusses the importance of looking beyond distribution yields and assessing total returns, occupancy, growth prospects, balance-sheet strength and interest-rate risks. Nair also weighs the impact of AI on office demand and outlines the potential for Indias REIT market to expand.

Navigating the KYC process for NRIs investing in India can be complex, requiring specific documents and verification steps. From ensuring document accuracy to understanding attestation requirements, several factors can impact the smooth completion of KYC. Explore the essential documentation and common pitfalls faced by NRIs in their investment journey.

The 35% mandatory investments in mid cap stocks make them risky. However, they are less risky than pure mid cap schemes that invest around 65% in mid cap stocks. Also, the 35% investments in large cap investments offer them some stability. But they are riskier than pure large cap schemes. Then there is the question of the remaining 30% of the corpus.

Three Nifty 500 stocks, including Diamond Power Infrastructure, Sky Gold, and Anand Rathi Wealth, closed above their volume weighted average prices (VWAP) on October 8, according to StockEdge technical data. Closing above VWAP signals strong intraday buying interest as final traded prices exceeded the weighted average execution levels.