The Economic Times

Gold prices saw a dip today, April 9, 2026, after a sharp rise yesterday. This shift follows developments in the global bullion market, specifically the Iran-US ceasefire. Major Indian jewellery brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported lower rates for 22k gold. The Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association also noted this downward trend.

The Income Tax Department has launched Kar Saathi, an AI chatbot on its revamped portal to simplify tax filing. This tool offers 24/7 assistance, clear explanations of complex tax rules, and step-by-step guidance, aiming to reduce errors and taxpayer reliance on experts. It marks a move towards proactive compliance.

The Department of Posts has issued new FAQs clarifying child education allowance rules for central government employees. These clarifications address admissibility for pre-primary classes, including repetitions under NEP-2020, and situations like leave, suspension, retirement, and termination. The aim is to ensure uniform implementation and avoid confusion for postal staff.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund increased stakes in Tata Consultancy Services, ITC and 14 other stocks in March, while trimming only Balkrishna Industries. The fund raised holdings in HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Coal India and others, maintaining a diversified portfolio across 21 sectors.

New guidelines for NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme PoC 2 are now in effect. Health insurance benefits are mandatory for subscribers. The scheme allows partial withdrawals for medical expenses and a 100% lump sum exit for emergencies. Any Indian citizen can join this voluntary, contributory pension scheme. Contributions are invested for retirement while providing immediate medical support.

Multicap funds are gaining traction post market correction as a diversified investment route. However, their mandated exposure to large, mid, and smallcap stocks makes them vulnerable to volatility, especially during market downturns. These funds are best for investors comfortable with higher risk across market cycles.

Crypto investors can now earn from idle assets without constant trading. Flexible savings accounts allow users to deposit cryptocurrencies like USDT, BTC, and ETH to generate interest. This approach offers a middle ground, keeping funds accessible while they work in the background.

Silver and gold ETFs saw significant drops on Thursday, shedding up to 4%, as MCX bullion prices followed global weakness. The US Federal Reserve's minutes signaled further rate hikes amid inflation concerns, while geopolitical risks from the Iran conflict also weighed on markets. Investors remain cautious, awaiting clarity on the US-Iran ceasefire.

Gold ETFs have seen declines of up to 8% despite Middle East tensions, leaving investors uncertain. Experts advise against panic selling, recommending asset allocation and staggered buying for those at higher entry points. The recent ceasefire has caused a temporary rally, but long-term gold performance hinges on inflation and central bank policies.

Large & mid cap mutual funds invest a minimum of 35% in both large and mid-cap stocks, offering a blend of stability and risk. Fund managers have flexibility with the remaining corpus, making these schemes suitable for aggressive investors with a long-term horizon willing to take on extra risk.

A Surat businessman's Rs 80 lakh cash deposit during demonetisation was deemed unexplained by ITAT Surat. The tribunal rejected his claim of withdrawing funds for a property deal. The court found his explanation lacked evidence and defied normal business conduct. The businessman's appeal was dismissed, upholding the tax department's action.

After a 43-year legal battle, the family of an employee fired for yelling at a company doctor has won back pay and post-death benefits. The Jharkhand High Court ruled the dismissal harsh, citing medical negligence and the employee's severe pain as mitigating factors. The family will receive 40% of back wages and all consequential benefits.

Central government employees are eagerly awaiting their dearness allowance hike. The announcement, usually made earlier, is now delayed. Experts suggest this is due to administrative transitions and the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. Employees will receive arrears from January 1, 2026, regardless of the announcement date. The government is expected to issue the official order soon, possibly by mid-April.

Bank customers in poll-bound states should plan branch visits for April 9, 2026. Elections are scheduled in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. Banks in polling constituencies may close. ATMs and online services will operate normally.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has rejected a plea from five banks. They challenged fund distribution to SBI and Punjab National Bank. The tribunal upheld the distribution mechanism. This mechanism was approved by the lenders' body and the NCLT. The case involves OCL Iron and Steel insolvency proceedings. Indrani Patnaik's resolution plan was approved.

Highest FD rates: The Reserve Bank of India has kept the repo rate steady at 5.25%. Experts suggest fixed deposit rates may not increase immediately. However, future rate hikes are possible due to various economic indicators. The article highlights the highest FD interest rates across public, private, and small finance banks for 1, 3, and 5-year tenures as of April 8, 2026.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) offer a passive investment approach, mirroring index performance and allowing investors to align choices with their time horizon and financial goals. A structured strategy, including regular investments via SIPs, can foster discipline and help achieve objectives. Understanding the tracked index is crucial for informed ETF selection.

PPFAS Asset Management has received approval from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) today to become a sponsor for a pension fund under the National Pension System (NPS).

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India, in its bi-monthly review on Wednesday, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained its neutral stance.

Groww Mutual Fund has announced the launch of the Groww Arbitrage Fund, an open-ended scheme investing in arbitrage opportunities. The scheme is designed to capture pricing differences between the cash and derivatives markets, with the aim of generating relatively stable returns with limited directional equity risk.

Gold prices in India saw a slight increase on April 8, 2026, despite a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Major jewelers like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher rates for 22k gold.

Starting April 1, 2026, new PAN application forms are in effect. Four distinct forms, 93, 94, 95, and 96, cater to specific applicant types including Indian citizens, foreign individuals, and various entities.

Sunil Singhania backed Abakkus Mutual Fund has unveiled the maiden portfolio of its smallcap fund - Abakkus Small Cap Fund, following an in-house investment framework viz. MEETS, to evaluate key drivers of long-term value creation. This marks the funds first update since its NFO.

Bank holiday on April 9: Bank customers in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are seeking clarity on bank operations for April 9, 2026. Elections for legislative assemblies are scheduled in these states. While the RBI holiday calendar does not list a closure, local branches should be consulted. Central government offices will close in notified polling areas. This ensures citizens can exercise their voting rights.

The Reserve Bank of India said it anticipated crude oil prices to average USD 85 per barrel and the Indian rupee to trade at 94 against the US dollar in FY27. These projections are part of the central bank's latest Monetary Policy report. The report also details past trends, including the rupee's significant depreciation in FY26 due to outflows and global factors.

The RBI's decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% presents a complex landscape for investors. Experts advise debt fund investors to prioritize short-to-medium duration funds and high-quality corporate bonds to manage risks. Equity investors are encouraged to consider largecap and flexicap strategies amidst global uncertainties and inflation concerns.

New income tax return forms for Assessment Year 2026-27 demand greater detail on political party donations. Taxpayers seeking deductions under Section 80GGC must now provide the political party's name and PAN. This change aims to enhance transparency and traceability of contributions. Individuals donating through banking channels or UPI should be aware of these updated disclosure requirements.

A 52-year-old investor aiming for a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus by age 60 faces a potential shortfall with his current Rs 30 lakh portfolio and Rs 40,000 monthly SIP. Experts advise simplifying the diversified portfolio, increasing SIPs by 8-10% annually, and gradually shifting towards debt for capital protection.

Despite a challenging 2025 with negative returns, small cap mutual funds saw renewed investor interest in February 2026 with significant inflows. While valuations are considered rich and market volatility persists, advisors suggest staggered investments in these high-risk, high-reward schemes for long-term wealth creation.

Silver and gold ETFs surged up to 6% on Wednesday, mirroring gains in global bullion markets. This rally followed U.S. President Trump's agreement to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, easing energy-driven inflation concerns. Experts suggest current levels offer an attractive consolidation zone for long-term investors.

Retaining repo rates in succession was a relief for many FD investors who have been depositing for low maturity amounts for some time after many banks and small finance banks cut deposit rates following the RBIs 125 bps repo rate cut last year (2025). However, traditional banks and small finance banks are less likely to increase FD rates in the near future, but the possibility of a rate is quite a possibility given many indicators suggesting so.

The Reserve Bank of India has kept the repo rate steady at 5.25%. Home loan borrowers may see temporary relief. However, rising inflation, driven by global events, suggests a potential repo rate increase in upcoming meetings. This could lead to higher home loan interest rates. Strategies like prepayment and refinancing can help manage future loan costs.

When Mr Sewadsha from Ghatkopar East purchased five apartments in a housing project in Bhandup he had no idea that the builder had cheated him by selling refuge areas (vacant areas). The reason why the builder could dupe Sewadsha is because there was an error in the plan annexed to the Occupancy Certificate which shows a part of the vacant space as residential flats on 8th and 15th floor of the housing society even though no constructed residential apartment, fit for occupation, exists there.

Many investors overlook their National Pension System, assuming retirement plans are on track. However, a 'set and forget' approach can lead to misaligned asset allocation and insufficient corpus. Regular reviews are crucial to ensure contributions and investments align with long-term goals. Adjusting risk and rebalancing portfolios helps secure retirement wealth.

Multicap funds are gaining traction as a comprehensive investment option, offering exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks. However, regulatory mandates requiring significant allocation to smaller stocks make them more susceptible to market volatility and deeper drawdowns during corrections, unlike more flexible categories.

Tata Mutual Fund has reopened its small-cap fund to lumpsum investments. This move follows a market correction that has presented better entry points. The fund manager sees a favourable risk-reward for investors with a 3-5 year horizon. Other small-cap funds still have restrictions. The small-cap category manages significant assets.

What must be assessed is whether the claimant spouse has sufficient independent income to sustain herself, the court said. While highlighting that the wifes familys financial background is irrelevant in this case, Justice Urmila Joshi Phalke noted that interim maintenance depends on financial necessity.

Tata Mutual Fund has announced the resumption of all fresh inflows through lumpsum and switch-in applications, in Tata Small Cap Fund effective from April 06, 2026.