The Economic Times

Wall Street brokerages are turning bullish on NSE, citing its dominant market position and Indias expanding capital markets. Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and 360 ONE recommend buying the stock, projecting up to 30% upside. Rising investor participation, trading activity and new businesses could drive long-term revenue and earnings growth.

With Diwali just around the corner, many individuals are contemplating the best time to embark on their investment journey through mutual funds. Experts advise initiating a well-rounded strategy that features a mix of flexi-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds. New investors should embrace systematic investment plans to cultivate disciplined investing habits while steering clear of trying to time the market.

Ambit Capital expects a 15% mobile tariff hike in Dec 2026 and 12% hikes every two years. See its BUY calls on Airtel, Indus Towers, Vodafone Idea and Bharti Hexacom.

ETMutualFundslaunched its recommended mutual fund portfolios to invest through SIPs in October 2016. Since then, we have been closely monitoring the schemes in these portfolios and coming up with updates on them regularly. We also inform our readers about poorly performing schemes and replacements for them. The schemes in these ready made portfolios are selected based on our in-house methodology mentioned at the end of this article.

Motilal Oswals latest calls on BSE, Infosys, Kotak Bank, Adani Ports, JSW Steel, Shriram Finance, Torrent Pharma, Tata Motors and CG Power, with ratings and target prices

The Finance Act, 2026 outlines significant changes in income tax deductions and exemptions for Tax Year 2026-27. Non-resident individuals will benefit from tax exemptions on foreign-source income for five tax years. Disability pensions are only exempted if individuals are invalided out due to service-related disabilities. Compulsory land acquisition income will also be tax-exempt, clarifying previous ambiguities in the law.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected the landowners request for enhanced compensation by noting that the landowners relied on market values from 2010 despite the government acquiring lands in 2008. The landowners claimed their compensation was inadequate due to significant market price increases occurring later. The high court emphasized compensation should be based on the market value at the time of acquisition.

For Tax Year 2026-2027, Income Tax Act, 2025 is applicable and this means you need to be versed with the renumbered Sections in order to continue your financial plan as usual. If you want to claim income tax exemption on selling property then note that Section 54 is now renumbered as Section 82 of the Income Tax Act, 2025.

Employees in the government sector who find themselves undergoing disciplinary reviews must be informed about their rights before replying to any allegations. They deserve clear charges and at least 15 days to respond. Should they dispute the charges, an oral inquiry, enabling cross-examination of the witnesses, is obligatory. These employees can also present their defense witnesses and seek a personal hearing.

This Diwali, investment experts advise a strategic approach focused on asset allocation rather than luring high-growth stocks. Sectors like banking, financial services, and premium goods present promising opportunities. While gold should only occupy a small fraction of a diversified portfolio for risk management, short-duration debt funds gain favour as interest rates shift. Maintaining discipline and patience is essential for long-term investment success.

Stock market investors are growing wary as prices continue to drop amid broader economic issues. Nevertheless, mutual fund managers are optimistic, identifying many investment opportunities during this downturn. The article identifies six stocks that have seen a rise in mutual fund investments, showcasing their resilience and growth potential during tough times. This analysis offers investors valuable insights to enhance their future strategies.

Indian households are re-evaluating their asset allocations as gold holdings rise and equity investments remain stable. Recent data reveals a significant increase in household wealth, particularly in gold and real estate. Households are moving from traditional savings to market investments, notably through systematic investment plans. Meanwhile, financial behaviors are changing, with more monthly contributions being made to equities.

An RBI officer, a Bengaluru retailer, a safari lodge owner and a 24-year-old money coach tell us how giving a little, steadily, lights someone elses life, long after Diwali.

As the festive season of Diwali nears, its wise for individuals to take a fresh look at their investment portfolios. This reflection can shed light on stagnant investments and empower improved financial planning. Financial experts advocate for a disciplined approach to asset distribution and routine portfolio assessments. Some investors may still cling to non-performing mutual funds and insurance that limit their potential growth.

Gold prices have experienced a notable drop, creating favorable opportunities for those looking to buy during the festive and wedding seasons. Experts suggest that gold demand may rise in the near future. Nevertheless, market volatility driven by US Federal Reserve rate changes should prompt caution among investors. It is essential for buyers to evaluate their financial objectives and consult with financial advisors regarding suitable gold investment strategies.

What should the small investor do about this AI revolution in the making? The simple answer is nothing. No one can tell whether AI is a boon, a disaster, or a bubble. Its probably all of these, but its impossible to tell when, or in what order. The temptation to invest on the news is always there, but at this point, our job is to ignore the machine that will keep producing these stories

Bala is helping decorate for Diwali when he comes across his old football boots, a stack of comics hes outgrown and a torch that still works. His mother asks what he plans to do with them. Nothing, theyre taking up space, he says. Then he remembers Aisha next door, whos been asking her parents for a torch for weeks. Bala looks at the pile differently now.

Welcome to TrendMap, your quick guide to investment performance. This edition tracks 10 years of global equity returns. Currency fluctuations impact the returns on foreign investments. To capture the real value from an Indian investors standpoint, these returns are adjusted to reflect their equivalent in Indian rupees. The key takeaway: no market dominatesdiversification matters. By Sameer Bhardwa

A young Messi relied on explosive speed and amazing dribbling to beat defenders. As he grew older, he used experience, positioning and passing to influence matches. He remained exceptional because he adapted. Investors must adopt a similar transition.

A recent study reveals that India's $900-billion asset management sector lacks climate scenario analysis disclosures. Twelve mutual funds, representing over 80% of assets, scored zero in stress testing. This gap contrasts with findings from Asian peers who share some level of climate analysis. Rising climate risks in India could threaten up to $250 billion in annual output by 2030.

Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week, Preeti Kulkarni explains how the MWP Act can ensure greater protection for your family.

This Diwali, investment experts advise a strategic approach focused on asset allocation rather than luring high-growth stocks. Sectors like banking, financial services, and premium goods present promising opportunities. While gold should only occupy a small fraction of a diversified portfolio for risk management, short-duration debt funds gain favour as interest rates shift. Maintaining discipline and patience is essential for long-term investment success.

Indian households are re-evaluating their asset allocations as gold holdings rise and equity investments remain stable. Recent data reveals a significant increase in household wealth, particularly in gold and real estate. Households are moving from traditional savings to market investments, notably through systematic investment plans. Meanwhile, financial behaviors are changing, with more monthly contributions being made to equities.

Stock market investors are growing wary as prices continue to drop amid broader economic issues. Nevertheless, mutual fund managers are optimistic, identifying many investment opportunities during this downturn. The article identifies six stocks that have seen a rise in mutual fund investments, showcasing their resilience and growth potential during tough times. This analysis offers investors valuable insights to enhance their future strategies.

Investors building a Rs 10 lakh mutual fund portfolio with a 5-10 year horizon should focus on growth-oriented strategies and consider diversifying across two fund managers, says Prateek Agrawal of Motilal Oswal AMC. He highlights flexi-cap funds, emerging sectors and AI-linked businesses as opportunities, while advocating focused investing and a mix of growth and value strategies.

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, plans to resume withdrawals in phases starting Sunday. This decision comes after recovering approximately 95% of the $6.3 billion stolen during a digital heist. The FBI has attributed this large-scale cyber theft to a North Korean state-sponsored unit. Withdrawals will include several popular cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin. The remaining stolen assets are less liquid and may take longer to source.

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.