The Economic Times

As Indian IT firms gear up for their Q2 earnings report, the landscape appears mixed. Strong deal activity persists, yet clients are pushing for higher efficiency, leading to a notable decline in revenue growth. Large IT companies may witness their weakest growth in three years, primarily due to acquisitions rather than organic expansion. Infosys is under a microscope for possible downward adjustments to its revenue guidance.

As inflation concerns rise, investors are putting their faith in the Reserve Bank of India to implement an interest rate hike. A survey reveals that nearly 60% of economists believe a 25-basis-point increase is likely at the coming policy meeting. With an eye on foreign investment, expectations are growing for a tightening cycle to kick off in October, setting the stage for how future capital flows will be managed.

Cutting through money jargon, one topic at a time. This week, Sanket Dhanorkar explains why yields on US Treasury bonds matter, and what it means for Indian investors. Rising US bond yields mean investors are demanding a higher return to buy and hold that debt. This reflects concerns over the weak fiscal position of the US and the inflationary impact from steep oil prices.

Working Indians across generations are increasingly proactive towards retirement planning, even as most believe they are not adequatelyeither financially, physically or emotionally prepared for their twilight years, the latest edition of an annual study by Axis Max Life Insurance shows. 1 in 2 respondents think they should start plan ning for retirement from their 1st pay cheque.

In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various domestic market sectors. The annual returns are ranked for 9 key NSE Sector indices. Metals lead 10-year sector gains; Real Estate, Energy follow. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Bala had saved 2,000 for headphones. He spotted a pair at 40% off, but the prompt, Only 2 left! and Add 500 more for FREE shipping! nudged him into adding a phone cover and a notebook. He ended up spending more than he had planned. During festive sales, around Dussehra and Diwali, such offers can push us to buy faster, spend more or buy things we dont really need.

Cover the risks between your old payslip and the new one, says Devashish Chakravarty. Read the print on your offer before you re sign. Routine conditions are fine, such as background verification, document checks and reference calls. Speed them up. Watch out for clauses that can delay or withdraw the offer, like a joining date to be confirmed, or a role tied to a client contract, or a probation that is extendable.

Investor enthusiasm around the sector is visible in the performance of nine EMS stocks covered by multiple brokerages. The group has delivered an equal weighted average return of 55.3% so far in 2026, compared with 1.1% for the Nifty 500 Equal Weighted Index. Seven of the nine stocks have delivered posi tive returns, while three have gained over 100%. The analysis is based on closing prices as of 28 September 2026.

The software can analyse thousands of funds and figure out that the three or four you are researching have almost identical portfolios. However, the investors real challenge lies in the middle stage. Choosing a good fund is the easy part because there are actually a lot of good funds and distinguishing the good from the bad is not black magic, nor is it guesswork.

Recent incidents highlight the increasing threat of compromised WhatsApp accounts among financial advisers in India. These attacks exploit trust, as fraudsters impersonate advisers through hacked accounts. Financial firms have implemented strict new security measures to mitigate future attacks and protect client information. Advisers urge their clients to adopt safer communication practices when handling sensitive financial information. Staying vigilant and verifying communications can prevent p

While the higher ceiling does have an impact on immediate net cash take-home of the employee due to increased contribution, it will certainly support building of future corpus for retirement and higher pension by way of contribution to the provident fund and pension scheme.

The recent adjustment to the Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling significantly widens eligibility for benefits, raising the contribution limit from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000. This revision aims to enhance social security, but it might pose complexities for pension contributions. Employees should verify the accuracy of their EPS records to prevent issues, as the swift rollout of the new ceiling could lead to unforeseen challenges.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has announced new proposals to limit commission rates for insurance distributors. This move seeks to tackle high distribution costs, ultimately enhancing the policyholder experience. By implementing reforms aimed at fostering customer-centric practices, the initiative aims to curtail the mis-selling of insurance products. Insurers must align their compensation methods with the value delivered to customers.

Rules and caps can change behaviour. Incentives determine whether organisations merely comply with the rules or actually change the behaviour that created the problem. No regulator can adjudicate every commercial decision made by every insurer and distributor.

Many travelers fail to account for hidden costs while planning international journeys, often only considering major expenses. These overlooked charges can hike trip costs by 25-40%, creating budget overruns. It's vital to include local transport, dining, and extra fees in your budget to avoid unexpected financial surprises. Employing effective budgeting techniques ensures a smoother and more enjoyable experience abroad.

Equity mutual funds delivered up to 5% returns last week, with international schemes dominating the gainers. Only 49 of 626 funds posted positive returns, while losses reached 3.8%.

Three passive mutual fund NFOs from JioBlackRock, Kotak and HDFC will open for subscription on October 5 and close on October 19. Here are their investment categories, minimum application amounts and other key details.

Smallcap mutual funds delivered mixed returns over the past two years. Motilal Oswal Small Cap Fund emerged as the top performer, while Tata Small Cap Fund was the biggest laggard.

Debt funds whose returns are more than a conventional fixed deposit instrument.

Tenant can't claim protection from eviction without first proving signing of an unregistered rent agreement with the property owner's brother, rules Madras HC. In this case the property owner's brother allegedly signed the rent agreement but this aspect could not be proved by the tenant.

Mutual fund investors lost upto 10% in September with the benchmark index - Nifty 50 down 5.56% in the same period.

Rs 1.42 lakh outstanding maintenance dues: Housing society calls resident a defaulter, Maharashtra State Co-Operative Appellate Court protects him from being labelled defaulter; Know why

In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Finance reaffirmed the Sukanya Samriddhi Account interest rate at 8.2%. The next evaluation of small savings scheme rates is set for the December 2026 quarter. To initiate a Sukanya Samriddhi Account for a girl child, a minimum deposit of Rs 250 is required. The account matures after 21 years and permits partial withdrawals for education post age 18.

Gold rate tpday: Today, gold prices have shifted downwards among various prominent jewellers, with Tanishq holding steady at its previous rate. As of October 3, 2026, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers listed their 22k gold price at Rs 13,675 per gram, while Tanishq's price remains unchanged at Rs 13,820 per gram. This update is vital for potential buyers considering gold investments.

On October 3, 2026, all banks are operational across the nation despite a recent holiday. Customers can engage in banking activities online and via UPI services. October features various bank holidays, including Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, each affecting scheduled and non-scheduled banks. Banking services remain widely available to customers during these festive days.

In September, foreign portfolio investors shed a staggering Rs 35,860 crore from Indian equities, driven by global uncertainties and rising US interest rates. This selling trend persisted into October with an outflow of Rs 9,232 crore. This selling follows significant investments of Rs 49,830 crore made in July and August.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund launched its new Contra Fund, open for subscription until October 12. The scheme follows a contrarian strategy, investing in out-of-favour companies with turnaround potential. Experts stress research, patience and a long-term horizon, while cautioning that contra funds can underperform for extended periods as market sentiment shifts.

Parents receiving money from their NRI children in India may enjoy tax exemptions on gifts, but large transactions can attract scrutiny from the Income-tax Department. Understanding when these transfers could prompt questions and how to document them properly is crucial for avoiding potential tax liabilities or notices. Learn about the necessary safeguards and responses to inquiries.

Gold rate today: On October 2, 2026, gold prices saw slight upticks as consumers observed the latest trends in bullion and jewellery costs. The IBJA also published revised rates for various gold and silver purities.

Over two years, HSBC Midcap Fund delivered the highest SIP return at 17.5%, followed by WhiteOak and ICICI Prudential. The midcap category averaged 7.85%, while monthly SIP flows rose 37%.

A Rs 15,000 monthly SIP grew to more than Rs 1 crore over 15 years in 30 of 138 equity mutual fund schemes analysed. Small-cap and mid-cap funds dominated the list, but experts caution that past returns cannot be treated as forecasts and stress diversification, consistency and scheme selection.

Five midcap mutual funds held between 4.85% and 7.19% cash in August portfolios. Axis Midcap Fund had the highest allocation, followed by HDFC Mid Cap, TrustMF Mid Cap, Franklin India Mid Cap and Canara Robeco Mid Cap.

Five equity mutual funds delivered annualised SIP returns of up to 24.6% over 10 years. The funds span small-cap, mid-cap and ELSS categories, highlighting strong historical performance while underscoring the importance of risk, goals and investment horizon.

Five midcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns of 20% or more over three years, led by HSBC Midcap Fund at 23.7%. Here are the top performers and laggards.

8th Pay Commission pension calculator: Around 69 lakh pensioners fall under the central government's administration, with most benefiting from the Old Pension Scheme. Employee organisations are urging changes to the terms of the 8th Pay Commission to accommodate earlier revisions in pensions. The 8th Pay Commission has an 18-month deadline to submit its report. Modifications for Level 5-9 employees pensions will hinge on forthcoming fitment factors and estimates released alongside the commission

Granddaughter lost 2.5 acre of land as her grandmother had gifted it to her step-mother who sold it; Madras HC rejects granddaughters ancestral land claim under Hindu Succession Act, 1956. Know why grandaughter lost the case.

On October 2, 2026, India will observe Gandhi Jayanti as a national holiday, affecting all banks. Public and private sector banks will be closed, including cooperative and regional rural banks. Customers should plan their transactions accordingly, as physical bank branches will not operate on this day. However, essential services like online banking and ATMs will continue to function normally.

Nine mutual funds and two SIFs are currently open for subscription, including four ETFs, two index funds, a contra fund, a small-cap FOF and a life-cycle fund.

Smart beta funds combine passive investing with rule-based factor strategies targeting value, quality, momentum or low volatility. They offer diversification and potentially lower costs but can underperform traditional indices. Experts suggest using them as a portfolio complement for long-term investors.