The Economic Times

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.

Gold prices in Dubai saw minor fluctuations on April 7, 2026. Major retailers like Joyalukkas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Dubai Jewellery Group, and Kalyan Jewellers reported rates for various karats. Investors remained cautious due to geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran. The UAE Dirham exchange rate against the Indian Rupee was also provided.

Promoters of DGS Group, Brahamdev, Sourav, and Rohan Shukla, have acquired a luxury penthouse at Oberoi Elysian in Goregaon East for approximately 60 crore. This significant transaction, covering 8,561 sq. ft. with eight parking slots, highlights the growing interest of business families in Mumbai's premium real estate market.

Gold rate prediction: Gold prices are experiencing volatility amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with a US deadline for Iran creating uncertainty. While leading jewelers saw slight increases in 22k gold rates, the IBJA reported a drop across various purities. Experts predict short-term price fluctuations but a positive medium to long-term outlook for gold and silver.

I am 42, earning Rs 28 lakh annually. I invest Rs 60,000 per month through SIPs in a mix of large cap (40%), flexi-cap (30%) and mid-cap (30%) funds. My investment horizon is 12-15 years, primarily for retirement. Is it advisable to add a multi-asset or balanced advantage fund to reduce volatility?

Five mid-cap mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in three years, led by WhiteOak Capital. Meanwhile, laggard funds posted modest gains, highlighting performance divergence within the mid-cap mutual fund category.

Salary hikes in India are stabilizing around 9.1% for 2026, a slight increase from 9.0% in 2025, as companies prioritize cost discipline and productivity. While some sectors offer higher increments, a broader talent pool and a shift towards skills-based hiring are influencing compensation strategies.

New tax rules for Tax Year 2026-27 begin April 1, 2026. Key changes affect TDS on NRI property and TCS on overseas remittances for education. Interest on motor vehicle compensation is now tax-exempt. Small taxpayers get an easier process for lower TDS certificates. TDS on manpower supply is clarified.

Quant Mutual Fund launches dynamic multi-asset long-short fund, investing across equity, debt, derivatives, commodities and InVITs. The strategy aims to optimise returns, manage risk, and suit long-term investors.

EPFO is set to launch EPFO 3.0, enabling UPI withdrawals and simplifying fund access for members. New rules consolidate withdrawal provisions into three categories: essential, housing, and special needs. Members can now withdraw up to 75% of their balance anytime, including employer contributions, offering greater flexibility for emergencies and life events.

While members are entitled to take out up to 100% of their eligible EPF balance, including both employee and employer contributions, there are certain terms and conditions that apply. So, what happens in case you lose your job or are laid off by your company?

This guide helps you calculate the monthly SIP needed to reach a Rs 1 crore goal using simple Excel functions or a DIY paper formula. Adjust assumptions, returns, and timelines to plan your investments with confidence and clarity.

HDFC Bank lending rates: HDFC Bank has reduced its Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rates (MCLR) on select tenures by up to 5 basis points, effective April 7, 2026. This adjustment benefits borrowers with loans linked to the MCLR regime, with overnight and one-month rates now at 8.10%.

A Gujarat-based investor, new to equity mutual funds after years in fixed deposits, faces initial losses but shows courage to invest further. Experts advise focusing on asset allocation across market caps rather than changing existing sound funds. Additional investments should be channeled into current flexi-cap and multi-cap schemes, with lumpsum considered if comfortable with volatility.

Quant Multi Asset Allocation Fund has achieved top returns across 3, 5, 7, and 10-year periods among its peers. Its dynamic asset allocation strategy, particularly overweight positions in financials and timely tactical shifts, has driven this consistent outperformance, even outshining the category average.

India is set to launch sovereign credit guarantees for loans totaling $26.7 billion. This initiative aims to bolster businesses, especially small ones, impacted by the Middle East crisis. The government will provide guarantees for four years, similar to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move is expected to cost between 170 billion and 180 billion rupees.

The Public Provident Fund (PPF) interest rate remains unchanged at 7.1% per annum for the April-June 2026 quarter. The Finance Ministry confirmed that rates for small savings schemes will continue from the previous quarter. PPF offers tax benefits on contributions, interest, and withdrawals, making it a popular investment.

The Income Tax Rules, 2026 introduce significant benefits for salaried employees, including expanded HRA and meal card tax advantages. These changes, effective April 1, 2026, aim to reduce taxable income through optimized salary structuring. The article illustrates tax liabilities for CTCs ranging from 15 lakh to 50 lakh under both new and old tax regimes.

Following a market sell-off, fund managers indicate that share valuations are no longer stretched, though aggressive bets are still discouraged. While large-cap stocks have reached comfortable levels, skepticism remains for mid and small-cap segments. Investors are advised to stay invested and stagger entries through systematic or phased allocations.

Gold remains a vital liquidity source even with price drops. Central banks and individuals are selling gold to ease financial strains. In India, investors are shifting towards Gold ETFs for easier and more efficient investment. This trend offers attractive entry points for building gold exposure. Gold ETFs provide transparent pricing and security, making gold a liquid asset.

New Income Tax Return forms have removed ITR-1 and ITR-4, requiring US 401(k) and overseas pension account holders to now use ITR-2 or ITR-3. This change aims to streamline reporting of foreign assets and income, aligning with existing disclosure requirements. Taxpayers can still defer tax liability by filing Form 10-EE.

The 8th Pay Commission salary hike will depend on the fitment factor that the 8th Pay Commission decide. Employee bodies have been demanding for as high a fitment factor as 3.25. Amid such a backdrop, NC-JCM, the umbrella body of the central government employee and pensioner bodies, will hold a meeting on April 13, 2026, where it will discuss the final memorandum that will be sent to the 8th Pay Commission.

DSP Asset Managers has announced the appointment of Anish Tawakley as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), where he will oversee both equity and fixed income investments, strengthening the firms overall investment leadership.

Rising inflation may not force the RBI to increase the repo rate this time around, but in later MPC meetings, the likelihood of higher repo rate is much higher. Once the central bank increases the repo rate, banks and SFBs may also follow in footsteps by offering higher FD rates.

Top mutual funds for three-year lumpsum investments delivered strong returns, led by gold funds with over 32% CAGR. Rs 1 lakh investments more than doubled, highlighting robust performance across categories.

Nearly 25 equity mutual funds have offered over 15% CAGR in the last three, five, seven, and 10 years, according to a data analysis by ETMutualFunds. There were around 160 funds that have completed 10 years of existence in the market.

Acclaimed singer Shreya Ghoshal has purchased a luxurious residential apartment in Worli, South Mumbai. The property, bought with her parents, cost Rs 29.70 crore. It includes three parking spaces and boasts a significant carpet area. This transaction highlights Worli's growing appeal as a prime real estate destination. The area offers excellent connectivity and a premium urban lifestyle.

Gold prices saw a dip on April 6, 2026. This decline occurred as the Iran-Israel conflict continued and Iran stated no plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas reported lower retail rates for 22K gold across major Indian cities.

HDFC Bank is revising its Regalia Gold and Diners Club credit card benefits, including reward structures and lounge access, effective May 15 and July 1, 2026. Key changes involve reward point accrual, dynamic currency conversion fees, and spend-based lounge access criteria for both cardholders.

Silver exchange traded funds have seen significant losses, prompting investor concern. A new domestic pricing rule is now in effect. Experts suggest rebalancing portfolios and potentially reducing silver exposure. They recommend shifting towards diversified equity funds for long-term wealth creation. Gold ETFs are considered a more stable alternative for hedging.

Mutual fund advisors are recommending large cap schemes for conservative investors amid market volatility and all-time highs. These funds invest in top 100 companies, offering relative safety and inflation-beating returns. Despite recent struggles to beat benchmarks, large cap funds remain a viable option for long-term goals, with specific schemes highlighted for April 2026.

A recent Kerala High Court ruling highlights a crucial distinction: a joint Will allows the surviving spouse to alter beneficiaries, unlike a joint mutual Will. This case underscores the need for explicit clarity in estate planning documents to prevent future disputes and ensure intentions are legally binding after the first spouse's death.

Satishwar B., MD and CEO, Bandhan Life Insurance, discusses the Public Insurance Registry, Bima Sugam, misselling and commissions, in a conversation with Riju Mehta. He says if a customer has multiple insurance policies, the PIR will show all the policies he holds and the total cover he has. This enables us to understand, especially at the onboarding stage, the type of insurance he has and what he needs.

The concluding part shifts to the forces that actively shape option prices: the Option Greeks. These mathematical sensitivities Delta, Gamma, Theta and Vegadetermine how premiums respond to changes in key variables such as movement in the underlying asset, time and changes in volatility. If the premium represents the price, the Greeks are the underlying mechanics that constantly reshape this price.

The RBI can also ramp up direct market intervention. With forex reserves of about $700 billion, it has room to sell dollars and buy rupees to curb volatility. To avoid tightening liquidity too much, the central bank can offset the impact through bond purchases.

As HDFC Gold ETF makes provision for taking exposure via gold futures, concerns emerge about precious metal funds stepping away from holding physical gold. As per rules, every gold ETF must maintain 95% allocation to gold and related instruments. In June 2024, Sebi allowed gold-backed exchange-traded commodity derivatives (ETCDs), or gold futures contracts, to be counted towards this mandatory allocation.

Home nursing, physiotherapy, oxygen supporthealth insurance can cover these for 60-180 days after discharge, with conditions. The rest of the bill youll need to clear yourself. Heres how to plan for it.

Treat gold strictly as insurance, not as a trade on geopolitical drama. The price of your insurance is set by central banks and finance ministries whose decisions you will never see coming. You are a passenger. Act like one. Keep the allocation small and build your wealth in assets that work for you without requiring you to guess foreign governments intentions.