The Economic Times

The Israel-Iran conflict has led to widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East, stranding thousands. Major airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Emirates are offering passengers flexibility, including full refunds or complimentary rescheduling for affected bookings. Qatar Airways is awaiting airspace reopening for flight resumption.

Flight disruptions in the Middle East due to rising tensions are leaving travellers stranded. Travel insurance coverage for these events depends on the cause and policy purchase date. The UAE and Abu Dhabi are assisting affected passengers. Read the article to know the difference between operational and war-related cancellations, and what you should keep in mind.

Bank closures for Holi in 2026 are causing confusion, with holidays varying by state. Some banks will be shut on March 3rd, while others will close on March 4th. A few states will experience a two-day closure for the festival.

HDFC Bank will introduce new locker rental rates from April 1, 2026. Locker rentals may vary amongst branches in the same location. Locker rentals are levied annually and collected in advance. Locker rental costs vary according to the locker's size and branch location.

Gold and silver prices experienced a significant surge on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India. This rise is attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel. Experts anticipate continued price increases for these precious metals if the conflict persists. Investors are advised to consider their investment strategies in light of these market movements.

IT sector funds have lagged over a 10-year horizon amid a 2026 downturn, underperforming metals, real estate and energy indices. While metals led returns, IT remained among lower performers despite intermittent strong years. The data highlights sectoral rotation and long-term divergence in returns across key NSE indices.

Eight smallcap funds had high performance consistency in the last five years, including Bandhan, Invesco India, Nippon India, HSBC as well as Tata smallcap funds.

Amidst the Iran-Israel War and rising geopolitical tensions, the Indian share market experienced a steep fall on March 2, 2026. Investors sought refuge in gold, a safe-haven asset, leading to a sharp increase in its prices across major jewellery brands. Latest rates for 22k gold show significant fluctuations.

Equity mutual funds saw a mixed performance in February, with many delivering positive returns up to 6%. LIC MF Value Fund led the pack, followed by several smallcap and midcap funds. However, a significant number of funds experienced negative returns, with some losing over 3%. Investors are advised to base decisions on personal risk appetite and goals.

HDFC Bank will now count UPI cash withdrawals at its ATMs within the monthly free transaction limit starting April 1, 2026. Exceeding this limit will incur a fee of Rs 23 plus applicable taxes per transaction. This change aligns UPI withdrawals with standard ATM cash withdrawal charges.

Tenants must pay Rs 3.9 lakh plus interest for unpaid rent. The Delhi High Court upheld a rent escalation clause in an unregistered lease. This applies even if the lease was not registered. The court ruled that if a tenant stays beyond the lease term, they are liable for increased rent. The landlords have won their case.

ETMutualFunds' best mutual fund SIP portfolios are meant for three different individual risk profiles: conservative, moderate and aggressive. We have also considered three SIP baskets between Rs 2,000-5,000, between Rs 5,000-10,000 and above Rs 10,000 while creating these portfolios. Take a look at our recommended portfolios.

The government has ordered two restaurants in Patna and Mumbai to refund mandatory service charges levied on customers. This action follows investigations revealing violations of consumer rights and unfair trade practices. Consumers are advised to report such charges to the National Consumer Helpline and know their rights regarding service fees.

TRUST Mutual Fund has launched its new mid-cap fund, the TRUSTMF Mid Cap Fund. The fund employs GARV and LIM strategies to identify quality mid-cap companies. Experts suggest caution with NFOs, recommending existing funds with performance records. Mid-cap exposure is advised within portfolios, with a focus on SIPs for long-term wealth creation.

Silver and gold ETFs surged significantly on Monday as investors sought safe-haven assets amidst escalating geopolitical tensions following strikes on Iran. Angel One Silver ETF led gains with an 18% rise, while Tata Gold ETF climbed 9%. Experts advise a disciplined, long-term approach and staggered investments due to high volatility.

The Delhi High Court has announced its holiday and court sitting schedule for March and April 2026. Several court holidays have been declared. To compensate, specific Saturdays will now be working days.

Banks in Uttar Pradesh are closed on March 2, 2026, for Holika Dahan, a Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil. While some states observe this holiday, banking operations continue as usual in others. Customers should verify state-specific bank holiday lists for March 2026.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 92nd part of this series, Riju Mehta explains how these two forms of legal separation differ.

The modern Indian womans financial priorities have evolved. Financial independence, self-care and solo international travel now share space with conventional goals in her list of priorities.

From securing alimony to reskilling, heres what women in their 40s or 50s need to do before walking out of a long marriage.

Much of the uncertainty around pre-nuptial agreements, or prenups, stems from Indias long-held view of marriage as a sacrament rather than a contract. Our judiciary has traditionally regarded marital rights and duties as governed by personal law rather than by private agreement.

More Indian women are earning, saving, and proactively taking financial decisions, yet many remain underrepresented in formal investing. A study by The Wealth Company shows that women are open to growth-oriented products, especially mutual funds, but need support from the financial ecosystem.

Seeking approvals is not a pleasant task. For women, it reinforces the patriarchy that keeps them subservient and dependent. It is not uncommon to find senior parents seeking validation from their children; or exercising control over the finances of the young earning children.

From sneaker obsessions to hustle culture, screens are shaping your childs money values before you do.

As earnings recover and global headwinds recede, foreign flows could return, says Sailesh Raj Bhan, outlining risks and opportunities, in conversation with Abhinav Kaul.

The architecture of free platforms is designed around what they can eventually extract from you, not around what best serves your investment needs. Most fintechs are venture capital-funded and chronically loss-making, which means they cannot afford to grow slowly and build trust organically. Aggressive growth is what keeps the funding flowing and the valuation story alive.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has introduced new rules for mutual funds. Equity funds can now invest in gold and silver. Solution-oriented funds are being discontinued. New sectoral debt funds are being launched. These changes aim to provide more flexibility and transparency for investors. Life Cycle Funds are also being introduced for goal-based investing.

ET Wealth presents an eight-quarter earnings assessment report of various sectors. The year-on-year net profit growth for 18 sectors is presented in the table. The significant variations in the earnings growth highlight the importance of sector diversification for managing risks and returns. By Sameer Bhardwaj

Demand for the UAE Golden Visa has grown sharply since 2021, especially after eligibility expanded beyond property investors. Indians form one of the largest applicant groups.