The Economic Times

Can EPF contributions secure a comfortable retirement for those with higher salaries. With an annual income of 15 lakh, one can potentially accumulate a significant retirement fund corpus. However, rising inflation and healthcare expenses highlight the urgent need for a diversified investment strategy to ensure a financially stable future.

The Wealth Company has launched an open-ended Category III AIF in GIFT City, offering eligible non-resident investors, including NRIs, a US-dollar route to diversified Indian mutual funds and ETFs through professionally managed portfolio selection.

SBI Mutual Fund has launched the SBI Balanced Hybrid Fund, an open-ended scheme investing in equity and debt instruments. The NFO is open until August 24, with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000. The fund will maintain a 4060% allocation each to equity and debt, targeting long-term growth and income.

Chennai man sold property for Rs 94 lakh despite Rs 1.93 crore stamp duty value; so tax dept sent notice u/s Section 50C to tax the differential amount; ITAT Chennai gives him relief; Know why he won the case in ITAT Chennai.

Senior citizen to get Rs 3.96 lakh from housing society after housing society's faulty terrace repairs caused water leakage in his two flats; Maharashtra Co-Op Appellate Court order explained. Know how he won court case.

Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched the Bandhan Contra Fund, an open-ended equity scheme targeting fundamentally strong but out-of-favour businesses. The NFO closes August 24, follows a contrarian strategy and aims to benefit from improving fundamentals and eventual market re-rating.

Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in total AUM across mutual funds, AIF and PMS as of August 7, 2026. The milestone reflects its QGLP investment philosophy and equity-focused strategy. During FY2026, the fund house expanded products, added 56.08 lakh SIPs and recorded Rs 16,479 crore in SIP inflows.

Son promised to care for elderly parents after receiving their Mumbai flat as gift; however, he failed to do so; Bombay High Court cancels gift deed and orders son and wife to vacate. Know why son lost the case in Bombay High Court.

Standard UPI transfers for individuals will remain complimentary, ensuring users can continue making everyday payments without worry. While most merchant transactions also stay free, high-value business dealings may bear small fees.

Family member sold his 1/3rd share of agricultural land for Rs 7.24 crore, pays no tax, tax dept sent notice, he wins case in ITAT Ahmedabad; Know how Google earth photos and Revenue Records helped him win. Read the article.

Daughter vs father legal fight over Rs 8.13 lakh PPF amount: In her complaint, she claimed that there were matrimonial disputes between her mother and father and she was living with her mother. The daughter alleged that her father has taken away all her funds, only to pressurise the mother by putting them under financial constraint.

Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) accounts become inactive if there are no contributions or withdrawals for three consecutive years. To avoid losing interest, it's recommended that early retirees withdraw their funds before this age. EPFO encourages members to manage their balances proactively to maintain interest accumulation and avert potential financial setbacks.

8th Pay Commission fitment factor: Bharat Pensioners Samaj met 8th Pay Commission officials proposing a minimum pension of Rs 45,000. They also recommended a minimum basic salary of Rs 69,000 for central government employees. The delegation suggested revising pay and pension every five years instead of ten. They also asked for quarterly revision of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief. Cashless healthcare facilities and a Rs 5,000 medical allowance were also requested.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, the largest active flexicap fund by AUM, raised its stake in HCL Technologies, Coal India and nine other stocks in July. It added 5.76 lakh HCL Tech shares and 10.27 lakh Coal India shares. Among the other holdings, Indraprastha Gas saw the biggest addition, with the fund buying 1.06 crore shares during the month.

Gold rates today: Gold prices saw an increase on Monday, August 10, 2026. If you are planning to buy gold jewellery, here is a look at the latest 22K gold rates at Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers across major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Nifty Smallcap 250 index has achieved a remarkable 52-week high, capturing the interest of investors. Analysts recommend maintaining systematic investment plans (SIPs) for those committed to a five-year strategy and who can handle increased risk. It's essential to align rebalancing efforts with targeted asset allocations. While small-cap stocks exhibit significant growth potential, they also present heightened volatility. Therefore, investors should prioritize long-term fundamentals over fle

The fund manager has the option to decide where the money will be invested. If he thinks the large cap space is attractive, he may invest in large cap stocks. If he thinks mid cap and small cap stocks are poised to take off, he may invest in them. As you can see, these investments may increase or decrease the risk in these schemes.

A prolonged consolidation in Indian equities has tested investors patience. But Bajaj Asset Managements Managing Director Ganesh Mohan tells Sameer Bhardwaj that this is precisely when disciplined investors should stay the course.

Modern Indians are redefining investment strategies; rather than saving first, the youth now prioritize their financial goals before choosing investment products. This evolution signifies a desire for financial independence, allowing individuals the liberty to make choices unburdened by financial strain. The advent of technology and improving accessibility to investment options has significantly enhanced wealth accumulation opportunities, indicating a broader trend of increasing incomes across t

Generation Z places a strong emphasis on balancing experiences and career adaptability while ensuring financial security. This generation is becoming increasingly knowledgeable about their financial objectives and is unafraid to express their needs. With a focus on early investment and varied financial opportunities, Gen Z effectively navigates modern economic challenges through credit products, and they seek clarity in career guidance from employers right from the start.

Vamsi Ayyagari and Gajendra Sharma are among professionals who are leaving corporate jobs to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. They focus on creating financial buffers while ensuring robust emergency funds and sufficient insurance coverage before making significant career changes. A solid retirement fund is similarly prioritized to support them during these new ventures, with careful planning reducing the risks of stepping away from stable employment.

Introduced in 2013, direct mutual fund plans present a cost-effective alternative for investors, accounting for thirty percent of total assets under management. However, it has been observed that those who opt for direct plans tend to exit their investments earlier than those in regular plans. Despite the mathematical advantage of direct plans, behavioral trends reveal a notable gap in performance.

The objective of life insurance is to provide a replacement income to the dependents of the deceased employee. That is why it is important to link the GTL cover to an employees annual salary. Employers who link the sum assured to CTC generally use a multiple of 2.

Dr S. Prakash, CEO, Health Insurance Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships, General Insurance Council, speaks to Preeti Kulkarni on policyholders complaints around claim rejections, spike in renewal premiums and the industrys push for greater standardisation in treatment protocols and billing practices.

Financial freedom isnt about buying everything you want. Its the ability to say yes to the opportunities that matter most. Those choices evolve as you grow. For teenagers, it could mean pursuing a hobby because you love itnot because its the cheapest optionor turning a skill into a side hustle by funding your own supplies or instruments, or supporting a cause you care about without relying on your parents for money.

Financial action is moving faster than financial preparedness among employees, with many investing, exploring new opportunities, and thinking about long-term goals, but still seeking clarity on fundamentals. A survey by financial education firm Finsafe sheds light on this paradox and the role employers can play.

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 dominates, diversification is important. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) remains steadfast in its support for the newly implemented closing auction system. Despite initial trading fluctuations shaking investor confidence, the initiative is designed to enhance price discovery while aligning with international standards. However, a decrease in participation from proprietary traders has resulted in reduced liquidity. Sebi advocates for technology enhancements and a boost in order flows to ensure the system's effectivenes

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 113th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains how this fund raising option works.

Global investing is no longer just for the affluent in India. Individuals now have the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios across various economies and currencies, leading to notable benefits. Aggressive investors should consider allocating around twenty to twenty-five percent of their portfolio internationally. However, concentrated thematic funds can be risky due to high valuations, while passive index funds present a straightforward and affordable way to engage in global mark

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered up to 26% annualised returns over three years as of July 29, 2026, according to ETWealth data. Bandhan Small Cap Fund led the pack with 25.8% CAGR, followed by ITI, Invesco, Bank of India, and Mahindra Manulife, while older category peers trailed behind.

In this edition of Know Your Fund Manager, Rajasa K., Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Templeton Global Investments, shares her career journey from equity research to managing hybrid and equity schemes. She discusses her GARP-focused investment philosophy, risk assessment framework, and the responsibility of managing retail investors' money.

Nine new mutual funds and two Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) are opening for subscription this week starting August 10. Offers include schemes from Aditya Birla Sun Life, SBI Mutual Fund, UTI, Bandhan, Zerodha, and WhiteOak Capital, catering to equity, arbitrage, hybrid, liquid, and ETF investment preferences.

Nine equity mutual funds delivered over 10% returns during August 3-7, 2026, led by technology sector funds like SBI Technology Opportunities and Aditya Birla Sun Life Digital India Fund. Auto and commodity-focused funds also featured in the top gainers list among 611 schemes evaluated by ACE MF.

Unclaimed mutual fund dividends rose 15.7 percent to Rs 2,689 crore in 2025-26. Unclaimed redemption proceeds saw a slight decline of 0.5 percent during the same period. Combined unclaimed amounts in mutual funds reached Rs 3,811 crore by March 31, 2026. SEBI enhanced measures to help investors and nominees access their unclaimed holdings. Initiatives like DigiLocker integration and Niveshak Shivirs aim to reduce unclaimed assets.

For selling 600ml Pepsi at Rs 26 instead of Rs 25 MRP, husband working in wifes shop faced criminal prosecution; Bombay HC quashes case as wife made the sale, while husband had only prepared the bill after the sale. Know how he won case in Bombay High Court

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana provides a favorable tax regime for parents budgeting for their daughters. Only resident Indian girls aged below ten qualify to open these accounts. The investment period spans fifteen years, with the account lasting twenty-one years.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has suspended existing SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes from August 11, 2026, citing limited overseas investment headroom. Six affected funds are international schemes, while one is thematic. The suspension will continue until additional overseas investment capacity becomes available, with resumption subject to AMC discretion.

Quant Small Cap Fund added 13 stocks in July, including SBI Funds Management, Caliber Mining and Hexaware Technologies. The fund exited four stocks and reduced exposure to seven others, while increasing holdings in 10 stocks. Its portfolio rose to 106 stocks from 97 in June, with AUM at Rs 34,069 crore as of July 31.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched Indias first REIT-focused index fund, offering exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a single investment. The fund tracks the Nifty REITs & Realty Index, with a 60:40 REIT-to-realty allocation, targeting long-term investors seeking diversified real estate exposure.

Five equity mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised SIP returns over the past decade. Quant Small Cap led with 24.2%, followed by Nippon India Small Cap, Invesco India Mid Cap, Quant ELSS Tax Saver and Nippon India Growth Mid Cap. Investors should consider risk, goals and investment horizon beyond past performance.

Gold rate today: On Saturday, August 8, 2026, gold prices saw a notable increase. If you are planning to buy gold jewellery, here is a look at the latest 22K gold rates today at Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and IBJA.

Choosing a mutual fund requires more than examining past returns. Investors should assess risk-adjusted performance using metrics such as Alpha, Beta, Sharpe, Treynor, Information and Sortino ratios, along with standard deviation, semi-standard deviation and R-squared. These measures help compare funds, understand volatility, evaluate manager performance and determine suitability for individual investment goals.

ETMutualFunds has shortlisted 10 equity mutual funds across five categories based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size for August.