The Economic Times

Sundaram Mutual has launched its Select Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund, targeting mid- and small-cap stocks ranked 101st to 750th by market capitalisation. The NFO closes November 4, with limited short exposure through derivatives.

The State Bank of India has acknowledged a recent data breach that resulted in the exposure of limited customer information. Assuring its clients, the bank confirmed that financial assets remain secure.

Flexi-cap funds can invest across market capitalisations and sectors. In September 2026, AlphaGrep Flexi Cap Fund led five peers with 66.2% exposure to mid and small-cap stocks, followed by Old Bridge and Samco.

With markets volatile, four wealth management experts share how aggressive investors can deploy Rs 10 lakh across equity mutual funds, hybrid funds, gold ETFs and debt instruments.

Dont miss the deadline on October 21, 2026, for filing tax audit reports for Assessment Year 2026-27! Taxpayers can verify their report uploads on the e-filing portal. To complete the filing, they must collaborate with their chartered accountant to fill out Form 3CA-3CD or 3CB-3CD. After completion, the report needs to be accepted and e-verified from the Worklist to guarantee timely filing and acknowledgment receipt.

Over the last year, nine equity mutual funds achieved returns exceeding 20% on SIP investments, showcasing robust market performance. Topping the charts is Samco Small Cap Fund, which saw an extraordinary return of 41.79%. Not far behind are the Bank of India Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Focused Fund. In a review of 295 funds, 110 reported positive growth, particularly highlighting the success of small-cap categories.

Choice Mutual Fund has launched its inaugural actively managed equity scheme, the Choice Large & Mid Cap Fund. This fund is designed to allocate at least 35% of investments in both large and mid-cap stocks, with up to 30% in small-cap equities. Investors can join the fund with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000 and SIPs starting at Rs 250.

Gold rate today: Gold jewellery prices from leading brands such as Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold & Diamonds decreased significantly today. The IBJA's indicative rates for various gold purities also experienced a decline today compared to previous rate. Silver prices fell significantly, marking a notable change in the market.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered over 16% annualised returns over three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund at 21.2%, highlighting performance differences across schemes as investors assess opportunities.

Bajaj Finance shares dropped on Wednesday after the NBFC reported a 29% year-on-year rise in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 6,367 crore. Nomura and Jefferies retained Buy ratings, with Jefferies cutting its target price, while 360 One WAM upgraded the stock to Buy, citing improving risk-reward and strong growth.

Transrail Lighting shares rose nearly 9% after the company secured fresh orders worth Rs 927 crore, taking its financial year order intake to Rs 3,356 crore. However, foreign institutional investors trimmed their stake in the company during the September 2026 quarter.

Arbitrage funds are taxed like equity mutual funds. This means they qualify for long term capital gains tax of 12.5% if investments are held for more than a year. If investments are for less than a year, short term capital gains tax of 20% will be applicable.

Motilal Oswal expects weak Q2 cement earnings as fuel costs rise and prices stay soft. See its top picks, neutral calls and one Sell.

The Delhi High Court just ruled that matromonial fights can really upset elderly parents and so on this ground the court ordered a wife to move out of her mother-in-law's house. Since the wife has her own home and job, the court felt she could handle it, and they highlighted the eviction rules under the Senior Citizens Act.

Bank holiday today: Bank branches will be closed on October 21, 2026, in several Indian states for Vijaya Dasami festivals. Customers are advised to check the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list before their visits. Digital banking services such as mobile banking and UPI will remain available on this holiday.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Scheduled for October 22 and 23 in Mumbai, the 8th Pay Commission meetings will address key topics such as salaries, pensions, and allowances. The proposed basic pay rise is likely to have a substantial effect on gross salary calculations across employee levels. Estimates for pay increases particularly for Levels 3 to 6 have been compiled, indicating a significant shift in the pay framework for central government staff in the future.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 57. I recently sold a piece of land near Jewar airport, resulting in a long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax liability of around Rs 16 lakh. I am considering two options: reinvesting the proceeds in another property of a similar value to claim the available tax exemption, or paying the LTCG tax and investing the remaining amount in mid-cap mutual funds to grow the corpus further. Since I already have an adequate retirement corpus, would it make more sense to pay the t

DA hike news: Central government employees are eagerly awaiting a long-overdue increase in their dearness allowance, which was expected to take effect on July 1, 2026. The anticipated hike could boost the DA from 60% to 63%. With growing protests urging timely disclosure, the upcoming cabinet meeting may reveal crucial updates for employees and pensioners. Employee federations are applying pressure, prompting the government to address their concerns promptly.

The Ministry of Finance has announced the non-productivity-linked bonus (non-PLB), also called the ad hoc or annual bonus, for the accounting year 2025-26. Central government employees who qualify will get a bonus equal to 30 days of their pay.

Understand how a personal loan can help you cover planned expenses and urgent financial needs, explore its benefits, and plan your EMIs based on your budget.

Akash Ambani outlined Jio Platforms' future focus on satellite communications, pre-6G patents, and AI integration. The company is developing an indigenous satellite communications stack aimed at expanding home broadband services. Ambani revealed Jio's patent strategy aligns with India's goal of 10% global 6G patents originating domestically. Jio's AI initiatives seek to innovate and improve traditional voice and data services for Indian consumers.

Mr. Pandey filed for divorce after his wife left their home, claiming the marriage had broken down. However, his estranged wife found him living with another woman and having two children with her. The Family Court denied Mr. Pandey's divorce request and ordered him to pay Rs 2 lakh for his actions. The Delhi High Court upheld this decision, noting the husband's misconduct.