The Economic Times

Quant Mutual Fund expects Indian equities to consolidate after the recent rally but believes micro-, small- and mid-cap stocks will drive alpha. It remains bullish on energy, infrastructure, select financials, telecom and pharma while advocating active portfolio management over passive investing.

Senior citizens can now secure fixed deposit interest rates up to 8.3% for a three-year term with select small finance banks, offering a lucrative opportunity for savings. While deposits are insured up to Rs 5 lakh, experts advise caution. TDS is deducted if FD interest exceeds Rs 1 lakh annually, but eligible individuals can avoid this by submitting Form 15H.

Eleven equity mutual funds generated over 25% returns in the past three months, led by small-cap schemes. JM Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 35.02% gain. Experts advise investors to prioritise risk profile and goals over past performance.

Despite recent underperformance, experts continue recommending Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund for its consistent long-term, risk-adjusted returns and disciplined large-cap bias. They advise investors to evaluate funds over complete market cycles instead of chasing short-term performance or recent category leaders.

Choosing mutual funds solely on past returns can be misleading. ETMutualFunds shortlisted 10 funds across five equity categories using rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size, helping investors align investments with their goals, risk appetite and time horizon.

A Delhi landlord, busy caring for his ailing father, missed the deadline to e-verify his income tax return, leading to a denied Rs 17 lakh refund. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Delhi intervened, ruling that withholding the refund on a technicality would amount to unjust enrichment. The tribunal emphasized that tax can only be collected by law, allowing the landlord to claim his rightful refund.

A father cannot legally sign away his daughter's rightful share in ancestral property to his son, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled. Under Mitakshara Hindu law, daughters hold an independent interest in coparcenary property, which a father cannot relinquish. This ruling clarifies that such deeds only affect the father's personal share, not other co-sharers' rights. Self-acquired property, however, remains at the owner's disposal.

Husband worked in Oman and could not talk with late wife; Wife committed suicide by saying refusal to speak to her over the phone caused her severe mental distress; Indian Trial Court convicts him for cruelty under Section 498A and 304B for dowry death and sentences 3 years jail with Rs 10,000 fine; Supreme Court gives him relief from jail by cancelling all the criminal charges

Gold prices have seen a notable recovery this week, with both gold and silver rates climbing according to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). This upward trend follows a dip experienced last week. 22k gold jewellery rates at leading brands such as Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers and Joyalukkas also rose.

Gold and silver prices have seen a significant dip on the MCX, prompting questions for investors. Experts attribute the fall to a strong dollar, potential Fed rate hikes, and profit-booking. While a recovery is possible with macro triggers, analysts suggest a cautious approach. New investors might find opportunities to accumulate, while existing holders are advised to view this as a consolidation phase, potentially rebalancing their portfolios.

Navigating bank operations on Saturdays can be tricky due to varying regional holidays. Remember, banks observe closures on Sundays and the second/fourth Saturdays, but remain open on others unless a specific holiday is declared. While digital banking offers convenience, certain essential services still necessitate a branch visit.

Years of diligent wealth building can be lost to forgotten investments. Life's changes often lead to unclaimed bank deposits, insurance, shares, and mutual funds. Fortunately, the government's Unclaimed Assets Portal offers a single search point. While it helps locate these assets, remember it's a search tool, not a claim settlement system. Recovering your money requires a separate process with the relevant institution, even if funds were transferred to government-managed accounts.

The Wealth Company Asset Management, part of Pantomath Group, has appointed Unmesh Kulkarni as its Managing Director. With 29 years of experience in wealth management and capital markets, Kulkarni previously co-founded Merrill Lynch and Julius Baer's wealth management arms in India.

Paytm's European arm, Paytm Europe Payments, has secured a crucial payment institution license from Luxembourg's financial regulator, effective July 2, 2026. This approval allows the company to offer a range of payment services, including fund transfers and credit line-backed transactions. The move follows a significant investment by its parent company, One 97 Communications, to bolster the European entity's capital and support its business expansion.

Six small cap mutual funds delivered over 15% returns in the past six months, led by Bank of India Small Cap Fund with a 21.04% gain. Other performers include TRUSTMF, JM, Motilal Oswal, Union, and ITI funds, reflecting strong momentum in the small cap segment.

Delhi High Court ruled that tenants overstaying their lease must pay increased rent as per the agreement, even if they temporarily requested more time to vacate. The court emphasized that continued possession triggers the rent escalation clause automatically. This applies even to unregistered lease deeds, as the obligation matures upon expiry of the initial term. Landlords can pursue legal action for unpaid rent and eviction.

The EPFO's unified member portal is now live after an upgrade, bringing a new look and significant changes. Key services like UAN activation and direct allotment have moved to the UMANG app, utilizing Aadhaar-based Face Authentication. While UAN retrieval is simplified on the portal, death claim filing remains accessible. This update aims for faster, more secure services for all users.

Following his tryst with debt, the man recovered and developed his own theory for financial freedom, in which he stresses on incrementally building savings and paying off debts in a systematic way. Ramsey has also made this into a formalized series of 7 Baby Steps. He strongly advocates that if one can regulate the person in their mirror (themselves), they would win with money.

Eleven equity mutual funds turned investors lumpsum investments into more than four times their original value over the past seven years, led by small-cap schemes. Quant Small Cap Fund topped the list, while mid-cap, flexi-cap and ELSS funds also delivered strong long-term wealth creation, according to ETMutualFunds' analysis.

8th Pay Commission latest news: The 8th Pay Commission has extended the deadline for submitting crucial employee data to July 31, 2026, citing difficulties faced by various government bodies. This vital information, including sanctioned strength, personnel numbers, and attrition metrics, must be uploaded exclusively through the commission's online portal. The commission is also holding stakeholder meetings across India, with upcoming sessions in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata to gather input on pay, pe

22k gold rate: Gold prices are under scrutiny as buyers track daily fluctuations. Today, July 3, 2026, shoppers planning to purchase gold jewellery should compare rates across leading jewellers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas, as prices vary.

A new Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, has replaced the 1952 version under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The EPF interest rate remains at 8.25% for the financial year 2025-26. While digital services are formally incorporated, private PF trusts now face a cap on their declared interest rates, not exceeding the central government's rate by more than 2%.

Choosing the best Nifty-based index fund involves more than just a low expense ratio. Experts emphasize that tracking error, which measures how closely a fund mirrors its benchmark, is crucial for long-term returns. While low costs are attractive, consistent replication accuracy, indicated by low tracking error, often proves more vital for passive investors aiming to capture market performance effectively.

Cashless health insurance claims are often rejected due to documentation or procedural issues, not outright denial. Understanding the reasons, like network hospital discrepancies or incomplete paperwork, is crucial. If rejected, policyholders can opt for reimbursement, but prompt follow-up with the insurer and proper documentation are key to resolving issues and ensuring claims are settled.

Investors seeking a balanced approach to wealth creation are increasingly favoring portfolios that blend equities with debt. A recent study highlights that a 70% equity, 30% debt mix, with strategic rebalancing, yielded impressive returns with significantly lower volatility compared to an all-equity index. This strategy helps investors remain invested through market ups and downs, offering a more stable investment journey.

Jio BlackRock is set to significantly expand its mutual fund offerings over the next three years, venturing into more specialized investment funds (SIFs), ETFs, and offshore products via GIFT City. Following the launch of its Prism Hybrid Long-Short fund, the company plans another SIF in the equity long-short category soon. ETFs are also on the horizon, promising wider access to global investment strategies for Indian investors.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Central government employee unions are pushing for significant changes in the 8th Pay Commission, demanding higher family unit counts, increased House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Transport Allowance (TPTA), and the merger of Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay. These bodies argue current provisions are insufficient for low-level employees, especially in major cities.

Traders are increasingly exploring FTMO alternatives as prop trading firms proliferate. These firms offer diverse evaluation systems, trading rules, and payout structures, catering to individual risk appetites and trading styles. Understanding how these models align with your strategy, rather than just brand recognition, is crucial for success in the funded trading space.

Manoranjan Pandey, who lost his life in the tragic accident in 2018, was the sole breadwinner of his family, according to the 2019 appeal filed in the Behrampur Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, and was running his own construction business and earning Rs 15 lakh per annum. Based on this, the claimant-appellants had sought a compensation to the tune of Rs 2.25 crore.

Even if your long-term capital gains from stocks are under Rs 1.25 lakh, you must still file your Income Tax Return for AY 2026-27. While this amount is tax-exempt, the Income Tax Department requires you to report these gains. Failure to disclose can lead to issues. Learn how to correctly report these gains in your ITR.

PPF interest rate: The Finance Ministry has maintained the Public Provident Fund (PPF) interest rate at 7.10% for the July-September 2026 quarter, keeping it unchanged from the previous period.

Ten equity mutual funds delivered over 25% returns in 2026 so far, led by Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund with 102%, driven by international, emerging markets and technology themes.

The Supreme Court has upheld a husband's Will, which disinherited his wife and children from certain properties, favouring his sister. The court ruled that excluding legal heirs does not automatically make a Will suspicious, especially when the testator stated he had already provided sufficiently for his family. This decision reinforces that a Will's validity hinges on its proper execution and the testator's clear intent, not solely on inheritance patterns.

Around eight mutual funds and two specialised investment funds (SIFs) are currently open for subscription across categories including hybrid, index, multi-asset, overnight and life cycle funds. Offerings from Zerodha, ICICI Prudential, Invesco, JioBlackRock, JM, Tata, HDFC and Choice are accepting investments before their respective closing dates.

The government has introduced the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026, replacing older schemes. The calculation formula for pensions also stays the same, based on pensionable salary and service.

The Reserve Bank of India's new concessional forex swap facility is set to significantly lower borrowing costs for government-owned financial institutions, encouraging them to increase external borrowings. This move aims to attract foreign capital, bolster reserves, and support the rupee. S&P Global Ratings highlights that these government-linked entities, crucial for strategic sectors, will benefit from cheaper funding and enhanced financial flexibility, potentially driving economic growth.

Invesco Mutual Fund has launched Summit SIF, an equity long-short fund offering both long and limited short exposure via derivatives. The NFO closes on July 16 and targets alpha generation through dynamic strategies combining stock selection and tactical shorts, managed by Hiten Jain and benchmarked to the BSE 500 TRI.

Should investors choose SIPs in stocks or mutual funds? According to Hercules Advisors founder Aditya Shah, while direct equities may offer higher returns, they demand constant monitoring and carry greater risks. For senior citizens and passive investors, diversified mutual funds with professional management and appropriate asset allocation can be a safer and more practical route to long-term wealth creation.

ETMutualFunds presents SIP portfolio ideas tailored for conservative, moderate and aggressive investors. The allocations span three investment brackets, starting from Rs 2,000 to above Rs 10,000, combining flexi cap, large cap, hybrid, mid cap and small cap funds. Selection is based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and fund size.

Indian law governing a woman's property after her death without a will prioritizes her husband's heirs over her own parents. This outdated Hindu Succession Act, despite societal shifts where daughters are primary caregivers and financial supporters, leaves natal ties secondary to marital ones. While wills offer a solution, legislative reform is needed to reflect modern family realities and ensure parents are rightfully recognized in their daughter's succession line.

Gold prices saw an uptick across major Indian cities on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Leading jewellers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas reported higher rates for 22K gold jewellery compared to the previous day.

Active share measures how much a mutual fund's portfolio differs from its benchmark, helping investors assess whether they are paying for genuine active management or closet index investing.

TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund emerged as the best-performing equity mutual fund over the past year, delivering a 22.78% return and outperforming both its benchmark and category average. Experts attribute the performance to strong stock selection but advise investors to focus on long-term asset allocation, disciplined SIPs, and realistic return expectations.