The Economic Times

Investing Rs 1.5 lakh annually in Public Provident Fund for 20 years can yield a tax-free retirement corpus exceeding Rs 66 lakh. This popular scheme offers a fixed interest rate, with compounding significantly boosting returns. PPF accounts mature in 15 years but can be extended for further growth, providing a robust wealth creation avenue.

Pm Kisan Samman Yojana: Farmers eagerly await the 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana, expected around June-July 2026, with each beneficiary receiving Rs 2,000. The scheme provides annual income support to eligible landholding farmer families. Mandatory e-KYC and Aadhaar linkage are crucial for receiving payments.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: Will buying an apartment before selling the existing one still allow me to claim long-term capital gains exemption in the same financial year?

Investing Rs 20,000 monthly via SIP for 25 years at an expected 12% return can build a corpus of around Rs 3.40 crore. Out of this, Rs 60 lakh is the invested amount, while the remainder is generated through compounding over the long-term investment horizon.

Gold prices experienced a minor decrease on May 5, 2026. Rates for 24k, 22k, and other gold purities showed a downward trend compared to the previous day. Leading jewellers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas reported lower prices.

About seven equity mutual funds delivered over 25% CAGR in the past three years, out of 246 schemes analysed by ETMutualFunds. Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 30.24% CAGR, followed by midcap funds such as HSBC Midcap Fund (26.55%) and ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund (25.92%).

SBI employees' nationwide strike May 25, 26: The demands raised by the federation include recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate staffing, and stopping outsourcing of permanent roles. AISBISF has also underlined issues like pension related concerns under the National Pension System, lack of inter circle transfers for employees recruited after 2019.

Taxpayers, mark your calendars for May 2026! Crucial compliance deadlines loom, including TDS/TCS deposits for April and certificate issuances. Remember to file key statements and declarations under the Income-tax Act, 2025, to avoid penalties. Stay informed to meet these important dates.

ETMutualFunds outlines SIP portfolio options for aggressive investors across three investment brackets starting from Rs 2,000. The portfolios combine flexi cap, large cap, midcap, small cap, and hybrid funds, selected using an in-house methodology based on returns, consistency, risk, and asset size over the past three years.

Axis Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions in three international funds from May 5 due to overseas investment limits. While fresh inflows are halted, redemptions and existing SIPs continue. The move comes amid strong past returns and follows leadership changes, including Ashish Guptas exit and R Sivakumars elevation as CIO.

The Delhi Development Authority has extended the payment deadline for its premium Towering Heights project in Karkardooma to June 30, 2026. This move accommodates delays in statutory approvals and physical possession, offering relief to allottees. No interest will be charged on payments due by March 31, 2026, extended to April 30, 2026, and until June 30, 2026.

Greater Noida has seen a 3.58% increase in property circle rates, aligning with the Cost Inflation Index to encourage investment. A new 37-km road connecting Greater Noida to the Ganga Expressway is also proposed, promising seamless connectivity to western Uttar Pradesh and reducing travel time significantly.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has filed draft papers with Sebi to launch a hybrid long-short fund under its Prism SIF platform. The interval strategy will invest across equity, debt and derivatives with limited short exposure. With structured allocation and income strategies, the fund targets long-term capital appreciation alongside income generation for investors.

Defence mutual funds have surged up to 25% in a month, driven by geopolitical tensions. Experts advise against chasing this sharp rally, citing stretched valuations and long project timelines. Investors should consider gradual entry or diversified funds for long-term wealth creation.

The new tax regime offers lower rates but removes many deductions, making a thorough comparison with the old regime crucial. While both regimes allow certain allowances and perquisites, understanding these benefits, like meal vouchers and motor car perquisites, is key to minimizing your tax burden for FY 2026-27.

Bengaluru's housing market saw a 5.3% CAGR price rise over five years. Builders are focusing on premium 3BHK apartments in the Rs 1 to 2 crore range. This creates a shortage of affordable homes priced between Rs 30 to 50 lakh. Sales are highest in the Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore segment.

Your salary is just the start for loan approval. Lenders scrutinize your income after deducting all current EMIs. This remaining amount, measured by the Fixed Obligation to Income Ratio, dictates your borrowing capacity. Keeping this ratio below 50% is key. Existing EMIs significantly reduce how much more you can borrow. Even small EMI reductions can boost your loan eligibility.

Savings account interest rates: Suryoday Small Finance Bank has updated its savings account and fixed deposit interest rates. Effective May 1, 2026, savings accounts will offer up to 7.60% interest on higher balances.

International funds led returns, followed by energy and auto sector funds. Top performers delivered strong gains, but investors should prioritize risk appetite, goals, and horizon over chasing past returns.

The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) has submitted a memorandum to the 8th Pay Commission demanding five distinct fitment factors for its technical staff, citing job complexities and hazards. They also proposed a 5% annual increment, a promotional increment equivalent to two annual increments, and a separate CPI for calculating Dearness Allowance.

HDFC Mutual Fund has revised investment rules for its HDFC Defence Fund, increasing the minimum amount for fresh SIP registrations. It has also capped new STP registrations at 25,000 per month per investor (PAN level), allowing them only under a monthly frequency from May 4.

New consumer rights rules for air travel in Dubai took effect on April 28, 2026, empowering passengers with clearer information on ticket prices, terms, and baggage. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority's directive mandates airlines to provide timely updates and options like re-routing or refunds for flight disruptions, with provisions for meals and accommodation during extended delays.

Gold prices are stable today as traders await crucial economic data from major economies and the US jobs market. Analysts note that geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices are influencing gold's movement. Retail prices at leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds show little change.

Etihad Airways is now offering a 10% discount on promo seats for its top-tier loyalty members. Gold, Platinum, and Emerald members of the Etihad Guest program can avail this special offer. This benefit enhances the exclusive member experience, providing greater value and rewarding redemption opportunities.

Axis Mutual Fund has launched the Axis Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking the Nifty Capital Markets Total Return Index (TRI). The NFO is open till May 15 and aims to mirror index performance, before expenses, subject to tracking error. The fund offers investors exposure to Indias evolving capital markets ecosystem.

SBI Card has revised its late payment charges, effective May 1, 2026, impacting lower outstanding amounts. A new Rs 100 penalty now applies for dues between Rs 100 and Rs 500.

An investor's SIP portfolio in SBI Mutual Fund showed a Rs 10,000 loss after 20 months, prompting expert advice. Volatility is inherent in equity markets, and a short investment horizon makes performance judgment difficult. Experts recommend a flexi-cap fund for better diversification and reduced volatility.

A US-based son, Mr. Bussi, successfully challenged an Indian income tax notice after depositing Rs 11 lakh cash into his parents' account during demonetisation. The ITAT Delhi cancelled the notice, acknowledging the funds were genuine remittances from earlier years, ruling in favor of the NRI after a six-year legal battle.

Top NPS equity funds have generated over 910% annual returns in the last three years, with fund managers like LIC, UTI, and SBI leading performance amid steady equity market gains.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund has delivered exceptional returns, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.55 crore over 20 years. The fund's consistent performance across market cycles, driven by a fundamental, bottom-up approach, has helped investors achieve their financial goals.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 101st part of this series, Riju Mehta explains the difference between the three types of financial statements.

For best portfolio results, its best not to get swayed by any one asset class. Experts recommend diversification. While asset allocation is the way to go, the question remains: what is the best combination? Every investor has their own asset allocation. Heres a start. In this weeks TrendMap, ET Wealth compares seven asset combinations. Portfolios with gold have delivered a notable returns boost in recent years, while those with zero gold exposure have persistently lagged. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

There are several types of orders that investors can place on the exchange, and each interacts with the system in a distinct way. The choice of order type determines how and when a trade is executed, the price it gets filled at, and even whether it gets executed at all. As a result, the order an investor chooses can significantly impact trading outcomes and overall returns.

An online game is any game played on a phone, laptop, or digital device, operated through software using the internet or any form of electronic communication. This definition ensures that almost every form of digital gaming falls within its scope. The real difference, and the real tax impact, begins when we look at how these games are classified.

Women are learning to keep pace with the ubiquitous apps and AI, shrugging off dependence on their kids for financial transactions, online shopping, utility bill payments, documentation and paperwork, health care and medical needs, travel (booking cabs or navigation), recreation, and even career management.

From vesting-day perquisite taxes to a 40% US estate levy that most Indian professionals never see coming, your employers stock is not the safe reward it feels like.

HDFC MFs Navneet Munot tells Sanket Dhanorkar and Kayezad E. Adajania how navigating crises has shaped investing discipline, risk management and future strategy.

Can the NPS Swasthya scheme be an effective substitute for a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers hospitalisation and related expenses? Participating companies say that is not its objective. The scheme allows you to dip into your NPS corpus to fund healthcare needs, but several conditions apply.

When IRDAI defines success as premium collected, and the industry maximises commissions by selling products that collect maximum premium per unit of cover, the two are in perfect alignment. No one needs to collude. The ruler measures what the industry finds convenient. The industry finds it convenient because the ruler keeps pointing upward.

Even as individuals from Tier-2/3 cities and beyond are rapidly embracing the world of stocks and mutual funds, gaps in advisory and awareness may leave investors vulnerable.