The Economic Times

Multi-asset funds are gaining popularity by diversifying across equity, debt, precious metals and other assets. Strong gold and silver gains boosted one-year returns, while active allocation and tax treatment vary by equity exposure.

Homebuyersgot no compensation for more than 2-year delay in possession of flat, MahaRERAorder; Know how accepting possession without protest cost them the delaycompensation. Know why homebuyers lost this case.

Sunil Singhania-backed Abakkus Small Cap Fund added Indo-MIM, Mrs Bectors Food Specialities and BEML to its portfolio in July while exiting Bank of Baroda and Cyient DLM. The fund also increased its exposure to HDFC Bank and 55 other stocks, according to its latest monthly portfolio disclosure.

EPS higher pension: The government has acknowledged the Madras High Court's decision on higher pension benefits. Supreme Court orders regarding higher pension contributions have also been examined. An online facility was provided for EPS subscribers opting for higher pension. This higher pension judgment has been implemented uniformly for all establishments. Employees can now contribute based on actual basic salary for increased pension.

There is no easy or one word answer to this question. The expenses anywhere would depend majorly on the city an individual is living in and their lifestyle. At the same time, it is equally important to factor in the average salaries that people receive. We have done an analysis of the same. Read on to know.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced new guidelines for loan recovery starting in January 2027. These regulations require that banks properly train recovery agents while ensuring they adhere to professional standards during the process. Borrowers will receive notifications regarding the recovery agents assigned to them, and all communications will need to be recorded.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the redemption price for the SGB 2020-21 Series-XI, set at Rs 14,564 per unit. Investors seeking to redeem their bonds beforehand can do so starting August 7, 2026, after a five-year term.

Resident ordered by housing society to evict on grounds of maintenance default, creation of nuisance and using open space as his garden; Maharashtra Co-Op Appellate court cancels eviction and rules resident cannot be evicted by housing society for this reason. Know more.

GOld rate today: Gold prices saw a slight decrease today, August 7, 2026. Leading jewellery brands like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds adjusted their rates. Tanishq maintained its 22-karat gold price while others saw a small reduction. IBJA indicative rates for August 6, 2026, show higher prices for various gold purities. Silver prices also remained steady as per the latest updates.

According to the Sebi mandate, small cap schemes must invest in companies that are ranked below 250 in terms of market capitalisation. These schemes also will have to invest at least 65% in small cap stocks.

The BSE Sensex has declined nearly eight percent, prompting investors to consider increasing mutual fund SIP contributions. Market experts suggest this correction is normal and investors should continue SIPs without interruption. Lower markets allow for the accumulation of more units over the long term. Investors should review their portfolios and rebalance asset allocation if needed. Monitoring crude oil prices and global policies will guide future market direction.

Investors can check for unclaimed State Bank of India dividends on the bank's website. Dividends unclaimed for seven years are transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund. Shareholders can submit claims to Kfin Technologies Limited or SBI Investor Services. Checking unclaimed dividends requires specific details like folio number or client ID. Eligible shareholders and their legal heirs can apply to the IEPF Authority for refunds.

Worried about rising healthcare costs after 60? Discover how senior citizens can secure robust health insurance without breaking the bank. Explore strategies like combining base policies with super top-ups and leveraging employer benefits to achieve comprehensive coverage and predictable renewal costs.

A fresh analysis indicates that actively managed mutual funds have surpassed their benchmark indices, with an impressive 94% of large cap funds outperforming theirs. Midcap and small cap funds have also demonstrated solid performance against their benchmarks. Fund managers effectively utilized market discrepancies and strategic stock selection. It remains crucial for investors to carefully choose suitable schemes and reputable fund houses to maximize gains.

The Lok Sabha passed a bill amending tax laws on August 6, 2026. This amendment benefits REIT and InvIT investors by exempting dividend income. Special Purpose Vehicles can opt for a new tax regime with a higher surcharge. This decision requires careful evaluation of the entire structure's tax efficiency. The choice between tax regimes depends on individual financial profiles and commercial objectives.

With its latest feature, PhonePe now allows users to easily invest in daily recurring deposits via its user-friendly app. Starting investments is as easy as contributing Rs 100 daily through UPI AutoPay. Additionally, the app simplifies the digital handling of fixed deposits, which are secured up to Rs 5 lakh under the DICGC scheme. Best of all, users can withdraw their funds whenever they choose.

Non-Resident Indians have the opportunity to secure their retirement through investment in the National Pension System (NPS). This program provides considerable tax advantages as per the Indian Income Tax Act, allowing annual contributions to be deducted up to two lakh rupees. While withdrawals made after the age of sixty are primarily tax-free, it's important to note that annuity income is subject to taxation.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund raised over Rs 1,200 crore through its ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund and Services Fund launches in 2026. The offerings drew investors from more than 5,700 pin codes, highlighting strong demand for thematic, long-term equity investment opportunities across India.

SBI Mutual Fund has announced the launch of its Magnum Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund under the Specialized Investment Fund framework. Opening on August 7, the NFO targets long-term capital growth by investing outside the top 100 stocks with a long-short strategy using equity derivatives.

Five midcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns of over 20% in the last three years, led by Invesco India Mid Cap Fund with a 24.7% return. Meanwhile, five other schemes posted comparatively modest returns, highlighting the wide performance gap within the category.

Retired teacher from Mysore deposits Rs 1.33 crore cash in bank, files no ITR; tax dept issues notice; he wins case in ITAT Bangalore as tax notice was issued 26 days after the limitation period had expired. Know how he won case in ITAT Bangalore.

Around 42 equity mutual funds generated a CAGR of more than 15% over the past decade, turning a Rs 1 lakh lump-sum investment into over Rs 4 lakh. Nippon India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 20.61% CAGR, while several Quant, HDFC and SBI schemes also delivered stellar returns.

Gold price today: On August 6, 2026, gold prices surged dramatically throughout India, as Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds displayed increased rates. The Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association confirmed the striking rise in both gold and silver values, impacting major metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Consumers were quick to notice these changes in pricing on Thursday.

Digital transactions like UPI and NEFT can trigger income tax notices. These notices arise when transactions do not match your declared income. The Income Tax Department cross-verifies financial data from various sources. Taxpayers should regularly check their Annual Information Statement and reconcile records. Maintaining transaction records and accurately reporting income prevents unnecessary scrutiny.

EPFO officers have raised concerns over the backlog of auto claims that have been pending for over twenty days. The newly introduced IT system, CITES, has encountered significant implementation delays. Since 2008, staffing levels have remained stagnant, adversely affecting service quality. Officers are calling for reforms in both the Employees Pension Scheme and the leadership framework, advocating for expert guidance and PFRDA-like withdrawal restrictions to enhance savings.

Hindu marriage cant be broken merely because husband lost interest in marriage, rules Karnataka High Court and says The marriage under the Hindu Law is a sacrament and it is not a contract. Know what the high court said about Hindu law regarding marriage.

An expert guides a 60-year-old investor on managing a large mutual fund portfolio. The advice focuses on dividing investments into three baskets for liquidity and growth. This strategy aims to balance immediate needs with long-term wealth creation goals. The expert suggests increasing large-cap exposure and avoiding certain fund categories. Restructuring aims to simplify the portfolio and align it with retirement planning needs.

Invesco India Midcap Fund has been in the first quartile in the last 15 months. The scheme had been in the second quartile earlier. Axis Midcap Fund has been in the third quartile in the last 15 months. The scheme had been in the fourth quartile earlier.

A potential EPF wage ceiling increase to 25,000 is generating significant employee interest. Read on to know if existing pensioners will receive higher monthly pension amounts.

A Nagpur woman who lost Rs 6.93 lakh in a FedEx parcel scam won a consumer court case against ICICI Bank. The commission ordered the bank to refund the remaining amount with 9% interest and pay Rs 35,000 as compensation. Here's how she won the case.

8th Pay Commission latest news: Employee groups are urging the 8th Pay Commission to raise annual increments significantly. They suggest increasing the rate from three percent to at least five percent. Some organizations propose an increment of six percent annually for employees. Other federations are advocating for a seven percent annual increment rate. This change could substantially boost gross salaries for central government staff.

While there has been no official word from the government on this yet, it is learnt that the Centre could allow a levy of 0.25% to 0.4% as merchant discount rate (MDR) charges on UPI payments above Rs 2000. So, does this mean that the proposal will directly impact you? First understand what MDR is.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched Indias first REIT-based index fund tracking the Nifty REITs & Realty TRI. The NFO closes on August 19, offering diversified exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a low-cost passive investment strategy.

For those invested in Sovereign Gold Bonds, early redemption for select tranches is possible from August 2026. This opportunity arises five years post-issue. Investors should ensure they submit their redemption applications within the stipulated timelines, as the redemption value will reflect gold prices from the previous three working days. Missing the submission period could mean a denial of the premature redemption option.

Smallcap mutual funds with Sharpe ratios above 0.70 have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns over the past three years. Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list, followed by ITI, Invesco India, and others, according to MF Screener.

A Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term, small savings scheme offered by the government of India. The PPF offers an attractive interest rate and tax benefits under the Old Tax Regime. The PPF interest rate is 7.1% for this quarter. Interest earned is tax-free under the Income Tax Act 2025.

PGIM India Mutual Fund is implementing a temporary suspension of systematic investment plans (SIPs) and systematic transfer plans (STPs) for three of its international funds. This action will commence after the cut-off time on August 7, 2026. The fund house has attributed this suspension to adherence to the overseas investment limits set by regulatory authorities. However, current redemptions and withdrawal options will remain unaffected.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, gold prices surged, catching the attention of both buyers and investors alike. Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, two prominent names in the jewellery industry, announced increased rates across their collections. According to the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association, both gold and silver witnessed considerable gains, indicating a remarkable shift in the market for precious metals.

REITs are often mistaken for fixed-income products, but Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, explains why they belong to the equity asset class. She highlights that REITs have lower volatility than equities but remain equity investments due to their risk-return profile. Gupta also explains why investors should view REITs as a diversification tool, not a debt substitute.

The Supreme Court has proposed new measures to address widespread non-compliance with mandatory motor insurance laws. Automatic e-challans and a potential 'no insurance, no fuel' system are being considered. The court also extended mandatory third-party insurance periods for new vehicles. Citizens will soon be able to verify vehicle insurance status through a pilot project.

8th Pay Commission: The 8th Pay Commission will hold meetings in Jaipur. These discussions involve central government employees and their representative bodies. Similar meetings have been scheduled for New Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai, and Puducherry. Stakeholders must submit requests for appointments through a specific online portal.