The Economic Times

Gold and silver prices saw a dip on Saturday, May 16, 2026. This followed a volatile week where rates fluctuated sharply. Factors like rising US inflation and anticipated interest rate hikes influenced the market. Local factors also played a role, including government duty increases. Consumers can check rates at major jewellers like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has launched new Retirement Income Schemes and drawdown options for National Pension System subscribers. These changes aim to provide predictable cashflow and extend the life of retirement funds.

Seven top mutual funds trimmed exposure to 18 major stocks in April, signalling a strategic shift in market positioning.

Around 10 equity mutual funds managed over Rs 60,000 crore in assets by April 2026, led by Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, while HDFC Mutual Fund dominated with three entries.

The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers a high 8.2% interest rate for the April-June 2026 quarter, with a five-year tenure extendable by three years. Deposits up to Rs 30 lakh are permitted, and while interest is taxable, a deduction of up to Rs 50,000 is available under Section 80TTB.

Quant Mid Cap Fund exited Lenskart Solutions, NMDC and SBI Cards in April, while adding Steel Authority of India to its portfolio, the funds monthly disclosure showed. The fund also increased exposure to Reliance Industries and maintained holdings in several key stocks, as sector allocations shifted toward healthcare and metals.

JioBlackRock MFs April portfolio reveals top allocations to banking, telecom, and large-cap leaders like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RIL, ITC, Infosys, and MCX.

PGIM India Mutual Fund has reopened subscriptions for three international funds, including the Global Equity Opportunities Fund of Fund, effective May 18. This follows a temporary restriction imposed on March 10 to avoid breaching overseas investment limits. Investors can now invest up to Rs 2 lakh daily per scheme.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020-21 Series-VIII, allowing investors to redeem from May 18, 2026. A Rs 1 lakh investment in this SGB, issued at Rs 5,127 per gram, has grown to approximately Rs 3.12 lakh, yielding a 212.30% return.

England's new Renters Right Act offers tenants a 12-month eviction shield at tenancy start. Landlords cannot evict for personal use or sale during this period. New rules expand grounds for landlord possession, including tenant fault like rent arrears or antisocial behavior. Strict notice periods and court processes apply. This aims for tenant security and landlord flexibility.

Homeowners facing inadequate parking spaces from builders have recourse beyond RERA, which doesn't mandate specific parking dimensions. While the National Building Code isn't always legally binding, it serves as a benchmark. Buyers can pursue claims under the Consumer Protection Act for deficiency in service or unfair trade practices if parking is unusable or misrepresented.

Banks in only one state will be closed today. For all other states, banks will operate as a regular working day, as they are typically closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Senior citizens seeking higher returns on their retirement savings can explore 3-year Fixed Deposit options. Small finance banks like Jana and Utkarsh lead with 8% interest, while private banks such as Bandhan and YES Bank offer up to 7.75%. Public sector banks, including Bank of India and Standard Chartered, provide 7%.

Recent petrol price hikes across metropolitan cities and increased CNG costs in Delhi and Mumbai are impacting car owners. For those commuting 1,000 km monthly, the additional fuel expenses can range from a few hundred to a few thousand rupees. Despite the price adjustments, CNG cars continue to offer significant savings compared to petrol vehicles.

An ideal allocation between gold and silver should depend on an individuals risk appetite, financial goals and investment goals, Guha underlines. Gold can be part of the core investment portfolio. Silver can be allocated for a diversified profile and a tactical allocation to benefit from industrial demands and short-term higher returns.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Indias second-largest fund house with Rs 11.72 lakh crore AUM, reshuffled holdings across banks, autos, energy, and IT, with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank topping exposure, while RIL, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharma, NTPC, and Maruti Suzuki saw selective buying and selling changes.

Bengaluru property owners can now convert their B-Khata to A-Khata through government-organized camps starting May 16th. Under the 'Bhoo Guarantee' scheme, this conversion requires paying only 2% of the guidance value, a significant reduction from the previous 5%. This initiative aims to formalize property records, enhance transparency, and provide legal security to lakhs of families.

India's inter-state migrant workers gain significant protections under new labour code rules notified on May 8, 2026. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2026, bring millions of self-driven migrant workers into legal recognition. Key reforms include mandatory appointment letters, a digital database, portable ration cards, and tracked journey and displacement allowances.

Gold prices saw a dip on Friday, May 15, 2026. Rates fell across leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also reported lower gold and silver prices compared to the previous day. This decline follows a sharp rise in gold rates earlier in the week.

Tamil Nadu government employees and teachers will see their dearness allowance (DA) increase from 58% to 60% of basic pay, effective January 1, 2026. This 2% hike, also extended to pensioners and family pensioners, will result in an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 1,230 crore for the state.

Mutual funds exited nine midcap stocks in April. SBI Mutual Fund sold Uno Minda and Dabur India. Kotak Mutual Fund divested FSN E-Commerce. Nippon India Mutual Fund exited Havells India and Meesho. Quant Mutual Fund sold Dabur India, SBI Cards, and Lenskart Solutions. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund sold Tube Investments and Tata Communications.

Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund exited Reliance Industries, Bank of Baroda, and L&T Finance in April. The fund also increased stakes in Titan Company, MCX, and 16 other stocks, including NTPC and ONGC. It added MTAR Technologies, Tata Steel, and Kirloskar Oil Engines as new holdings, expanding its portfolio to 42 stocks.

New labour code provisions are now effective across India from November 21, 2025. Employee benefits like faster full and final payments and annual leave encashment are already applicable. Companies must comply with these changes even without state government notifications. This update impacts salary calculations and statutory dues for employees nationwide.

Choosing a health insurance policy involves more than just premium cost. This comparison of leading Indian insurers highlights key features like room rent limits, restoration benefits, and claim settlement ratios. Understanding these details is crucial for policyholders to manage out-of-pocket expenses during medical emergencies.

Income tax return AY 26-27: The Income Tax Department has launched Excel utilities and online filing for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for the Assessment Year 2026-27. Taxpayers earning up to Rs 50 lakh, with specific income sources, can now prepare and file their returns.

Individuals eligible for ITR-1 filing for AY 2026-27 must file by July 31, 2026. This form is for resident individuals with income up to 50 lakh from salary, one house property, and other simple sources. Avoid common errors like using Aadhaar enrolment IDs instead of verified Aadhaar numbers. Ensure accurate reporting of loans and bank accounts.

Flexi cap mutual funds attracted a record Rs 10,147 crore in April, despite moderating equity inflows and market volatility. Experts suggest this reflects investor trust in fund managers for flexible allocation across market caps, rather than caution. This category is also seen as a strong starting point for new investors.

Hybrid mutual funds, particularly aggressive hybrid schemes, are recommended for their resilience in volatile markets. These funds balance equity and debt, offering wealth creation potential with reduced risk. Experts suggest these schemes for conservative equity investors seeking long-term financial goals, highlighting their mixed portfolio and tax advantages.

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) has issued a crucial advisory for homebuyers, detailing six essential checks before purchasing property. These include verifying land titles, sanctioned maps, inventory details, project bank accounts, quarterly progress reports, and builder complaint history to ensure transparency and prevent fraud.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has revised rules for National Pension System annuity surrenders. Subscribers facing critical illness or holding older annuity contracts with specific surrender clauses can now seek surrender.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has purchased 2,134 sq. ft. of land in Ayodhya for Rs 3.31 crore. The plot is part of a 75-acre development by The House of Abhinandan Lodha, featuring luxury amenities and a vegetarian hotel by The Leela. Kapoor stated his belief that Ayodhya chose him, seeing the land as a legacy for his family.

Rising import duty and PM Narendra Modis appeal to delay purchases have pushed jewellery brands like Kalyan Jewellers and Malabar Gold & Diamonds to promote gold recycling schemes. These schemes let customers exchange old jewellery for new items, with value based on purity and market prices. Companies use advanced XRF machines for accurate testing. Experts say even small-scale recycling can significantly cut Indias gold imports.

Taxpayers can anticipate significant improvements in the TDS system and faster resolution of tax disputes. The Central Board of Direct Taxes' Central Action Plan for 2026-2027 outlines a roadmap for a more taxpayer-centric and technology-driven tax administration. This plan aims to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve overall taxpayer services, leading to a more predictable and responsive tax governance framework.

AlphaGrep Mutual Fund has filed draft documents with SEBI for its first scheme, the Multi Asset Allocation Fund. The open-ended fund will invest across equity, debt, commodities and derivatives, aiming to generate long-term capital appreciation through a diversified, rules-based portfolio.

Defence civilian employees are seeking equal pay scales, promotions, and benefits as Railway employees. They also want risk and hardship allowances matching those of uniformed personnel. The All India Defence Employees' Federation has presented these demands to the 8th Pay Commission. Other key issues include minimum pay, pension, and medical benefits.

Central government employees can now choose to include either their parents or parents-in-law as dependents for CGHS medical benefits. This one-time option, once exercised, cannot be reversed by male employees. The clarification applies to both CGHS and Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has launched the Platinum Hybrid Long-Short Fund under its Platinum SIF platform. The interval investment strategy will invest across equity, debt and derivative instruments, aiming to deliver risk-adjusted returns through arbitrage, collar strategies and high-quality debt exposure across market cycles.

Gold prices saw a slight increase on May 14, 2026, with major brands like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reporting higher rates. Silver also climbed to a two-month high, driven by industrial demand. Analysts suggest gold remains range-bound, while silver targets further gains amid geopolitical and economic factors.

Six equity mutual funds received inflows of over Rs 7,000 crore each in April, led by Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund and Nippon India Small Cap Fund. Strong investor participation boosted assets under management across flexi-cap, mid-cap, hybrid and small-cap categories during the month.

Mutual funds increased exposure to capital goods, NBFCs, utilities and logistics in April, while trimming weights in technology, banks and healthcare. Private banks remained top holdings despite marginal moderation in allocations.

The PFRDA has updated NPS investment guidelines, effective May 13, 2026, to include rupee-denominated bonds issued by the New Development Bank (NDB). This expands investment options for both government and private sector NPS funds, previously limited to bonds from IBRD, IFC, and ADB. Other conditions like credit rating and maturity remain unchanged.

Mutual funds boosted cash holdings by over Rs 12,000 crore in April, reaching Rs 1.98 lakh crore. This occurred even as Indian stock markets like Nifty 50 and Sensex saw significant gains. Several fund houses increased their cash positions, while others reduced them. SBI Mutual Fund held the largest cash reserves.

Helios Flexi Cap Fund, backed by Samir Arora, boosted its holdings in Tata Motors, Eternal, and Paytm during April. The fund also increased its stake in eight other companies, including Hero MotoCorp and Bharat Electronics. Conversely, exposure was reduced in HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, and Ather Energy. Titan Company and Axis Bank were added as new investments.

The combination of SIP and SWP can help you get a Rs 1.05 lakh monthly income for 20 years. While planning for it, experts advise disciplined investing, realistic return expectations, diversification, and sustainable withdrawal rates. The also suggest avoiding common mistakes like stopping SIPs early or withdrawing excessively.