The Economic Times

Benchmark indices ended firm on Wednesday, supported by gains in metals and PSU banks even as IT stocks slipped back into decline. The Sensex rose 283 points and the Nifty added 94. Broader markets advanced, while global cues remained mixed and crude prices edged higher amid U.S.Iran negotiations.

Gold prices saw a slight uptick on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with 24K fine gold reaching Rs 15,196 per gram. This rise follows a steady trend, keeping buyers and investors attentive. Major jewellers like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds also reflect these market movements in their jewellery pricing.

The National Payments Corporation of India has teamed up with NVIDIA in a dynamic collaboration that promises to elevate the nations payment systems through the power of advanced AI. Targeting the construction of a strong and secure AI framework, this venture will enable expansive real-time payment processes while adhering to the principles of regulatory and data sovereignty.

Shares of Easy Trip Planners surged 60% in three sessions after board approval to raise up to Rs 500 crore. The EaseMyTrip operator plans expansion in hotels and holidays, higher tech investments, and stronger financial flexibility, supported by sequential revenue growth and a return to quarterly profit.

Online death claim: Indian Overseas Bank has introduced a new online portal for death claim settlements. Families can now submit claims from anywhere, simplifying the process. Claims up to Rs 15 lakh require no third-party surety and will be processed within 15 days.

Government employees in India are being targeted by a new cyber fraud offering estimated 8th Pay Commission salary hikes. Scammers send WhatsApp messages with APK file links, which, upon installation, grant them access to victims' phones and bank accounts. The government urges employees to avoid unverified links and APK files, emphasizing official channels for pay commission information.

Dividend yield shows the annual cash return you earn from a stock as a percentage of its current price. Smart income investors balance high yields with business fundamentals to build reliable passive income streams.

An individual earned Rs 17 lakh in rental income and paid no tax. This was achieved by utilizing a 30% standard deduction on rental income. Further deductions and tax rebates under both old and new tax regimes can eliminate tax liability. This strategy highlights potential tax savings for property owners.

A taxpayer successfully challenged an Rs 83 lakh capital gains tax exemption denial in ITAT Mumbai. The Income Tax officer erred by reopening the assessment without specifying the Section 54F exemption as a reason. ITAT Mumbai ruled the officer lacked jurisdiction for this addition, quashing the disallowance based on a Bombay High Court precedent.

The Supreme Court has intervened to help a widow struggling to repay a Rs 50 lakh loan taken by her deceased husband. After his death during Covid-19, the bank classified the loan as NPA. Despite a settlement offer, the wife faced mounting dues. The SC, invoking Article 142, reduced her repayment burden, granting her relief.

Good news for Indian families! The Union Budget 2026 significantly reduces Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas education and medical remittances from 5% to 2% for amounts exceeding Rs 10 lakh annually. This change, effective April 1, 2026, offers substantial upfront cash flow relief, allowing families to save up to Rs 1.

Quant Mid Cap Fund made significant portfolio adjustments in January, exiting ITC and three other stocks entirely. The fund also reduced holdings in Reliance Industries and two other companies. New investments were made in NMDC and Nippon Life India AMC, while the exposure to private sector banks was increased.

Balanced advantage funds continue to attract investors seeking dynamic equity-debt allocation amid volatile markets. These funds adjust equity exposure based on valuations, making them suitable for long-term investors who can handle market-linked risks. Here are the best balanced advantage funds to invest in February 2026, based on ETMutualFunds.com analysis.

Bank holidays: Bank branches will be closed for three days this week, from February 18th to February 20th, 2026, with holidays varying by state. These closures necessitate in-person branch visits for specific transactions.

Retirees face crucial NPS withdrawal choices based on corpus size. SLW offers fixed monthly income, ideal for those needing certainty, while SUR provides variable payouts by redeeming fixed units, better for preserving corpus long-term. Understanding these differences is key to managing post-retirement finances effectively.

Record inflows into gold and silver ETFs highlight investor interest amidst market volatility. The article details the tax implications for these investments, differentiating between short-term and long-term capital gains, and explaining how intraday trading profits are treated as speculative income taxed at slab rates.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans help investors draw regular income while keeping remaining investments growing. Choosing suitable funds such as hybrid, flexi cap, multi-asset or mid-cap impacts sustainability and returns. Experts say combining SIP and SWP ensures disciplined wealth creation and retirement income stability.

Paisabazaar has launched a new feature allowing users to pay credit card bills, EMIs, and mobile recharges with zero platform fees and assured rewards. The PB Wallet accumulates cashback and promotional rewards from financial products and services, usable for eligible bill payments on the platform.

In December, the Income-tax Department sent SMS and email alerts flagging mismatches in reported income and non-disclosure of foreign assets. This article explains how such information reaches the tax systemthrough SFT filings, TDS/TCS data and global information-sharing frameworksand what taxpayers should do to stay compliant in a data-driven tax regime.

Mutual fund assets now equal nearly one-third of bank deposits. This ratio has grown almost three times in the past decade. In March 2015, it was 12.6%. By January 2026, it reached over 32.6%. A year ago, the ratio stood at 30.4%. India still lags behind developed markets like the USA in this metric.

The Supreme Court ruled that a handwriting expert's opinion is unnecessary when a daughter challenges the entirety of her father's Will, not just his signature. The court overturned a Kerala High Court decision that had ordered a handwriting test, emphasizing that the dispute centered on the testator's free will and consent, not the authenticity of his signature.

As retirement nears, investment priorities shift from high returns to capital safety, steady growth and liquidity. Sixty-year-old Neeraj Yadav, who invests Rs 25,000 monthly across five mutual funds, is reassessing his SIPs and portfolio strategy. He seeks clarity on rebalancing, stopping select SIPs and deploying funds more prudently to align with his retirement needs and risk profile.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: Can I use the sale proceeds from my own house to pay my sister her 50% share in our fathers property so that the entire property can be transferred to my name?

Bank of Baroda has issued a stern advisory for its senior citizen, pensioner, and ex-employee customers regarding a surge in digital fraud. The bank warns against fake 'pensioner card' offers and requests for sensitive information, urging vigilance against suspicious links and unsolicited communications.

HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank lead the pack as the most favored stocks among mutual funds, appearing in over 700 schemes each. Other top holdings include Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India, Reliance Industries, Infosys, and Axis Bank, indicating strong institutional confidence in these large-cap companies.

The Allahabad High Court upheld a Rs 15,000 monthly maintenance order for a wife, despite her Rs 11 lakh annual salary. The court emphasized that a wife's employment doesn't automatically disqualify her from maintenance, especially when there's a significant income disparity and she cannot maintain her previous standard of living.

ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group has received approval from SEBI to launch its mutual fund business in India. This move allows ASK to offer a wide range of investment solutions, including equity, hybrid, and fixed-income products. The company aims to serve all investor categories with transparent and well-structured offerings.

Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund, backed by Sunil Singhania, significantly boosted its holdings in Urban Company and SBI in January 2026. The fund added substantial shares in Tata Steel, Emmvee Photovoltaic Power, NTPC, and Heritage Foods. It also introduced 26 new stocks, including RIL and Tata Motors, to its portfolio.

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.

Silver and gold ETFs fell up to 4% as weak global cues pushed MCX precious metal futures lower for a second straight session, with silver ETFs leading the decline.

An employee suspended indefinitely without pay for over six months has been awarded Rs 2.02 lakh by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The court upheld the Labour Court's decision, ruling that suspensions cannot be indefinite or unpaid. The employer's challenge regarding jurisdiction was dismissed, affirming the employee's entitlement to wages.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that only a registered sale deed, not an agreement to sell, GPA, or receipt, can establish property title. The court dismissed a partition suit filed by the children of one brother, who relied on these documents, upholding the sale deed in the other brother's name.

Salaried employees face increased income tax under draft Income Tax Rules, 2026, due to changes in company car perk valuation. Those using company cars partly for personal use will see higher taxable perquisites, leading to an additional tax outgo. The new rules significantly revise the monetary value assigned to this benefit.