The Economic Times

eClerx Services approved a 1:1 bonus share issue alongside robust Q3FY26 results. Net profit rose 40% year-on-year, while revenue grew strongly, supported by steady execution, higher USD revenues, and resilient operating performance despite marginal margin compression.

Among the Top 10 AMCs managing Gold and Silver ETFs, Nippon India Mutual Fund leads with the highest combined AUM, ahead of peers like ICICI Prudential MF (Rs 48,165.7 crore), HDFC MF (Rs 34,075.7 crore), and SBI MF (Rs 33,103.6 crore).

New Aadhaar App: The government has launched a new Aadhaar app offering secure and convenient access to UID services. Users can now update mobile numbers and addresses, verify Aadhaar cards instantly, and selectively share identity attributes, all without physical visits or paperwork.

Aggressive investors suggest prioritizing high growth mutual funds like small cap, midcap, flexi cap, and sectoral schemes for SIPs in January to potentially maximize long term returns while accepting higher volatility.

SBI Research proposes aligning fixed deposit interest tax with capital gains. It also suggests shortening the lock-in for tax-saving FDs to three years, matching ELSS mutual funds. This aims to offer tax Section 80C tax benefits also to those investors who invest in 3-year FDs. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Budget 2026 on Sunday (February 1, 2026), many investors expect changes related to FD interest.

Medical inflation in India is soaring, making health insurance unaffordable and leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses. Taxpayers hope Budget 2026 will bring regulation to hospital pricing and insurance premiums. Experts call for government intervention to control rising healthcare costs and ensure better patient protection.

Parag Parikh Large Cap Funds New Fund Offer, which opened on January 19 and closes on Friday, January 30, aims to give investors cost efficient exposure to large cap stocks with smart execution and broad diversification ahead of reopening for continuous subscriptions in February 2026.

Punjab National Bank urges Sovereign Gold Bond investors to verify their accounts at branches, especially if interest payments are missed or bonds are maturing. The bank clarifies it's not liable for payout delays due to incorrect or closed account numbers. Investors are advised to update details before closing operative accounts to ensure timely redemption and interest credits.

The budget sits between the bumper budget presented in February 2025 and the upcoming Income Tax Act 2025 which will be implemented from April 1, 2026. This really makes the upcoming budget as a bridge to move from present to the future with enhanced focus on trust, ease of compliance and use of technology.

A financial planner proposes a two-stage strategy for those nearing 50 to build a Rs 1 crore corpus by 60 and then withdraw a Rs 60,000 monthly income with a 5% annual step-up for 25 years. This ambitious plan involves a 20% annual SIP step-up and relies on high investment returns, but one should also analyse the feasibility of these assumptions.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have been employed with a company for a long time, and have accumulated approximately Rs 24 lakh in superannuation and Rs 9 lakh in gratuity. If I resign and take up a new job, will the superannuation and gratuity be taxed on transfer/withdrawal?

NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme: The PFRDA has launched the NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme, a voluntary contributory scheme offering financial support for medical expenses. Eligible Indian citizens can contribute any amount, with those over 40 allowed to transfer up to 30% from their common account.

Budget 2026 should address discrepancies in the Capital Gain Account Scheme (CGAS) by basing deposits on actual sale consideration, not stamp duty value. This change is crucial as current rules can lead to shortfalls when stamp duty exceeds sale price, TDS is deducted, or payments are in installments, potentially causing litigation.

Eighteen equity mutual funds delivered over 1.85 times returns on lumpsum investments over three years, led by mid and small cap schemes. The analysis highlights top performers while reiterating that returns vary based on risk profile, market conditions and investment horizon.

A Delhi family has successfully reclaimed 6.8 kg of gold and Rs 40 lakh cash. The Delhi High Court permitted the release after the family paid Rs 2.5 crore as advance tax. The seized items were taken during an income tax search. The family cited an upcoming wedding as the reason for needing the gold.

A Delhi family has successfully reclaimed 6.8 kg of gold and Rs 40 lakh cash. The Delhi High Court permitted the release after the family paid Rs 2.5 crore as advance tax. The seized items were taken during an income tax search. The family cited an upcoming wedding as the reason for needing the gold.

Signed by the President on 21 August 2025, the New Income Tax Act focusses on cleaning up the tax code by removing obsolete provisions, consolidating existing ones and reflecting overall the measures taken to modernize the tax architecture in alignment with global provisions as well as domestic aspirations.

Gold and silver prices are soaring, prompting investors to consider ETFs. Experts advise prioritizing gold over silver for diversification, with a recommended commodity allocation of 8-10%. Multi-asset funds are also suggested for balanced rebalancing across asset classes. Investors should approach new investments cautiously, favoring SIPs over lump sums.

According to Sebi norms, medium to long term funds have a mandate to invest in debt and money market instruments in such a way that the Macaulay's duration of the portfolio is four to seven years. Since these schemes invest in long-term debt instruments, they are considered risky.

The Delhi High Court has stayed a property sale linked to a tenant, questioning an unregistered will that excluded the landlord's only son. The court found the will suspicious, citing only one attesting witness and a false claim of no children. This has led to a freeze on property transfers until the ownership dispute is resolved through trial.

Income-plus arbitrage fund of funds offer a stable, tax-efficient fixed-income option for investors seeking to avoid equity and recent precious metal volatility. These schemes blend debt and arbitrage strategies, providing stability from debt and low-risk, tax-advantaged returns from arbitrage opportunities.

The Department of Public Enterprises has clarified gratuity rules for Central Public Sector Enterprise employees. A Rs 20 lakh gratuity payment is now mandatory for all CPSEs from March 29, 2018, regardless of their financial capacity. This change follows an amendment to the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Earlier, affordability was a condition for certain employees.

Indian markets ended higher as buying in financials, IT and metals offset weakness in auto and FMCG stocks. Adani Enterprises, Axis Bank, BPCL and Apex Frozen Foods gained, while Asian Paints, auto stocks and Sula Vineyards declined.

Indian households are returning to gold and silver, not out of tradition, but as part of a more structured approach to financial stability. As income becomes less predictable, these metals are finding a new role within diversified portfolios, alongside market-linked assets and passive income strategies that together support long-term financial freedom.

The JioBlackRock Sector Rotation Fund uses AI, big data, and BlackRocks SAE approach to dynamically adjust sector exposures. Designed to complement core equity funds, it aims to enhance diversification, manage risk, and capture sectoral opportunities, offering Indian investors a top-down, sector-focused investment strategy. Investors can subscribe to the scheme until February 9.

Baroda BNP Paribas Money Market Fund has crossed Rs 4,500 crore in assets under management after completing six years. The fund has delivered steady returns, maintained high credit quality and liquidity, and outperformed its benchmark amid a declining interest rate environment.

Gold prices are surging, with a significant jump expected in January 2026. Consumers planning to buy gold jewellery should monitor rates from leading brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas.

SBI Mutual Fund has launched SBI Quality Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focused on the quality factor, aiming long-term capital appreciation by investing in fundamentally strong companies, with the NFO opening January 28 and closing February 11 for retail investors.

Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund posted CAGRs of 24.58%, 22.85%, and 21.95% over the last three, five, and seven years, respectively. It was followed by HDFC Mid Cap Fundthe largest mid-cap scheme by assets under managementwhich also delivered over 20% CAGR across all three periods.

State Bank of India has urged the government to cut the lock-in period for tax-saving fixed deposits to three years in Budget 2026, align interest taxation with capital gains, and remove TDS to boost bank deposit mobilisation.

Silver-based ETF FoFs have emerged as a low cost investment option, delivering over 62% returns in three years. Here is a comparison of the top five silver ETF funds based on returns, expense ratios, and assets under management.

Axis Securities expects a weak Nifty trend this week and recommends buying APL Apollo while advising sells on IEX and Hero MotoCorp based on bearish technical signals.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched a new financial services equity fund, open for subscription until February 10. This scheme aims for long-term growth by investing in high-quality companies across India's expanding financial sector, driven by rising consumption and digital adoption. Managed by experienced professionals, it targets investors comfortable with sector-specific risks for potential capital appreciation.

Union Asset Management Company has launched 'Arthaya SIF', a Specialized Investment Fund platform offering purpose-led, actively managed strategies across equity, hybrid, and fixed income. This move expands their product suite, providing agile and tailored solutions for investors seeking strategic, outcome-oriented portfolios. The platform aims to deliver value through clarity, adaptability, and alignment with long-term goals.

The House Rent Allowance (HRA) continues to offer an advantage to the old tax regime, despite the new regime's lower tax liability in some scenarios. Budget 2026 should consider expanding the definition of metro cities and linking HRA limits to objective housing cost indicators to address regional disparities and inflation.