The Economic Times

The Unique Identification Authority of India has extended the free Aadhaar document update service on the myAadhaar portal. Aadhaar holders can now update their identity and address proof documents without any charge until June 14, 2027. This facility is exclusively available online. The authority encourages citizens to update their details to ensure accuracy in the Aadhaar database.

India-focused offshore funds saw mixed trends as Franklin FTSE India ETFs attracted strong inflows, while the top 10 funds combined assets declined 22% in March 2026 amid broader market weakness.

Market expert Nisreen Mamaji advised a balanced, structured approach to a Rs 6 lakh mutual fund investment, suggesting 80% allocation to equities and 20% to gold and silver, deployed via staggered investing. She projected potential long-term returns of 1214% for equity, 78% for gold and 911% for silver, highlighting disciplined investing, diversification and avoiding overcomplex portfolios for wealth creation.

Bank of India has raised interest rates on fixed deposits for tenures between one and three years. These new rates are effective from May 18, 2026. Senior citizens and super senior citizens will receive additional benefits. The bank has also outlined its penalty charges for premature withdrawals of fixed deposits.

Gold prices dipped on May 18, 2026, influenced by global market weakness and shifting investor sentiment. While international rates saw a sharp weekly decline, Indian domestic prices remained high due to rupee movement and local demand. Leading jewelry brands and IBJA reported a decrease in gold and silver rates.

Export-Import Bank of India expects its loan book to grow 10% in FY27 despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia, according to Managing Director and CEO Harsha Bangari. The projected growth is lower than FY26s 12% rise, which was partly boosted by favourable currency movements as a large share of the banks loans are denominated in foreign currencies.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched its second Altiva SIF offering, the Altiva Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund. This equity-led strategy aims for long-term capital appreciation by focusing on small and midcap companies, offering a differentiated investment opportunity beyond the top 100 by market capitalization.

The 49th annual meeting of the NC-JCM, presided by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, addressed key central government employee concerns. Discussions focused on demands for the 8th Pay Commission, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, and the increasing number of pending court cases. The meeting also highlighted issues like delayed government order implementation for AIIMS employees and non-implementation of arbitration awards.

Retiring soon and aiming for a Rs 1 lakh monthly income from your PF and gratuity corpus? Experts advise against investing the entire corpus in income products due to inflation and longevity risks. A prudent bucket strategy is recommended for sustainable income and portfolio growth.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020-21 Series VIII at Rs 16,012 per unit. Investors can redeem their bonds early from May 18, 2026, after five years of the issue date. This offers online investors a significant return of 212.30% on their initial investment, excluding interest.

Mutual funds have significantly reduced their technology sector exposure to an eight-year low, driven by concerns over AI disruption, slowing global IT spending, and muted earnings. This strategic shift reflects investor caution amid a transition phase for the IT sector, with a preference for domestic sectors like financials and defence.

Delhi electricity consumers receive significant relief as the Supreme Court ruled they cannot be made to pay for the depreciation costs of a TATA Power Delhi Distribution plant during periods of no supply. The court stated that consumers should not bear costs for services they do not receive.

The UK Renters' Rights Act, effective May 1, 2026, introduces significant changes to tenant evictions. Landlords can now evict tenants under 11 specific legal grounds, categorized as mandatory or discretionary. These grounds include situations like the landlord or family needing to occupy the property, the intention to sell, or mortgage repossession, each with strict notice periods and conditions.

Appraisal season this year saw companies begin aligning salary structures with new labour codes and updated income tax rules. While some firms implemented changes from April, broader adoption remains gradual. Higher basic pay and social security contributions may reduce take-home salaries despite hikes. The choice between old and new tax regimes now depends on deductions, HRA claims and paperwork readiness.

Yield curves are usually of three typesnormal, flat and inverted depending on the varying slopes of the curves. A yield curve can be used as a predictor for future interest rate movements of debt instruments, and can subsequently help in taking investing decisions based on their existing investments.

India is the worlds third-largest oil importer, heavily dependent on global markets and energy flowing out of the Persian Gulf. In a crisis, the government typically prioritises the protection of its 1.4 billion, price-sensitive consumers and containing inflation, but last Fridays increase suggests it is beginning to restore a balance as fiscal and market pressures grow.

Welcome to TrendMap, your visual guide to investment performance. This edition tracks 10 years of global equity returns. Currency fluctuations impact the returns on foreign investments. To capture the real value from an Indian investors standpoint, these returns are adjusted to reflect their equivalent in Indian rupees. Key takeaway: diversification helps navigate market cycles.

Expense-tracking apps, spreadsheets, Artificial Intelligence (AI) -generated analysis, and budgeting dashboards are not merely bookkeeping tools. They reveal recurring patterns, unconscious leakages, and hidden habits that quietly shape long-term wealth outcomes. Before you can plan where your money goes, you have to see where it is already going.

Different sectors use different valuation metrics because business models vary. Investors therefore need to understand not just valuation multiples, but the logic behind them. P/E multiple, PEG ratio, P/S ratio, price-to-book value, EV/Ebitda are some commonly used relative valuation metrics.

While there is a growing tribe of passionate passive-only believers (a perfectly legitimate approach), its best to take a middle path and build a portfolio that has allocation to both passive and active components.

PMS-style mutual fund advisory can fetch you a curated selection of funds with allocation and execution embedded. This convenience faces a test of capabilities and the burden of costs.

An EGR is a digital certificate backed by actual physical gold stored in a Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-regulated vault. The receipt is held in your demat account, like a share or ETF. You can buy EGRs in denominations of either 0.1 gram (i.e. 100 mg), 1 g, 10 g, 100 g and 1 kg.

Where family arrangements are involved, they must comply with legal conditions, including joint ownership where required. Informal arrangements, especially involving unrelated persons, carry significant risk. The consequences are serious. It is no longer just about losing a legal claim. It can mean complete confiscation of the asset.

Many are trading metro life for tier 2 cities, seeking better quality of life, cleaner environments, and reduced stress. While income may fall, lower expenses and proximity to family are significant draws. However, career growth, job opportunities, and infrastructure quality remain crucial considerations for this evolving relocation trend.

Liquid funds saw a record inflow of over 46,000 crore in April, the highest in seven years. This surge was driven by ample money in the banking system and attractive short-term returns. Investors also chose these low-risk options due to equity market volatility. Liquid funds offer quick access to money, making them ideal for parking surplus funds.

iSIF Equity Long-Short Fund and iSIF Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund will open for subscription on May 19 and close on June 2. The minimum investment amount for both funds is Rs 10 lakh.

Gold prices surged by Rs 766 per gram this week, with 24k gold climbing nearly Rs 800 before retreating from record highs. This volatility follows Prime Minister Modi's appeal to reduce gold purchases and the government's increase in customs duty on precious metals, impacting both consumer demand and jewelry stocks.

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.