The Economic Times

Investors can save income tax by strategically selling equity shares and mutual funds before March 31, 2026. Tax loss harvesting allows offsetting capital gains with losses, while tax gain harvesting utilizes the Rs 1.25 lakh LTCG exemption to reduce future tax liabilities. This strategy can be implemented anytime throughout the year.

Indian Railways has revised its ticket cancellation rules, effective April 1-15, 2026, to combat touting and system misuse. The changes include extended refund windows and stricter penalties for last-minute cancellations. Passengers cancelling more than 72 hours before departure will receive maximum refund, with increased deductions for later cancellations.

Expatriates in India for extended periods face changing tax rules. Staying longer can shift residency status, impacting tax liability on worldwide income. This shift may increase compliance burdens and affect foreign income exemptions. Individuals should monitor stay durations and any government relaxations. Understanding these rules is crucial for managing tax obligations effectively.

Investing Rs 20,000 monthly through a systematic investment plan can help build a Rs 5 crore corpus over time. Assuming a 12 per cent annual return, the estimate shows it may take around 28 years and 3 months with no lumpsum investment, depending on market performance and compounding benefits over time.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I want to gift a large amount to my daughter living abroad for her future needs. What is the simplest way to send it?

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has launched a largecap fund - JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund. The new fund offer or NFO of the fund is open for subscription and will close on April 7.

Forget your UPI PIN? BHIM app now allows transactions up to Rs 5,000 using fingerprint or facial recognition. This new biometric authentication feature by NPCI NBSL offers a quicker, simpler, and more secure way to make everyday payments, especially when remembering your PIN is a challenge. It enhances user-friendliness for online, merchant, and peer-to-peer transactions.

Housing societies cannot block online deliveries like Amazon or Zomato for unpaid maintenance dues. Legal experts clarify that such actions interfere with residents' normal use of their homes and are not permitted. Societies must follow statutory procedures and their bye-laws for recovery, which may include interest, penalties, or legal action, but not restricting essential services.

President Trump's delay of air strikes against Iran's energy assets triggered a market rebound, with equities jumping and oil sliding. However, many investors remain cautious, maintaining defensive strategies and hedges due to ongoing unpredictability. Fund managers are sticking to reduced risk exposure, awaiting clearer signs of de-escalation or a significant market dip.

A new study reveals nearly 80% of women mutual fund investors start before 35, with SIPs driving adoption among younger demographics. While women are increasingly participating in financial decisions and staying invested, confidence and a gap between saving and investing remain key challenges.

Gold predictions: Gold and silver prices are showing a rebound. Experts believe current price lows are strong technical support zones. These levels are unlikely to break decisively soon unless new geopolitical escalations occur. Latest gold rates from major brands are also provided.

An investor's mutual fund portfolio, heavily skewed towards small-cap schemes, was identified as over-diversified. Experts advise rationalizing holdings, reducing exposure to multiple small-cap and large/mid-cap funds to manage volatility and optimize returns. A balanced approach across categories is crucial for long-term success.

HDFC Mutual Fund is restructuring its HDFC Gold ETF, allowing investments in Gold Deposit Scheme, Gold Monetisation Scheme, and Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives. Existing unit holders are offered a 30-day exit window from March 23, 2026, to April 21, 2026, due to these fundamental attribute changes.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme of the central government. The objective of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is to encourage families to invest in the education of a girl child. Data presented in Lok Sabha shows a consistent year-on-year increase in both the number of accounts opened and total deposits since the scheme's 2015 launch.

Nippon India ETF Gold BeES ranked 6th globally among top gold ETFs with USD 1,085.2 million in fund flows as of February 28, 2026. This marks the only Indian gold ETF in the global top 10, reflecting growing investor interest in regulated gold investments and India's expanding ETF ecosystem.

Courts now demand concrete proof for ancestral property claims. Simply calling property ancestral is insufficient. Claimants must establish a traceable lineage from the original ancestor to themselves. This requires documentary evidence like revenue records and proof of possession. Recent rulings emphasize that birthright alone does not guarantee ownership. Without a clear chain of title, such claims are being dismissed.

Gold and silver ETFs have seen significant drops amid Middle East tensions. Experts advise investors to maintain long-term allocations, viewing gold as a portfolio stabilizer. Silver's volatility suggests caution for those with lower risk tolerance. The current downturn is seen as a normal market cycle, with a focus on disciplined rebalancing and long-term asset allocation.

A rising or firm interest rate environment is bad for debt funds. However, since these schemes do not invest in very long-duration papers, they will be relatively better off. Most money market pundits say the interest rates have peaked and the RBI will start cutting interest in the later part of the year. It may start cutting rates, once it is convinced that inflation is cooling off. However, be prepared for some volatility till then.

Silver and gold ETFs rebounded on Tuesday after a steep crash in the previous session, even as rising yields and tight liquidity kept bullion under pressure. Anup Bhaiya said the correction offers long-term accumulation opportunities amid strong safe-haven demand and persistent geopolitical risks, supporting investor confidence despite elevated precious metals volatility.

A Mumbai tenant received a Rs 11 crore apartment for giving up tenancy rights during redevelopment. The Income Tax department questioned the deal, calling it a sham. However, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Mumbai ruled in the tenant's favour. The tribunal confirmed tenancy rights were valid and the flat was consideration for surrendering these rights. Tax exemption was allowed.

Converting large credit card bills to EMIs offers immediate relief by breaking down payments, but comes with significant costs beyond stated interest rates. While 'zero-cost' EMIs often involve hidden markups, understanding the true expense and necessity is crucial before opting in. Timely EMI payments can benefit credit scores, but missed payments have severe repercussions.

Systematic Investment Plans in equity mutual funds are showing losses over one and two-year periods. This trend is impacting investors who began after 2020. A recent market sell-off has further pushed these investments into negative territory. Experts advise continuing SIPs and topping them up to accumulate more units at current prices.

Indian markets look set for a rebound as GIFT Nifty surged 3.6% on Monday following US President Trumps announcement to delay strikes on Iranian power plants. Investor optimism grew amid expectations of ceasefire talks, easing oil prices, and sharp Wall Street futures gains after days of steep market selloffs.

Sula Vineyards CEO Rajeev Samant raises stake to 23.27% with Rs 3 crore share purchase, marking his first buy since the 2022 listing. The shares bought by the promoter would be worth more than Rs 2.7 crore.

Warren Buffett emphasizes the importance of saving first, then spending, as a crucial habit for long-term financial success. Developing this habit early is key to a brighter financial future.

Zerodha Fund House has launched the Zerodha Nifty MidSmallcap400 50:50 Index Fund, an open-ended equity index fund. This new offering allows investors to equally allocate to mid-cap and small-cap segments of the Indian market, with subscriptions closing on April 6. The fund aims to provide broad exposure to 400 companies, offering potential for long-term capital growth with a high-risk appetite.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) reduced their stakes in several companies during the December 2025 quarter, coinciding with declining sales and profit growth. This trend, observed in 48 stocks exceeding Rs 2,500 crore market cap, signaled potential underlying issues. Nine of these stocks experienced significant price corrections of 25%-45% in the preceding three months.

The Ministry of Railways has revised kilometrage allowance and Allowance in Lieu of Kilometrage (ALK) effective January 1, 2024. This revision, triggered by Dearness Allowance reaching 50%, offers relief to running staff ahead of the 8th Central Pay Commission. The update addresses long-standing demands from railway federations, with all other terms and conditions remaining unchanged.

Vedanta Ltd on Monday announced a third interim dividend of Rs 11 per share for FY26. The board approved the payout earlier in the day and informed the exchanges during market hours. The company has set Saturday, March 28, as the record date to determine shareholders eligible to receive the payout.

Mid and smallcap funds saw significant AUM growth over five years, with CAGRs of 32.41% and 39.93% respectively. However, geopolitical tensions and foreign fund outflows may impact their near-term performance, prompting investors to adopt a cautious stance amid market volatility.

Escalating Iran tensions and oil above $110 have triggered a risk-off selloff in Indian markets, with Sensex crashing and Rs 13 lakh crore wiped out amid FII outflows, rupee weakness, and rising inflation fears.

Gold price today (23 March 2026): Gold and silver prices have plummeted, offering a significant buying opportunity for jewellery shoppers. This sharp decline, attributed to a strengthening US dollar amidst geopolitical fears, has seen substantial drops in bullion rates. Global gold prediction trends remain volatile.

Investors using SWP from mutual funds are taxed only on capital gains, not the full withdrawal amount. Experts suggest structuring withdrawals to keep annual LTCG within Rs 1.25 lakh to avoid tax. Understanding lock-in periods and fund structure is crucial, especially in equity-oriented childrens mutual funds.

A 38-year-old investor aiming for a Rs 3 crore corpus over 15 years received expert advice to bolster his SIP strategy. The recommendation includes adding a low-cost Nifty 50 index fund for a stable large-cap foundation, while continuing with existing flexi-cap, midcap, and small-cap funds, emphasizing patience for underperforming schemes.