The Economic Times

Post Office Savings Account holders can now get personalized cheque books featuring their name and account details, enhancing security and convenience. This new facility, available from May 8, 2026, offers free delivery to registered addresses.

The regulator is now considering allowing intraday borrowing for a wider set of uses, including meeting trade settlement obligations, forex transactions, derivative margin requirements, and other liquidity needs

India will now use Artificial Intelligence to fight money mule banking cyber fraud. The Home Minister announced a partnership between the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and the Reserve Bank of Indias Innovation Hub. This collaboration will help detect and block suspicious accounts faster. Consumers can expect safer digital transactions across UPI, online banking, and fintech platforms.

Axis Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions to three overseas fund-of-fund schemes, including Global Equity Alpha, Global Innovation and Greater China Equity schemes, effective May 13, 2026. All new lump sum, SIP and switch transactions after 3:00 PM will be rejected, while existing SIPs will be paused and refunded promptly.

Gold prices surged after the government raised gold import duty from 6% to 15%, impacting MCX, IBJA rates, ETFs, and jewellery retailer prices. Experts advise existing investors to hold gold as a hedge against inflation and global uncertainty, avoiding panic selling. New investors should opt for staggered buying instead of lump sum investments, say experts.

DSP Mutual Fund has launched a new exchange-traded fund, the DSP Nifty FMCG ETF. This fund will track the Nifty FMCG Index, offering investors exposure to leading consumer goods companies. The new fund offer is currently open for subscription until May 14. Investors can gain diversified access to the resilient FMCG sector through this passive investment option.

Silver prices saw a significant jump on May 13, 2026. This surge followed the government's decision to increase customs duty on silver imports. Global geopolitical tensions and inflation worries also contributed to the price rise. Experts predict higher domestic prices and potential impact on consumer demand. The duty hike aims to reduce India's trade deficit and support the rupee.

A study by WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund suggests gold can do more than just act as a safe-haven asset, helping improve portfolio returns when combined with equity and debt investments. Analysing data from September 2001 to April 2026, the study found that adding equities to debt portfolios boosted returns without a proportional rise in risk.

SBI Mutual Fund has launched two target-maturity debt index funds focused on government securities and SDLs, with the NFO open between May 14 and May 19. The schemes aim to provide predictable fixed-income exposure through low-cost, rule-based investment strategies linked to sovereign and quasi-sovereign instruments across defined maturities.

HDFC Mutual Funds April 2026 portfolio remained banking-heavy, led by ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, while increasing exposure to Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Eternal.

Mutual funds injected Rs 30,600 crore into Indian equities in April, with significant buying in ICICI Bank, SBI, and Sun Pharma. Key reductions were observed in Wipro, HDFC Bank, and Hindalco Industries across large, mid, and smallcap segments. This active portfolio management reflects ongoing strategic shifts by fund managers.

Gold prices surged on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, following a government increase in customs duty from 6% to 15% to curb imports. This duty hike is expected to further elevate domestic bullion prices, potentially impacting jewellery stocks and consumer demand, with significant price jumps observed across major brands.

New rules under the UK Renters Rights Act 2025 require landlords to give tenants an official Information Sheet. This document explains changes to tenancies. Landlords must provide this by May 31, 2026, or face fines. All tenancies will now be periodic, offering tenants more flexibility. Existing written agreements do not need immediate changes.

Sovereign Gold Bond : The Reserve Bank of India has set the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2018-19 Series-III. Investors can redeem these bonds from May 13, 2026. The redemption price is fixed at Rs 15,102 per unit.

HDFC Defence Fund, the sector's sole actively managed offering, significantly boosted its holdings in Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Bharat Electronics during April. The fund also increased its stake in six other companies, including Aequs, while reducing its exposure to Rishabh Instruments. Its portfolio remained stable with 22 stocks across various sectors.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Funds assets under management rose to Rs 1.40 lakh crore in April as the fund increased exposure to several large-cap stocks, reduced holdings in Coal India and Power Grid, and exited Balkrishna Industries completely. The fund maintained a sizeable cash allocation amid its long-term investment-focused strategy.

Retirees with large EPF corpus need to balance safety with growth. Financial planners advise focusing on stable, tax-efficient income generation and long-term growth for surplus funds. Expert Shivam Pathak suggests a mix of government-backed schemes, G-Secs, and diversified mutual funds to meet these objectives.

A French national ran a restaurant in Karnataka for 15 years on a tourist visa. The Karnataka High Court upheld a 'Leave India' notice issued by the FRRO. The court stated foreign nationals have no right to reside or conduct business in India on a tourist visa. The Frenchman must leave within seven days.

Gold and silver ETFs rallied on Wednesday after prices of the precious metals surged on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India, following goivernemt announced higher import duties. Most gold and silver ETFs logged broad gains, while experts urged investors to avoid timing the spike and instead use SIPs to navigate the volatility.

Focused equity mutual funds invest in a maximum of 30 stocks. These schemes offer concentrated portfolios where fund managers make high-conviction bets. While successful stock picks can lead to significant gains, wrong calls can result in substantial losses. Investors with a higher risk appetite and a seven-year investment horizon may consider these funds.

The PPF maturity period is 15 years, after which, you can continue your PPF account with or without contributions. PPF provides a 7.1% interest rate, which is reviewed quarterly. But if we assume that the interest rate wont change, your PPF investment can help you build a Rs 1.03 crore corpus in 25 years.

A Bengaluru RTO officer unlawfully seized Mr. Rama's demo car, leading to a zero FIR and charges of fraud. The Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR, criticizing the officer's illegal actions and ordering a departmental inquiry. The court emphasized due process, stating seizure is a last resort after proper notice and determination of tax evasion.

Salaried individuals can significantly reduce their tax liability under the new tax regime by strategically utilizing allowances and perquisites. The new rules for Tax Year 2026-27 allow for tax-free benefits on items like meal coupons and gadget reimbursements, potentially bringing a Rs 15 lakh CTC to zero tax.

SEBI now requires fund houses to cap portfolio overlap between sectoral/thematic funds and other equity schemes at 50%, giving them three years to comply. This move aims to enhance diversification and prevent investors from unknowingly holding duplicate stocks across multiple funds. Wealth managers urge investors to also scrutinize their personal portfolios for such overlaps.

The Unique Identification Authority of India has updated Aadhaar enrolment and correction rules. New regulations expand accepted documents for Aadhaar applications. Enrolment for children and vulnerable groups becomes simpler. Rules for foreigners are now clearer. These changes aim to modernize Aadhaar processes and improve accessibility for all citizens.

Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to postpone gold purchases to curb India's import bill amidst West Asia tensions. While the intention is welcomed, the industry fears business and job impacts. Experts advise existing investors to hold, suggesting digital gold for new buyers, and propose solutions like domestic gold recycling and tax law amendments to address import concerns.

Mutual funds showed strong preference for banking and largecap stocks in April, with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India topping holdings across more than 700 schemes.

Eleven new mutual funds launched in April collectively raised 828 crore, led by index funds, while the SBI CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 3-6 Months Debt Index Fund attracted the highest investor inflows.

West Bengal is bringing back the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This scheme provides cashless health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family each year. All senior citizens aged 70 and above can now apply for this coverage. The government aims to ease the burden of medical expenses for its citizens.

Equity mutual fund inflows declined 5% to Rs 38,440 crore in April, though most equity categories continued to attract investments. Flexicap funds recorded their highest-ever monthly inflow, while smallcap and midcap funds also saw strong traction. Meanwhile, sectoral and thematic fund inflows moderated, reflecting increasing investor selectivity amid volatile market conditions.

Canara Bank has revised its lending rates. The bank increased its Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate by 5 basis points for all loan tenors. These new rates are effective from May 12, 2026. Borrowers with MCLR-linked loans may see higher EMIs. Bank of Baroda has kept its MCLR rates unchanged.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: How to rebalance portfolios in the current environmentbetween equity, debt, gold, and global assetsto manage both risk and return?

Gold prices are high today, May 12, 2026. Major jewelers show rising rates for 22k gold. This follows a call to reduce gold buying for a year to help foreign exchange reserves. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association wants policy changes to use household gold better. They suggest allowing gold lending and borrowing.

Gold Exchange Traded Funds attracted substantial investment in April, with inflows surging by 34 percent. This marks a positive trend for gold ETFs. Conversely, silver ETFs faced continued investor withdrawal for the third consecutive month. Despite these movements, gold prices remained relatively stable. Assets under management for gold ETFs also saw an increase.

The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio stayed above 100% in April for the second straight month, even as investors contributed Rs 31,115 crore. SIP inflows dipped 3% month-on-month, but industry leaders say steady participation, rising folios and robust SIP assets highlight investors growing confidence in long-term, goal-based investing.

Sectoral and thematic mutual fund inflows dropped 28% in April, raising investor caution. Experts suggest this trend reflects investors chasing hot themes and then moving on. While some sectors like defence and manufacturing show continued interest, diversified funds are recommended for long-term stability. SIPs in these funds can be continued with controlled exposure.

Flexi cap mutual funds offer fund managers the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations and sectors, making them suitable for moderate investors seeking long-term wealth creation. With an ideal investment horizon of five to seven years, these schemes allow managers to adapt to market conditions. Investors should carefully select a scheme aligning with their risk appetite.

India's investment landscape is evolving with the introduction of Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs). These funds offer mutual fund-like regulatory discipline and tax efficiency while providing PMS-like flexibility for strategies such as long-short and dynamic exposure. This new structure aims to navigate the opportunities and risks in mid- and small-cap segments.

Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) will now receive a Dearness Allowance (DA) of 60% of their basic Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) starting January 1, 2026. This increase aligns GDS DA rates with those of central government employees. The Department of Posts confirmed this revision following an approval from the Ministry of Finance.

Homebuyers facing parking disputes with builders can leverage RERA guidelines and judicial precedents. While RERA may not dictate specific parking sizes or guest allocations, court rulings clarify common area vs. garage distinctions and address issues like pillar encroachment and inadequate aisle width. Transparency in sale agreements and adherence to NBC norms are crucial for resolving these conflicts.

The Chandigarh Consumer Commission ruled that the EPFO cannot use software issues as an excuse for a decade-long delay in transferring an employee's PF funds. Despite the EPFO's claims of technical difficulties, the commission found an inordinate and unexplained delay, amounting to deficiency in service. The EPFO was directed to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation and litigation costs.