The Economic Times

Investors seeking steady income from mutual funds often weigh lump-sum withdrawals against systematic withdrawal plans. While market timing suits experienced investors, SWPs offer disciplined cash flows and continued investment. Financial planners recommend diversified funds, with moderate withdrawal rates, helping balance regular income needs and long-term capital growth potential.

Invesco Mutual Fund announced the launch of two new funds on Thursday, Invesco India BSE Sensex Index Fund and Invesco India Nifty Bank Index Fund.

Gold rates at leading brands such as Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers dipped today (Thursday, April 23, 2026). Gold prices slipped after the US extended its ceasefire with Iran, while concerns over a possible Strait of Hormuz blockade kept energy risks and inflation elevated.

The RBI has revised Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) rules, introducing new monthly debit limits for full-KYC PPIs at Rs 2,00,000, with a Rs 25,000 sublimit for person-to-person transfers. These changes, part of the Master Direction on PPIs, aim to enhance security and user protection across various PPI categories.

Investors weighing commodity exposure can choose between gold and silver ETFs, commodity mutual funds, and multi-asset allocation funds. While ETFs offer direct exposure, commodity funds behave like equities and are cyclical. Experts suggest limited allocation and a preference for diversified multi-asset funds for most investors.

As India's digital asset market matures, investors prioritize counterparty risk and verifiable institutional standards. The article outlines a four-pillar safety guide, using Binance as a case study, focusing on transparency, security architecture, regulatory accountability, and proactive user defense to navigate the evolving landscape.

The Orissa High Court ruled that a company director will face a criminal case for failing to deposit Rs 15 lakh deducted from employee salaries for PF. Despite the company becoming insolvent and the dues later being cleared, the court emphasized that subsequent payment does not erase the criminal liability for the initial default.

Bank of Baroda has introduced a new premium savings account for senior citizens. The 'bob Senior Citizen Vishesh Samman' account offers healthcare benefits and doorstep banking services. Customers aged 60 and above can avail free online doctor consultations and discounts on medicines. The account also includes concessions on reverse mortgage loans and locker rentals.

WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund has removed exit loads on new investments in its equity and hybrid schemes. This investor-friendly move enhances flexibility and improves the investment experience. The change applies to most schemes, excluding liquid and arbitrage funds. This decision aims to provide greater liquidity and agility for investors making portfolio decisions.

Over 27 equity mutual funds have surpassed 10% returns on SIP investments in the past year, with midcap and value funds leading the pack. While many funds delivered positive single-digit returns, some experienced losses. Experts suggest this period presents a favorable risk-reward for long-term equity investments in quality businesses.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2018-19 Series-II, set at Rs 15,219 per unit. This price is based on the average gold price over the three preceding working days. Investors can redeem these bonds prematurely from April 23, 2026, after the fifth year of issuance.

Gold and silver ETFs declined up to 3% as bullion prices fell sharply amid rising crude oil prices and uncertainty around US-Iran talks. Higher inflation concerns and interest rate expectations weighed on sentiment. Analysts advise investors to book profits and wait for dips, with volatility expected to persist in the near term.

Banking & PSU debt funds offer a relatively safe investment option for a few years, investing primarily in government-backed entities to minimize credit risk. While interest rate fluctuations pose a risk, these schemes are generally better positioned due to shorter-duration investments.

National Savings Certificate interest rate: The National Savings Certificate offers an attractive interest rate for the April-June 2026 quarter. This government-backed scheme provides a fixed income option for small investors.

Bank holiday today: Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for today, April 23, 2026, in Tamil Nadu, leading to a public holiday for all businesses. The results for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 are slated for announcement on May 4, 2026.

Uttar Pradesh RERA has capped processing fees for flat transfers, offering significant relief to homeowners. Builders can now charge a maximum of Rs 1,000 for transfers to family members, including inheritance cases. For non-family transfers, the cap is set at Rs 25,000, ensuring fair practices.

Atal Pension Yojana has reached a historic milestone with over 9 crore subscribers. Financial year 2025-26 saw the highest enrolments since its 2015 launch. APY offers a guaranteed monthly pension of up to Rs 5,000 after age 60. It also provides benefits to the spouse and returns the corpus to nominees. The scheme aims for universal social security.

Several new funds, including defence index and long-short strategies, are open for subscription. Investors should select options aligned with risk tolerance, goals, and horizon, avoiding herd-driven investment decisions.

Teh funds have been selected based on mean rolling returns, consistency in the last three years, downside risk, outperformance, asset size

Gold prices on leading jewellery brands such as Joyalukkas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq dropped today (Wednesday, April 22, 2026). Indicative prices of gold and silver at IBJA were also lower compared to a day ago.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is implementing mandatory two-factor authentication for specific transactions. Starting April 22, 2026, customers will need to use OTP or MPIN for government, statutory, payment gateway, and other merchant payments. This security enhancement aims to protect tax transactions. Customers are advised to keep their contact details updated for a smooth experience.

The Supreme Court ruled a husband is not obligated to pay child maintenance if a DNA test confirms he is not the biological father, even if the child was born during the marriage. This decision dismissed a wife's appeal for maintenance after DNA results established non-paternity, upholding the trial court and High Court's denial.

Multi-asset allocation funds diversify investments across equity, debt, and commodities, offering balanced risk and returns. They suit beginners and long-term investors seeking stable, moderate growth without actively managing portfolios.

Gold prices in Chennai are showing slight fluctuations. Buyers and investors are watching daily changes closely. Fine gold, 22 carat, 20 carat, 18 carat, and 14 carat gold rates are updated. Leading jewellers in Chennai are quoting similar prices for different gold purities. Tanishq and Kalyan Jewellers also report price changes across major Indian cities.

Central government employee bodies, including NC-JCM and AIDEF, are facing technical issues while submitting memorandums for the 8th Pay Commission, prompting requests for a deadline extension to May 31, 2026. The 8th Pay Commission, however, is currently sticking to its April 30 deadline, despite reported website glitches.

Top multicap funds, including Nippon India Mutual Fund, Groww, and DSP Mutual Fund, held over 50% in midcaps and smallcaps, highlighting higher risk exposure and growth-oriented portfolio positioning.

Around eight equity mutual funds more than doubled lump-sum investments, multiplying them over 2.72 times in the last five years, an ETMutualFunds analysis showed. Of 207 schemes analysed, four were small-cap funds, three mid-cap, and one multi-cap. Nippon India Mutual Fund led with three schemes, while others included Quant, Motilal Oswal, Bandhan, Invesco, and HDFC Mutual Fund.

Not having a nominee in mutual funds or demat accounts doesnt mean your investments are lostbut it can make access difficult for your family. In the absence of a nominee, legal heirs must navigate a detailed transmission process involving documentation, legal proof, and, in some cases, court procedures.

Bengaluru's real estate market is set for a significant boom. Property prices in key areas are projected to climb by up to 40% in the next two years. This surge is directly linked to the ongoing expansion of the Bengaluru Metro network. New lines like the Yellow and Pink lines are set to dramatically improve connectivity.

The Reserve Bank of India introduces a new e-mandate framework for digital payments effective 2026. As per new rules, all recurring transactions will now be authorised without Additional Factor Authentication (AFA) up to Rs 15,000 per transaction. Customers can also make recurring payments like insurance premiums and mutual fund subscriptions up to Rs 1 lakh without additional authentication.

A 42-year-old Mumbai investor sought guidance on building a Rs 10 crore retirement corpus in 20 years. Expert Shivam Pathak reviewed his SIP-heavy portfolio and advised reducing smallcap concentration, shifting part of it from Quant Small Cap Fund to largecaps, and rebalancing underperforming schemes to improve long-term outcomes.

Regular shoppers can significantly boost savings with the right credit card, earning cashback, reward points, and discounts on various platforms. Cards like Flipkart Axis Bank, IDFC First SWYP, SBI Simply Click, Tata NEU Plus HDFC, and Amazon Pay ICICI offer attractive features tailored to spending habits, helping users maximize rewards and reduce costs.

Mutual fund advisors are predicting 2026 as the year for hybrid funds, especially for new investors navigating economic uncertainties. Conservative hybrid funds, with a majority allocation to debt and a smaller portion to equity, offer a cautious entry. These funds aim to provide modest equity exposure for potentially higher returns, while managing risk effectively.

Personal loan interest rates 2026: Personal loans offer flexible terms and minimal documentation, with interest rates varying by income. Understanding lender pricing, including public and private banks, is crucial for informed borrowing.

A Mumbai employee acquitted of bribery charges was denied full back wages for his suspension period. The Bombay High Court ruled that acquittal in a criminal case doesn't automatically entitle an employee to full pay, especially when the suspension stemmed from their alleged involvement in criminal proceedings.

Financial planners say there are two broad approaches. One is valuation-based, where investors redeem or book profits when markets appear expensive and then use or redeploy the proceeds. The other is to set up a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP), which allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount at regular intervals, typically on a pre-defined date each month. To meet this payout, the fund house redeems the required number of units based on the prevailing NAV, while the remaining corpus continues

Chennai Metro Rail Corporation is phasing out its CMRL travel card. Commuters must transition to the Singara Chennai Card, a National Common Mobility Card. This change aims for seamless travel across India's public transport. Remaining balances on CMRL cards can be transferred to the new card or a QR Stored Value Pass.

Eight equity mutual funds delivered over 170% absolute returns over the past five years, led by mid-cap and small-cap categories. Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund topped the list, followed by Bandhan and Nippon India schemes. Most other funds generated comparatively lower returns, highlighting strong outperformance by select high-growth equity strategies.

A 38-year-old investor with a 20-year horizon is considering a Rs 30 lakh lump sum investment alongside her existing SIPs. Financial expert Harshvardhan Roongta advises careful evaluation of market conditions and risk appetite before deploying the lump sum, suggesting either equity or hybrid fund strategies for wealth creation.