The Economic Times News

ET Wealth has broken down 6 key factors that help customers assess an insurer's reliability and select the right life insurance company.

In November, mutual funds favoured tech, private banks, autos, NBFCs, telecom, and insurance, while trimming holdings in other sectors, including utilities and consumer durables.

In light of recent modifications to the GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C forms, chartered accountants are advocating for a three-month extension on the submission of Goods and Services Tax annual returns for FY 2024-25. These changes have presented numerous challenges for both taxpayers and professionals, prompting a call for additional time to ensure compliance through proper data verification and system upgrades.

FD interest rate in December: State Bank of India has revised its fixed deposit interest rates, reducing them by 5 basis points for tenures between 2 to less than 3 years. General citizens will now earn 6.40%, while senior citizens will receive 6.90%. These changes place SBI's FD rates in comparison with those offered by HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Canara Bank.

Nine equity mutual funds saw AUM fall by over Rs 350 crore in November, led by SBI Small Cap and ICICI Pru Energy Opportunities, reflecting market volatility, sectoral pressure and reduced inflows across small-cap, sectoral and international funds.

Japanese financial giant MUFG is close to acquiring a significant stake in India's Shriram Finance. The deal could be worth over 500 billion yen. This move signals growing foreign investment in India's booming financial sector. Shriram Finance offers loans for commercial vehicles, tractors, and SMEs. Talks are advanced, with an agreement potentially coming soon.

The star investor tag offered little protection in 2025, with seven out of ten well-known stock pickers seeing portfolio losses amid a sharp smallcap downturn. Data shows heavy exposure to smaller stocks hurt returns, while investors with a largecap bias fared relatively better, highlighting the limits of reputation-driven investing.

Will 8th Pay Commission arrears be paid from Jan 1, 2026? Read on to find out the update on salary and pension hike after minister spoke in Parliament.

JioBlackRock Mutual Funds November portfolio was anchored by large-cap leaders, with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank as top holdings, followed by Reliance Industries, Infosys and IndiGo, underscoring the new fund houses preference for liquid, high-quality stocks.

Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund has delivered exceptional long-term wealth creation, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 17 crore in 31 years. The fund has consistently outperformed the Nifty 500 TRI across multiple periods and is nearing Rs 20,000 crore in assets under management.

Around 7 mutual funds trimmed their holdings across 20 small-cap stocks during November, signaling cautious repositioning in the segment.

The Allahabad High Court has delivered a significant verdict, asserting that employers must provide higher wages for employees temporarily elevated to higher positions. This ruling was prompted by the situation of Mr. Pandey, a TGT teacher, who served as acting Head Master for over three years. The court emphasized that neglecting to pay the appropriate salary contradicts public policy principles.

NCDEX has received in-principle approval from SEBI to launch a Mutual Fund (MF) transaction platform, aimed at expanding financial inclusion and paving the way for its equity and equity derivatives segment. The platform will enable micro-SIPs, channel rural savings into regulated avenues, and support existing trading members.

Matrimony.com announces a share buyback worth up to Rs 58.5 crore, planning to repurchase 8,93,129 shares at Rs 655 each via the tender offer route. The buyback, representing nearly 25% of paid-up capital and reserves, aims to return surplus funds to shareholders, with promoters opting out.

There are close to 12 such funds currently available in the market, and some of the top-performing funds have delivered an average CAGR of 15-20% in the last three to five years. This has made these funds a favored choice among parents for securing childrens education and future milestones, reflecting a clear shift from conventional savings to market-linked instruments.

Advance tax payment due date: Today's December 15th advance tax deadline is crucial for those with income beyond salary. Failing to pay or underpaying can result in accumulating interest penalties. The 'Pay as you Earn' scheme requires estimated tax payments in installments throughout the financial year to avoid these consequences.

Mutual funds were net buyers of equities worth Rs 43,400 crore in November, with strong additions in stocks like Eternal, Groww and ICICI Bank. Buying interest spanned large-, mid- and small-cap segments, while stocks such as SBI, Reliance and Kaynes Technology saw notable reductions, according to Nuvama data.

PFRDA is merging NPS Scheme A with Schemes C and E to modernize its investment framework. This move aims to enhance diversification, stability, and risk-adjusted returns for subscribers by consolidating smaller portfolios into larger, more efficient ones. Existing Scheme A subscribers have until December 25, 2025, to switch their accumulated wealth to other asset classes without additional cost.

Gold ETF inflows nearly halved in November, marking a second consecutive month of decline. Experts suggest this reflects normal profit-taking and portfolio adjustments rather than a loss of confidence in gold. Investors are advised to base gold investment decisions on asset allocation and gold prices, not just inflow patterns.

Discover top low-fee credit cards in India offering airport lounge access and attractive rewards. These cards provide benefits like unlimited domestic lounge access, cashback, reward points, and travel perks, catering to both frequent flyers and everyday spenders. Explore options with zero joining fees and significant savings on international transactions.

Aggressive hybrid funds are one of the popular hybrid mutual fund categories. These schemes are mandated to invest in a mix of equity (or stocks) and debt.

Man returns to Mumbai with Rs 2 crore savings after working in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 20 years to buy property; tax dept sends notice for unexplained property investment; he wins case for this reason.

Financial experts predict significant shifts in Indian household budgets by 2040. Emerging expenses include advanced tech upgrades, longevity treatments, assisted living for an ageing population, continuous upskilling, and a growing subscription stack. Cognitive wellbeing, travel, digital security, and climate-resilient living will also demand substantial financial planning. We asked experts: What will Indians actually spend on by 2040? Here are the costs your portfolio needs to prepare for toda

Fifteen years ago, ET Wealth launched to demystify personal finance. A personal crisis revealed the true value of financial planning beyond DIY investing, highlighting the importance of a system for life's uncertainties. The Indian mutual fund industry has since grown exponentially, offering greater complexity and choice, while investor confidence has soared.

Indian investors across generations hold differing views on financial prudence, a gap widened by recent economic and digital shifts. Younger investors, embracing risk and digital tools, prioritise wealth creation through equities and newer avenues like crypto, contrasting with older generations' conservative debt and real estate focus. Read on to know how and why investing patterns and financial habits have changed since 2010.

Wealth holds the power for social change, but left completely in private hands with lower thresholds of public participation limits that ability. If the small enterprises keep the public out from fear of losing control, the larger ones do the same out of greed. Private wealth without public good is prosperity without soul. Behind every optimistic trend is a dark, sad story of unintended consequences.

India's economy has seen remarkable growth over 15 years, becoming the fifth-largest globally. Favourable demographics, structural reforms, and strong performance in services and manufacturing fueled this rise. Equity markets delivered consistent returns, while gold prices surged. These developments highlight India's economic progress and resilience.

Greater uncertainty, changing lifestyles, and evolving aspirations have rendered many financial planning assumptions from 15 years ago outdated. ET Wealth spoke to 15 financial planners to reassess these and highlight the new realities Indian investors must navigate today.

Much of the key financial advice remains the same: keep things simple, dont trust salespeople, avoid derivatives, buy term insurance instead of endowment plans and Ulips, and let SIPs do the hard work. The principles of sound investing havent changed. What has changed is the infrastructure that makes following these principles easier.

Fifteen years ago, workplaces were stable. Today, careers are fluid and full of opportunities. Technology changed work, making adaptability the key skill. Professionals now focus on outcomes, trust, and human connections. Adaptability, judgment and ownership matter more than ever, says Devashish Chakravarty.

Indian investors are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets, with outward remittances more than doubling from $14 billion in 2019 to $29 billion today. Easier regulations, wider access to global ETFs and stocks, and a younger investor base are reshaping how Indians allocate money overseas.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has updated the National Pension System. New guidelines expand investment choices across equity, debt, and alternative instruments. Subscribers can now access a wider range of options for customized retirement planning. These reforms aim to make NPS more investor-centric.

The Reserve Bank of India mandates banks to hold a Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 3% of total deposits as cash with the RBI. This crucial monetary tool ensures bank safety, manages liquidity, and helps regulate inflation by controlling lending. Unlike SLR, CRR exclusively involves physical cash reserves held by the central bank.

A long-short strategy aims to profit in both rising and falling markets by buying assets expected to increase and selling borrowed assets anticipated to decrease. This approach combines long and short positions to offset potential losses, effectively managing market risks. Sophisticated investors and hedge funds often employ this complex investment technique.

A 36-year-old executive, Yatin Gupta, is re-evaluating his life insurance needs, considering coverage until age 80. However, experts advise aligning the term plan duration with the period his dependents will require financial support, not necessarily the longest available option. The focus should be on meeting financial goals and ensuring adequate retirement planning.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has updated the National Pension System. New guidelines expand investment choices across equity, debt, and alternative instruments. Subscribers can now access a wider range of options for customized retirement planning. These reforms aim to make NPS more investor-centric.

Depositors can now easily find forgotten money in dormant bank accounts. The Reserve Bank of India has launched the UDGAM portal. This platform allows individuals to search for unclaimed deposits across multiple banks. If a match is found, users can then approach the specific bank to claim their funds. This initiative simplifies the process for reclaiming lost money.

Sebi's board will discuss revamping mutual fund fee structures to enhance transparency and cost-efficiency for investors. Proposals include reducing total expense ratios and brokerage fees, alongside simplifying IPO disclosures and easing pre-IPO lock-in rules. The regulator aims to make investment more accessible and affordable for the public.

Equity mutual funds recorded strong performance over the past week, with 565 out of 593 schemes delivering positive returns. International, commodities, sectoral, and thematic funds dominated the top performers, led by DSP World Mining Overseas Equity Omni FoF, according to data from ACE MF.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have Rs 30 lakh to invest. My relatives are suggesting I buy a plot of land. However, Im inclined towards mutual funds or REITs. Which option is likely to offer better returns?

Five mutual fund houses recorded monthly inflows exceeding Rs 10,000 crore in November, lifting their assets under management. Out of 49 AMCs, 44 reported an increase in AUMs, reflecting continued investor participation across major fund houses, led by ICICI Prudential, HDFC, SBI, Nippon India, and Kotak Mutual Fund.

Assets under management reflect where investors are deploying capital, but do not always equate to performance. A look at the top mutual funds by AUM as of November 2025 highlights investor preference across flexi-cap, hybrid, large-cap, mid-cap and arbitrage categories.