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Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
HDFC Bank raised $1.75 billion through a twin bond sale to overseas investors. The lender raised $500 million via three-year bonds and $1.25 billion through five-year securities, both priced at tighter spreads than initial guidance, signalling strong investor demand.
For retirees looking to maximise their post-tax earnings, allocating a Rs 4.5 crore corpus into mutual funds is a viable option. Utilising a bucket strategy allows for an effective diversification across various fund typesliquid, debt, and equityfacilitating consistent income generation. This tactic not only mitigates tax exposure more efficiently than fixed deposits but also yields tax exemptions on capital gains.
This Haryana man's case was picked up for scrutiny, and during the proceedings the Assessing Officer found large cash deposits, unsecured loans worth crores, and discovered that the Rs 3 lakh agricultural income wasnt substantiated by supporting evidence. Read on to know what happened next, and what has the ITAT ordered.
Non-Resident Indians are allowed to set up joint FCNR (B) accounts with their resident family members. These accounts must function on a 'Former or Survivor' arrangement for the NRI. Eligible resident relatives include immediate family members and their spouses. The money for these accounts should be sourced from international transfers or existing Indian accounts. Both the principal amount and accrued interest are exempt from taxes and fully repatriable.
Jefferies prefers two-wheeler stocks over passenger vehicle makers, citing stronger volume growth, resilient margins and improving earnings. TVS Motor Company and Eicher Motors remain its top picks, while Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Hyundai Motor India carry Underperform ratings amid rising competition, higher discounts and a weaker earnings outlook.
Mutual fund SIP inflows rose 12% YoY to Rs 31,961 crore in July, while SIP accounts increased 12.5% to 10.63 crore. Franklin Templeton India highlighted strong inflows into flexicap and multi-asset funds, along with rising passive fund AUM and broader growth across the mutual fund industry.
Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath has urged fintech founders to rethink the future of trading and investing as AI, evolving market structures, regulations and emerging technologies reshape financial markets. He said brokers could eventually become little more than a pipe between customers and exchanges, while Rainmatter is again doubling down on fintech investments.
Over the past five years, mutual fund assets under management have experienced remarkable growth, primarily fueled by the popularity of equity and passive funds. The surge in passive fund folios, which saw an increase of more than five times, highlights a growing preference among investors for low-cost investment options. In contrast, debt fund folios grew only marginally, emphasizing a significant shift in investor focus towards equity and passive investment strategies.
When selling Indian assets, be cautious of the potential tax implications linked to your country of residence. Tax obligations can vary based on your residency timeline and applicable regulations. Read on to understand how your residency can impact your tax bill if you are an NRI in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore or UAE.
Home loan interest rates vary based on credit score and other borrower factors. A good credit score is essential for securing a low home loan interest rate. Borrowers should compare banks to find the best home loan interest rates.
Deepak Shenoy-backed Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund exited 11 stocks, including Vedanta and Vedanta Oil and Gas, and added nine stocks, including Radico Khaitan, in July. The fund also increased exposure to 17 stocks while reducing its stake in two stocks during the month.
IT stocks extended gains for the second straight session, with Coforge and Persistent Systems leading the rally. Infosys, Wipro, TCS and Tech Mahindra also traded higher, lifting the Nifty IT index nearly 2%. The rally was driven by value buying amid a weaker rupee, with Indian IT stocks continuing to outperform global tech peers.
Gold rate today: Gold prices surged in various major Indian cities as jewellers adjusted their rates for 22k gold jewellery, marking a noticeable increase from the previous day. Noteworthy brands such as Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers are reflecting these heightened prices.
Conservative hybrid mutual funds are the entry to the world of hybrid funds. These schemes invest mostly in debt and a small percent in equity. As per the Sebi norms, conservative hybrid schemes must invest 75-90% in debt instruments and 10-25% in stocks. These schemes are ideal for investors looking to invest a small part of their corpus in equity to earn some extra returns.
FCNR (B) FD interest rates: The window for Non-Resident Indians to enjoy favorable FCNR(B) deposit rates is closing soon, specifically on August 31. With the government absorbing the hedging costs for these foreign currency deposits, this is an opportune moment for investors. Many banks are offering attractive interest rates, so it's prudent to assess these options quickly before they potentially decrease.
Multi-cap funds provide equity-like returns with reduced volatility and drawdowns. These funds delivered strong annualised returns over a twenty-one-year period. They offer a balanced approach across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. Wealth managers suggest multi-caps simplify investment decisions for retail investors. This strategy helps manage investor behaviour during market stress periods.
HDFC Mutual Fund managed Rs 6.31 lakh crore across 163 funds in July 2026. Its top holdings included HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Eternal, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, RIL, BEL, L&T and Maruti Suzuki, with selective portfolio shifts.
According to ACE MF data for July, nine major stocks are held by over 600 mutual fund schemes. ICICI Bank led the list, being owned by 771 funds, followed by HDFC Bank, SBI, Bharti Airtel, RIL, Axis Bank, Infosys, L&T, and Eternal, reflecting strong institutional confidence in large-cap equities.
HSBC Midcap Fund, with an AUM of Rs 15,578 crore as of July 2026, has delivered strong long-term returns, growing a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP to Rs 2.43 crore since inception with an XIRR of 17.33%. The fund has generated 23.17% CAGR over the past three years and follows a bottom-up investment approach focused on quality businesses and structural growth opportunities.
Man booked RAC-43 sleeper class ticket for Rs 399 to travel to village from Anand Vihar, however tickets status was changed to waitlist after chart was prepared; he filed a case and won Rs 5000 compensation in Delhi State Consumer Commission.
Sebi will soon issue guidelines for responsible AI and machine learning use in Indias securities market, with mandatory safeguards including a kill switch, human oversight and data controls. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the framework will balance innovation with investor protection as AI adoption expands across surveillance, risk assessment, fraud detection and investor servicing, while ensuring accountability among regulated entities.
GOld rate today: Gold prices dropped today at prominent Indian jewellery outlets, including Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas. The IBJA confirmed a decrease in gold rates across multiple purity levels. Customers are encouraged to stay informed on the latest 18K, 22K, and 24K rates.
Insurers are now offering term insurance plans specifically for students. These new plans provide affordable life coverage for young individuals. Coverage options extend for thirty to forty years, offering long-term financial security. Optional riders for critical illness and accidental death are also available. This initiative aims to secure financial protection for students early in life.

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