The Economic Times

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.

Jefferies has cut its target price for Jupiter Wagons to Rs 185 from Rs 210 and retained its Underperform rating after weak Q1 earnings. The brokerage lowered FY27E-29E EPS estimates by 6%-20%, citing weaker wagon and wheelset sales, margin pressure and slower execution, while maintaining a positive view on the companys long-term wheel manufacturing opportunity.

In July, gold showcased impressive returns, significantly outpacing the equity markets as investors shifted their focus to secure assets, such as money market funds. Following a robust performance in June, precious metal fund inflows saw a notable decline. Conversely, fixed-income funds experienced a turnaround, drawing in new capital. This shift highlights a growing preference among investors for safety rather than chasing after market highs.

Mutual funds aggressively bought shares in 58 companies in July 2026. A secondary filter highlights eight top-performing stocks that saw additions of over one crore shares alongside gains between 9% and 76%, driven by institutional buying and strong market momentum across sectors.

ICICI Prudential Value Funds Rs 10,000 monthly SIP grew to 2.37 crore over 22 years, delivering 17.04% XIRR. A Rs 1 lakh lump-sum investment reached Rs 46.6 lakh, outperforming Nifty 50 TRI. With Rs 61,102 crore AUM, the fund follows a diversified value strategy focused on long-term wealth creation across market cycles.

Milky Mist shares hit another 10% upper circuit on Wednesday, taking their gains to 42.5% from the IPO price of Rs 140. Analysts remain positive on the companys strong foothold in value-added dairy products, improving margins and growth prospects, but caution that valuations are elevated. Existing investors have been advised to hold and accumulate on meaningful dips.

In July, Helios Mid Cap Fund boosted its investments by increasing its stake in Swiggy among twenty other stocks. Notably, the fund expanded its holdings in V2 Retail and GMR Airports, while reducing exposure in Multi Commodity Exchange of India and Black Box stocks. Additionally, Siemens Energy India joined the portfolio as one of the seven new entries, with the fund maintaining the same exposure in thirty-eight existing companies.

BSE shares have experienced a significant downturn this month following the launch of a new closing auction session. Since this change on August third, trading volumes and options activity have considerably dropped, raising concerns among analysts who have downgraded their outlook on the stock. The exchange is grappling with new funding rules and possible fee changes, but some analysts remain optimistic about a turnover rebound by October.

Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are steadily becoming a preferred choice for seasoned investors, accumulating an impressive 95,000 folios. Unlike traditional equity mutual funds, which focus solely on long positions, SIFs offer the flexibility of both long and short strategies. With a minimum investment threshold set at ten lakh rupees, these funds have successfully managed assets valued at twenty-three thousand, one hundred seventy-seven crore rupees.

Axis Bank credit card revised rules: Axis Bank is set to update its credit card policies on August 28, 2026. Notably, the markup for dynamic currency conversion will jump to 3.5% from the previous rate of 1.5%. Furthermore, late payment fees for balances over Rs 50,000 will also go up. The bank also clarified that gift card purchases will alsonot contribute towards spends-based fee waiver calculations or milestonebenefits.

Five BSE Midcap stocksKEI Industries, GSK Pharmaceuticals, Lenskart Solutions, Radico Khaitan and Ajanta Pharmahit fresh 52-week highs despite the Sensex falling 492 points. KEI led monthly gains at 18%, while GSK and Lenskart also advanced 17%, showing resilience amid market weakness.

Based on ground intelligence and analysis of data, Income tax dept Income tax dept has identified suspicious entities who sent money abroad; Know what to do

Invesco Mutual Fund has launched a new open-ended equity scheme. This fund will invest in India's evolving pharma and healthcare sectors. It aims to capitalize on favorable demographics and expanding healthcare access. The new fund offer is open for subscription until September 1. Investors can start with a minimum lump sum of Rs 1,000.

L&T Finance plans to open 500 new gold loan branches this financial year. This expansion aims to increase its network significantly and capitalize on sector growth. The company entered the gold loan market last year after acquiring Paul Merchants Finance. Gold loans are a key driver for L&T Finance's growth agenda.

Gold and silver ETFs saw sharp AUM growth over the past year, with gold ETF assets rising 2.6 times and silver ETF assets 3.4 times by July 2026. Commodity funds also increased their share of passive assets, reflecting stronger investor interest.

Defence stocks surged up to 10% after the Defence Ministry unveiled its sixth Positive Indigenisation List covering 405 items with Rs 3,070 crore business potential. The move aims to boost domestic manufacturing, innovation and investment while reducing Indias dependence on defence imports.