The Economic Times

PPFAS CIO Rajiv Thakkar said successful investing depends more on patience than frequent trading. He advised avoiding unnecessary selling, profit booking and reactionary decisions, while exiting only for capital needs, mistakes, fraud, structural disruption, extreme valuations or better opportunities.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has launched a new digital platform called StAR NPS. This platform, developed by BSE Technologies, allows Points of Presence to onboard National Pension System subscribers digitally. The process includes electronic data collection and KYC verification. Subscribers can make their first contribution through the platform, leading to PRAN generation.

HDFC Mutual Fund has temporarily restricted lumpsum investments in HDFC Gold ETF and HDFC Gold ETF Fund of Fund. The move limits large subscriptions and switch-ins, while existing scheme terms remain unchanged. The restrictions take effect from June 5 and June 8 until further notice.

BharatPe and YES Bank introduce BharatPe Flex, a new credit-on-UPI service. This facility allows eligible users to make UPI payments even without immediate funds. Customers enjoy up to 45 days of interest-free credit. They can repay in full or opt for flexible EMIs from 3 to 12 months.

Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund has launched the Motilal Oswal BSE Clean Environment Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking India's first diversified clean economy index. The NFO, open from June 5 to June 19, offers passive investment in five transformative themes: Renewables, EVs, Water Treatment, Recycling, and Waste Management, aiming for long-term capital appreciation.

Helios Capital founder Samir Arora believes investor pessimism toward India is driven more by a negative halo effect than weakening fundamentals. Speaking at the ET Alpha Wealth Summit, he argued that concerns around AI, valuations and FII selling are overstated, while Indias long-term earnings and growth story remains intact.

Fifteen years ago, Panvel was a barren hillock, but Vijay Wadhwa envisioned it as Mumbai's next urban center, addressing the city's growing pressures. Wadhwa Wise City was conceived to offer a better quality of life, blending opportunity with well-being. Strategic infrastructure projects and coordinated planning are transforming Panvel into a future-ready hub.

National Savings Certificate provides a secure investment option. With a 7.7% interest rate, a Rs 1 lakh investment grows to over Rs 1.44 lakh in five years. Tax deductions are available under Section 80C for those following the old tax regime. NSC accounts can be transferred in specific situations.

Residential property prices in Gurgaon have surged by 18.4% in the past year, reaching Rs 16,249 per square foot. This significant increase is attributed to the upcoming Gurgaon Greater Southern Peripheral Road (GSPR) and associated infrastructure upgrades, positioning the area as a prime real estate hotspot.

He believes a combination of free trade agreements (FTAs), a weakening rupee, and shifting global supply chains could create a massive opportunity for Indian exporters over the coming decade.

Gold prices saw a slight dip on Thursday, June 4, 2026, following news of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. This diplomatic development sparked optimism for broader progress, potentially impacting the Iran dispute. Major jewelers like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported marginal decreases in 22k gold prices compared to the previous day.

DSP Mutual Fund CEO Kalpen Parekh advised investors to seek future alpha in out-of-favour areas, not recent winners. He emphasized that market leadership rotates and diversification across asset classes can reduce volatility without sacrificing long-term returns, urging a focus on neglected opportunities.

NPS-Lite subscribers can now withdraw their entire accumulated pension wealth up to Rs 2 lakh as a lump sum, the Department of Posts announced. PFRDA's revised regulations offer enhanced flexibility, allowing this option for smaller corpus amounts. This move aims to simplify withdrawals for eligible subscribers, particularly those not auto-migrating to Atal Pension Yojana.

Eight smallcap mutual funds showed low five-year performance consistency, according to CRISP Scorecard, with varied risk profiles, investment styles, and moderate returns across LIC MF, ICICI Prudential, SBI, and Kotak funds.

ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund has demonstrated a decade of positive calendar year returns, with 2021 and 2023 yielding the highest gains. The fund's consistent performance is attributed to its disciplined multicap structure and strategic sector allocation, as highlighted by fund managers and financial experts.

Mid cap mutual funds have seen a strong rally, leading to investor anxiety about current valuations. While these funds offer potential for high returns, they also carry significant risk due to volatility and corporate governance concerns.

Wealth wisdom of the day: Working for money is not the key to wealth; it should be the other way around, is what Robert Kiyosaki suggests - The poor and the middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them. But theres something even more important than making more money how much you keep.

The RBI is widely expected to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in the June 5 MPC meeting despite concerns over rising fuel prices, a weaker rupee and geopolitical tensions. Experts believe FD rates are unlikely to rise soon as liquidity conditions, credit growth and deposit growth have stabilised. Most analysts see little chance of an immediate repo rate hike, suggesting FD investors may have to wait longer for any meaningful increase in fixed deposit interest rates.

Big news for UK renters. From May 1, 2026, landlords can no longer use rent review clauses to hike rents. They must now follow a specific legal process. This change aims to prevent unfair rent hikes and backdoor evictions. Tenants can challenge proposed increases if they seem too high.

Salaried employees await Form 16 for Assessment Year 2026-2027. Employers must issue this crucial tax document by June 15, 2026. This form simplifies Income Tax Return filing. Those without Form 16 can still file using salary slips, Form 26AS, and bank statements. The deadline for filing ITR for this period is July 31, 2026.

Investors can explore manufacturing mutual funds for portfolio diversification. The sector shows strong potential driven by domestic demand and global supply chain realignments. Experts suggest a staggered investment approach over six months. The Nifty Manufacturing Index offers distinct exposure compared to the Nifty 50. This theme is poised for growth, supported by policy and evolving global needs.

Punjab National Bank customers using MasterCard for international transactions face continued suspension of services linked to Russia. This action aligns with global sanctions. The bank also announced the discontinuation of complimentary airport lounge access for its MasterCard Platinum Debit Cardholders from June 1, 2026. New fixed deposit rates are effective from the same date.

The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) began its three-day meeting on Wednesday, with most economists expecting the central bank to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% when it announces its decision on June 5.

Several smallcap funds have demonstrated strong performance, with five achieving over 25% annualized returns in the past three years. Bandhan Small Cap led the pack with a 29.4% return. In contrast, five other prominent small-cap funds experienced slower growth, delivering single-digit gains.

Four mutual fund NFOs and one SIF are currently open for subscription, offering exposure to smallcap, large & midcap, and factor-based strategies. Investors should align selections with goals and risk appetite.

Franklin India Dividend Yield Fund delivered exceptional returns. A Rs 10,000 monthly investment since inception grew to over Rs 1.2 crore in 20 years. The fund's AUM also crossed Rs 2,300 crore. It follows a dividend yield strategy, investing in companies with consistent payouts. This approach aims for steady compounding and downside protection.

Gold prices held steady across major Indian jewellers on June 3, 2026, despite global market jitters. However, the IBJA reported a dip in its indicative rates. Geopolitical tensions and potential US interest rate hikes are influencing investor sentiment, while India's tightened silver import rules add another layer to market dynamics.

SIPs offer multiple investment options, including regular, top-up, flexi, perpetual, trigger, goal-based, step-up, and multi-SIPs. Choosing the right SIP depends on financial goals, risk appetite, cash flow, and market understanding.

India's gold reserve: Reports of the Reserve Bank of India selling gold have been debunked by the central bank and the PIB Fact Check team. The RBI confirmed its physical gold stock remains steady at 880.52 tonnes. While the quantity has been stable, the value of gold reserves has significantly increased due to rising global prices, offering reassurance to investors.

Retirees now have a new way to manage their National Pension System (NPS) corpus, offering flexibility and potential for growth. The Retirement Income Scheme (RIS) allows keeping savings invested post-retirement, generating regular income through Systematic Payout Rate (SPR) or Systematic Unit Redemption (SUR) options. This approach balances market exposure with risk management, aiming for sustainable income over long retirements.

Equity mutual funds delivered positive returns on Systematic Investment Plans over the past five years. Many funds provided double-digit XIRR. HSBC Midcap Fund and Bandhan Small Cap Fund led with over 20% XIRR. This analysis highlights strong SIP performance across various fund categories. Investors saw significant growth on their regular investments.

Employee bodies from Jammu & Kashmir have urged the 8th Pay Commission to adopt a fitment factor between 2.86 and 3.68, which could raise the minimum basic pay from Rs 18,000 to Rs 51,480Rs 66,240. They also sought pension parity, DA merger, improved HRA, healthcare, tax relief, career progression, and special consideration for employees serving in remote, border and hardship areas.

SBI Card is revising reward point programs for PhonePe SBI Credit Cards, effective July 1, 2026. Both PURPLE and SELECT BLACK cardholders will face new monthly caps on reward points for PhonePe and online spends. Additionally, the SELECT BLACK card will exclude several transaction categories from earning rewards.

Nine midcap funds posted strong five-year consistency scores, led by Nippon India and HDFC. The CRISP Scorecard highlights their risk levels, investment styles, returns, and assets under management as of March 2026.

A software engineer's father's health insurance claim was denied by HDFC ERGO due to an alleged alcohol history. The insurer repudiated the claim despite hospital clarifications. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed HDFC ERGO to pay Rs 6 lakh with interest and ordered the hospital to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation. The commission found the denial unjustified and a deficiency in service.

An investor planning early retirement at 50 with a Rs 12.5 crore corpus seeks expert advice on generating Rs 2 lakh monthly income. The expert outlines a goal-based framework, recommending a balanced 60% equity and 40% debt allocation for retirement and a more growth-oriented mix for long-term wealth creation

Amidst market volatility, advisors recommend large cap mutual funds for conservative investors seeking safer equity investments. These funds, mandated to invest in top 100 companies, offer inflation-beating returns with lower risk. While some schemes have faced recent underperformance, long-term potential remains, with specific funds highlighted for June 2026.

Indians exchanging old gold for new should be aware of potential taxes on sales and purchases. The Income Tax Department monitors high-value gold transactions, including large cash deposits or unexplained sources of funds. Proper documentation is crucial to avoid scrutiny and penalties, especially when dealing with inherited, gifted, or imported gold.

Taxpayers are advised to delay filing their Income Tax Returns for AY 2026-2027 until after June 15th. This allows for the accurate updation of the Annual Information Statement with data from companies and banks. Salaried individuals should also wait for their Form 16. Filing without complete information can lead to discrepancies and potential tax notices.

A wife can still seek more maintenance money even after signing a waiver agreement for a lump-sum payment. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that such agreements go against public policy. The court stated that a Rs 60,000 waiver was insufficient. The wife's inability to maintain herself, despite past work, allows her to claim maintenance.

Individuals and certain entities will face a maximum 39% income tax rate under the new tax regime for Tax Year 2026-2027. This Maximum Marginal Rate applies to specific income categories to prevent tax avoidance. The new regime streamlines surcharges, capping them at 25%. However, exceptions exist, potentially leading to higher rates in specific AOP or BOI scenarios.

Wealth managers are favoring balanced advantage funds due to attractive large-cap stock valuations and high bond yields. These funds dynamically adjust equity and debt allocations, offering moderate returns with low volatility, making them suitable for first-time investors seeking stability and better returns than fixed deposits.