The Economic Times

Gold rates today: The India Bullion and Jewellers Association reported significant drops across various gold purities, with 24K gold falling by Rs 270 per gram. Major jewellery brands also reflected this downward trend in their retail prices.

S Naren of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company says AI currently supports investment research but could complicate CIO roles if it begins making decisions. He also discussed balanced advantage funds, cautious IPO exposure, and the appeal of multi-asset allocation funds for diversified investing.

The Supreme Court has directed a husband's employer to deduct Rs 25,000 monthly from his salary. This amount will be sent directly to his estranged wife for the maintenance of her and their minor child. The court took this step after the husband failed to comply with previous maintenance orders. He had also not supported his daughter for four years.

A Morningstar report spotlights three leading women fund managers in IndiaSunaina Da Cunha, Meenakshi Dawar, and Rajasa Kakulavarapu. Through disciplined investment strategies and strong long-term performance across debt, value, and flexi-cap funds, they exemplify the growing influence of women professionals in senior portfolio management roles.

Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund shared historical data on market performance. After 18-month periods of stagnation, the Nifty 50 index historically saw significant returns. The data covers 13 instances since 2000. This analysis offers a perspective for investors awaiting a market rebound. Current market conditions are also presented for comparison.

Madhya Pradesh government employees will receive a 58% dearness allowance starting April 2026. This matches the central government's rate. Arrears from July 2025 to March 2026 will be paid in installments from May 2026. Pensioners will also see a dearness relief increase. Meanwhile, Kerala government recently approved a 10% DA hike.

This pension plan offers guaranteed lifetime income combined with market-linked growth potential through up to 40% equity exposure. It also provides flexible premium payment options and immediate or deferred annuity choices, catering to evolving retirement planning needs and ensuring financial security for individuals.

Axis Asset Management Company has elevated R Sivakumar as Chief Investment Officer following the exit of Ashish Gupta. A founding member of Axis AMC, Sivakumar brings more than 25 years of experience and will lead the fund houses investment strategy, research processes and investment teams as part of the firms internal succession plan.

Ionic Wealth, an AI-driven wealth-tech platform, has achieved $1 billion in assets under management within 22 months. This success stems from its unique omnichannel approach, blending expert advice with advanced technology. The platform offers features like AI-powered virtual assistants and seamless portfolio aggregation, catering to India's burgeoning affluent investor base.

Punjab National Bank is adjusting daily ATM cash withdrawal limits for certain debit cards starting April 1, 2026. Customers can now withdraw up to Rs 50,000 or Rs 75,000 daily depending on their card type. These changes aim to enhance security and customer safety. Limits for other card types and POS transactions remain unchanged.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I had purchased GOI Savings Bonds issued by the RBI in 2018. These bonds carried a fixed interest rate of 7.75% per annum. I reported accrued interest yearly in my ITRs using the accrual method, though it never appeared in Form 26AS. Without documents to show yearly accruals, how can I explain this to the tax authorities?

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund has launched the Mirae Asset Silver ETF FoF, an open-ended fund of fund investing in the Mirae Asset Silver ETF. The NFO is open until March 18 with a minimum investment of Rs 5,000. The scheme offers investors exposure to silver through a mutual fund structure.

A Mumbai man's Rs 2 lakh donation to a political party for tax deduction backfired. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai disallowed the claim, finding the party engaged in a cash-back scheme. The party, with no verifiable office, allegedly returned donations after deducting a commission, facilitating fraudulent tax claims.

A Mumbai man's Rs 2 lakh donation to a political party for tax deduction backfired. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai disallowed the claim, finding the party engaged in a cash-back scheme. The party, with no verifiable office, allegedly returned donations after deducting a commission, facilitating fraudulent tax claims.

Kotak Small Cap Fund has demonstrated significant long-term wealth creation, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.78 crore over two decades. Despite recent market volatility and negative returns in specific years, the fund's quality-focused strategy and consistent management have driven strong performance across market cycles.

Gold and silver ETFs rose sharply on Thursday as escalating Middle East tensions boosted demand for safe-haven assets, while a weaker US dollar further supported bullion prices. Experts advise investors to stay disciplined with SIPs, rebalance portfolios toward resilient funds, and consider gold as a hedge amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and volatility.

We have chosen two schemes from five different equity mutual fund categories - aggressive hybrid, large cap, mid cap, small cap and flexi cap schemes which we believe should be enough for regular mutual fund investors. There are caveats: read till the end to ensure you are picking up the best scheme for you.

New investors seeking ready-made mutual fund portfolios can find guidance for conservative risk profiles. ETMutualFunds has curated SIP baskets for various investment amounts, ranging from Rs 2,000 to over Rs 10,000, focusing on top-performing funds based on returns, consistency, and risk.

US tech stocks rallied despite the ongoing USIran conflict, lifting global sentiment and boosting optimism for Indian IT names. Strong gains in megacap tech, robust US services data, easing inflation, and a sharply weaker rupee which benefits IT exporters have improved near-term outlook for Indian IT cos even after last months sharp sector correction.

Gujarat Gas share price: Gujarat Gas shares plunged 7% after it issued force majeure notices to industrial customers as the US-Iran war disrupts R-LNG availability, severely constraining supplies. Citing the Middle East conflict as an ongoing event, the company said the financial impact cannot yet be estimated. This is the second energy-sector force majeure triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions.

As of March 4, four stocks in the NSE F&O segment witnessed a notable rise in futures open interest, signalling heightened derivatives activity. A sharp increase in open interest reflects fresh positions or expansion of existing bets by traders, pointing to stronger participation and rising conviction around near-term price expectations.

On March 4, four stocks with a market capitalisation above Rs 10,000 crore closed more than 1.5% below their VWAP levels, signalling emerging bearish pressure. A close below VWAP indicates stocks ended the session under their volume-weighted average price, reflecting rising selling interest and weakening intraday sentiment highlighted by technical scans.

A woman sought 5.2 crore compensation from a salon for a bad haircut, claiming it impacted her career and confidence. After an eight-year legal battle, the Supreme Court awarded her 25 lakh, stating her evidence did not justify the higher claim. The court emphasized that compensation requires reliable proof of actual loss, not just assumptions.

The Wealth Company Mutual Fund, part of Pantomath Group, has launched its Small Cap Fund. This new fund will invest in high-growth small-cap companies. The subscription opens tomorrow and closes on February 18, 2026. It is classified as very high risk. The fund aims to identify future leaders by applying deep diligence to public markets.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund introduces a new investment opportunity. The ICICI Prudential Diversified Equity All Cap Active FOF will invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. This fund aims to provide a structured approach to market-cap allocation. It will dynamically adjust investments based on market conditions. The fund offers investors a way to participate across the market spectrum.