The Economic Times

Husband gets divorce under reciprocal cruelty grounds available under Hindu Marriage law but with Rs 36.25 lakh permanent alimony; Patna HC order explained in this article.

Dearness relief hike: The Bharat Pensioners' Samaj has formally addressed a letter to the cabinet secretary concerning the urgent need for a dearness relief hike for pensioners. They stress the importance of timely disclosures to support pensioners reliant on such adjustments. With expectations for a DR increase of 3% to 4%, many hope for this announcement before Dussehra, as any delay has caused disappointment among those looking to better manage their festive expenses.

Gold rate today: Gold prices for 22k jewellery decreased in various cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association announced lower indicative rates for gold and silver.

Balanced advantage funds have attracted interest from new investors due to their dynamic management of equity and debt exposure. These funds adjust investments based on market conditions and valuations to mitigate risks. Despite their flexible nature, these funds are not entirely safe and can experience volatility. Investors are advised to have a long-term horizon of at least five years.

Short-, mid- and long-term money goals made simple. Build an emergency fund, clear debt, start a SIP and plan retirement, with examples in rupees.

Choice Mutual Fund has launched the Choice Large & Mid Cap Fund, now open for subscriptions until November 3. This innovative fund is designed to invest at least 35% in both large and mid-cap companies. Using the GVOTE framework, selections are made based on five critical parameters such as growth prospects and management excellence.

Rs 4.29 crore MCX commodity trading turnover, no books of accounts, Rs 3.42 lakh income declared in ITR, Income Tax Dept imposed Rs 25,000 penalty; he wins tax penalty case in ITAT Jaipur.

Jefferies has identified opportunities for further valuation gains in selected Indian IT stocks. While the sector experienced a sharp rally in October, growth expectations remain muted. Analysts suggest that lack of negative surprises could drive valuations higher. Infosys and TCS were noted for potential rerating, with target prices increased. The worst-case scenario involves stagnant growth beyond fiscal year 2029 for IT companies.

Sundaram Mutual has launched its Select Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund, targeting mid- and small-cap stocks ranked 101st to 750th by market capitalisation. The NFO closes November 4, with limited short exposure through derivatives.

The State Bank of India has acknowledged a recent data breach that resulted in the exposure of limited customer information. Assuring its clients, the bank confirmed that financial assets remain secure.

Flexi-cap funds can invest across market capitalisations and sectors. In September 2026, AlphaGrep Flexi Cap Fund led five peers with 66.2% exposure to mid and small-cap stocks, followed by Old Bridge and Samco.

With markets volatile, four wealth management experts share how aggressive investors can deploy Rs 10 lakh across equity mutual funds, hybrid funds, gold ETFs and debt instruments.

Dont miss the deadline on October 21, 2026, for filing tax audit reports for Assessment Year 2026-27! Taxpayers can verify their report uploads on the e-filing portal. To complete the filing, they must collaborate with their chartered accountant to fill out Form 3CA-3CD or 3CB-3CD. After completion, the report needs to be accepted and e-verified from the Worklist to guarantee timely filing and acknowledgment receipt.

Over the last year, nine equity mutual funds achieved returns exceeding 20% on SIP investments, showcasing robust market performance. Topping the charts is Samco Small Cap Fund, which saw an extraordinary return of 41.79%. Not far behind are the Bank of India Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Focused Fund. In a review of 295 funds, 110 reported positive growth, particularly highlighting the success of small-cap categories.

Choice Mutual Fund has launched its inaugural actively managed equity scheme, the Choice Large & Mid Cap Fund. This fund is designed to allocate at least 35% of investments in both large and mid-cap stocks, with up to 30% in small-cap equities. Investors can join the fund with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000 and SIPs starting at Rs 250.

Gold rate today: Gold jewellery prices from leading brands such as Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold & Diamonds decreased significantly today. The IBJA's indicative rates for various gold purities also experienced a decline today compared to previous rate. Silver prices fell significantly, marking a notable change in the market.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered over 16% annualised returns over three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund at 21.2%, highlighting performance differences across schemes as investors assess opportunities.

Bajaj Finance shares dropped on Wednesday after the NBFC reported a 29% year-on-year rise in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 6,367 crore. Nomura and Jefferies retained Buy ratings, with Jefferies cutting its target price, while 360 One WAM upgraded the stock to Buy, citing improving risk-reward and strong growth.

Transrail Lighting shares rose nearly 9% after the company secured fresh orders worth Rs 927 crore, taking its financial year order intake to Rs 3,356 crore. However, foreign institutional investors trimmed their stake in the company during the September 2026 quarter.

Arbitrage funds are taxed like equity mutual funds. This means they qualify for long term capital gains tax of 12.5% if investments are held for more than a year. If investments are for less than a year, short term capital gains tax of 20% will be applicable.

Motilal Oswal expects weak Q2 cement earnings as fuel costs rise and prices stay soft. See its top picks, neutral calls and one Sell.