The Economic Times
Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
Seven mutual funds fully exited 14 smallcap stocks in June, including Ramco Systems, Gland Pharma and JM Financial, as fund managers reshuffled portfolios to actively manage investments and rebalance holdings.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme offers farmers income support. Eligible farmers will likely receive the 24th installment in October 2026. Completing eKYC is mandatory for receiving these crucial scheme benefits.
JioBlackRock Mutual Fund's equity portfolio was led by banking majors HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank in June, with Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro and Infosys also featuring among its top holdings. The fund house, which managed assets worth Rs 16,614 crore at the end of the month, maintained a diversified portfolio across financials, telecom, technology, industrials and metals, according to Prime Database data.
Home loan interest column for self-occupied house is disabled in ITR utility? Know what to do while ITR filing for AY 2026-2027. The reason for this is under new tax regime, home loan interest tax deduction cannot be claimed but in old tax regime it can be claimed. So check your ITR for tax regime.
Mutual funds invested Rs 50,600 crore in stocks during June. They significantly bought JSWInfra, Bajaj Finance, and HDFC Bank. Conversely, Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, and SBI saw major reductions. In midcaps, JSW Infrastructure and Meesho were key additions by funds. Smallcap segment saw buying in Acme Solar Holdings and Craftsman Auto.
Andhra Pradesh offers a one-time option to switch to the Old Pension Scheme. This applies to employees recruited before September 1, 2004, who joined later. They must meet specific conditions to avail this benefit. This decision aligns with a similar move by the central government in March 2023. Employees not opting will continue under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Gifts from specified relatives are fully exempt from income tax. Non-relative cash gifts exceeding fifty thousand rupees become taxable. Immovable property gifts are taxed based on stamp duty value. Specified movable assets received without consideration are also taxable. Taxpayers must report taxable gifts under 'Income from Other Sources'.
Gold Price Today: Gold prices saw an increase on July 15, 2026, as jewellers adjusted their rates. Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher prices for 22-carat gold. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also provided indicative rates for various gold purities.
The PFRDA has launched NPS PRIDE-Disha, a new digital toolkit for subscribers. This tool allows comparisons of historical pension fund performance using SIP returns. It utilizes nearly 5,000 days of historical NAV data for analysis. Subscribers can now evaluate investment choices across asset classes effectively. The platform aids in making informed decisions about retirement wealth accumulation.
Mutual funds cut cash holdings by over Rs 4,563 crore to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in June, marking a 19-month low, as fund houses increased equity exposure amid a market rally. The move came as geopolitical tensions eased and crude oil prices declined. The Sensex and Nifty50 gained 2.98% and 2.06%, respectively, during June 2026.
Individuals filing income tax returns for FY 2025-26 will need interest certificates. These documents verify interest income and loan interest deductions for tax purposes. The article provides step-by-step instructions for downloading these certificates from ICICI, HDFC, SBI, and Axis Bank.
Employee with Rs 68 lakh salary donated Rs 12 lakh to political party for Section 80GGC tax break; ITAT Ahmedabad upholds tax dept's order denying such deduction. Know why this salaried employee lost the case in ITAT Ahmedabad. Keep reading.
Mutual funds have reduced their technology sector allocation to 5.9 per cent. This marks an all-time low, reflecting investor caution and profit booking. Experts suggest this decline may present a long-term buying opportunity for investors. However, near-term volatility is expected due to global spending concerns. Diversified equity funds are recommended over concentrated sector bets.
Value investing has dominated the Indian stock market recently, offering strong returns. Mutual funds following this strategy have outperformed growth-oriented funds significantly. Value investors seek stocks trading below their intrinsic worth for long-term gains. Patience is crucial as market discovery of these undervalued stocks can take time. Investors should limit value fund allocations to a maximum of twenty percent.
Bhautik Ambani, CEO, AlphaGrep, explains why modern investing must take into account the limitations of predicting the market, and instead turn to a more agile adjustment of allocation and risk in response to shifts in markets.
Taxpayers can check income tax refund status online via the e-filing portal. Common statuses like 'Refund Issued' and 'Refund Failed' require specific actions. Delays often stem from incorrect bank details or unverified returns. Mismatches in AIS and Form 26AS can also cause processing issues. The department may adjust refunds against outstanding tax demands after intimation.
Fund houses experienced robust equity inflows during June. Money managers favored large-cap stocks trading below historical averages. Private banks like HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were consistently purchased. Healthcare companies also received fresh allocations for steady growth. This investment trend was supported by easing geopolitical tensions and softer oil prices.
Mutual fund flows show investor sentiment and money movement across categories. Consistent inflows suggest investor confidence, while outflows may signal caution. Equity fund inflows indicate more money allocated to stocks, but do not guarantee market rises. Fund flows help gauge market liquidity, not as direct buy or sell signals. Company fundamentals and other factors ultimately drive long-term investment returns.
Non-Resident Indians can invest foreign earnings in Indian rupees through NRE fixed deposits. These deposits offer tax-exempt interest and free repatriation of funds abroad.
Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has launched the Baroda BNP Paribas Services Fund, an open-ended thematic equity scheme that aims to capitalise on India's fast-growing services economy. The NFO is open until July 28.
Controlled inflation prompts economists to delay interest rate hike expectations. Retail inflation rose to 4.38% in June, exceeding the RBI's target. Core inflation remained around 4%, suggesting a lower annual average. This shift means the Reserve Bank of India may not tighten policy soon. Future rate hikes depend on sustained core inflation above 4.5%.
The Wealth Company Mutual Fund has launched a new midcap equity scheme. This open-ended fund will invest predominantly in midcap stocks. The new fund offer opens for subscription on July fifteenth and closes on July 29. It aims to provide access to established businesses with growth potential. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation for investors.
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, Nippon India Small Cap Fund and Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund were among the 10 equity mutual funds that attracted over Rs 1,900 crore each in net inflows during June, highlighting sustained investor appetite.
SBI Mutual Fund remained India's largest asset manager with Rs 12.94 lakh crore in AUM as of June 2026. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries were its top holdings, while the fund house increased exposure to HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance.
The RBI Ombudsman 2026 scheme offers free grievance redressal for customers. This scheme covers complaints against banks and other regulated entities. Customers can seek compensation up to thirty-three lakh rupees for losses.
Starting a new SIP in international mutual funds has become difficult, with Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua FoF now the only scheme accepting fresh registrations after 11 funds halted new SIPs. The restrictions stem from SEBIs overseas investment limits, which have constrained fund houses ability to accept fresh inflows. Existing SIPs continue as per original mandates, offering limited options for global diversification.
8th pay commission calculator: The 8th Pay Commission has concluded its Kolkata meetings and extended the employee data submission deadline. Central government employees anticipate salary and allowance increments as the commission prepares its recommendations. House Rent Allowance is a key component which is expected to be revised significantly. Senior government officials at Level 14-18 may see substantial HRA increases based on fitment factors.
Gold prices saw a slight decrease on July 14, 2026, across major Indian cities. Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers reported marginally lower 22k gold rates.
ET Wealth Reader's Query: I will retire in four years. I have Rs 95 lakh in Provident Fund savings and expect Rs 20 lakh as gratuity. I have no liabilities. How to invest this corpus to get a monthly income of Rs 1 lakh?
Nephew got aunt's properties via Will, obtained probate and applied for mutation; Relatives ignored the mutation objection notice but years later challenged the probate; SC rejects relatives' case on this ground. Keep reading to know why SC rejects relatives' bid to revoke probate of aunt's Will under which nephew claimed the properties.
Landowner sells 17 apartments, earns Rs 11.8 crore gains, paid no tax, reinvests gains into 5 properties; tax dept sent notice; he wins case in ITAT Bangalore. Read the article to know the landowner won the tax case in ITAT Bangalore.
Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund completely exited 10 stocks, including Vedanta Power and Vedanta Iron and Steel, in June while adding seven new names such as JSW Steel, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, and Zydus Lifesciences. The fund increased exposure to five stocks and made no reductions elsewhere. It held 35 stocks across 13 sectors at the end of June.
The Reserve Bank of India has set the premature redemption price for SGB 2020-21 Series-IV. Investors can redeem these bonds prematurely from July 14, 2026, after five years. The redemption value is based on the average gold price over three preceding working days.
Indian taxpayers face new disclosure rules for foreign assets and investments. Global information exchange frameworks necessitate accurate reporting of overseas income. Schedule FA in ITR requires detailed reporting of foreign assets held. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties and scrutiny from tax authorities. Accurate reporting ensures transparency and reduces potential tax disputes.
Debt mutual funds saw Rs 1.09 lakh crore in June outflows, driven largely by seasonal corporate treasury and advance tax-related redemptions, not weakening investor sentiment.
Quant Small Cap Fund achieved over 30% CAGR in seven years. This fund outperformed its benchmark and category averages consistently. Experts attribute its success to active management and timely sector shifts. Investors should align SIPs with long-term goals and asset allocation. Moderate SIPs are advised given current smallcap valuations.
Focused equity mutual funds invest in a maximum of thirty stocks for potentially higher returns. These concentrated portfolios require careful stock selection by fund managers. Investors should be prepared for increased risk and a longer investment horizon. SBI Focused Fund and Sundaram Focused Fund are among the recommended schemes. Investors can track these funds for potential future performance.
Employees face a choice between higher immediate income and a larger retirement fund. Reducing EPF contributions increases take-home pay but lowers future savings. Investing saved amounts in equities may offer higher returns over time. A disciplined approach to investing is crucial for long-term financial success. The decision depends on individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
The belated Income Tax Return filing deadline for AY 2026-27 is December 31, 2026. Missing this date can result in losing tax refunds and incurring penalties. Late filing fees of up to Rs 5,000 will apply to delayed submissions. Failure to file can impact loan and visa applications significantly. Filing before the deadline ensures tax compliance and avoids additional costs.
As the due date for filing ITRs for AY 2026-27 approaches, many salaried taxpayers are finding that the ITR utility does not allow deduction under Section 80CCD(2) unless the employer's NPS contribution is first included in salary. This article explains why the ITR utility is designed to work this way by examining the relevant provisions of the Income-Tax Act, 1961 and dispelling some common misconceptions.
Six half-sisters have won their rightful share in ancestral properties. The Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected their half-brother's claims to exclude them. Their father had fraudulently obtained a relinquishment deed from their grandfather. The court ruled that the father could only relinquish his own share. This judgment confirms the daughters' entitlement to their father's property.
Filing income tax returns early increases the likelihood but does not guarantee faster refunds. Successful e-verification and matching tax records are crucial for timely refund processing. Pre-validating bank accounts and avoiding complex disclosures expedite the refund process. Mismatched information and unverified returns can significantly delay refund issuance.

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