The Economic Times

For selling 600ml Pepsi at Rs 26 instead of Rs 25 MRP, husband working in wifes shop faced criminal prosecution; Bombay HC quashes case as wife made the sale, while husband had only prepared the bill after the sale. Know how he won case in Bombay High Court

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana provides a favorable tax regime for parents budgeting for their daughters. Only resident Indian girls aged below ten qualify to open these accounts. The investment period spans fifteen years, with the account lasting twenty-one years.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has suspended existing SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes from August 11, 2026, citing limited overseas investment headroom. Six affected funds are international schemes, while one is thematic. The suspension will continue until additional overseas investment capacity becomes available, with resumption subject to AMC discretion.

Quant Small Cap Fund added 13 stocks in July, including SBI Funds Management, Caliber Mining and Hexaware Technologies. The fund exited four stocks and reduced exposure to seven others, while increasing holdings in 10 stocks. Its portfolio rose to 106 stocks from 97 in June, with AUM at Rs 34,069 crore as of July 31.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched Indias first REIT-focused index fund, offering exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a single investment. The fund tracks the Nifty REITs & Realty Index, with a 60:40 REIT-to-realty allocation, targeting long-term investors seeking diversified real estate exposure.

Five equity mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised SIP returns over the past decade. Quant Small Cap led with 24.2%, followed by Nippon India Small Cap, Invesco India Mid Cap, Quant ELSS Tax Saver and Nippon India Growth Mid Cap. Investors should consider risk, goals and investment horizon beyond past performance.

Gold rate today: On Saturday, August 8, 2026, gold prices saw a notable increase. If you are planning to buy gold jewellery, here is a look at the latest 22K gold rates today at Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and IBJA.

Choosing a mutual fund requires more than examining past returns. Investors should assess risk-adjusted performance using metrics such as Alpha, Beta, Sharpe, Treynor, Information and Sortino ratios, along with standard deviation, semi-standard deviation and R-squared. These measures help compare funds, understand volatility, evaluate manager performance and determine suitability for individual investment goals.

ETMutualFunds has shortlisted 10 equity mutual funds across five categories based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size for August.

PPFAS Mutual Fund CIO Rajeev Thakkar said the recent underperformance of Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund is neither unusual nor significant. He defended its long-term strategy, lower cash allocation, and private-bank exposure, including HDFC Bank. Thakkar said market volatility creates opportunities, while the fund avoids popular themes and sees potential in IT services amid AI disruption.

Filing your income tax returns punctually doesn't guarantee immunity from tax department notices. Often, discrepancies arise between reported earnings and the data the department holds. Additional sources of income, misreported TDS or TCS credits, and large cash transactions lacking corresponding declared income can trigger further scrutiny.

Bank customers are advised to stay informed about upcoming holiday schedules that could impact banking operations. National and religious holidays dictate bank closures, which differ across states.

Due to incorrect schedule in original ITR gratuity tax deduction under Section 43B denied; ITAT Chennai gives relief and says a genuine deduction cannot be denied merely because it was reported under an incorrect schedule in the ITR

In a strategic move, HDFC Bank has reduced its MCLR rates across various tenures by as much as five basis points, effective from August 7, 2026. The updated MCLR now varies between 8% and 8.65%, tailored to the specific loan duration.

8th pay commission update: The 8th Pay Commission is actively engaging with various stakeholders to gather insights on salary and pension adjustments. Employees are hopeful for a timely report that could significantly alter their compensation. Projections suggest that gross pay increases may vary from 31% to 68%, relying on different fitment factors, particularly for employees at Levels 7 and 8. Multiple employee organizations have presented their fitment factor recommendations to the commission

Unclaimed mutual fund assets rose nearly 10% to Rs 3,811 crore in FY26, led by higher unclaimed dividends, Sebi said. Despite this, mutual fund assets, SIP contributions and investor participation expanded strongly, reflecting sustained retail interest and industry growth.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are prohibited from making new investments in RBI floating rate savings bonds; however, those who are existing holders may maintain their investments. The bonds offer an attractive interest rate of 8.05%, bolstered by government guarantees.

Multi-asset funds are gaining popularity by diversifying across equity, debt, precious metals and other assets. Strong gold and silver gains boosted one-year returns, while active allocation and tax treatment vary by equity exposure.

Homebuyersgot no compensation for more than 2-year delay in possession of flat, MahaRERAorder; Know how accepting possession without protest cost them the delaycompensation. Know why homebuyers lost this case.

Sunil Singhania-backed Abakkus Small Cap Fund added Indo-MIM, Mrs Bectors Food Specialities and BEML to its portfolio in July while exiting Bank of Baroda and Cyient DLM. The fund also increased its exposure to HDFC Bank and 55 other stocks, according to its latest monthly portfolio disclosure.

EPS higher pension: The government has acknowledged the Madras High Court's decision on higher pension benefits. Supreme Court orders regarding higher pension contributions have also been examined. An online facility was provided for EPS subscribers opting for higher pension. This higher pension judgment has been implemented uniformly for all establishments. Employees can now contribute based on actual basic salary for increased pension.

There is no easy or one word answer to this question. The expenses anywhere would depend majorly on the city an individual is living in and their lifestyle. At the same time, it is equally important to factor in the average salaries that people receive. We have done an analysis of the same. Read on to know.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced new guidelines for loan recovery starting in January 2027. These regulations require that banks properly train recovery agents while ensuring they adhere to professional standards during the process. Borrowers will receive notifications regarding the recovery agents assigned to them, and all communications will need to be recorded.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the redemption price for the SGB 2020-21 Series-XI, set at Rs 14,564 per unit. Investors seeking to redeem their bonds beforehand can do so starting August 7, 2026, after a five-year term.

Resident ordered by housing society to evict on grounds of maintenance default, creation of nuisance and using open space as his garden; Maharashtra Co-Op Appellate court cancels eviction and rules resident cannot be evicted by housing society for this reason. Know more.

GOld rate today: Gold prices saw a slight decrease today, August 7, 2026. Leading jewellery brands like Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds adjusted their rates. Tanishq maintained its 22-karat gold price while others saw a small reduction. IBJA indicative rates for August 6, 2026, show higher prices for various gold purities. Silver prices also remained steady as per the latest updates.

According to the Sebi mandate, small cap schemes must invest in companies that are ranked below 250 in terms of market capitalisation. These schemes also will have to invest at least 65% in small cap stocks.

The BSE Sensex has declined nearly eight percent, prompting investors to consider increasing mutual fund SIP contributions. Market experts suggest this correction is normal and investors should continue SIPs without interruption. Lower markets allow for the accumulation of more units over the long term. Investors should review their portfolios and rebalance asset allocation if needed. Monitoring crude oil prices and global policies will guide future market direction.

Investors can check for unclaimed State Bank of India dividends on the bank's website. Dividends unclaimed for seven years are transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund. Shareholders can submit claims to Kfin Technologies Limited or SBI Investor Services. Checking unclaimed dividends requires specific details like folio number or client ID. Eligible shareholders and their legal heirs can apply to the IEPF Authority for refunds.

Worried about rising healthcare costs after 60? Discover how senior citizens can secure robust health insurance without breaking the bank. Explore strategies like combining base policies with super top-ups and leveraging employer benefits to achieve comprehensive coverage and predictable renewal costs.

A fresh analysis indicates that actively managed mutual funds have surpassed their benchmark indices, with an impressive 94% of large cap funds outperforming theirs. Midcap and small cap funds have also demonstrated solid performance against their benchmarks. Fund managers effectively utilized market discrepancies and strategic stock selection. It remains crucial for investors to carefully choose suitable schemes and reputable fund houses to maximize gains.

The Lok Sabha passed a bill amending tax laws on August 6, 2026. This amendment benefits REIT and InvIT investors by exempting dividend income. Special Purpose Vehicles can opt for a new tax regime with a higher surcharge. This decision requires careful evaluation of the entire structure's tax efficiency. The choice between tax regimes depends on individual financial profiles and commercial objectives.

With its latest feature, PhonePe now allows users to easily invest in daily recurring deposits via its user-friendly app. Starting investments is as easy as contributing Rs 100 daily through UPI AutoPay. Additionally, the app simplifies the digital handling of fixed deposits, which are secured up to Rs 5 lakh under the DICGC scheme. Best of all, users can withdraw their funds whenever they choose.

Non-Resident Indians have the opportunity to secure their retirement through investment in the National Pension System (NPS). This program provides considerable tax advantages as per the Indian Income Tax Act, allowing annual contributions to be deducted up to two lakh rupees. While withdrawals made after the age of sixty are primarily tax-free, it's important to note that annuity income is subject to taxation.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund raised over Rs 1,200 crore through its ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund and Services Fund launches in 2026. The offerings drew investors from more than 5,700 pin codes, highlighting strong demand for thematic, long-term equity investment opportunities across India.

SBI Mutual Fund has announced the launch of its Magnum Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund under the Specialized Investment Fund framework. Opening on August 7, the NFO targets long-term capital growth by investing outside the top 100 stocks with a long-short strategy using equity derivatives.

Five midcap mutual funds delivered annualised returns of over 20% in the last three years, led by Invesco India Mid Cap Fund with a 24.7% return. Meanwhile, five other schemes posted comparatively modest returns, highlighting the wide performance gap within the category.

Retired teacher from Mysore deposits Rs 1.33 crore cash in bank, files no ITR; tax dept issues notice; he wins case in ITAT Bangalore as tax notice was issued 26 days after the limitation period had expired. Know how he won case in ITAT Bangalore.

Around 42 equity mutual funds generated a CAGR of more than 15% over the past decade, turning a Rs 1 lakh lump-sum investment into over Rs 4 lakh. Nippon India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 20.61% CAGR, while several Quant, HDFC and SBI schemes also delivered stellar returns.

Gold price today: On August 6, 2026, gold prices surged dramatically throughout India, as Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds displayed increased rates. The Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association confirmed the striking rise in both gold and silver values, impacting major metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Consumers were quick to notice these changes in pricing on Thursday.

Digital transactions like UPI and NEFT can trigger income tax notices. These notices arise when transactions do not match your declared income. The Income Tax Department cross-verifies financial data from various sources. Taxpayers should regularly check their Annual Information Statement and reconcile records. Maintaining transaction records and accurately reporting income prevents unnecessary scrutiny.

EPFO officers have raised concerns over the backlog of auto claims that have been pending for over twenty days. The newly introduced IT system, CITES, has encountered significant implementation delays. Since 2008, staffing levels have remained stagnant, adversely affecting service quality. Officers are calling for reforms in both the Employees Pension Scheme and the leadership framework, advocating for expert guidance and PFRDA-like withdrawal restrictions to enhance savings.

Hindu marriage cant be broken merely because husband lost interest in marriage, rules Karnataka High Court and says The marriage under the Hindu Law is a sacrament and it is not a contract. Know what the high court said about Hindu law regarding marriage.

An expert guides a 60-year-old investor on managing a large mutual fund portfolio. The advice focuses on dividing investments into three baskets for liquidity and growth. This strategy aims to balance immediate needs with long-term wealth creation goals. The expert suggests increasing large-cap exposure and avoiding certain fund categories. Restructuring aims to simplify the portfolio and align it with retirement planning needs.