The Economic Times

Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Monday, with the Sensex falling 172 points and the Nifty declining 33 points as early gains faded. Broader markets were mixed, while metal stocks outperformed. JSW Steel, Hindalco and Tata Steel led Nifty gainers, whereas SBI Life, Bajaj Finance and Adani Ports declined.

The central government has clarified that married female employees can now list their parents or parents-in-law as beneficiaries in the CHSS scheme. Even after a divorce, biological parents remain eligible for benefits if they are dependent on the employee. This guidance was prompted by inquiries from DAE employees, who also received clarifications regarding CHSS facilities available for disabled children.

Black money notice sent to man with Singapore FD and current bank a/c in his name and no ITR declaration; Know how he won case in ITAT Delhi after proving his identity theft angle with Economic Offences Wings help.

8th Pay Commission calculator: Employee associations are pushing for a broader definition of family units in the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. They argue that incorporating parents into the family unit category will enhance revised salary structures significantly. This adjustment may lead to a notable increase in the basic minimum pay, highlighting the importance of supporting expanded family considerations in the proposed fitment factor.

On August 24, 2026, the price of 22k gold jewellery experienced a notable rise, with Tanishq pricing it at Rs 15,075 per gram nationwide. Competing brands like Malabar and Kalyan also reported increased rates. Additionally, IBJA provided the latest silver prices for 999 purity. It's important to keep in mind that these rates are subject to fluctuations throughout the day.

SBI Mutual Funds Magnum Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund mobilised Rs 1,154 crore, the highest NFO collection in the Equity SIF category, highlighting rising investor interest in differentiated strategies.

Radhika Gupta advises investors to view Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) as solutions to specific portfolio needs rather than additional products. She highlights Hybrid Long Short for yield, Ex Top 100 for alpha and Equity Long Short for efficient equity exposure. Edelweiss MFs upcoming Altiva SIF aims to generate more consistent large-cap alpha.

Smallcap funds led SIP penetration at 55% in March 2026, while SIP AUM surged over fivefold to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in five years, AMFI-Crisil data showed.

The governments new mobile phone manufacturing incentive scheme is set to favour companies with scale, export capabilities and strong domestic supply chains. Motilal Oswal said Dixon Technologies is well positioned to benefit, while higher incentives for incremental sales and domestic sourcing could boost volumes and support greater backward integration across the sector.

Invesco India has unveiled an innovative pharma and healthcare fund tailored for investors seeking opportunities in India's burgeoning healthcare landscape. This fund focuses on leveraging advancements in healthcare while being mindful of current sector valuations and possible US tariff repercussions. While experts advise caution, the sector's robust long-term growth potential invites investors to consider this thematic approach as a complementary investment strategy.

Don't think that corporate bond funds do not have any risk. Sure, the highest rating of AAA offers you higher safety. But make sure your fund manager is not taking any extra risk to make extra returns.

At least six companies have fixed record dates for bonus issues or stock splits this week, from August 24 to August 28. The list includes 1:1 bonus issues by Abhishek Integrations and Mayank Cattle Food, along with stock splits by TD Power Systems, Waterways Leisure Tourism, Rotographics India and Spice Islands Industries.

The aftermath of matrimonial disputes often lingers long after a marriage has ended, imposing hefty financial and legal challenges on men. While protective laws exist for women, they can be misapplied, leading to significant turmoil for husbands. Awareness of legal rights and sound financial management is key. Consulting with experienced legal counsel and compiling solid evidence are important first steps.

Metals, real estate, and energy sectors have demonstrated leading long-term investment returns. This TrendMap edition reviews the yearly performance of nine key NSE Sector indices spanning ten years, with insights derived from compounded average returns. The data analysed is based on ACE MF as of August 18, 2026, highlighting the trends in domestic market sector performance. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Healthcare costs in India are soaring due to escalating medical inflation. Experts warn that securing adequate health insurance is no longer optional but essential. Individuals are advised to assess their health needs, taking into account age and family health history. A smart approach is to combine fundamental policies with super top-ups to improve cost management. Consistently revisiting and updating health insurance plans is crucial to maintain valuable coverage.

Momentum funds have produced inconsistent returns during quieter market phases, particularly index-based funds that have encountered significant hurdles. The contrasting results are driven by diverse strategies at play. Investors are encouraged to look past the momentum label and focus on the underlying investment principles. A long-term outlook and strategic allocation are essential for successful momentum investing.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 115th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains the difference between these bond durations.

A status match essentially allows one loyalty programme to recognise your credentials from another. Instead of spending 50 nights at a hotel chain or flying dozens of sectors with an airline to reach elite status, you show that another company already considers you a valuable customer. The new programme may then grant you equivalent status, usually for a limited period.

There is an important caveat: the Black Money Act provides relief from Schedule FA penalty for certain foreign assets, other than immovable property, where aggregate value does not exceed Rs 20 lakh. Such taxpayers should first determine whether any penalty actually arises before opting for FAST-DS.

Vikaas M. Sachdeva, CEO of BitDelta India, talks to Abhinav Kaul about his journey from mutual funds and PMS to crypto, and where digital assets fit in an investors portfolio.

ET Wealth presents an 8-quarter earnings assessment report of various sectors. The year-on-year net profit growth for 18 sectors is presented in the table. The significant variations in the earnings growth highlight the importance of sector diversification for managing risks and returns. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Building a Rs 5 crore retirement or financial corpus via a monthly SIP of Rs 30,000 requires disciplined planning. Based on an expected 12% CAGR, a fixed SIP takes around 24 years, while opting for a 5% or 10% annual step-up SIP reduces the timeline significantly.

Around six new mutual fund schemes will open for subscription between August 24 and August 28. The upcoming launches include three target-date life cycle funds from ICICI Prudential MF, along with passive FoF offerings from HDFC MF and ICICI Prudential MF, and an equity fund from The Wealth Company.

Tata Mutual Fund recommends a 70:30 strategic allocation between gold and silver for investors looking to balance stability with growth. The fund house remains bullish on both precious metals over the medium to long term, preferring a higher weight to gold for its defensive nature and lower volatility.