The Economic Times

Aditya Birla Sunlife Asset Management Company on Wednesday said that its chief investment officer, Mahesh Patil, has resigned.

Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday extended the timeline till March 1 for the implementation of an additional incentives structure for mutual fund distributors for onboarding new individual investors from B-30 cities and new women investors from any city.

Income Tax Refunds Delay News: Taxpayers filing for FY 2024-25 are experiencing delayed refunds, though the Income Tax Department remains within statutory processing timelines. Delays often stem from high-value claims, pending demands, or simple taxpayer errors like claiming deductions not reported to employers.

The New Fund Offer opens on January 9 and will close on January 23, following which the scheme will reopen for ongoing transactions from February 2, 2026.

Client Associates has set a December 2026 Sensex target of 93,918, implying 10% annual growth, while cautioning investors about elevated valuations and near-term earnings moderation, and highlighting gold and silver as strategic allocations amid global uncertainty

Indias mutual fund assets have surged nearly sevenfold in a decade, pushing the AUM-to-bank-deposit ratio above 33%, driven by lower deposit rates, rising incomes and a growing preference for market-linked investments, though India still trails developed markets.

The Supreme Court has directed the central government to decide on increasing the EPF wage ceiling within four months. This comes after a plea highlighted that the current Rs 15,000 limit, unchanged since 2014, excludes many workers from social security benefits. The court asked the petitioner to submit a formal request to the government.

As retirement nears, even high-value portfolios can face risks if they are overly complex. Experts highlight the need to simplify strategies, rebalance equity exposure and focus on diversified mutual funds to protect wealth and align investments with clearly defined long-term goals.

Based on the data as of March 2024, the study shows that regular plans continue to dominate assets, with 21.2% of regular investments held for over five years, compared to 7.7% in direct plans, underscoring the persistence of commission-led distribution despite sustained underperformance.

Bank of India Mutual Fund has launched the Bank of India Banking & Financial Services Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focused on BFSI stocks. The fund aims to capture Indias long-term financial sector growth through investments in banks, NBFCs, fintech, insurance and capital market companies, targeting long-term investors.

Titan Companys strong December-quarter update drove its shares to a fresh record high, significantly boosting Rekha Jhunjhunwalas notional wealth. Robust growth across jewellery, watches, emerging categories and international markets, supported by premiumisation and store expansion, reinforced Titans leadership position and sustained positive investor sentiment.

LIC has launched Jeevan Utsav Single Premium, a non-par, non-linked plan offering guaranteed lifelong income and risk cover. Available from January 12, 2026, it provides guaranteed additions and two survival benefit options: Regular Income and Flexi Income. The plan also includes death and maturity benefits with attractive features like loan facility and optional riders.

As geopolitical risks surge, experts highlight why gold ETFs remain the portfolio anchor, offering stability and protection during global shocks. Silver ETFs, though more volatile, can enhance returns when industrial demand strengthens. A thoughtful blend of bothwithin a broader multi-asset strategycan help investors navigate uncertainty with greater resilience.

Investing in small caps is not a childs play. You will have to find successful fund managers who specialise in small cap stocks. You should also pay attention to how the schemes fared during the market downturn.

Homebuyers in 2026 should look beyond interest rates and scrutinize loan agreements for other charges like processing fees, prepayment penalties, and bundled insurance. These costs can significantly inflate your total loan burden. Understanding and negotiating these fees can save you lakhs over your home loan tenure.

The Gujarat High Court quashed a Section 498A case against a husband's parents, citing vague allegations of them provoking their son to inflict torture. The court found no specific actions linked to the in-laws, deeming further proceedings a futile exercise and an abuse of process, thus granting them relief. Know how they won the case.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Chandigarh has ruled that taxpayers can claim the Section 87A tax rebate on long-term capital gains from debt mutual funds. This decision overturns a tax demand of Rs 25,710 for a taxpayer. The tribunal clarified that the restriction on this rebate applies only to equity-oriented gains. Read more.

A viral WhatsApp message falsely claims SBI customers must download an APK to update Aadhaar KYC, warning of YONO app blockage. The PIB Fact Check team has debunked this as a scam, urging users not to download suspicious APKs or share personal information, as SBI never requests such updates via unofficial links.

Mutual funds offer indirect investment in gold and silver through ETFs, fund-of-funds, and multi-asset allocation funds. Investors can utilize SIPs and STPs for systematic investments. Tax implications vary based on holding periods, with long-term gains taxed at 12.5%. A 'buy on dips' strategy and limited portfolio exposure are recommended after recent rallies.

Titan Company's consumer businesses surged 40% year-on-year in Q3FY26, with international and domestic segments growing 79% and 38% respectively. The company expanded its retail network by 56 stores, reaching 3,433. Jewellery sales jumped 41% driven by price increases, while watches and eyecare also saw significant growth.

The Supreme Court ordered a seller to pay Rs 3 crore to a buyer after a 17-year property dispute. The seller failed to convert the leasehold property to freehold, while the buyer was found to have not proven readiness to pay the full amount. The court aimed to prevent unjust enrichment by the seller.

Central government employees typically receive pay commission benefits first, with states often following suit. However, states can form their own commissions, leading to staggered implementation and potentially different payout revisions. While pay structures are similar, states assess fiscal impact, meaning salary and pension hikes may not align perfectly or occur simultaneously with the Centre's announcements.

Rising medical costs are pushing policyholders towards high-sum insured health plans. Super top-up plans offer an affordable way to enhance coverage, acting as an extra layer beyond a base policy. These plans sound great for high coverage at an affordable premium, but read to find out why super top-up plans have lower premiums, their limitations, and more.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund announced the transition of its Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income, Mahendra Jajoo, and named Basant Bafna to take charge of managing the fixed income portfolio.

Amazon Pay has expanded its services beyond UPI payments to include fixed deposit investments. Users can now invest in FDs with partner NBFCs and banks directly through the Amazon Pay app, with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000 and interest rates up to 8% per annum. Deposits with partner banks are insured up to Rs 5 lakh by DICGC.

An expert outlines key principles for new mutual fund investors in 2026, stressing goal-based planning, disciplined asset allocation and understanding risk appetite. Investors should avoid emotional decisions, herd behaviour and panic selling, focus on long-term objectives, diversify across fund categories, and seek professional advice if market knowledge is limited.