The Economic Times
Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
TrendMap presents a 10-year performance tracker of domestic market sectors. Nine key NSE Sector indices show annual returns ranked by performance. Metals remain the long-term leader despite market cycles and volatility. Data includes YTD for 2026 and historical trading day closing values. This analysis covers Auto, Banks, Energy, FMCG, Infra, IT, Metals, Pharma, and Realty.
If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 111th part of this series, Riju Mehta lists some of the penalties you may be liable to pay.
The Reserve Bank of India is carefully unwinding its large bearish dollar position. This move aims to support the rupee without causing market instability. Recent measures are attracting foreign capital, aiding the central bank's strategy. However, the pace of unwinding is crucial to avoid currency depreciation pressure. The RBI faces a delicate balancing act in managing its forward exposure.
It is often witnessed that the aggression of marketing executives in AMCs to onboard an investor is not reciprocated while settling death claims, when the bereaved family expects empathy and handholding, and the funds to relieve them from the stress of having lost a loved one. Sebi should review the ground-level situation with SWPs becoming a financial trap for surviving spouses.
Aluminium prices have seen significant swings this year driven by geopolitical tensions. Demand from key sectors like electric vehicles is robust and outpacing supply growth. Analysts remain constructive on Indian producers like Nalco and Hindalco Industries. Valuations have eased, making the sector attractive for investors. A buy-on-dips strategy is recommended amid ongoing global macro uncertainty.
A large number of senior citizens find it difficult to get individual insurance covers. Insurers may charge higher premiums or decline coverage. So, while the premium comparison is made between the group rates and the lowest available individual rate, the possibility of getting standalone coverage is lower. Under a group plan, however, coverage is usually guaranteed.
Indian influencers and gig workers face significant tax compliance challenges. Many struggle with tracking income and claiming eligible deductions accurately. Discrepancies in TDS reporting create difficulties when filing income tax returns. Uncertainty surrounds the classification of influencers as businesses or professionals for taxation. Clearer guidelines are needed to simplify tax procedures for this evolving sector.
Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India)s equity funds have experienced a period of underperformancethe first major blip since inception in 2007. Chief Investment Officer Neelesh Surana speaks to Sanket Dhanorkar on his market outlook and fund strategies.
India's primary market anticipates a busy season with major IPOs approaching. Many investors are borrowing funds to maximize their application sizes. This trend is fueled by increased retail participation and convenient application methods. However, borrowing carries significant risks, including allotment and weak listing uncertainties. Careful consideration of costs and potential returns is essential before leveraging for IPOs.
Under the old Income Tax Act, 1961, the regime operated under three separate provisions. The new Income Tax Act, 2025 consolidates them into a single section. While this structural consolidation is welcome, it does introduce substantive changes that could raise taxable income and cause fresh compliance issues.
Elder care firms offer vital support for ageing parents of distant children. These companies provide healthcare, companionship, and daily assistance to seniors. Many non-resident Indians and those living far away utilize these services. India's senior population is growing, increasing the demand for elder care. Companies ensure safety and peace of mind for families with their services.
Actively managed momentum funds have outperformed the Nifty and passive funds over the past year. Their algorithm-driven stock selection and shorter holding periods navigated a volatile market. Bigger bets on outperforming mid and small-cap stocks also contributed to these significant gains. This market-beating potential has prompted new active momentum fund launches recently. These funds use quantitative models to shuffle portfolios based on strengthening price trends.
Gaurik Shah, Senior Vice President Equity Investments at Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, discusses his journey from software engineering to quantitative investing, his process-driven investment philosophy, and the responsibility of managing investors' wealth.
Four new mutual fund schemes, including three actively managed funds and one ETF, are set to open for subscription this week, offering investors exposure to services, large and midcap, midcap and banking segments.
Equity mutual funds delivered strong returns last week, led by sectoral, thematic and international schemes. Mirae Asset Hang Seng TECH ETF FoF topped the list with a 6.38% gain, while technology-focused and business cycle funds dominated the top performers.
Seven mutual fund NFOs raised Rs 460 crore in June, with WhiteOak Capital Aggressive Hybrid Fund dominating collections. Index funds and ETFs saw relatively muted inflows, while the lone large and mid cap fund also contributed modestly. The data reflects selective investor participation in new fund launches amid evolving market conditions.
SIF inflows surged in June, led by hybrid long-short funds, which dominated with over Rs 11,900 crore in AUM. Total inflows rose sharply month-on-month, with most strategies witnessing traction, while sector rotation funds remained negligible. Data highlights growing investor preference for hybrid long-short strategies within the evolving SIF landscape in India.
Taxpayers must review their Annual Information Statement before filing their Income Tax Return. This statement details financial transactions linked to a taxpayer's PAN for a specific year. Information is dynamically updated throughout the year as reports are processed by various entities.
Shriram Finance Limited has revised its fixed deposit interest rates starting July 2, 2026. Regular depositors will now earn up to 7.50% annually on specific tenures. Senior citizens will receive an enhanced rate of 8% on these fixed deposits.
Investor interest in midcap and smallcap mutual funds saw a strong comeback in June. These funds attracted significant inflows, becoming major contributors to equity mutual fund recovery. Broader market stock performance encouraged investors to increase allocations to these segments. Midcap and smallcap funds delivered notable returns, reflecting renewed investor confidence. The net assets under management for these categories also experienced substantial growth.
Gold jewellery rates saw a slight decrease across major brands today. Tanishq's 22-carat gold price dropped to Rs 13,275 per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas also listed 22-carat gold at Rs 13,230. Kalyan Jewellers has yet to update its prices for the day. IBJA's indicative rates serve as a benchmark for the country.
Sovereign Gold Bonds offer investors a chance for early redemption after five years. Specific tranches are eligible for premature exit in July 2026. Investors must submit redemption requests within strict official timelines. These requests are processed through banks, post offices, and other designated channels. Missing the submission window may result in the rejection of redemption requests.
Equity mutual fund inflows climbed 26% in June to Rs 28,973 crore, led by strong investments in midcap, smallcap and flexicap funds, while ELSS and dividend yield funds continued witnessing net outflows.
Anand Vardarajan will become Tata Asset Management's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He takes over from Prathit Bhobe, who steps down in July 2026. Vardarajan has been with the company since 2018, serving as Chief Business Officer. Hemant Kumar is appointed Chief Business Officer, overseeing various business functions. These appointments ensure a smooth leadership transition for future growth.
The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio eased in June, falling below 100% for the first time in months. More new SIPs were registered than those discontinued or completed their tenures. SIP contributions reached a record Rs 31,781 crore, showing investor confidence in long-term investing. Retail mutual fund assets and folios also saw an increase during the month. This trend reinforces disciplined investor participation in India's growth story.
Sebi has issued revised norms for mutual fund intraday borrowing. These new rules will become effective from September 1, 2026. Mutual funds can now borrow temporarily to manage liquidity mismatches. This allows them to meet unit holder payouts and investment pay-ins. The borrowing quantum will be linked to expected daily receivables.
Sold property for Rs 2.63 crore and reported Rs 16.33 lakh LTCG, claimed home loan interest, travel, water, electricity and brokerage as expenses; Tax dept denied the expenses; ITAT Bangalore allows partly allows his expenses claim. Know why did the NRI win the tax case in ITAT Bangalore.
Equity mutual fund inflows increased significantly in June, reaching 28,973 crore. Retail investors returned to mid- and small-cap segments, allocating substantial funds to these categories. Systematic investment plan collections also saw a modest rise during the month. The mutual fund industry's assets under management edged up slightly, aided by market gains. Sectoral and thematic funds also experienced renewed investor interest and recovered inflows.
Karnataka RERA ordered a builder to provide promised amenities within ninety days. The builder failed to deliver Cauvery water and electricity meters for six years. He must now transfer land Khata and common facilities to the homeowners' association. The RERA Act protects homebuyers and ensures developers fulfill past promises. This ruling mandates builders adhere to agreed amenities and their maintenance.
Banks will remain closed on Saturday, July 11, 2026? Digital banking services will continue to be available for customers even if banks are closed. Routine transactions can be performed using mobile and internet banking applications.
Starting September 1, 2026, SEBI allows mutual funds to use intraday borrowing to manage short-term liquidity mismatches for payouts. Asset management companies must cover all borrowing costs, ensuring no financial risk is passed on to the scheme investors.
The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, introduces significant changes for EPF members. Withdrawal benefits now require a 36-month waiting period after exit. Existing members will seamlessly continue their coverage under the new scheme.
Global stablecoin market value exceeds three hundred billion dollars, dominated by US dollar denominations. The United Kingdom faces a strategic challenge to increase its presence in this evolving financial architecture. Stablecoins offer efficiency in cross-border payments and programmability for the AI economy. Risks exist but are manageable with appropriate regulatory frameworks and clarity. India must also develop a clear stablecoin policy to avoid falling behind global trends.
You must know certain things about your money, growing it, making it work hard for you to see the growth on a practical level. Being financially rich and having the ability to live like a millionaire are fundamentally two very different things, Ferriss states in his book The 4-Hour Workweek.
Gold ETF inflows surged to Rs 3,443 crore and silver ETF inflows reached Rs 4,286 crore in June, reversing recent outflows. Investors increased allocations despite negative monthly returns, highlighting continued demand for precious metals as strategic portfolio diversification and passive investment options.
8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Employee bodies are demanding higher house rent allowance percentages for central government staff. The 8th Pay Commission's meeting in Kolkata will conclude today. HRA is a significant salary component, directly linked to basic pay revisions. Calculations show potential HRA increases with different fitment factors. These estimates illustrate the impact of revised basic salaries on employee allowances.
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme offers a higher interest rate than the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. An investment of five lakh rupees in SCSS yields approximately forty-one thousand rupees annually. The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme provides nearly thirty-seven thousand rupees in annual interest. SCSS offers tax benefits on principal investment under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Salaried individuals, pensioners, and students must select the appropriate ITR form for AY 2026-2027. Taxpayers not requiring an audit can use ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-3 for their filings. The due date for filing income tax returns is July 31, 2027. Certain transactions necessitate filing an ITR even below basic exemption limits. Understanding these guidelines ensures accurate tax compliance for all individuals.
Five Nifty Next 50 ETFs topped large-cap fund performance with annualised returns of nearly 19% over three years, while five BSE Sensex index funds lagged, delivering modest single-digit annualised returns between 6% and 6.7%.
Mutual fund SIP inflows rose to a three-month high of Rs 31,781 crore in June, up 3% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year, according to AMFI data. Equity mutual fund inflows also rebounded sharply, jumping 26% from May to Rs 28,973 crore, reflecting stronger investor participation and renewed interest in equity schemes amid improving market sentiment.
Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and Groww are debating direct mutual fund offerings publicly. Kamath reiterated Zerodha's commitment to free direct mutual fund plans. Groww clarified that its optional subscription service does not replace direct mutual funds. Direct mutual funds remain free for do-it-yourself investors on Groww. This debate highlights shifts in India's investment platform industry.
Equity mutual fund inflows saw a significant surge in June, reaching Rs 28,973 crore. Midcap funds attracted the highest investor interest, followed by small cap and flexi cap funds. Sectoral and thematic funds experienced a substantial jump in inflows during the month. Conversely, dividend yield and ELSS funds continued to witness outflows. This data reflects investor activity as reported by AMFI for the month.
Taxpayers can reset their Income Tax e-filing portal passwords without a registered mobile number. Options include using a Digital Signature Certificate or net banking facilities. If these are unavailable, an email request with necessary documents can be sent.
Edelweiss Mutual Fund will halt new SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes. This suspension takes effect from July 10, 2026, impacting international and sectoral funds. Existing systematic transactions will continue as usual without any changes. The fund house cited nearing overseas investment limits as the primary reason for this decision. Investors were previously informed about subscription caps on these specific schemes.
The HDFC Defence Fund boosted its holdings in Mazagon Dock and Tata Motors during June. It also added shares of Bharat Electronics, BEML, and Bosch to its portfolio. The fund completely exited Rishabh Instruments, selling its entire stake. Seventeen existing stock exposures remained unchanged, including Bharat Forge and HAL. The fund's performance has outperformed its benchmark in shorter timeframes.
NJ Mutual Fund has launched the NJ Momentum Fund, an NFO that seeks to capture strong price trends through a rules-based momentum strategy backed by quality filters. While experts see momentum as a useful satellite allocation, they advise limiting exposure and caution that investors may be better off choosing proven, lower-cost existing momentum funds.

37 C