The Economic Times

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.

Invesco India Midcap Fund has been in the first quartile in the last 15 months. The scheme had been in the second quartile earlier. Axis Midcap Fund has been in the third quartile in the last 15 months. The scheme had been in the fourth quartile earlier.

A potential EPF wage ceiling increase to 25,000 is generating significant employee interest. Read on to know if existing pensioners will receive higher monthly pension amounts.

A Nagpur woman who lost Rs 6.93 lakh in a FedEx parcel scam won a consumer court case against ICICI Bank. The commission ordered the bank to refund the remaining amount with 9% interest and pay Rs 35,000 as compensation. Here's how she won the case.

8th Pay Commission latest news: Employee groups are urging the 8th Pay Commission to raise annual increments significantly. They suggest increasing the rate from three percent to at least five percent. Some organizations propose an increment of six percent annually for employees. Other federations are advocating for a seven percent annual increment rate. This change could substantially boost gross salaries for central government staff.

While there has been no official word from the government on this yet, it is learnt that the Centre could allow a levy of 0.25% to 0.4% as merchant discount rate (MDR) charges on UPI payments above Rs 2000. So, does this mean that the proposal will directly impact you? First understand what MDR is.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched Indias first REIT-based index fund tracking the Nifty REITs & Realty TRI. The NFO closes on August 19, offering diversified exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a low-cost passive investment strategy.

For those invested in Sovereign Gold Bonds, early redemption for select tranches is possible from August 2026. This opportunity arises five years post-issue. Investors should ensure they submit their redemption applications within the stipulated timelines, as the redemption value will reflect gold prices from the previous three working days. Missing the submission period could mean a denial of the premature redemption option.

Smallcap mutual funds with Sharpe ratios above 0.70 have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns over the past three years. Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list, followed by ITI, Invesco India, and others, according to MF Screener.

A Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term, small savings scheme offered by the government of India. The PPF offers an attractive interest rate and tax benefits under the Old Tax Regime. The PPF interest rate is 7.1% for this quarter. Interest earned is tax-free under the Income Tax Act 2025.

PGIM India Mutual Fund is implementing a temporary suspension of systematic investment plans (SIPs) and systematic transfer plans (STPs) for three of its international funds. This action will commence after the cut-off time on August 7, 2026. The fund house has attributed this suspension to adherence to the overseas investment limits set by regulatory authorities. However, current redemptions and withdrawal options will remain unaffected.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, gold prices surged, catching the attention of both buyers and investors alike. Tanishq and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, two prominent names in the jewellery industry, announced increased rates across their collections. According to the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association, both gold and silver witnessed considerable gains, indicating a remarkable shift in the market for precious metals.

REITs are often mistaken for fixed-income products, but Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, explains why they belong to the equity asset class. She highlights that REITs have lower volatility than equities but remain equity investments due to their risk-return profile. Gupta also explains why investors should view REITs as a diversification tool, not a debt substitute.

The Supreme Court has proposed new measures to address widespread non-compliance with mandatory motor insurance laws. Automatic e-challans and a potential 'no insurance, no fuel' system are being considered. The court also extended mandatory third-party insurance periods for new vehicles. Citizens will soon be able to verify vehicle insurance status through a pilot project.

8th Pay Commission: The 8th Pay Commission will hold meetings in Jaipur. These discussions involve central government employees and their representative bodies. Similar meetings have been scheduled for New Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai, and Puducherry. Stakeholders must submit requests for appointments through a specific online portal.

Savings account interest rate: Unity Small Finance Bank has recently announced a new interest rate of 7% on savings accounts, with even higher returns for amounts surpassing five lakh rupees. In addition, senior citizens can benefit from an attractive 8.50% interest on a special 501-day fixed deposit. Other small finance banks are also rolling out competitive rates. These changes took effect on August 1, 2026.

RBI MPC policy: The Reserve Bank of India plans to simplify loan interest rate rules for all regulated entities. This initiative aims to harmonize guidelines and address operational aspects of current lending rate benchmarks. The proposed changes will standardize market practices concerning interest charging and benchmark reset dates. These measures intend to improve transparency and strengthen monetary policy transmission across the system.

Wife got tax notice as she claimed Section 54F tax exemption by purchasing her husbands own Mumbai property for Rs 7.5 crore; ITAT Mumbai rules that a property transaction between spouses does not become sham merely because they are related. Know how she won the case in ITAT Mumbai.

RBI repo rate: The Reserve Bank of India has maintained its repo rate at 5.25%, providing ongoing relief for home loan borrowers. This decision allows many borrowers to continue enjoying current low home loan interest rates. However, rising retail inflation and potential rate hikes may lead to higher interest costs soon. Homeowners can explore prepayment and refinancing options to manage future loan expenses. These strategies can help reduce overall interest paid and shorten loan tenures.

RBI MPC repo rate: The Reserve Bank of India maintained its repo rate at 5.25 percent today. Inflation is nearing the upper tolerance band, which could prompt future rate hikes. Banks monitor deposit-credit ratios and government security yields for rate decisions. High interest rates on small savings schemes also influence bank deposit offerings. Lenders may adjust fixed deposit rates soon based on these economic indicators.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched India's first REITs-oriented index fund. This new fund offers investors a unique 60:40 mix of REITs and realty stocks. It aims to provide diversified exposure to India's growing real estate market. Experts suggest it can be a satellite allocation for long-term investors. The fund seeks to balance income stability with capital growth potential.

According to the Sebi mandate, the large cap mutual funds are mandated to invest in top 100 companies by market capitalisation. Large companies fare better in a volatile market as these companies may be market leaders and resilient to downturns. That is why if you are looking for a relatively safer mutual fund category, you should consider investing in large cap funds.

Housing society prevented homebuyers from using their stilt parking spaces given by builder as it was given after registration of society; Maharashtra Co-Op appellate court in RWA's favour and says builders allot common stilt parking after society is registered

Multi-asset funds are becoming core holdings for investors seeking diversification. These funds invest across equity, debt, and precious metals, offering active management. Their popularity is growing as fund managers make allocation decisions for investors. Higher returns over the past year are attributed to gold and silver allocations. Taxation varies based on equity exposure and holding periods for investors.

Sweep-in fixed deposits and liquid funds offer better returns than savings accounts. Sweep-in FDs provide immediate access for money needed within a week. Liquid funds become more attractive for holding periods around three months. Combining both options balances liquidity, returns, and flexibility effectively. Taxation differs, with FD interest taxed as it accrues and fund gains taxed upon redemption.

Madhu Nair has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund. He will succeed Sanjay Grover, who served as interim CEO since August 2025. Nair brings extensive experience from various sales and distribution roles in the mutual fund industry. Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund is a joint venture between Bank of Baroda and BNP Paribas.

Arbitrage fund net asset values saw a significant daily surge after the NSE introduced a closing auction session. Fund managers noted these movements were valuation effects and likely temporary. The new system introduces execution and hedging challenges for arbitrage strategies. Investors are advised against short-term trading and encouraged to extend holding periods. The market is expected to stabilize as participants adjust to the new mechanism.

For non-resident Indians, foreign currency non-resident bank fixed deposits remain a favored investment choice. With an uptick in interest rates for tenures ranging from three to five years, Punjab National Bank currently leads with an attractive 6.50% rate on select five-year deposits. Meanwhile, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank also showcase appealing rates for extended FCNR(B) deposits.

EPF wage ceiling: The Employees Provident Fund wage ceiling may increase to Rs 25,000. This change will bring more employees under the EPF and EPS schemes. Employees' in-hand salaries might decrease while their retirement corpus grows. The Employees Pension Scheme pension will likely increase significantly for eligible members. This revision aims to enhance retirement benefits for a larger workforce.

Noida property prices went up by 125% to Rs 10,780 per square feet, Bangalore by 90% to Rs 9,450 per square feet from 2019 to 2026; Know Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad prices. Check the trend.