The Economic Times
Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
Indias mutual fund industry saw SIP AUM reach 35.8% of equity AUM in June 2026, with leading asset managers reporting significantly higher SIP allocations, highlighting strong investor participation through systematic investment plans.
All consumers who take a new credit card through the Paisabazaar platform during the offer period (until the end of September) would be eligible for a PB Pass. The complimentary pass gets unlocked when these customers make their first payment of the credit card through the Paisabazaar app.
Wife didnt care for his parents and left his Bangalore home without informing, husband said; Karnataka HC rejects his plea to stop paying maintenance on this ground. Read to know what happened in this case.
Quant Mutual Fund is pivoting away from manufacturing due to rising cost pressures and supply chain issues. Instead, it's channeling investments into IT services, viewing this sector as overlooked and ripe for growth. The fund focuses on identifying undervalued and under-owned stocks across diverse sectors for maximum returns. Quant foresees consolidation trends within large-cap markets, which could lead to selective opportunities.
India aims for 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. Financing rules and green bond frameworks need review for nuclear investments. A significant talent shortage exists within the clean energy sector. Specialized education and training programs are currently lacking across India. Government and industry are forming committees to address these crucial expansion needs.
In a significant update, the CGHS and CS(MA) Rules now offer lifelong medical support to dependent sons and brothers, ensuring marriage does not affect their eligibility for CGHS benefits. Dependency criteria and medical board evaluations are essential for qualification, particularly for chronic and severe medical conditions that affect one's earning capacity. The CGHS Board will routinely reassess the medical requirements to keep provisions current.
Neighbour tried to take land using rectification deed without informing owner; Supreme Court says rectification deed cannot change title of property which is covered by sale deed. Read below to know why Mr Thimmadasappa's son won the case in Supreme Court.
FCNR (B) deposit interest rate cuts have particularly been made in deposits of three to five years, which had higher interest rates after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a relief on hedging costs.
As retirement approaches, a non-resident Indian (NRI) investor with a target of Rs 3 crore seeks guidance from a financial expert. The advisor recommends a structured approach involving asset allocation and portfolio consolidation. The investor's assets are categorized into three groups according to their risk profiles and investment timelines. Certain mutual funds are advised for both retention and new contributions.
Any search starting with the word 'best' or top is unlikely to offer you the best solution. You should always choose a scheme that matches your investment objective, horizon, and risk profile. If you do not understand the basic mutual fund concepts or are totally new to mutual funds and investing, you should always seek the help of a mutual fund advisor.
Mutual fund units can be held in Statement of Account or demat form. SoA mode offers simplicity for mutual fund-only investors avoiding extra charges. Demat mode suits those holding various securities and preferring consolidated management. Investors can switch between SoA and demat forms as needed. SWP and STP availability narrows the convenience gap between these modes.
New LIC plans: Today, Life Insurance Corporation of India has unveiled two innovative insurance plans designed to meet diverse needs. LIC's Bima Platinum focuses on providing savings alongside financial protection, featuring guaranteed additions. On the other hand, Jeevan Raksha offers essential risk coverage for families facing unexpected death.
Five small-cap mutual funds recorded Sharpe ratios above 0.75, indicating strong risk-adjusted performance. Bandhan Small Cap Fund led with a ratio of 1, followed by ITI, Invesco India, Mahindra Manulife and Bank of India Small Cap Fund.
NPS subscribers will experience significant changes in pension fund categorization and presentation. A new framework standardizes scheme selection, offering five broad categories for subscribers. Lifecycle schemes will be sub-categorized, while MSF schemes will have five distinct equity exposure levels. The pension body also mandates a new procedure for comparing charges, returns, and risk. This initiative aims to enhance subscriber decision-making regarding their pension investments.
Mr Purshotam Ranchhodbhai Pankhania and his late wife living in London trusted their friend and gave him the POA to manage their India property; friend broke trust, grabs it and gifts the property to his son and daughter-in-law; Gujarat HC declares the gift deed void and gives owner relief. Know how Mr Purshotam Ranchhodbhai Pankhania won the case.
Salaried employees who want to opt for EPF scheme but could not due to issue with employer can now do so by October 31, 2026 if these conditions are satisfied. Read the article to know more.
Five debt mutual funds delivered higher one-year returns than conventional fixed deposits, led by Bank of India Credit Risk Fund with a 17.68% return. Aditya Birla Sun Life Credit Risk Fund, DSP Credit Risk Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan and Bandhan Gilt Fund also featured among the top performers.
ITR deadline: By the end of August 31, 2026, over 7.8 crore individuals completed their income tax return submissions. Those who did not file on time have until December 31, 2026, to submit a belated ITR, incurring possible late fees. Notably, failing to meet this deadline also prevents taxpayers from opting out of the new tax regime, with business income earners unable to revert to the old regime post-deadline.
8th Pay Commission news: The Department of Personnel and Training is advocating for revisions to the Terms of Reference for the 8th Pay Commission. Employee associations are urging the inclusion of pension revisions for those who retired before January 1, 2026. Historically, previous pay commissionsnamely the 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4thhave had their Terms of Reference modified by the government to address various concerns, including extended coverage and scope.
HSBC Mutual Fund's RedHex Hybrid Long-Short Fund has impressively reached a whopping Rs 1,000 crore in assets under management within just two months. This unique investment strategy has drawn in nearly 1,950 individual investor folios, providing an innovative blend of fixed income, equity arbitrage, REITs, and INVITs aimed at optimizing risk-adjusted returns. The fund's rapid growth illustrates an increasing interest in diverse mutual fund options.
Today's gold rate: On September 1, 2026, gold prices dipped slightly in major Indian cities, with notable jewelry chains like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas maintaining stable rates for 22k gold. Furthermore, the India Bullion and Jewellers Association released updated pricing for numerous gold purities. Alongside, silver also observed a decrease compared to the previous day's close, reflecting current market trends.
All 219 equity mutual funds delivered positive SIP XIRRs over the last five years, with 165 funds generating double-digit returns. HSBC Midcap Fund topped the list with a 22.70% XIRR, while ITI Small Cap Fund and Bandhan Small Cap Fund followed closely. The analysis highlights how disciplined SIP investing can compound wealth over time.
NRIs have the opportunity to gift money to their Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) without incurring immediate tax obligations. However, it's important to note that any income generated from these gifted amounts will be taxable for the NRI donor. The HUF must diligently keep records of all transactions as this documentation is essential in proving the legitimacy and source of the gift, ensuring NRIs avoid potential tax disputes in the future.
ET Wealth Reader's Query: I would like to understand what happens to my rights over inherited agricultural land in India if I acquire foreign citizenship. Will I still be able to inherit my familys agricultural land, and are there any restrictions on holding, transferring, or disposing of such property after becoming a foreign citizen?
Frustrated with repeated water leakage issue in top floor flat homeowner requested building to appoint Dr Fixit and Asian paints to fix it; Karnataka RERA directs builder to permanently fix defects at its own cost. Read the article to know how the homebuyer partly won the case.
Central government employees may receive arrears from January 1, 2026, after the 7th Pay Commission's term ended on December 31, 2025. But the eventual arrears could depend on when the 8th Pay Commission is implemented.
A motor insurance claim was rejected by HDFC General Insurance over driver's license concerns. The West Bengal Consumer Commission found insufficient evidence of deliberate policy violation. The insurer was directed to pay Rs 3.5 lakh with interest and Rs 1 lakh compensation. The commission emphasized that a fake license does not automatically absolve insurers of liability. Policyholders must exercise reasonable care when hiring drivers for their vehicles.
The estimated dearness allowance for central government employees has soared to 64%, driven by the July 2026 AICPI-IW reading of 153.2. This index, compiled monthly by the Labour Bureau from retail price data across India, leads to a biannual revision of DA in January and June. Final details regarding the salary increase will be revealed following the government's official announcement.
Despite large-cap mutual funds showing a decline this year, mid and small-cap funds have proven to be winners. Experts advise investors to rebalance their portfolios by taking profits from the outperformers. Now is the time to reconsider allocations, as large caps provide better valuation and protective measures. Flexi-cap funds are suggested as a strategic option for a broader range of investors.

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