The Economic Times News

Jio Financial and BlackRock infused Rs 229 crore each into their joint venture to accelerate the expansion of Jio BlackRock Asset Management. The capital will support scaling a low-cost, tech-driven mutual fund platform leveraging Reliances digital reach and BlackRocks global investment expertise.

Once your ITR is processed, the Income Tax Department sends an intimation under Section 143(1) to inform you whether you owe additional tax or are eligible for a refund.

Central government employees and pensioners await a clear decision on whether 8th Pay Commission arrears will be provided from January 1, 2026. While past practices suggest arrears from the previous commission's culmination date, the government has not confirmed this for the 8th CPC, leaving the implementation date uncertain.

Most Indians either start retirement planning too late or don't plan at all, hoping an abstract retirement corpus will be enough. But once retirement arrives, that comfortable nest egg might fall short. Here are five critical mistakes that could leave you struggling in your golden years, and how to avoid them.

PPFAS Mutual Fund, known for operating a single equity scheme for over 12 years, is set to launch a largecap fund in January 2026. Unlike the existing flexi cap scheme, the new fund will follow a rules-based approach, stay fully invested, and focus on Nifty 100 stocks while targeting smart execution.

As we approach FY 2025-26, it's essential to get a grip on advance tax, particularly for those relying on salary income or long-term capital gains. If your estimated tax dues go over Rs 10,000, you must make advance payments. Good news for salaried professionals: if TDS applies to your situation, you may be off the hook.

The top five smallcap mutual funds have delivered over 20% annualised returns in three years, while the weakest performers lost up to 15%, ETWealth data shows.

India's Income Tax Department is collecting substantial revenue from cryptocurrency transactions. Over Rs 1,100 crore in tax has been gathered in the last three financial years. Maharashtra alone contributed 60% of this amount. The government has also taken action against crypto exchanges, uncovering over Rs 1,000 crore in undisclosed income related to virtual digital assets.

Over the past five years, the share of over-five-year investment holdings in India has more than doubled, reflecting growing investor trust. From 6% in March 2020, long-term holdings rose steadily to 16% by March 2024, while short-term and medium-term holdings gradually declined or stabilised.

Confused between real estate, mutual funds or REITs for a 10-year investment horizon? Heres what ETWealth suggests for individuals with a Rs 30 lakh corpus.

An income tax calculator simplifies financial planning. It estimates your tax liability, showing how deductions and investments impact your net taxable income. Understand tax benefits of term insurance and other savings. Compare old and new tax regimes to choose the best option. This tool helps plan monthly cash flow and allocate funds for long-term goals, building wealth and financial stability.

Axis Mutual Fund has launched the Axis Gold & Silver Passive FoF, offering investors a simple way to gain balanced exposure to gold and silver through ETFs. The NFO is open until December 22, with a minimum investment of Rs 100. The fund aims to provide diversification and inflation-hedging benefits.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: Please clarify how, if at all, my LIC life insurance policy will be affected if I take a passport of some other nationality?

The Ahmedabad branch of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has issued a pivotal judgment, reaffirming that agricultural land retains its status, even with the imposition of higher stamp duty. This ruling originated from a situation where a taxpayer faced additional income tax liabilities.

JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund has significantly reshuffled its holdings, exiting Tata Motors and 14 other stocks in November. The fund welcomed Canara Bank and Adani Energy Solutions among 11 new additions. Exposure was boosted in about 40 stocks, while nine saw reduced investment, reflecting an active strategy in a dynamic market.

In a noteworthy decision, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Kolkata has come to the aid of an employee who found themselves in a challenging situation. Despite the employer's failure to remit TDS deductions to the government, the Tribunal ruled that the employee should not bear the brunt of this oversight.

A new labour code effective November 21, 2025, requires wages to be at least 50% of an employee's CTC. This change may increase overall salary costs by 5-10%. Employers might restructure CTCs for new hires to manage higher gratuity and PF liabilities. Existing employees' CTCs cannot be unilaterally reduced. Companies with lower wage components will see the most impact.

Flexi cap mutual funds provide investment flexibility across market caps and sectors. Fund managers can adapt strategies based on market outlook. These funds are recommended for moderate investors aiming for long-term wealth growth. Investors should align fund choices with their risk appetite.

The Indian rupee has hit a historic low against the US dollar, crossing 90. This presents a significant opportunity for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to convert dollars to rupees, potentially gaining more value. While converting now offers an advantage, experts advise a staggered approach to manage risks and capitalize on future currency movements.

As equity markets reach new heights, hybrid mutual funds are gaining traction for their automatic asset allocation and tax efficiency. These funds invest across multiple asset classes like stocks, bonds, and gold, offering investors a convenient way to manage diversified portfolios. Hybrid funds with over 65% equity are taxed as equity, providing tax advantages on long-term capital gains.

Mutual fund credit is set to surpass bank credit. Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mahindra AMC predicts this shift. He urges Indians to invest wisely, moving away from unproductive habits. Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund suggests incentives for early investment. A lock-in period could encourage long-term wealth creation for young investors.

The Kerala government has released its list of public holidays for 2026, designating specific days for state employees, banks, and financial institutions. The notification, issued under the Negotiable Instruments Act, includes a comprehensive list of festivals and observances, with Sundays also declared as public holidays.

Indias mutual fund AUM is projected to surpass Rs 300 lakh crore by 2035, with direct equity holdings expected to reach Rs 250 lakh crore over the same period, signalling a major shift in the countrys investment landscape, according to a report How India Invests 2025 released by Bain & Company in partnership with Groww.

Quant Small Cap Fund had an AUM of Rs 30,170 crore as on November 28, 2025. Here is what the smallcap fund bought and sold in November.

SBI Card is revamping its domestic airport lounge access program effective January 10, 2026, categorizing lounges into Set A and Set B based on card type. A Rs 2 authorization fee will apply to VISA and RuPay cards, while Mastercard users will see a temporary Rs 25 charge. Visit limits and extra charges for food and services will apply.

The Finance Ministry said that new Income Tax Return forms will be released before the financial year 2027-28. This follows a query in Lok Sabha regarding the issuance timeline. The ministry is working on consolidating and simplifying these forms and consultations with experts are underway to ensure user-friendliness and reduce taxpayer burden, says the minister.

Moodys revises its outlook to stable for key Adani Group energy and renewable subsidiaries, affirming their ratings on the back of steady operations, predictable cash flows and fully amortising debt structures, while noting manageable risks tied to weak state discoms and long-term licence periods.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund boosted its holdings in 12 stocks, including major additions to ITC and Power Grid, while adding Indus Towers and TCS as new entrants. The fund maintained stable exposure in 15 stocks and slightly reduced cash levels as it continued focusing on long-term, company-specific investment opportunities.

Kotak MFs Nilesh Shah says Chinas trade surplus topping $1 trillion in 11 months is not just due to innovation and competitiveness, but also a largely overlooked factor a deliberately undervalued yuan boosting export advantage.

Kaynes Technology shares have plummeted nearly 31% in five days following a critical Kotak Equities report. The note highlighted inconsistencies in financial disclosures and related-party transactions, including missing inter-company transactions and concerns over goodwill and contingent liabilities. This has led to a reduction in holdings by several mutual funds.

Mirae Asset Investment Managers announces a leadership transition in its fixed income division, with Basant Bafna to assume responsibilities for overseeing the fixed income portfolio. Mahendra Jajoo, who guided the fund houses debt AUM from Rs 321 crore in 2016 to over Rs 32,000 crore by 2025, has completed the CIO transition process

Warren Buffett, widely celebrated as a master strategist in wealth management, imparts invaluable wisdom that transcends generations. His famous adage urges investors to cultivate caution in times of greed and to embrace risk in periods of fear.

Inflation quietly eats away at your retirement savings. What costs 50,000 monthly today could demand over 2 lakh in 30 years. Learn how to build a retirement corpus that grows faster than prices rise and keeps your money working even as you spend it.

InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, has seen a sharp stock decline of nearly 17% over eight days following widespread flight cancellations linked to new pilot duty norms. Mutual funds hold significant exposure to the stock, with ICICI Prudential, SBI, and HDFC among the largest investors. IndiGo has responded to the DGCAs show-cause notice, citing revised duty norms and minor technical issues as key factors behind over 2,000 cancellations in the past week.

Small cap mutual funds have seen a nearly 5% average decline in 2025 so far, with experts advising investors with a 3-5 year horizon to increase exposure. Despite short-term volatility, historical data suggests small caps rebound strongly, making long-term investment crucial for wealth creation.