The Economic Times

Passive investing has grown rapidly, but common myths continue to mislead investors. Lower costs do not guarantee better tracking, passive funds are not risk-free, and diversification depends more on index selection than simply owning multiple funds or choosing ETFs.

Mutual funds reduced cash holdings by over Rs 10,000 crore in May to Rs 1.87 lakh crore, representing 4.24% of total assets. Equity AUM saw a monthly increase of Rs 46,274 crore, reaching Rs 44.25 lakh crore. PPFAS Mutual Fund led with the highest cash allocation at 17.67%.

Check 24k, 22k and 18k gold jewellery rates: Gold prices saw an upward trend across India's leading jewellery brands today, Monday, June 15, 2026. Consumers planning to purchase gold jewellery will find updated rates for 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k, and 14k purity.

FD interest rates: Special fixed deposits with a 555-day tenure are drawing investor attention. Banks like City Union Bank and Karnataka Bank are offering competitive interest rates. Bank of Baroda has also introduced a new 555-day deposit scheme with attractive rates for all customer categories. Investors can explore these options for potentially better returns.

Kotak Mutual Fund has launched its maiden Specialised Investment Fund (SIF), the Kotak Infinity Hybrid Long-Short Fund, marking its entry into SEBIs new SIF category. The NFO opens on June 15 and closes on June 29. The hybrid strategy will invest across equities, debt, and derivatives with limited short exposure, aiming to balance returns with risk management.

Mutual funds add or exit stocks to actively manage their portfolios and generate good returns. Here is what Quant Small Cap Fund bought and sold in May, according to the monthly portfolio disclosed by Quant Mutual Fund.

Gold and silver ETFs rose up to 8% as precious metal prices surged following optimism around a US-Iran peace deal. Analysts advise continuing SIPs and limiting gold exposure to 1015% of portfolios, while using market dips to accumulate. Rising geopolitical stability and inflation concerns continue to support precious metals.

A retired employee received relief from the Telangana High Court. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation had demanded Rs 2.5 crore PF money back. The court ruled the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation cannot recover funds from the employee. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation may pursue legal action against the company and its PF trust.

Flexi cap fund inflows dropped 49% in May to Rs 5,175 crore after Aprils record surge, reflecting broader moderation across equity categories. Experts attribute this to profit booking and global uncertainties, not a structural shift. Investors are advised to continue SIPs, as long-term fundamentals and category preference remain intact.

The CBDT has set June 30, 2026, as the deadline for issuing scrutiny notices under Section 143(2) for FY 2025-26 returns. An internal deadline of June 15, 2026, requires tax officers to forward selected cases for scrutiny. Taxpayers with errors can file updated returns or provide explanations during scrutiny.

Hybrid mutual funds, particularly aggressive hybrid schemes, offer resilience in volatile markets due to their balanced equity and debt portfolios. These funds are recommended for conservative equity investors seeking wealth creation with reduced volatility. Regular profit booking and tax advantages further enhance their appeal for long-term financial goals.

Bank holiday: Banks in some states will be closed today, June 15, 2026, due to regional holidays. Mizoram observes YMA Day, commemorating the founding of the Young Mizo Association, while Odisha celebrates Raja Sankranti, a festival honoring womanhood and the monsoon's arrival.

Choosing the right business structure is crucial for a startups growth, taxation, compliance, control, and liability. DPIIT highlights five options: sole proprietorship, one-person company (OPC), general partnership, limited liability partnership (LLP), and private limited company. Each differs in ownership, legal liability, funding opportunities, compliance requirements, and suitability for business scale.

India saw inflows topping $155 billion in 2025-26 via remittances. Add another estimated $50 billion from this scheme which will run until September, and the country is potentially looking at inflows of at least $150 billion this year. While Gulf Cooperation Council countries have historically dominated Indias inward remittances, advanced economies now contribute more.

Chasing higher returns is a good aim to have. But its not as easy as it looks. Having a year or two of above-average returns is easy actually. But doing this consistently, year after year, via a repeatable process, is really difficult. Markets are uncertain and high returns are not available on demand.

For best portfolio results, experts recommend diversification without being swayed by any one asset class. While asset allocation is the way to go, investors have their own strategies and the question remains: Which is the best combination? In this weeks TrendMap, we compare seven asset combinations. The portfolios with gold have delivered a notable return boost in recent years, while those with zero gold exposure have persistently lagged. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

You may not need a long list of investments. Close bank and investment accounts that you no longer need. Reduce your stock and mutual fund holdings, and consolidate these. There may be little merit in holding a complex portfolio and trying to monitor and manage it. One equity index fund, one bank account, and fixed deposits linked to that account are adequate for most purposes.

Passive investing has become mainstream in India, but several myths persist. Investors should not judge passive funds solely by low costs, assume they are risk-free, or treat them as buy and forget products. Choosing the right index, understanding diversification limits, and evaluating ETFs beyond expense ratios are essential for better outcomes.

Portfolio Management Services (PMS) offer structural advantages over mutual funds, allowing for concentrated portfolios, significant cash holdings, and investments in illiquid micro-cap companies. While mutual funds have become more sophisticated, PMS can still provide unique access to niche themes and customized strategies, but investors must be wary of capacity limits and exclusivity traps.

Wealthy Indians are investing more abroad. However, they must understand the rules to avoid trouble. Mistakes like misusing investment routes or not reporting properly can attract government attention. Experts advise caution and adherence to regulations for safe global diversification. Staying informed is key for compliant overseas investments.

As per a 2017 RBI report, a typical middle-class Indian family puts 70-80% of its net worth into real estate. No asset class would be considered a sound investment if an adviser suggested putting 80% of everything you own into one stock. Yet, this is precisely what real estate demands.

It has been close to two years since Narayana Healths wholly owned subsidiary, Narayana Health Insurancewhich has adopted a managed healthcare model launched its maiden health insurance product. At a time when hospitals and health insurers have been at loggerheads over cashless claim settlements, Viren Prasad Shetty, Executive Vice Chairman, Narayana Health, speaks to Preeti Kulkarni about the managed care model (where both the insurer and the healthcare provider belong to the same group), the g

Rising demand for weight-loss drugs, cosmetic procedures and wellness treatments is creating a growing out-of-pocket healthcare expense category in India. Most such interventionsincluding Botox, anti-obesity drugs, LASIK and thread liftsare excluded from standard health insurance unless deemed medically necessary. Experts advise understanding policy exclusions and avoiding EMIs for elective treatments.

LIC CEO R Doraiswamy stated the corporation will maintain its leadership in the life insurance sector and contribute to national development as it approaches its platinum jubilee. With a nearly 60% market share and substantial assets, LIC's growth is intertwined with India's economic progress, aiming to support the nation's 'Viksit Bharat' vision.

Eleven equity mutual funds, including HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund, saw outflows exceeding Rs 300 crore in May, according to ACE MF data. A total of 267 equity-oriented schemes reported outflows, reflecting selective investor withdrawals despite a broad universe of 742 funds, with large-cap and hybrid categories prominently affected.

Silver has emerged as the top-performing asset over the past decade, outperforming gold, equities and bonds with a 21.3% return. Gold followed closely, while mid and small caps showed solid gains. Debt instruments delivered modest returns, whereas real estate lagged, reflecting a shift in investor preference towards financial assets.

Highest FD interest rate: Senior citizens seeking lucrative returns on their savings can now explore attractive fixed deposit options. Small finance banks like Unity SFB and Shivalik SFB are leading the pack, offering an impressive 8.3% interest rate on FDs for this demographic. This presents a significant opportunity for retirees to boost their earnings.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is looking to simplify cross-border payment approvals and reduce regulatory friction for businesses and exporters as part of its Payments Vision 2028, according to an EY report, which identified cross-border payments as a key strategic priority for the next phase of India's digital payments growth.

Equity mutual fund inflows fell 40% in May to 22,907 crore. Flexicap, smallcap and midcap funds remained investor favourites, while ELSS and dividend yield funds recorded net outflows.

Equity mutual funds continued attracting strong investor interest in May, with eight schemes receiving over Rs 1,000 crore each. HDFC Mid Cap Fund led inflows, while smallcap and midcap funds remained popular.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, India's largest active mutual fund, increased exposure to several banking and IT stocks in May, trimmed its holding in Cipla, and maintained a 14.77% cash allocation.

Gold prices saw an increase on Saturday, June 13, 2026, impacting leading Indian jewellery brands. Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas reported higher rates for 22k gold jewellery across major cities. IBJA rates for June 12, 2026, also indicated a rise in gold and silver prices.

HDFC Defence Fund added Tata Motors to its portfolio in May while trimming holdings in MTAR Technologies and Rishabh Instruments. The fund increased exposure to key defence-linked stocks, including Bharat Electronics, Bharat Forge, Bharat Dynamics and Mazagon Dock, reflecting sector-focused conviction

The Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, offers vital retirement benefits for organized sector workers. Managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, it provides monthly pensions, family pensions, and disablement pensions.

Small savings schemes, popular for conservative investors, will retain their interest rates for the April-June 2026 quarter, offering returns up to 8.2% per annum. Schemes like SCSS and SSA provide attractive rates, while NSC, MIS, and PPF offer stable returns with tax benefits for long-term wealth creation.

Celebrities are investing in temple cities like Ayodhya, drawn by cultural significance and potential for long-term asset growth. These spiritual hubs are experiencing rapid infrastructure development and rising tourism, driving property appreciation. Individual buyers should research economic fundamentals and infrastructure pipelines rather than solely following celebrity trends.

Bank holiday today: Banks across India are closed today, Saturday, June 13, 2026, as it marks the second Saturday of the month. While physical branches are shut, customers can still access various digital banking services for fund transfers, account management, and payments.

A Rs 1 crore retirement corpus is a 'trap', not a milestone, warns Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik. With 6% inflation, its purchasing power halves every 12 years, potentially leaving retirees below the poverty line. Kaushik advises targeting 35 times annual expenses for a realistic retirement fund, suggesting Rs 3.5 crore for Rs 10 lakh annual costs.

Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon, her mother Geeta Sanon, and sister Nupur Sanon have sold four apartments in Andheri West for Rs 8.9 crore. The family recorded a long-term capital gain of Rs 4.6 crore from this property sale. The transactions involved two units at Raheja Classique sold for Rs 3.23 crore each and two others for Rs 1.21 crore each.

The P3P AI agent can complete a UPI payment without any human authentication. However, the human still stays in control. Currently, AI agents need a human authentication step, an MPIN, to make any payments. Pine Labs has removed this wall. It builds on UPIs existing mandate framework - UPI One Time Mandates (OTM) and Reserve Pay.

Today's gold price (24k, 22k, 18k): Gold and silver prices surged on Friday, June 12, 2026. This rise follows a rebound from previous day's lows. Experts attribute the increase to easing inflation worries and expectations of geopolitical stability. Leading Indian jewellery brands and IBJA reported higher rates. This marks a significant jump compared to the prior session, reflecting market optimism.

Quant Small Cap Fund increased exposure to Adani Enterprises and eight other stocks in May while reducing holdings in Aurobindo Pharma and four more. The fund also added six new stocks, exited three positions and maintained a defensive tilt through a higher large-cap allocation.