The Economic Times

Gold returns: Gold prices have seen a sharp decline after peaking earlier this year, resulting in varied investment outcomes. With Dhanteras on the horizon, many buyers are hopeful for profits despite the market's fluctuations. Experts recommend a cautious approach, favouring staggered purchases over lump sum investments. Looking ahead, price predictions suggest that global economic factors will play a significant role in shaping future gold values, making it crucial for investors to stay inform

During the festive season, it is essential for buyers to ensure the gold they purchase meets purity standards. They can use the BIS Care app to verify the HUID of jewellery. Checking for the three hallmark marks ensures authenticity and quality before making a purchase. Buyers should also verify the jeweller's BIS registration details before finalizing a transaction.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has raised the Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling to enhance participation. Employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 will now be required to join the schemes. Those earning less than Rs 15,000 can also opt into the schemes voluntarily. This increase in ceiling may lead to higher PF contributions and, consequently, greater retirement savings.

Gold rate today: Ahead of the festive celebrations of Dhanteras and Diwali, gold and silver prices have witnessed a notable surge as leading jewellery brands like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas revise their rates.

Changing jobs? Your NPS account and PRAN stay with you. Learn what to do if your new employer offers NPS, and what to do if it doesnt.

In the blink of an eye, UPI scams can wipe out your bank savings, but there's hope for victims. The Reserve Bank of India stands ready to safeguard you against unauthorized transactions. Discover essential actions to take the moment fraud strikes, understand how liability is assessed, and find out what steps to take if your bank turns down your claim.

Five NSE F&O stocks, including City Union Bank, Syrma SGS Technology and Karur Vysya Bank, recorded over 12% growth in futures open interest, indicating increased market positioning on November 4.

Investing in gold and silver has shown different returns over various periods. Gold delivered approximately 190% returns over five years, while silver reached 178%. Silver has outperformed gold in the last three years, showing faster price increases.

In a review of mutual fund performances since Diwali 2025, approximately 13 equity mutual funds achieved SIP gains exceeding 15%. Notably, the Samco Small Cap Fund led with an impressive return of 36.35%, while both the Motilal Oswal Focused Fund and Bank of India Small Cap Fund saw returns surpassing 25%. Conversely, 153 funds posted negative returns, with the Samco Flexi Cap Fund facing a significant decline of 14.89%.

Gold and silver prices have risen as Dhanteras and Diwali approach, sparking increased shopping interest. Major jewellery brands reported higher rates for 22k gold jewellery across various cities today. Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers all raised their Gold rates significantly. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also released updated indicative rates for gold.

Silver ETFs rallied up to 6% as silver prices rebounded above $50 an ounce following the Democrats' US midterm election victory. Experts advise investors against chasing the recovery, citing volatility, uncertain industrial demand and the possibility of further price swings.

Eight leading fund managers broadly support holding gold as a portfolio diversifier and hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainty. However, they recommend gradual accumulation and a modest allocation instead of chasing recent gains.

As per the BIS guidelines, there are several gold articles on which the Rs 75 gold hallmarking fee is not applied. These include gold watch and fountain pain, among others. Many jewellery pieces also include two or more parts which may be joined together, like in earrings or necklaces. For such articles, buyers should ensure that each article in a pair and all detachable parts should be hallmarked with different HUIDs.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case involving a USD 10 million fraud. This fraud is related to India Exim Bank and a UK-based company named Hanjer Biotech. Officials allege that the company diverted funds after requesting a loan for a recycling project. The loan was approved in 2012 but classified as a non-performing asset in 2014. The entire amount was reportedly siphoned off, leading to the investigation.

Pensioners can easily submit their Digital Life Certificate from the comfort of their home using the Jeevan Pramaan app. This innovative app employs Aadhaar-based face authentication through a smartphone camera. To aid the pensioners, a dedicated campaign is forthcoming to guide them through the submission process. Upon successful authentication, a Pramaan ID will be issued for future use, benefiting both central and state government retirees.

As the Diwali festivities unfold, investors should exercise caution and resist the urge to make hasty decisions based on the current market climate. It's vital to adhere to preset financial objectives and strategies rather than chasing after recent high-performers, which can lead to recency bias and unnecessary risk. A thorough evaluation of asset allocations, particularly in gold and silver, is essential to safeguard long-term wealth without succumbing to emotional impulses.

Robotic surgery is increasingly covered by health insurance in India, but not without complications. Despite having a high sum insured, policyholders must navigate sub-limits and exclusions that can significantly reduce payouts. Understanding these nuances before undergoing surgery is crucial to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when the final bill arrives.

Policyholders gave Rs 35 lakh cash as insurance premiums which agent deposited in his bank a/c; Income Tax Dept sent agent notice for unexplained cash; he wins case in ITAT Jaipur.

Loan closed but CIBIL still shows it as active? Gather your NOC, contact your lender and raise a dispute with the credit bureau. Here is the full process.

Taxpayer wins GST refund denial case after depositing GST on airline ticket with the govt and later refunding the GST back to passengers due to cancelled ticket; GSTAT orders GST department to issue GST refund with interest to taxpayer

One may invest in large cap mutual funds with a minimum investment horizon of five to seven years. Look out for our monthly updates where we keep discussing the performance of these schemes. We typically come up with our updates in the first or second week of every month.

Nexus Select Trust reported an 8% year-on-year increase in net operating income for the second quarter. The company's retail assets experienced a 13% rise in consumption compared to the previous year. Nexus declared a distribution of Rs 359 crore, maintaining a 100% payout to unitholders for 13 consecutive quarters. The firm is expanding its portfolio with plans to develop a Grade-A mall and hotel in Guwahati.

8th Pay Commission latest news: On November 3, 2025, the government announced the 8th Pay Commissions Terms of Reference. The Commission is tasked with submitting its report within an 18-month deadline ending on May 3, 2027. An 18-question questionnaire was launched to gather inputs from stakeholders about various employment issues. Additionally, stakeholder consultations began in April 2026, with meetings held in multiple cities. Recommendations will influence future pay and pension adjustments

Quant Mutual Fund has strategically reduced its exposure to IT stocks and boosted its investments in FMCG sectors. This shift is due to disappointing earnings from key tech companies, leading to a cautious approach towards manufacturing amid ongoing supply chain issues. Nevertheless, the fund expresses confidence in India's investment potential amidst global market instabilities and has also introduced three new index funds for passive investors.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has put forth a proposal to exempt long-term capital gains tax for investors who switch mutual funds. This change if accepted by the government would enable individuals to adjust their portfolios without facing tax penalties, promoting more strategic reinvestment.

Around 14 equity mutual funds lost more than 10% in October, with international schemes dominating the list of worst performers. Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund recorded the steepest decline at 16.71%, followed by funds focused on global consumer trends and emerging markets.

Only eight of 292 equity mutual funds delivered returns exceeding 10% on lump-sum investments since Diwali 2025. TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund topped the list with an 18.73% gain, while 214 schemes posted negative returns, including eight that lost over 10%.