The Economic Times News

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have Rs 30 lakh to invest. My relatives are suggesting I buy a plot of land. However, Im inclined towards mutual funds or REITs. Which option is likely to offer better returns?

Five mutual fund houses recorded monthly inflows exceeding Rs 10,000 crore in November, lifting their assets under management. Out of 49 AMCs, 44 reported an increase in AUMs, reflecting continued investor participation across major fund houses, led by ICICI Prudential, HDFC, SBI, Nippon India, and Kotak Mutual Fund.

Assets under management reflect where investors are deploying capital, but do not always equate to performance. A look at the top mutual funds by AUM as of November 2025 highlights investor preference across flexi-cap, hybrid, large-cap, mid-cap and arbitrage categories.

Indian employees may soon enjoy a 4-day work week. New labour codes allow for 12-hour workdays, totaling 48 hours weekly. This offers three paid days off. Overtime beyond daily limits will be compensated at double the wage rate. These changes aim to modernise workplace rights and benefits for all workers.

The Income Tax Department is taking action against taxpayers who filed returns with fake deductions. Investigations revealed intermediaries helped people claim fraudulent refunds by donating to fake political parties and charities. The department is using data analytics to identify suspicious claims. A Nudge campaign is underway, urging taxpayers to correct their filings before enforcement action.

6 Unique stocks refer to those stocks held by only one fund house.

In a significant ruling, the Andhra Pradesh High Court upheld the dismissal of a CISF constable who entered into a second marriage while still legally wed to his first wife. The court deemed this act as a deliberate instance of bigamy, constituting serious misconduct under the law.

Silver prices have reached historic highs. Axis Mutual Fund warns of potential corrections and volatility in 2026. Factors like overvaluation, reduced physical demand, and ETF outflows could impact prices. While the outlook remains constructive, investors should be aware of risks. Central bank preferences and industrial substitution also pose challenges. Gold's performance is also discussed with similar caution for 2026.

The Telangana government has released its 2026 holiday list for state government employees, including general and optional holidays. All state offices will be closed on Sundays and second Saturdays. Employees can avail up to five optional holidays from the provided list, irrespective of religious affiliation.

A top-inflow equity flexi-cap fund that drew strong investor interest in November as part of broad robust net inflows into Indias equity mutual funds.

Debt mutual funds experienced a significant outflow of Rs 25,692 crore in November, primarily driven by large withdrawals from overnight and liquid funds. Institutional investors pulled back surplus balances ahead of payment obligations and amid tightening system liquidity, leading to a decline in overall AUM.

In a significant ruling, the Jammu and Ladakh High Court has clarified that an employee's salary cannot be escalated simply due to higher qualifications. Instead, compensation is linked to the designated role, irrespective of individual skills. This verdict stemmed from a case involving an orderly who sought higher wages after taking on computer operator responsibilities.

Top AMCs with over 10,000 crore in cash in November, SBI Mutual Fund held one of the largest absolute cash reserves while leading in total equity AUM

As holiday travel abroad looms, Indians face a crucial decision on travel cards due to the rupee's depreciation. Forex cards offer a way to lock in exchange rates, mitigating risks associated with currency fluctuations, unlike credit cards which are subject to daily market changes. Choosing the right card can significantly impact travel budgets.

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack believes monetary policy should be tighter. She feels current interest rates are around neutral. Hammack would prefer a more restrictive stance to pressure inflation. She indicated this view ahead of a recent rate cut. Hammack will be a voting member of the FOMC next year.

SBI lending rates: Following the RBI's repo rate cut, State Bank of India has reduced its lending rates across MCLR, EBLR, and RLLR benchmarks. These adjustments, effective December 15, 2025, will lower borrowing costs and EMIs for both retail and corporate customers. SBI also revised its BPLR and base rate.

Pensioners will continue to receive dearness relief (DR) increases even after the 7th Pay Commission's tenure ends. Historically, DR for pensioners rises in tandem with dearness allowances for government employees, with hikes expected twice annually until the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations are implemented.

State Bank of India has revised its fixed deposit and lending rates, effective December 15, 2025. The bank has reduced interest rates on several FD tenures, including a 5 basis point cut for the 2-year to less than 3-year bracket. The Amrit Vrishti scheme also sees a rate reduction for all citizen categories.

Banks in India will be closed on December 13, 2025, as it is the second Saturday of the month. While physical branches observe specific holidays and second/fourth Saturdays, digital banking services remain accessible. Several regional holidays are also scheduled throughout December 2025.

Laurence Fink, CEO of BlackRock, highlights a critical concern for retirement planning. He emphasizes that traditional savings like bank deposits and fixed deposits often fail to outpace inflation. This erodes purchasing power, jeopardizing a dignified retirement. Fink urges individuals to invest in market-linked options for long-term growth. He believes thoughtful investing is essential for financial security and a comfortable future.

A parliamentary committee's proposal to double the PM Kisan annual payout to Rs 12,000 is still to be accepted by the government. The minister says that farmer ID registration is now mandatory for new PM Kisan beneficiaries in 14 states where registry work has commenced.

BSE and India Post have signed an MoU to distribute mutual funds through 1.64 lakh post offices, leveraging BSE StAR MFs digital platform to boost financial inclusion, last-mile access, and nationwide investor participation.

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is organizing the 4th National Lok Adalat on December 13, 2025, across India to facilitate swift and cost-effective dispute resolution. This initiative aims to reduce court backlogs by offering a platform for amicable settlements on various civil and compoundable criminal matters. Citizens can register online through their respective state NALSA websites.

A growing number of mutual fund schemes are piling into the same stocks, signalling strong institutional conviction and boosting retail confidence. As of November 2025, 245 stocks were held by over 100 schemes, with 101 delivering double-digit returns this year and 14 surging more than 50%, including one multibagger. The trend highlights the resilience and momentum of widely owned fund-backed stocks.

India's tax system is set for a major overhaul with the Income-tax Act, 2025. The Finance Bill, 2026, should consider decriminalizing minor tax offenses. This move if made can help reduce taxpayer worry and streamline enforcement. Serious crimes like tax evasion will remain criminal. Reforms will balance revenue protection with taxpayer trust.

Several major banks are reverting to physical verification for new account openings, halting end-to-end digital onboarding. This move aims to combat identity theft and the proliferation of mule accounts, a significant concern for lenders. While some banks are reintroducing branch visits, HDFC Bank continues to invest in enhancing its digital security.

The Delhi High Court has made a pivotal decision, stating that BSES Yamuna Power is prohibited from terminating electricity connections to unauthorized properties. This ruling ensures that power will be supplied consistently until the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) undertakes specified actions regarding these properties.

In a family court battle, a wife sought a generous Rs 50,000 per month for her maintenance. However, the court granted her a mere Rs 2,500. The husband appealed this decision, but the Allahabad High Court stood firm, emphasizing that a capable husband has a legal and moral obligation to support his wife.

It is essential to strike a good balance between our current needs and future requirements. The amount of money required for future life goals like retirement is so much that it cannot be accumulated during a short period of time and needs dedicated long-term planning. The 50-30-20 thumb rule can be used to guide you on how much to save and spend in a month.

In November 2025, Indian mutual funds witnessed an impressive surge in inflows, marking a milestone as equity funds enjoyed their 57th month of uninterrupted net gains. The rise of hybrid funds was notable, fueled by strategic multi-asset allocations and arbitrage opportunities. Moreover, passive investment options, including gold and silver ETFs, showed remarkable growth.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced its general and optional holiday list for 2026. State government offices will observe closures on all Sundays and second Saturdays. Employees can select up to five optional holidays from the provided list, with certain festival dates subject to change based on lunar sightings.

Mutual funds sharply reduced cash holdings by over Rs 7,000 crore in November as Nifty scaled record highs, deploying more into equities. Cash levels fell to Rs 2.01 lakh crore, or 4.68% of AUM, with equity AUM rising significantly. A few fund houses, led by PPFAS, still maintain high cash buffers.

Japanese stocks surged on Friday, marking a third consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by positive Wall Street sentiment following a less hawkish US Federal Reserve. The Nikkei 225 closed higher, with the Topix reaching a record. Investors now await the Bank of Japan's policy decision next week, with caution expected early on. Tech stocks saw mixed performance, with some major decliners.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I own two residential properties in India. One was partly inherited and partly gifted to me two years ago. The second property, purchased around 15 years ago, is jointly owned by me. I seek your advice on how to avail exemption from LTCG tax under these conditions.

Prudential Corporation Holdings is set to make 10,603 crore from the ICICI Prudential AMC IPO, marking an extraordinary 108,170% return on shares bought 20 years ago for 2 each. The firm is selling 4.89 crore shares entirely via OFS at 2,165 apiece, reducing its stake from 49% by 10%.

HDFC Bank will conduct system maintenance on December 13 and December 21, 2025, from 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM IST. During these four-hour windows, UPI services linked to HDFC accounts will be unavailable. Customers are advised to use the PayZapp wallet as an alternative for payments and transfers.

Banks cannot unilaterally cut fixed deposit interest rates after they are booked. The Allahabad High Court ruled this in favor of FD holders. The court stated that FD investors rely on promised rates. This judgment protects depositors from retrospective rate reductions. The bank must pay interest at the originally contracted rates.

Hindustan Zinc shares surged in four days to Rs 547, driven by soaring silver prices following the US Feds rate cuts. As silver more than doubles this year, analysts say the market is still underestimating Hindustan Zincs leverage to the metal, which contributes nearly half its EBIT. With strong global positioning, improving margins and rising investor interest, the stock is nearing its 52-week high.

Karnataka RERA has ruled that landowners are also considered promoters under the RERA Act. This decision came after homebuyers filed a case for delayed possession. The authority ordered the landowner to pay Rs 6 lakh as interest compensation. The delay occurred because the landowner was involved in a pending partition case, preventing the sale agreement from being signed.

Indias maritime sector is entering a structural growth phase, supported by ambitious national visions, strong policy incentives, rising demand aggregation, and expanding shipbuilding and port capacity. As global trade shifts toward Asia and greener vessels, India is positioned to emerge as a major maritime power over the coming decades.

Sectoral and thematic mutual funds experienced a significant 37% surge in monthly inflows during November. This rise is attributed to investors chasing recent strong performance and new fund launches. Experts suggest this trend is more tactical and driven by FOMO rather than a permanent shift.

In November, mutual fund SIP inflows experienced a slight decline, accompanied by a small uptick in SIP stoppages. Nonetheless, the enduring strength of SIP contributions reflects an increasingly savvy investor base dedicated to building long-term wealth.

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation shares rose significantly after the company awarded operational duties for its Baitarni-West coal mine in Odisha. This move follows the acquisition of forest and environmental clearances. The development marks a key step in GMDC's coal sector expansion. The company is focused on building a diversified mining business.

Motilal Oswal has pinpointed ten stocks poised to capitalize on India's projected multi-trillion-dollar economic expansion. These selections span autos, financials, capital goods, and healthcare, reflecting key growth drivers like increased incomes, digitalization, and a robust investment cycle. The brokerage highlights companies expected to benefit from sustained demand and market formalization.

Swiggy shares have rebounded modestly after a steep year-to-date decline, with analysts divided on the stocks next direction. Some experts highlight improving momentum, strengthening support levels, and easing selling pressure, while others warn of bearish chart patterns and weakening demand zones. With key moving averages and resistance levels in focus, the stocks upcoming movements will be crucial in confirming whether a true trend reversal is forming.