The Economic Times

Jefferies has updated its analyst top ideas, adding seven new stock recommendations across various sectors. These picks include State Bank of India, Groww, Star Health & Allied Insurance, Bharat Forge, JSW Steel, Eternal, and Max Healthcare, with significant upside potential highlighted for each.

Investors are flocking to income plus arbitrage fund of funds, a hybrid product offering safety and tax efficiency, as equity market returns falter. This category, which blends fixed income with equity arbitrage, has seen significant asset growth.

Beginners can navigate the stock market by first opening a demat account and understanding associated costs. Utilizing tools like a brokerage calculator is crucial for evaluating fees, comparing brokers, and ensuring long-term profitability. Smart investing combines cost-effectiveness, discipline, and a long-term perspective for sustainable wealth creation.

Taxpayers must act now. Make tax-saving investments under Section 80C. Submit investment proofs to employers. Pay advance tax by March 15, 2026. Claim health insurance deductions under Section 80D. Home loan borrowers can claim interest benefits under Section 24b. Complete these tasks to save money and avoid penalties.

Income from assets gifted by a spouseinterest, dividends, or capital gainsis generally clubbed with the donors income, except for reinvested earnings, which are taxable in the recipients hands.

Lending rates: Borrowers may face higher loan EMIs as Canara Bank raises lending rates on longer tenors. Bank of Baroda maintains its current rates, offering stability. IDBI Bank has also updated its Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate (MCLR) across various periods.

New Income Tax Rules, 1962, mandate banks to gather extensive details on account holders and controlling individuals. This includes self-certification status, joint account specifics, and the nature of control for entity accounts. These changes, effective January 1, 2026, align with global standards like CRS and CARF, impacting reporting of traditional and digital assets.

ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund has delivered exceptional returns, turning a Rs 1,000 monthly SIP into Rs 4.02 crore in nearly 26 years. The fund's dynamic asset allocation strategy, balancing equities and debt, has consistently outperformed its benchmark, offering investors robust risk-adjusted returns for long-term wealth creation.

JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund added Swiggy, Gujarat Gas, and 10 other stocks to its portfolio in February, according to data released by ACE MF. During the same period, the fund completely exited Mahanagar Gas and 18 other stocks.

ETMutualFunds has identified five mid cap mutual funds based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk and asset size. The shortlisted schemes include Axis Midcap Fund, PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund, Invesco India Midcap Fund, Kotak Midcap Fund and Tata Mid Cap Fund for investors considering mid cap exposure.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed new regulations to enhance the safety of bank customers from online fraud. These draft guidelines are part of the RBI (Commercial Banks Responsible Business Conduct) Third Amendment Directions, 2026. If approved, these rules will apply to transactions from July 1, 2026.

Airport and railway lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cards will end on April 1, 2026. Customers will no longer receive complimentary lounge entry. Until then, access continues based on spending. Select debit cards will require meeting bank-specified spending criteria for lounge benefits. Banks may offer lounge access on customized cards.

Homeowners get a 105-day window before banks can auction their property for missed EMIs. This period follows the SARFAESI Act and RBI rules. Banks must issue demand notices and allow borrowers time to respond. If dues remain unpaid, banks can initiate possession and sale proceedings. Borrowers can still halt the auction by clearing overdue amounts with interest.

Credit card usage has surged in recent times, especially among younger consumers, who are increasingly using cards not just for convenience but also for rewards. Social media is full of finfluencers claiming that smart use of credit cards can fetch free flights and hotel stays.

AlphaGrep has received final approval from SEBI to launch its mutual fund business in India. The quant focused investment firm plans to introduce systematic equity and hybrid funds through upcoming NFOs. The move marks AlphaGreps entry into the retail asset management space after over 16 years in quantitative trading.

Tax -saving mutual funds or Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSSs) helps you to save income tax under Section 80C of the IT Act. You can invest a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh in ELSSs and claim tax deductions on your investments every financial year. Are you interested?

Silver ETFs saw significant outflows in February, reversing January's record inflows. Experts suggest this is due to profit booking and caution after a sharp price rally and subsequent correction. Investors are advised to maintain long-term asset allocation rather than reacting to short-term movements. The market anticipates continued volatility but a supportive long-term outlook for silver.

Amidst geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, the Nifty 50 experienced a significant fall, raising concerns about a potential market correction. Experts suggest this is a stress-driven correction rather than a structural bear phase, with opportunities arising for investors. The article explores strategies for navigating the current market volatility, emphasizing staggered investments and a focus on quality stocks.

Silver and gold ETFs experienced a decline of up to 4% on Thursday due to a strengthening US dollar, making dollar-denominated bullion more expensive. Motilal Oswal Silver ETF saw the steepest fall of 4%, while Zerodha Gold ETF slipped the most among gold ETFs by 3%. Experts anticipate continued volatility in precious metals.

We have collated a list of recommendations from top brokerage firms from ETNow and other sources:

Indian investors buying US stocks often overlook reporting dividend income, a common tax oversight. While foreign shares must be declared in Schedule FA, dividends are taxable in India. Failure to report can lead to penalties and scrutiny. Investors can rectify omissions via updated returns, though additional tax and interest apply.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has reclassified the National Pension System's Corporate scheme into 'Legal Entities (Other than Government)' and 'Government Entities'. This reclassification, effective January 1, 2026, also involves revised charge structures for Points of Presence (PoPs) for both legal entities and individual subscribers.

February saw 22 new mutual fund launches, including 21 open-ended and one close-ended scheme, raising over 5,300 crore. Sectoral funds dominated collections, led by SBI Quality Fund. Other launches included index funds, ETFs, debt, large-cap, mid-cap, and balanced advantage funds.

These 10 equity mutual funds received inflows in February. Equity mutual funds received total inflows of Rs 25,977 crore in February compared to an inflow of Rs 24,028 crore in January.

Air India is implementing a phased fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights due to rising jet fuel prices caused by geopolitical tensions in the Gulf. The fuel surcharge will be applied in three phases. The first phase will start from 1 am, India Standard Time, March 12, 2026, as an Air India statement.

The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio rose marginally to 75.62% in February from 74.83% in January, even as the number of discontinued SIPs declined. Monthly SIP inflows slipped to Rs 29,845 crore due to the shorter month, while new registrations remained strong, reflecting sustained investor participation in systematic investing.

The All India NPS Employees Federation is set to present key demands to the 8th Pay Commission, including extending CGHS services to UT and CAB employees and introducing one year of parental care leave. The federation also seeks uniform implementation of central government orders for these employees and increased leave entitlements for teachers in Union Territories.

A 45-year-old government employee investing through SIPs and NPS could accumulate around Rs 25 crore in 18 years, according to Optima Money Managers Pankaj Mathpal. While mutual funds may generate nearly Rs 20 crore, NPS could add Rs 5 crore, potentially exceeding the investors Rs 15 crore retirement target.

A demat account is a digital repository for holding equity shares and financial securities, eliminating the need for physical certificates. It works in conjunction with trading and bank accounts, enabling efficient and secure transactions. Essential for beginners, it offers paperless investing, centralized portfolio management, and reduced risk.

LPG cylinder prices in India have surged due to the Iran-Israel conflict, disrupting global gas supplies. With 60% of India's LPG imported from the Middle East, domestic prices rose significantly on March 7, 2026. The government is increasing refinery production and prioritizing domestic and essential sector supplies to mitigate further hikes.