The Economic Times News

Australian shares ended Monday flat. Iron ore miners saw gains, while consumer discretionary and energy stocks declined. Trading volumes were notably low. Asian markets, however, experienced a significant surge, reaching record highs driven by artificial intelligence optimism. Australian equities did not mirror this trend. Miners climbed, while energy stocks reversed earlier gains. Interest rate-sensitive sectors faced pressure.

As investors enter 2026, experts recommend flexi-cap, gold, and large-cap funds, tailoring strategies to individual risk appetites. Conservative investors should prioritize capital protection with debt and arbitrage funds, while moderate investors seek balance with large-cap and flexi-cap options. Aggressive investors can explore sectoral/thematic funds for long-term wealth creation.

Indian equities experienced volatility on Monday, with the Sensex and Nifty fluctuating as investors balanced positive corporate earnings against escalating geopolitical risks. Early gains were tempered by concerns over U.S. military actions in Venezuela, leading to a market caught between domestic support and global uncertainty.

According to the Sebi mandate, the large cap mutual funds are mandated to invest in top 100 companies by market capitalisation. Large companies fare better in a volatile market as these companies may be market leaders and resilient to downturns. That is why if you are looking for a relatively safer mutual fund category, you should consider investing in large cap funds

A man paid Rs 60,000 for a five-year resort vacation plan, expecting 21 days of free lodging annually. However, the resort denied bookings, citing unpaid dues and unread terms and conditions. The Punjab State Consumer Commission dismissed his complaint, ruling he failed to clear the Rs 10,000 balance and annual maintenance charges as per the signed agreement.

23 stocks from the Nifty 500 universe closed above their 200-day moving average (DMA). From this group, we have highlighted the top 12 stocks that gained over 2.5%, according to stockedge.com's technical scan data.

Section 498A: The Supreme Court has provided relief to a husband's parents. A wife filed criminal cases under Section 498A of the IPC alleging dowry demands and cruelty. However, the court found her allegations against the in-laws to be vague and lacking specific details. The Supreme Court emphasized that mere general accusations cannot form the basis for criminal prosecution against family members.

Builders cannot escape liability for damages by handing over possession if they fail to secure RERA-mandated insurance. Karnataka RERA has ruled that builders must provide insurance documents. If a builder fails to produce proof of insurance for a project, they will be responsible for repair costs. This ruling ensures accountability for builders and protects homeowners from unforeseen losses.

From global diversification to large-cap focus, NPS upgrades to AI adoption heres how to protect your wealth and grow richer in the New Year.

Investors need to treat their SIPs as genuinely non-negotiable commitments. They need to stop watching their portfolios frequently because every look creates an opportunity for destructive action. Data suggests that the investors who started SIPs a decade ago and forgot about it, would be substantially richer today than those who actively managed their investments.

Gen Zs SIP-first, DIY investing style is shifting incremental mutual fund inflows towards digital platforms.

Out of 71 international funds that are available in the Indian mutual fund market, only 28 are accepting investments, while 6 ETFs can be traded on exchanges, writes Abhinav Kaul.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 84th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains what this employee incentive means.

A weak rupee is making global mobility costlier by the day.

The annual returns are ranked for 6 key NSE Factor indices, with a broad-based index, Nifty 500, thrown in for comparison. This map shows that no single-factor strategy consistently outperforms, making a strong case for diversification. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Lower rates dont guarantee a good loan. Check your EMI limits, compare rates and cut loan costs.

By removing Section 213 and amending Section 370(1) of the Indian Succession Act, the recently passed Repealing and Amending Act, 2025 places the wills of a deceased Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Parsi, or Buddhist person in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai on par with those in the rest of the country.

Out of 71 international funds that are available in the Indian mutual fund market, only 28 are accepting investments, while 6 ETFs can be traded on exchanges, writes Abhinav Kaul.

Many of our resolutions are planned steps in the right direction. We know that what we are setting out to do is good, but giving up the joys of an entrenched habit or behaviour is tougher than the perceived pleasures of acquiring a new one. Finding a coach, a partner, a well-wisher to goad us on helps.

While selling may fetch a better price, there are situations under which scrapping may be your only option.

Gen Zs SIP-first, DIY investing style is shifting incremental mutual fund inflows towards digital platforms.

Investors need to treat their SIPs as genuinely non-negotiable commitments. They need to stop watching their portfolios frequently because every look creates an opportunity for destructive action. Data suggests that the investors who started SIPs a decade ago and forgot about it, would be substantially richer today than those who actively managed their investments.

Lower funding costs, loan growth momentum, and robust fundamentals to propel banking sector stocks.

From global diversification to large-cap focus, NPS upgrades to AI adoption heres how to protect your wealth and grow richer in the New Year.

A husband secured a divorce from the Chhattisgarh High Court. The court found his wife's family concealed her infertility before marriage. The husband will pay Rs 5 lakh as one-time alimony. The marriage took place in 2015. The couple has been living separately since 2016. The court considered evidence and awarded the alimony for equity.

The Indian government has launched Nyaya Setu Chatbot, a free legal advice chatbot on WhatsApp, to assist citizens with various legal queries. Launched on January 1, 2026, the service offers guidance on property disputes, divorce, matrimonial cases, and more, leveraging AI for simplified responses and connecting users to panel lawyers for initial consultations.

Insurance regulator Irdai has flagged mis-selling as a major issue. Grievances related to unfair business practices have risen significantly. Insurers are now advised to perform root cause analysis to tackle this problem. Insurance penetration remains static, below global averages. However, insurance density shows a modest increase, indicating consistent growth since 2016-17.

Retail investors often derail long-term wealth creation by chasing past returns, following market trends, seeking high-beta or quick gains, and lacking discipline. Successful mutual fund investing requires aligning choices with personal goals, assessing risk, focusing on long-term compounding, and staying patient through market cycles. Discipline, consistency, and strategic allocation are key to unlocking sustainable investment outcomes.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I frequently trade in Sebi-registered and RBI-approved currency pairs (USD/INR, GBP/INR, EUR/INR) through the Zerodha app. In this financial year, my short-term gains have exceeded Rs 50,000. How should I file my ITR?

Senior citizens can now secure attractive returns on their investments. Several banks are offering fixed deposit interest rates up to 8 percent for a five-year tenure. This presents a significant opportunity for older individuals to grow their savings. Investors should review the list of banks to find the best rates available for their financial planning.

Planning to invest Rs 10 lakh in 2026? Explore balanced strategies designed to help moderate investors grow wealth while managing risk.

In a recent report, the brokerage has identified seven smallcap stocks spanning utilities, financials and consumer discretionary that could offer value and potentially deliver returns of up to 54% over the next year.

To help you out in such situations, theres a simple rule of investment called the 1% rent vs buy rule that can help you decide if a property is worth buying or not. This rule can help you find potential positive cash flow and avoid overpriced or underperforming assets.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund's CEO highlights the Flexi Cap Fund as an overlooked gem, boasting strong long-term performance despite a market preference for short-term gains. While its one-year returns are modest, its consistent 3, 5, and 10-year track records demonstrate a disciplined approach, outperforming benchmarks and category averages over extended periods.

Gold ETFs surged in 2025, offering investors a safe haven amid global turmoil. Tata Gold ETF led with a 72.17% return. Experts foresee continued gold demand in 2026, driven by geopolitical risks and inflation. Investors are advised to consider their risk appetite for future decisions.

A Singapore-based NRI woman earned Rs 1.35 crore from selling Indian mutual funds. She claimed tax exemption under the India-Singapore DTAA. The tax department rejected her claim, but the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Mumbai ruled in her favour. Know how she won the case in ITAT Mumbai.

There were 39 funds in the category of which 30 funds gave positive returns and nine funds gave negative returns.

A widow's plea for compensation after her husband's death in Cameroon reached the Madras High Court. The foreign employer failed to pay promised support. The court has now directed the Central Government to intervene at the highest levels in Cameroon. This action aims to secure justice for the grieving family.

More employees can now access ESI benefits. The Labour Code 2025, effective November 21, 2025, expands coverage. Employers must register eligible staff and pay contributions. The definition of wages has been updated, potentially impacting contribution calculations. Gig and platform workers are recognized, with future schemes planned. Dependents and extended family members now have enhanced coverage for ESIC benefits.

ASK Private Wealth's 2026 Outlook identifies six key themes for wealth creation, including AI adoption, trade tariff resolution, and central bank policies. The report highlights AI's earnings-driven growth, potential India-US tariff deal benefits, and room for central bank rate cuts.

Banks in India observe national and regional holidays, with varying closures across states. While many customers utilize Saturdays, banks are closed on select Saturdays and all Sundays.

Rumours circulating on social media claim the Reserve Bank of India will stop dispensing Rs 500 notes from ATMs by March 2026. The Press Information Bureau has clarified these claims are false. The Rs 500 currency note remains legal tender. People should verify information from official sources and not believe misinformation.

RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds will continue to offer 8.05% interest until June 2026, linked to the National Savings Certificate rate. Interest is paid semi-annually on January 1 and July 1. Investors should note that this interest is taxable, and TDS applies if annual interest exceeds Rs 10,000. Premature redemption is possible under specific conditions with a penalty.