The Economic Times

India's National Stock Exchange is in discussions with Indian Gas Exchange, or IGX, to develop and launch Indian natural gas futures, the country's largest bourse said on Thursday.

This online platform now offers same-day international money transfers for overseas education payments, a significant improvement over previous multi-day processes. This aims to alleviate stress for students and parents facing strict university fee deadlines. Cashback offers are also available on eligible education transfers.

The Supreme Court has directed the government to increase the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) wage ceiling of Rs 15,000 within four months. This move aims to bring more employees under the EPF umbrella, enhancing retirement savings and social security for a larger segment of the workforce.

Indian markets extended losses as the Sensex slid 800 points and the Nifty broke key technical levels amid renewed US tariff concerns. Analysts advise caution, citing geopolitical risks and weak momentum, even as long-term fundamentals remain supportive.

India's insurance grievance system is buckling under pressure, with a significant surge in complaints, especially for health and general insurance. Claims disputes are the primary driver, with unresolved cases nearly doubling. While life insurance grievances remain stable, mis-selling concerns are rising, eroding trust.

Helios Flexi Cap Fund divested its entire stake in IndiGo and Urban Company in December. The fund significantly boosted its holdings in Physicswallah, adding over 21 lakh shares. Exposure also increased in 23 other stocks, including Adani Ports and RIL, while maintaining stakes in 44 existing investments.

Bandhan Mutual Fund launched its first SIF, Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund, targeting sophisticated investors. The interval strategy blends debt, money market instruments and market-neutral equity arbitrage, aiming for optimal returns, risk management and post-tax efficiency, with the NFO open January 922.

Five equity mutual funds delivered over 20% annualised SIP returns over the past decade. The list includes small-cap, mid-cap and ELSS funds, though investors are advised to align choices with risk profile, goals and investment horizon.

Chandigarh State Consumer Commission has ruled that restaurants cannot charge more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for packaged water. A diner won a case against a restaurant for charging Rs 55 for a Rs 20 water bottle. The commission ordered the restaurant to refund the excess amount and pay Rs 3,000 in compensation for unfair trade practice.

A retired employee, Mr. Rao, has won a 13-year legal battle for unpaid salary and gratuity. The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that an employer's lack of funds is not a valid excuse for withholding statutory dues. The court directed the employer to pay the outstanding amount with 10% interest.

Sebi extended the deadline for implementing additional mutual fund distributor incentives to March 1, 2026, citing challenges. The incentives target new investors from B-30 cities and new women investors, while all other provisions of the November 2025 circular remain unchanged.

Latest HDFC Bank interest rates: HDFC Bank has lowered its MCLR rates by up to 5 basis points on select loan tenures. This change will benefit borrowers with loans linked to this regime. The revised rates are effective from January 7, 2026. The bank's MCLR rates now range from 8.25% to 8.55% depending on the loan tenure.

A remarried widow has won a significant case in the Kerala High Court. She was denied a job on compassionate grounds after her husband's death due to her remarriage. The court ruled that her remarriage does not disqualify her from receiving this employment. This decision upholds her statutory right to compassionate appointment.

PFRDA has unveiled new guidelines for the NPS Vatsalya scheme, a plan for minors' contributions by parents and guardians. The circular details investment options, including equity up to 75%, and outlines partial withdrawal conditions for education or medical needs. It also clarifies exit strategies and continuation options upon the minor reaching adulthood.

Quant Small Cap Fund added Adani Green Energy, HDFC Life, Ravindra Energy and S.P. Apparels in December while fully exiting LIC. The fund also trimmed stakes in Reliance Industries and ONGC, according to its latest monthly portfolio disclosure.

After a sharp rally, investors should adopt a cautious, staggered approach to gold and silver ETFs, focusing on allocation balance and long-term objectives rather than chasing short-term gains.

Credit card usage has surged due to rewards, cashback, and milestone perks. When credit card expenses seem too high, circular, or dont match declared income, they raise red flags.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund introduces two new debt funds, the Short Duration Fund and the Low Duration Fund. The new fund offers are currently open for investment and will close on January 13. These funds aim to generate income for investors with short-term horizons.

The ITAT Mumbai has ruled that cash received from a property sale cannot be treated as unexplained income if backed by proper records. However, this case involved a property sale in FY 2014-15 (AY 2015-16), when Section 269SS didn't cover property sale cash. Since FY 2015-16, stricter cash restrictions apply to property transactions.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am a 76-year-old Indian resident planning to sell a 37-year-old 3-guntha plot located within municipal corporation limits. The sale price has appreciated nearly 17 times over the original purchase price. To save on capital gains tax, can I reinvest the proceeds in a residential unit, a commercial shop, or a commercial office?

Groww Mutual Fund has launched its new Small Cap Fund, focusing on long-term capital appreciation through a bottom-up stock selection process. Experts offer mixed views, with some suggesting caution due to current small-cap valuations and volatility, while others see potential for long-term investors willing to tolerate risk.

If you have a long-term horizon and are willing to take a little extra risk, you may choose from our list of recommended large & mid cap schemes. Before proceeding to the recommendation list, here are some updates.

Shriram Finance shares are in focus ahead of an EGM on January 14, where shareholders will vote on a Rs 39,618 crore capital infusion from Japan's MUFG Bank. The deal involves a 20% stake dilution via preferential allotment. Proxy advisors ISS and InGovern recommend voting in favor, citing fair pricing and safeguards.

Angel One shares will be in focus as the board meets January 15. They will consider a stock split and an interim dividend for FY26. This comes with the announcement of December quarter update. The company also released its December business update showing mixed trends in client acquisition and order volumes. Angel One shares have started 2026 with a gain.

The Supreme Court has relieved a husband from jail in a dowry case. The court ruled that demanding gold ornaments during a child's Chhoochhak ceremony is not a dowry demand. While the conviction for cruelty under Section 498A IPC is upheld, the sentence for dowry death under Section 304B IPC is set aside.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation has eased the process for transgender members to update their records. A transgender identity certificate from the national portal is now a valid document for changing name and gender in EPF accounts.

Holding too many mutual funds doesn't mean better diversification, it often means investing in the same stocks through different MF schemes. Learn how to identify overlap, trim smartly using tax exemptions, and build a leaner portfolio that actually works harder for your money.

A gold trader successfully challenged a tax notice deeming his Rs 11 lakh sale of 350 grams of gold as an accommodation entry. Despite the tax department's claims, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Ahmedabad ruled in his favor, citing banking channel transactions and a lack of contrary evidence from the revenue.

Gold jewellery stocks surged on Wednesday. Titan Company, Kalyan Jewellers India, and Senco Gold reported strong third-quarter sales. This positive market sentiment is expected to continue. Analysts point to rising gold prices and consistent sales growth as key drivers. Titan's jewellery business grew 41% year-on-year. Senco's revenue was up 51%. Kalyan Jewellers saw consolidated revenue growth of approximately 42%.

Aditya Birla Sunlife Asset Management Company on Wednesday said that its chief investment officer, Mahesh Patil, has resigned.

Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday extended the timeline till March 1 for the implementation of an additional incentives structure for mutual fund distributors for onboarding new individual investors from B-30 cities and new women investors from any city.

Income Tax Refunds Delay News: Taxpayers filing for FY 2024-25 are experiencing delayed refunds, though the Income Tax Department remains within statutory processing timelines. Delays often stem from high-value claims, pending demands, or simple taxpayer errors like claiming deductions not reported to employers.

The New Fund Offer opens on January 9 and will close on January 23, following which the scheme will reopen for ongoing transactions from February 2, 2026.

Client Associates has set a December 2026 Sensex target of 93,918, implying 10% annual growth, while cautioning investors about elevated valuations and near-term earnings moderation, and highlighting gold and silver as strategic allocations amid global uncertainty

Indias mutual fund assets have surged nearly sevenfold in a decade, pushing the AUM-to-bank-deposit ratio above 33%, driven by lower deposit rates, rising incomes and a growing preference for market-linked investments, though India still trails developed markets.

The Supreme Court has directed the central government to decide on increasing the EPF wage ceiling within four months. This comes after a plea highlighted that the current Rs 15,000 limit, unchanged since 2014, excludes many workers from social security benefits. The court asked the petitioner to submit a formal request to the government.

As retirement nears, even high-value portfolios can face risks if they are overly complex. Experts highlight the need to simplify strategies, rebalance equity exposure and focus on diversified mutual funds to protect wealth and align investments with clearly defined long-term goals.

Based on the data as of March 2024, the study shows that regular plans continue to dominate assets, with 21.2% of regular investments held for over five years, compared to 7.7% in direct plans, underscoring the persistence of commission-led distribution despite sustained underperformance.

Bank of India Mutual Fund has launched the Bank of India Banking & Financial Services Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focused on BFSI stocks. The fund aims to capture Indias long-term financial sector growth through investments in banks, NBFCs, fintech, insurance and capital market companies, targeting long-term investors.