The Economic Times

Tata Elxsi shares fell over 3% after the company reported a sharp 45.3% year-on-year drop in Q3 net profit, hit by a one-time exceptional charge linked to changes in Indias labour laws. Revenue grew marginally, while adjusted profit declined 5.4%, reflecting continued pressure on margins despite steady demand in software services.

Value investors buy such stocks and wait for the market to discover these stocks. When the discovery happens, the stock prices will go up, and value investors make money. It may sound simple. But it is not very easy to execute. The market may take very long to discover these stocks and it may test your patience. The discovery may not happen at all. That is why value mutual funds are recommended to only sophisticated investors.

A US citizen of Indian origin, Mr. Patel, faced a tax notice for an unexplained Rs 66 lakh property purchase in India. Despite his inability to travel from the US to gather documents, leading to ex-parte orders and dismissal by CIT(A), the ITAT Ahmedabad granted him relief, restoring the matter to the AO for a fresh adjudication.

Taxpayers face difficulties with the Capital Gains Account Scheme. Experts propose Budget 2026 reforms to simplify the process. They want online account opening and integration with the Income Tax portal. This aims to reduce manual errors and improve transparency. The goal is to make claiming tax exemptions easier for citizens.

Banks across India observe holidays on different dates for the same festivals. On January 14, 2026, banks in Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh will be closed. This closure is for the celebrations of Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu. The Reserve Bank of India releases an annual list of bank holidays. These include local festivals and other important days.

Indian bond yields climbed unexpectedly despite a recent Reserve Bank of India rate cut. This surge was driven by a record borrowing plan from Indian states and foreign investor selling. Long-term debt funds experienced a negative impact as bond prices fell. Investors are now advised to adopt a barbell strategy to optimize returns in the current market.

wealth quote: J.P. Morgan emphasized that a borrower's character is paramount in credit, even more so than wealth or assets. He believed integrity and a commitment to repaying loans, regardless of financial hardship, are the true guarantees for lenders. This principle underscores that trust and a borrower's nature are fundamental to lending.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: My nephew will have a corpus of Rs 1.6 crore by September 2027, when he turns 27. Due to health issues, he does not wish to continue working after that. Assuming a 4% annual inflation rate, a bank FD return of 6% on the corpus, a life expectancy of 75 years, and monthly expenses of Rs. 65,000, would this amount suffice to maintain his lifestyle?

Tax refunds for FY 2025-26 have seen a significant drop compared to FY 2024-25. This comes as gross tax collections have increased. Experts suggest this trend reflects the Income Tax Department's enhanced ability to identify fraudulent deductions and income misreporting. This leads to more accurate tax collections and a more transparent system.

Abakkus Mutual Fund has disclosed the first portfolio of its flexi cap fund since its NFO, with HDFC Bank as the top holding. The fund follows the MEETS framework and holds 16 stocks across market capitalisations.

National Pension System subscribers may soon receive assured payouts. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has formed an expert committee to create a framework. This committee will define regulations for smooth transitions from saving to receiving income. It will also set terms like lock-in periods and withdrawal limits.

Mutual funds heavily favoured large-cap leaders in December, with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, SBI, Reliance Industries and Infosys owned by over 600 schemes, highlighting institutional confidence in banking, telecom, energy and IT despite market volatility and growth outlook.

5 equity funds saw a decline in their AUM by over Rs 600 crore in December.

Mutual funds raised their cash holdings by 5,913 crore in December to 2.07 lakh crore, increasing cash levels to 4.81% of AUM from 4.68% in November. Meanwhile, total equity AUM rose modestly by 11,000 crore month-on-month to 43.25 lakh crore.

The HDFC Defence Fund made significant moves in December. It boosted holdings in Bharat Dynamics, Centum Electronics, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Hindustan Aeronautics and Astra Microwave Products also saw increased investment. Bosch and Aequs joined the fund's portfolio. The fund exited Dee Development Engineers completely. Its assets under management reached Rs 7,390 crore by December 31, 2025.

EPFO, in partnership with India Post Payments Bank, now offers a free doorstep service for Employees' Pension Scheme pensioners to submit their digital life certificates. This initiative aids elderly and less tech-savvy pensioners in continuing their pension by allowing postmen to register their certificates at home, ensuring uninterrupted payments.

A senior citizen with Rs 1.5 crore in bank fixed deposits may consider a systematic withdrawal plan for steady income. Experts suggest SWP, combined with stable instruments and a bucket strategy, can provide sustainable cash flows while preserving capital over the long term.

In the Budget of 2025, recognizing the significant contribution of the middle class in nation building, the Finance Minister provided substantial tax relief to individual taxpayers under the simplified tax regime. For a taxpayer earning up to INR 12 lakh of total income, there is nil tax payable. This limit earlier was INR 7 lakhs.

Indians earning salary income abroad can claim foreign tax credit even if Form 67 is filed late, as per a recent ITAT Delhi ruling. The tribunal emphasized that substantive relief shouldn't be denied for procedural lapses if foreign income is declared and taxes paid. However, timely filing remains crucial to avoid disputes.

Budget 2026 could signal the end of the old tax regime. Experts suggest a gradual phasing out rather than an abrupt closure. The new tax regime, with its lower rates and higher rebate, is becoming the default choice. Taxpayers with existing financial commitments like home loans and insurance may need time to adjust.

Bank holiday today: Bank customers faced confusion regarding Lohri holiday closures. Bank holidays in India vary depending on the state and are governed by the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) holiday calendar.

Budget 2026 is urged to consider an optional joint taxation mechanism for married couples. This reform aims to address inequalities faced by single-earner households and better recognize unpaid economic contributions. Aligning with global practices, it would allow couples to aggregate income for a more equitable tax assessment.

Multi-asset allocation funds, heavily weighted towards gold and silver, witnessed a significant 40% surge in December inflows. This rise suggests a growing investor preference for diversified, defensive strategies, driven by recent performance and a potential increase in risk aversion.

According to Sebi norms, focused equity mutual fund schemes must invest in a portfolio of maximum 30 stocks. These schemes have no other restrictions when it comes to investing- like flexi cap schemes they can invest in any market capitalisations and sectors. If that investment strategy appeals to you, you can get to know more about focused equity schemes.

Investors are turning to fund managers for stock market decisions. Flexicap funds saw the biggest inflows in 2025. This shows less confidence in specific stock categories like small or mid-caps. Thematic and sectoral funds are less popular now. Investors prefer flexible mandates in uncertain times. Small and mid-cap funds still attract money due to past high returns.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is set to launch on the Guwahati-Howrah route this month, featuring a unique booking system with no RAC or waiting lists. All berths will be available for booking from the advance reservation period start. Fares will include basic charges plus GST, with a minimum distance of 400 km applied.

Financial resolutions fail because we focus on what to start instead of what to stop. Learn 6 powerful strategies to identify and break the old money habits blocking your path to saving more in 2026.

Bandhan Mutual Fund has launched Bandhan Gold ETF FoF and Bandhan Silver ETF FoF, offering investors a simple, transparent, and cost-efficient way to invest in precious metals. The NFOs are open until January 20, with minimum investments of Rs 1,000 and SIPs starting at Rs 100.

An expert warns that retiring at 27 with a Rs 1.6 crore corpus and Rs 65,000 monthly expenses may be risky, as inflation, taxes, longevity, and emergencies could exhaust savings well before age 75.

Several NPS equity fund managers delivered strong one-year returns, with Tata Pension Management leading the pack. While select funds crossed 12%, others posted moderate gains, offering investors insight into comparative pension fund performance against the BSE 200 TRI.

Tamil Nadu has introduced the Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), replacing its 23-year-old system. Effective January 1, 2026, TAPS offers employees 50% of their last basic pay and DA, blending features of the Old Pension Scheme and NPS. Employees will contribute 10% to their pension pool.

Nippon India ETF Gold BeES ranked among the world's top 15 gold ETFs in 2025, attracting USD 1.17 billion in inflows. This performance contributed to India's position as the third-largest market for gold ETF inflows globally, highlighting gold's continued role as a key portfolio diversifier amidst macroeconomic uncertainty.

While a Sunday Budget would be a first, presenting Budgets on weekends is not unprecedented. Budget 2025, under Sitharaman, was presented on a Saturday, and Budget 2015, under Arun Jaitley, was also presented on Saturday on February 28, 2015.

JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund raised exposure to Adani Energy, HAL and several largecap stocks in December while trimming holdings in IndiGo and others. The fund also exited multiple stocks, added new names and saw a rise in assets under management.

Sayara's gold ring was seized at Delhi airport. The Delhi High Court ruled the seizure misplaced. The court ordered the ring's return and no warehousing charges. The Customs Department must also pay Sayara Rs 5,000 in costs. The court found the seizure unreasonable and the ring to be personal jewellery of Indian origin.

Shriram Mutual Fund has launched the Shriram Money Market Fund, an open-ended debt scheme focused on high-quality money market instruments with maturities of up to one year. The fund aims to offer regular income, high liquidity, and controlled risk, with its NFO open for subscription from January 19 to January 21.

Indian Railways is implementing significant changes for train ticket bookings. Effective January 12, 2026, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book general reserved tickets on the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) opening day. This follows mandatory Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal tickets starting July 1, 2025.

ICICI Prudential India Opportunities Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 20 lakh in seven years. Strong returns across SIP and lumpsum investments highlight the funds special situations strategy and long-term wealth creation potential.

India's new Income Tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026, aims to simplify tax rules and enhance compliance. Key changes include the introduction of a 'Tax Year,' more detailed ITR disclosures, and a push towards the new tax regime. Technology-driven compliances and faster processing are expected to benefit taxpayers.

The Updated Return (ITR-U) is a successful tax reform. However, it cannot be filed if tax proceedings have started, even if unrelated to the disclosed income. Budget 2026 should amend this rule. This change will allow more taxpayers to self-correct errors, boosting voluntary compliance and revenue collection. It will also reduce litigation and align with trust-based governance.