The Economic Times

Gold prices experienced a dip on February 5, 2026, as indicated by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) opening rates. This decline was observed across all gold purities when compared to the previous day's closing prices. Leading jewellery brands also reflected these lower rates for 22k gold.

Kotak Flexicap Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 75.58 lakh over 15 years with an XIRR of 14.80%, crossing Rs 50,000 crore AUM. The fund, managed by Harsha Upadhyaya, delivers strong long-term performance across market cycles, with diversified allocation in large, mid, and smallcap stocks across key sectors.

Gold and silver experienced significant price volatility due to global uncertainty and shifting market trends. Motilal Oswal Private Wealth advises gradual accumulation of precious metals during dips for moderate returns. The report also outlines equity and fixed income strategies for 2026, emphasizing a balanced and disciplined approach.

360 ONE Mutual Fund has announced the launch of DynaSIF Equity LongShort Fund, an open-ended equity investment strategy designed for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation through selective long and short positions in listed equities and equity derivatives.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) will discontinue complimentary domestic airport lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cardholders from April 1, 2026. Subsequently, lounge access will be granted based on a minimum quarterly spending threshold of 5,000, effective April 15, 2026.

The old tax regime will not be phased out soon, according to CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal, despite 88% of individual taxpayers opting for the new regime. While the new system offers simplicity and lower rates, the old regime remains relevant for a select group with significant deductions like housing loans and investments.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I have been living in the UK with my family for the past 50 years and all of us have OCI cards. Which documents do we need to sell my parents' properties and repatriate the amount to the UK?

Silver ETFs saw deep cuts, with some plunging as much as 21%. Axis Silver ETF dropped the most, hitting a low of Rs 216.86 versus the previous close of Rs 275. MCX has imposed additional margins on gold and silver futures across all variants after a periodic risk review. An extra margin of 4.5% on silver futures and 1% on gold futures took effect from February 5.

As per Sebi norms, the mid cap mutual funds are mandated to invest in companies that are between 101 and 250 in the market capitalisation. These companies can be leaders of tomorrow. Thats what makes them great bets. If these companies live up to the promise, the market will reward the investors handsomely.

SBI PSU Fund has emerged as the top performing equity mutual fund over three and five years, riding a strong rally in public sector stocks. Experts assess whether earnings momentum, sector re rating and government support can sustain returns amid post Budget 2026 volatility and rising valuation concerns.

Income tax slabs for FY 2026-27 remain unchanged for both the old and new tax regimes. Taxpayers will continue to use the existing slab structures, with no revisions in rates or income thresholds. This offers continuity for individuals as they assess which tax regime best suits their financial situation.

The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of a retired Air Force officer, stating that hypertension cannot be dismissed as a mere lifestyle disorder to deny disability pension. The court emphasized that the burden lies with the employer to prove a disease is unrelated to military service, and a simple label is insufficient without specific reasoning.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that land inherited by a husband is his separate property. His wife and children cannot object to its sale, even if he was a liquor addict. The court clarified that property inherited after 1956 devolves by succession, not survivorship. This means children have no birthright in such inherited land. The buyer's claim was upheld.

A Mumbai court has discharged DHFL in a Rs 5,050 crore money laundering case. The company, now under new management, received statutory immunity under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. This immunity applies to the corporate entity, not individuals involved. The court noted that a clean slate is important for new management.

Budget 2026 has introduced a full income tax exemption for compensation received from the government for land acquired under the RFCTLARR Act, effective April 1, 2026. This move aims to align tax laws with the RFCTLARR Act, removing previous interpretational ambiguities regarding tax-free payouts for compulsory land acquisitions. Read more.

India's life insurers settled 97.10% of individual death claims within 30 days in FY 2024-25. Private insurers achieved 97.30%. This data from IRDAI highlights efficient claim processing across the industry. Checking these ratios is crucial for policyholders. Companies like Aditya Birla Sunlife and HDFC show 100% settlement within the timeframe.

The Wealth Company Mutual Fund is making its mark in India's competitive landscape. Led by Madhu Lunawat, the company prioritizes strong governance and direct engagement with thousands of mutual fund distributors. Initiatives like MF Didi empower women, while training programs elevate professional standards. This disciplined approach positions the fund house for long-term success.

Many taxpayers who filed ITRs for FY 202425 (AY 202526) are still waiting for income tax refunds. Such delays are not unusual and do not necessarily indicate an error in the return. Read on to find out when ITR refund can be expected.

Vehicle owners can now easily remove the hypothecation clause from their Registration Certificate online after repaying car loans. This process, known as hypothecation termination, is essential for clear ownership.

A resident buying property from an NRI must obtain a TAN, pay tax under Section 195, and submit quarterly TDS returns, similar to corporations. However, for most homebuyers, purchasing a home is a one-time event, making compliance requirements overly complex for this transaction.

Gold prices on MCX experienced a correction, rising 6.59% after a significant 15.61% fall. Analysts attribute the rebound to a weaker dollar, renewed safe-haven demand, and bargain buying amid geopolitical tensions. Long-term investors can consider the constructive outlook driven by inflation risks and central bank buying.

Policyholders can check claim settlement ratios to assess insurer efficiency. IRDAI released FY 2024-25 figures in February 2026. Acko General Insurance leads private insurers with 99.98% claims paid within three months. Standalone health insurers like Aditya Birla Health Insurance reported 100% settlement. Zurich Kotak General Insurance shows the lowest ratio.

Budget 2026 rewrites India's income tax penalty rules with a clearer framework. Read on to know about the reforms aim to foster trust, reduce court battles, and promote voluntary compliance while maintaining strong deterrents against tax evasion.

DSP Mutual Fund has announced the launch of the DSP Multi Asset Omni Fund of Funds, an open-ended fund of funds scheme aimed at simplifying investing for individuals who find it difficult to track markets, time asset allocation decisions, or manage multiple investments across cycles.

The top-performing smallcap mutual funds have delivered strong returns over the past three years, with four schemes generating over 25% gains. Bandhan Small Cap Fund led the pack, followed by ITI, Invesco India and Mahindra Manulife funds, while other schemes posted moderate double-digit returns.

The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the Mahavir Jayanti bank holiday on March 31, 2026, at the government's request. This ensures all financial year-end transactions are processed on time. Banks handling government business will remain open across various states previously scheduled for closure.

Budget 2026 clarifies that tax-free maturity benefits on Sovereign Gold Bonds will apply only to primary investors who bought directly from the government at issuance. Those purchasing SGBs from the secondary market will now face capital gains tax at redemption, altering post-tax returns and reducing the appeal of near-maturity secondary market bonds.

With diverse sectors such as consumer services, telecom, healthcare, logistics, financial services, IT, power and oil & gas scaling rapidly, Indias services economy continues to unlock multiple structural growth drivers for longterm investors, according to a press release.

EPFO is reportedly considering reducing the EPF interest rate for FY2025-26 to 8-8.20% to protect its corpus, though political factors might lead to maintaining the current 8.25% for a third year. The board will also discuss raising the wage ceiling to Rs 25,000 to enhance social security coverage.

Gold and silver futures opened higher for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, pushing commodity-based ETFs up by as much as 9% during the period.

The company reported an 8% year-on-year rise in Q3FY26 net profit to Rs 414 crore, while revenue grew 11.5% to Rs 3,567 crore, led by solid domestic growth and stronger export performance.

Shares of Bharat Coking Coal will be in focus after the Coal India arm reported a Rs 23 crore net loss in its first earnings since listing, against a profit a year ago. Revenue fell 25% YoY, though losses narrowed sequentially on higher sales and lower expenses. The stock still trades well above its IPO price.

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.

Indian landlords must provide a 15-day eviction notice to tenants who remain after a lease expires, especially in month-to-month tenancies. A recent Odisha High Court ruling reinforced this, stating that a shorter notice period is invalid. This applies when no new formal agreement is signed, turning the tenancy into a monthly arrangement.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ITAT Chennai has ruled that taxpayers can claim the Section 87A tax rebate on long-term capital gains from equity income for Assessment Year 2024-25. This decision allows a taxpayer to get a Rs 25,000 tax demand deleted. The tribunal stated the rebate applies to total income without distinguishing between normal and special tax rates.