Personal Wealth News

Equity mutual funds rallied up to 9% between November 2 and 6. Banking and financial services funds topped the charts during this period. LIC MF Banking & Financial Services Fund led the list with a 9.11% return. Many other funds also showed strong gains as the Sensex and Nifty rose significantly.

Quant Small Cap Fund topped the charts with 24.98% 10-year SIP returns, beating Nippon, SBI, and HDFC. While small-cap funds performed well overall, returns varied significantly among the largest schemes. The data showed that a larger asset base does not always mean higher returns for investors in this equity category.

The Delhi Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled that Chinese firms providing services from overseas are not liable for Indian taxes. This decision helps companies supplying technical assistance to Indian subsidiaries. Tax expert Hitesh Sawhney said, "The ruling draws an important distinction between where services are performed and where they are utilised."

Parents often misunderstand the tax-free investment limits for a child’s Public Provident Fund account. While some think each parent can invest ₹1.5 lakh, the total annual limit remains ₹1.5 lakh per child. This cap includes all deposits made by both parents combined, as per current Income Tax rules for PPF.

Buying a new car during Diwali 2026 brings festive discounts, but ownership costs go beyond the monthly loan. Owners must account for fuel bills, insurance renewals, and servicing fees. These recurring expenses often get ignored during the initial purchase. Planning for these extra costs helps keep your monthly budget stable.

Travel insurance protects your money and journey when plans go wrong abroad. In 2024, 30.89 million Indian nationals travelled overseas, making the right cover essential. Travellers should check policy limits, exclusions, and conditions before departure. Do not buy in haste, as understanding medical coverage and trip disruption rules helps avoid unexpected expenses.

Investors looking to put ₹10 lakh into government schemes in November 2026 should compare PPF and NSC. PPF offers 7.1% interest but limits annual deposits to ₹1.5 lakh over 15 years. NSC acts as a 5-year fixed-tenure instrument. Both schemes offer Section 80C tax benefits for those who use them.

Mutual fund houses are launching new funds focused on real estate investment trusts. These funds offer an easy way to access commercial property, but portfolios currently include real estate stocks too. Radhika Gupta said, "There are only six Reits available in the listed space as of now." Exposure will grow later.

Zerodha Fund House changed its name to Zerodha CASE Funds after CASE Platforms joined as a co-sponsor. The firm also updated its mutual fund scheme names to match this new identity. CEO Vishal Jain said, "more than 65% of the fund house's investors are from B30 cities." Operations remain unchanged.

Bhai Dooj will be observed on Wednesday, November 11. Brothers can use this occasion to support their sisters’ financial independence by helping them save and invest. Popular options include starting a systematic investment plan, buying digital gold, or opening a Public Provident Fund account to help build a secure future.

Diwali shopping on 8 November can strain budgets, leading many to use credit card EMIs. While no-cost EMI offers seem attractive, they often hide extra charges like processing fees and GST. Experts said, "a smaller monthly EMI does not automatically mean a cheaper purchase." Always check costs before you swipe.

Indian households often buy gold jewellery for personal use, but it may not be the best investment choice. Jewellery involves extra making charges and GST. Alternatively, Gold ETFs offer digital ownership through demat accounts, while Gold Mutual Funds allow simple SIP investments. Choose based on whether you want to wear gold.