CATEGORIES

A Focus On Grievance And Complaint

Health insurance policyholders are caught between hard rock and deep-sea as they struggle to settle their claims

What's On Offer For COVID-19 Patients?

Two new policies Corona Rakshak and Kavach can help cover hospitalisation and domiciliary expenses

Is It Time For Long-Term Equity Investors To Re-Think Strategy?

The 10-year rolling returns for Nifty50 declined from 19 per cent in the year ending July 2013 to 8 per cent in the year ending July 2020, which is less than even the returns on FDs

Concern Over COVID Procedure Rates

Read the fine print and choose a policy that covers both out-patient and hospitalisation charges

Widen Your Filter For Job Search

The job market will start getting on track from next quarter

SANITY OF SAFETY OR RUSH OF RISK

You are utterly confused. Between April and June this year, many hurriedly scurried out of equities. And the stock indices bounced back with a vengeance in July. Now, there is frustration and desperation about the lost opportunities, as people wait for stock prices to correct so that they can re-enter. To seek safe havens, some of us got into cash, debt, and gold. Sadly, in these cases too, the events unexpectedly turned against us. The situation baffled us. Armed with cash, the hapless investors decided to ‘time the market’, and act on their own – largely as day traders. They realised, like many did in the past, that it is almost impossible to do so. Even the experts are unable to predict the random walks of the stock market. While debt seemed secure, there was uncertainty about future returns as interest rates fell, and inflation inched up. Gold seemed a no-brainer but was this a good time to buy at such high prices? Most investors are shocked and stunned. To be safe or take risks, that is the question today. What should one do over the next 3-6 months? Is it better to take the plunge into equities, and ride out the topsy-turvy waves and volatility in the market? Is it more pertinent to accept lower returns, but protect our investments, and shift to debt? Is bullion the new calling for most of us? As some experts contend, if there’s one advice they wish to give, it is to be in gold. In this cover story, Outlook Money takes a 360-degree look at short-term strategies to shield your wealth from tumultuous upheavals, and simultaneously safeguard your returns. We present the pros and cons related to each asset category to enable you to make informed and insightful decisions. Beware that there is no one shoe-size that will fit every feet. At the end of the day, we are on our own, and we will need to carefully re-construct our plans on an individual basis.

The Right Policy For Mental Well-being

Read the fine print and choose a policy that covers OPD and hospitalisation charges

Riding The Digital Wave With Virtual Tours

Homebuyers can now avoid site visits and take a complete digital tour of the property and the surrounding area

Make The Most Of Your Money

If you have been toying with the idea of consulting a financial planner now is the right time to do so

Learn From Masters, Avoid 'Falling Knives'

Institutional investors have money, expertise, and information to influence stock prices. Watch them closely to boost your profits

Being Risk Free With Low Returns

Small savings remain attractive despite high inflation and rate cuts affecting real returns

Health Insurance Under A Cloud As COVID–19 Rages

With a spike in cases insurance companies are acting pricey while private hospitals are changing patients for PPE kits

Stimulus Package: SME STOCKS READY TO BOUNCE BACK?

For the investor, the best way to judge the impact of the government’s ₹3 lakh crore stimulus package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is to look at the movement of the stock market and the effect on mutual funds. These industries have a major role to play in not just generating huge employment but also as a major exporter and a supportive ancillary sector for big industry. The new push towards self-reliance and reduction of import dependence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan has given them an entirely new role. If the strategy works, there is no reason why the stock market particularly the small and mid-cap shares, which represent the MSME sector, won’t cross the past levels. But business models and management strategies are bound to see some remarkable transformation in the COVID-hit universe, and this would have a wide-ranging impact on both profitability and investor returns. But there are many challenges that require greater attention than the government’sn liquidity led revival program. Industrial revival requires sharp up gradation in technology, wide-ranging infrastructure development and a strong drive for skill development among workers. These issues remain to be addressed. If handled well, they will do good for the investors and the economy as a whole.

More Means Less In MSME Mess

Without robust and healthy MSMEs the economic and business skeleton of the nation can come crashing down

NRIs May Drive India's Realty Revival

Subdued property rates, falling rupee and abysmally low interest rates are making realty a lucrative choice for NRIs

How To Deal With The Bear Hug

Defer some financial goals or take loans and diversify existing portfolio but avoid exiting in the red

Millennials And The Gold Melting Pot

Sharp market corrections are making gold funds a lucrative choice for the young investors

Govt's Credit Plan Needs To Be Expanded

While units worth ₹250 crore turnover are now MSMEs, yet credit line is not available for units exceeding ₹100 crore turnover

Environment Funds May See A Surge

The world post COVID-19 is likely to see a paradigm shift. We may soon see sustainability and responsible investment gaining importance in the asset management industry

Fintechs Strike Gold As Digital Life Grows

There is a sudden surge of demand for using these app-based financial platforms post pandemic

Border Clashes Can Hit Funds Flow, Market Mood

Hemang Jani, Head - Retail Equity Strategist of Motilal Oswal Financial Services tell Saibal Dasgupta and Himali Patel about the serious impact that India-China conflict would have on market sentiments

The New Normal During COVID-19

The way insurance sector works is changing, giving way to digital assessment, surveys and delivery

How To Survive A Salary Cut Or Job Loss

Do not take hasty decisions and review financial goals and plans regularly, say experts

New World Order Post COVID-19

Everything we do is going for a transformation that was never envisaged before

Know The Risks In Debt Mutual Funds

It is better to understand the nature and play safe while investing in these debt instruments

Paradise Often Evicts Plebeians

Certain types of mortality rates are excluded by term insurance plans

Gather The Rosebuds Right Now

If you are planning to buy a residential property, now is the best time to do so

INVEST SMARTLY KEEPING A LONG TERM VIEW

The pandemic has highlighted that investment rules like asset allocation and diversification should be strictly followed

Digital Payments, The Need Of The Hour In This Pandemic

The government is actively pushing people to adopt digital payments at present. If earlier, it was for convenience, now with social distancing amid the COVID-19 crisis, it has become mandatory, says Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO, NPCI in a freewheeling interview with Arindam Mukherjee. Edited excerpts:

Digital Payments And The New Normal

COVID-19 has given further push to adoption of digital tools, avoiding handling of cash