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3 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE YOU EXIT YOUR POLICY

If you think that the insurance policy you bought doesn't quite align with your goals, you may surrender it. But that comes at a cost. Here's why you should do the calculations

Small And Mid Cap Rally: Be Wary

You may include small- and mid-caps in your portfolio for diversification, but understand that they may not replicate last year's returns and are relatively more volatile

HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE GOLD RUSH?

The precious metal has been on an upward rally for the last couple of years due to factors as diverse as geopolitical conflicts, bulk buying by central banks, and hope of rate cuts, of late. The key, therefore, is to invest in gold in a staggered manner

'People Are Normal. They Are Sometimes Ignorant But They Are Not Stupid'

Meir Statman, the Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, California, is the second generation of behavioural finance experts who refused to label people as \"irrational\" and instead called them \"normal\". In his latest book, A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance, he expands the circle of finance to include life well-being and shows how they are inextricably intertwined. As part of an interview series, 'Wealth Wizards: Money Maestros in conversation with Nidhi Sinha, Editor, Outlook Money', Statman spoke about his research, and explained concepts through anecdotes that can help you take balanced decisions. Edited excerpts:

THE PETER LYNCH GUIDE TO PICKING STOCKS

Investor, fund manager and a best-selling author, all rolled into one - that's Peter Lynch. His books provide nuggets of practical approach to stock investing. We demystify his investing style to help you implement it when picking stocks. We also have some picks based on his strategy that you may consider

DELAYED CLAIMS CHIP OFF EPF POPULARITY? WHAT YOU CAN DO

The Employees' Provident Fund remains the most popular retirement saving tool for the majority of Indians. Of late, there has been an increase in the number of claim rejections, putting investors in a quandary. We tell you what can lead to such rejections and what you can do to deal with or avoid such a situation

7 Steps To Refresh Your Finances In The New FY

Setting goals and then making your money work to achieve them can be a gamechanger for your financial life

Turn Of The Tide: Should You Invest In Debt Funds Now?

The past few years have been challenging for debt fund investors, but the case for adding them in your portfolio is now more compelling than ever

Who Should Choose An Index Fund?

Index funds’ returns are similar to their underlying index, so if cost and protection are high on your list and market-beating performance is secondary, they could be an ideal choice.

What Is Depreciation?

Depreciation indicates a reduction in the value of an asset over time. Typically, it occurs due to wear and tear of the asset over time as a result of continued use to calculate the depreciation of an asset, one needs to consider several factors, one of which is the useful life of the asset.

REGULATORY ROUNDUP

Change: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) directs asset management companies (AMCs) to conduct stress tests on small and mid-cap funds and disclose key findings on liquidity and other aspects.

Plan Repayment Before Taking Loan

I have a home loan running but need a loan of around `10 lakh for renovating the house.

Fund Life Goals Before Business

I am in my late 20s and want to invest in the real estate sector.

SECRET ROAD TO FINANCIAL DIGNITY

Dignity is something most retirees want once their active work life comes to an end and it is closely tied to the individual’s financial well-being

'Combined Life, Health Plans Won't Increase Complexity'

The life insurance market in India has recorded a consistent premium growth over the years, but insurance penetration is yet to reach the desired level. Quite in line, HDFC Life Insurance has shown a growth of 5 per cent year-on-year in its total annual premium equivalent in the nine months until December 2023 and has grown on other parameters as well. Its assets under management (AUM) went up 20 per cent, while it recorded a net profit of 16 per cent y-o-y, in the period. Even in terms of penetration, the company’s growth in Tier II and Tier II cities are positive. Vibha Padalkar, managing director and chief executive officer of HDFC Life Insurance shared the secret sauce for the growth in a conversation with Nidhi Sinha, editor, Outlook Money, talked about the challenges the insurance industry faces, and the road ahead in view of recent regulatory proposals. Edited excerpts:

BUCKET YOUR WORRIES AWAY

Once you have accumulated a decent corpus in your working life, the next big task should be to smartly deploy it across different schemes through a bucketing strategy so that your regular expenses are taken care of while your corpus keeps growing. This will ensure that you do not outlive your corpus

Take The Reins In Your Hands

When it comes to investing, women participation is generally low in decision-making, partly because of the biased belief that they do not know much about money

Homebuying For Self Use Or Investment? The Rules Of The Game Are Different

Most Indians buy homes not so much for investment, but rather for self-use, which incidentally should not be seen from the prism of investment. So, before you put your money in real estate, ask whether it is better to stay on rent or buy a home for yourself. And should you decide to invest in property, compare it with other options, such as fixed deposits, gold, bonds, and equity

Enough To Focus For Investors

The Indian exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has grown substantially of late, up from 2 per cent assets under management (AUM) of the mutual fund industry in 2012 to 13 per cent in 2023, signifying a shift in investor preference to passive funds.

INDIA TAKES GREEN ROAD, BUT COSTS STILL A BARRIER

Though carmakers have reduced the prices on EVs, they are still costlier than their fossil fuel cousins. Higher prices and infrastructure still affect their popularity

'Investors Can Expect Balanced Risk-Return In Short-To-Medium Term'

With inflation showing signs of easing, there is a clear possibility of a rate cut on the horizon. The government’s fiscal consolidation roadmap and India’s inclusion in the Global Bond Index from June 2024 bode well for the Indian bond market and, thus, debt fund investors, too. Amit Tripathi, chief investment officer, fixed income, Nippon India Mutual Fund, in an interview with Kundan Kishore, sheds light on investment opportunities for debt fund investors in this scenario. Here are the edited excerpts:

Women's Equality - Is Still Far Away

Taapsee Pannu opens up to Outlook Money about her journey, shares her views on women's financial independence and what makes her tick

The Bandhan Core Equity Fund

Large and Mid Cap Fund - An open-ended equity scheme investing in both large cap and mid cap stocks

How Can Women Start Their Investment Journey?

Most women have the right behavioral traits to be successful investors, and as we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, it's time they play a more active role in everything about finances, from income and spending to investments.

Achieving Financial Freedom with SIPs

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) has multiple advantages, from compounding magic, flexibility, and affordability to consistency and focus, which make goals achievable.

Stay Invested in The Market As Time Heals All Setback

The road to financial success in the stock market is to stay invested through ups and downs because the one who emerges unruffled by the setbacks is the winner in the end.

Diversifying Wealth: Investing in PMS and AIFs for Sophisticated Investors

PMS and AIFs have distinct features, yet they complement each other, combining expertise and specialised investment opportunities and creating multifaceted benefits for different investors' needs.

Aligning Investments with Goals: A Key to Financial Success

Long-term, goal-based investments always yield better in the distant future over the short term, as they allow you to navigate the market risks more comfortably and reach your financial objectives.

'You'll Need About 10 Times Your Current Annual Income In Retirement'

IDFC FIRST Bank has seen remarkable success in 2023, fuelled by impressive financial performance with deposits growing at 40 per cent with its customer-friendly banking initiatives and tools. In an exclusive interview with Nidhi Sinha, editor, Outlook Money, and Suchetana Ray, editor, Outlook Business, the MD and CEO of IDFC FIRST Bank, V. Vaidyanathan, speaks about the importance of retirement planning early in life, the emotions of those concerned and the tools for retirement planning which can provide financial security and peace of mind.

Money Plan For Happy Marriage

Money issues can cause immense strife and discord among partners, and fights can get very nasty. Communicate from the very start so that problems don't crop up later