Linking all new floating rate loans to an external benchmark won't impact existing borrowers, so customers who have taken long-term home loans recently should watch things carefully, say Joydeep Ghosh and Sanjay Kumar Singh.
'Investors should allocate about 5% to 10% to such funds.'
Individuals often postpone tax planning till the end of the financial year. As the deadline for showing proof of investments draws near, they invest randomly in any product that will help them save tax for that year. Later, they realise that it is not suited for them, so they abandon it. Tax planning should not be a standalone, one-off activity, but should be in sync with your overall financial plan, says Sanjay Kumar Singh.
One fear among regulators is that allowing side pocketing could lead to fund managers taking higher risks. Even in the US, side pocketing is not allowed in mutual funds, only in hedge funds
If your fund's expense ratio has risen dramatically after Sebi's recent changes, compare it with the category average before switching.
The best part is that an investor gets price appreciation and earns interest income as well, which is unique only to sovereign gold bond.
While buying health policies, customers should reveal any pre-existing diseases. This is the only way to ensure that the insurer does not reject claims.
UPI transactions are growing faster, but wallets remain relevant for those without a bank account and seeking cashbacks.
'For the same level of return, you can reduce portfolio volatility significantly with a 10% to 15% exposure to international funds.'
Analysts say investors should increase their exposure to gold up to 10% of their portfolio, depending on their comfort with a 2-year horizon. But avoid investing in physical gold or deposit schemes run by jewellers
Don't forget to ask for quarterly audited statement of transactions in your account. This will make it easier for you to calculate your tax liability and pay it on time.
Those willing to take a higher risk for higher returns can look at AAA-rated non-convertible debentures from reputed issuers.
Keki Mistry, bottom, left, vice-chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), tells Joydeep Ghosh that debt fund investors could become risk-averse, leading to problems for other non-banking financial companies.
'Allocate 30% to 35% of your equity portfolio to mid-cap funds and 10% to 15% to small-cap funds.'
'For the RBI, it is also strategic to allow the rupee to over-depreciate, then come and buy the rupee, and benefit from its appreciation. Speculators who have driven the rupee too low then make losses,' says Ashima Goyal.
With the rupee crossing Rs 72/dollar in recent times, things suddenly don't look too good on several counts.
Experts suggest that it's best to go for the bundled product that has only one-year own damage cover.
It makes sense to shift to a home loan provider offering a lower interest rate or make occasional prepayments by using bonuses or other windfalls, says Sanjay Kumar Singh.
Investors in international funds should have a horizon of more than five years. Not only will this help them overcome equity and currency volatility, it will also help them enjoy better tax treatment, says Sanjay Kumar Singh.
Despite returns from gold down over 5% in the past three months, it is a good idea to keep this asset class in your portfolio.
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