'Global uncertainty is something which definitely occupies the minds of officials when we are preparing for the Budget.'
'This Budget has a one-year agenda, which you can call the sprint, and the marathon is towards Viksit Bharat.'
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries.
The fiscal tilt towards capex benefits companies in investment-related sectors like capital goods, defence equipment, engineering & construction and metal & mining. The planned cut in revenue expenditure will weigh on companies in consumption sectors like FMCG, consumer durables and retail.
The most common mistake is investing without assessing suitability and long-term implications.
'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'
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'A breakout above 158,000 to 160,000 could trigger the next leg higher toward 165,000 to 170,000.'
'When markets go into a budget with excessive optimism, the risk of disappointment is higher.'
Worries about global politics and trade are pulling the Nifty 50 down. Experts say the market could drop further low.
After two years of strong gains, smallcap stocks fell sharply in 2025, but the correction may be setting up opportunities for long-term investors.
Dabur's business update for Q3FY26 indicated mid-single digit consolidated revenue growth. The guidance is that growth in operating and net profits will beat revenue growth. In the domestic business, home and personal care (HPC) revenue grew in double digits, while healthcare is likely to post a sequential growth in low-single digits.
The RBI has flagged concerns over rising volatility in gold prices and advised lenders to exercise caution in the gold loan segment.
'Stay invested but progressively reduce risk. Beyond a point, the objective should shift from maximising returns to avoiding unpleasant surprises.'
'...a mix of asset classes.' 'Include equities for growth (across market caps), debt for stability and liquidity, gold as a hedge against macro and currency risk, and global assets for geographical and economic diversification.'
Fund managers advise conservative investors to cap midcap exposure at 10 to 15 per cent of their equity portfolio.
'Trading without strict position sizing, stop-loss discipline, or a clear exit plan almost guarantees losses.' 'Chasing tips, reacting to intraday noise, or assuming frequent trading improves outcomes are equally damaging habits.'
With medical inflation hovering at around 13-14 per cent annually, policyholders must reassess their sum insured once every two years.
While investments are typically reviewed annually, risk cover is often left unchanged for years.
Largecap equity funds remain suitable for conservative and moderate risk-taking investors seeking relatively stable returns.
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'New investors should enter gradually and stay cautious.' 'Silver is a structural multi-year story, but timing matters in a high-volatility metal.'
'We expect modest returns in 2026 versus the steep gains seen over the past few years.'
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries.
The power sector presents a puzzle. A fast-growing economy should be aligned to higher power demand but that hasn't been the case in the financial year 2026 till date (FY26TD).
Wedding insurance goes far beyond protecting against cancellations.
The stock of the country's largest beer maker, United Breweries (UBBL), is trading at 25-month lows given multiple headwinds related to volumes, regulatory issues, and margin trajectory. After a muted second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26), brokerages also expect the company's Q3FY26 performance to be underwhelming.
While gold continues to provide safety after its strong 2025 rally, well-chosen real estate investments held with a long-term view remain attractive.
Investors must account for currency depreciation in their financial plans and use instruments that can cushion the erosion in purchasing power.
This exercise allows investors to realign their portfolios with changing market conditions and evolving personal objectives.
Vedanta, a conglomerate in mining and metals, has seen a surge in its share price on the back of multiple triggers. Its demerger appears to be on track, a strong non-ferrous commodity cycle is boosting margins, and silver bulls are interested in Hindustan Zinc, its subsidiary.
Investors encountering underperformance must be patient.
Filing a belated return is far better than not filing at all.
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'For the initial decade, I consistently advise young professionals to prioritise career development and income growth rather than market analysis.'
'Only four or five original companies remain; the rest have been replaced every decade as sectors evolve or leadership shifts.' 'Companies that fail to adapt -- like many textile mills from the 1970s and shipping firms from the 1980s -- disappear.' 'Benchmark indices reward those who reinvent themselves in line with economic demands.'
'We operate in an economy that is structurally positioned for long-term growth. As market levels rise over time, our AUM grows in line.'
Investors seeking higher returns at relatively higher risk should consider allocation to smallcap equity funds.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
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