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The new series of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2021-22 will be opened May 17-21, 2021, and the issue price during the subscription period shall be ₹4,777 per gram. The settlement date under the Series I scheme had been fixed for May 25. The government, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to allow discount of ₹50 per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors, the issue price of the Gold Bond will be ₹4,727 per gram of gold. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/go-air-has-filed-for-a-3600-crore-ipo-at-a-very-desperate-time/articleshow/82626097.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Go Air has filed for a ₹3,600 crore IPO at a very desperate time</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/heres-why-the-spike-in-inflation-in-the-us-may-worry-markets-in-india/articleshow/82597218.cms">Here's why the spike in inflation in the US may worry markets in India ⁠— but experts say don’t panic yet</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-responds-to-privacy-criticism-by-alleging-other-apps-like-zomato-ola-aarogya-setu-zoom-google-and-other-apps/articleshow/82570897.cms">WhatsApp responds to privacy criticism by alleging that other apps and tech companies also show disdain for user privacy</a>

There is an online discount on the new Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme opening on Monday priced at ₹4,777 per gram

In order to attract masses to invest in gold, the Indian government announced various gold investment and savings schemes, like the Gold Monetisation Scheme. However, these schemes got a lukewarm response by people due to lack of awareness, says a recent study by researchers of Institute for Financial Management and Research (<keyword id="218689" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IFMR">IFMR</keyword>), funded by India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (<keyword id="42512" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="IIM-A">IIM-A</keyword>). For the study, researchers covered 1000 respondents across four districts, namely Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Hooghly in West Bengal and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. As per the results, out of total 1000 respondents, only five persons were aware about government's <keyword id="2212607" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-schemes">gold schemes</keyword>, such as Gold Monetisation Scheme, Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme and Gold Coin Scheme. "We found that people had little or no awareness about these three gold schemes, which were introduced two years back by the Centre. Out of 1000 respondents in four districts, only five knew about these schemes," said Misha Sharma, one of the researchers from IFMR. Experts are of the opinion that the government should start marketing the schemes so that people can be made aware. "Around 15,000 tonnes of gold, in the form of jewellery is lying idle with citizens across the country. The study had revealed that people are willing to invest in these schemes if they got adequate information about them. It shows that there is indeed a potential," said IGPC Head Prof. Arvind Sahay. "Apart from beefing up marketing efforts, banks should also be motivated to promote gold loan, so that they go out and convince people to opt for such loans. We don't see such motivation by banks at present," he added. (Image source Good Moneying)

Government's gold schemes are not attracting masses, says IGPC IIM-A study

The <keyword id="54778" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Somnath-Temple">Somnath Temple</keyword> Trust is going to invest gold, which is not in everyday use, in the <keyword id="2746707" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold-Monetisation-Scheme">Gold Monetisation Scheme</keyword>. 
 
With this move, Somnath Temple will become the first one to do so in Gujarat. 
 After conducting meeting with Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, who is also one of the seven trustees of the temple, Trust Secretary and trustee P K Lahiri said that the trust has nearly 35 kg of gold, which is either in the form of pure gold or ornaments. 
 
"We don't have a huge amount of gold. Majority of the gold is used for decoration on day-to-day basis in the temple. Thus out of that 35 kg of gold, we will separate pure gold which can be deposited under the scheme," said Lahiri. 
 
Apart from Somnath Temple, other temple-Dwarkadhish Temple and Ambaji Temple-haven’t shown interest in the scheme. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Somnath Temple to invest around 35 kg idle gold in Gold Monetisation Scheme

New Delhi, Mar 9 () Market regulator Sebi has revised mutual fund regulations to permit non-bank Sebi-registered custodians to manage gold or gold-related instruments. Currently, only the banks that are registered as custodians with Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) are permitted to manage gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other gold-related products. "In case of a gold exchange-traded fund scheme, the assets of the scheme being gold or gold related instruments may be kept in the custody of a custodian registered with the board," Sebi said revising the mutual fund norms. After the revision of norms, non-banking custodians as well as banking custodians can manage gold ETFs and other gold-related products.For this, the regulator has amended Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. The amendments to the regulation were made after Sebi's board in February approved a proposal to allow bank and non-bank custodians to offer custodian services for gold or gold related instruments such as gold ETFs.The move is aimed at reducing concentration of custodial services for gold or related instruments, Sebi had said.Additionally, Sebi has also allowed sponsors or asset management companies (AMC) to invest in close-ended mutual fund schemes. The sponsor or asset management company has to invest either at least one per cent of the amount which would be raised in the new fund offer or Rs 50 lakh, whichever is less "provided that the investment by the sponsor or asset management company shall be made in such option of the scheme, as may be specified by the board," Sebi said.Presently, the investment by the sponsor or AMC is mandatory in all schemes, except closed-ended schemes. Sebi in its board meeting said, "in order to bring uniformity across schemes, the board has decided that sponsor or AMC shall invest in close ended schemes also." SRS ANSANS

Sebi allows non-bank custodians to manage gold, related instruments

ome of the aspects investors will want to check while making an investment decision include low risk, high returns, liquidity, tax savings and others. Investing in PPF (expanded as Public <keyword id="45028" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Provident-Fund">Provident Fund</keyword>) and <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold">Gold</keyword> will meet these requirements. However, if you wish to choose between these options, here are the points you must consider. How to approach the topic <keyword id="8284047" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-vs-ppf">gold vs ppf</keyword> In India, the investors have a wide range of investment options to choose from. The objectives of investment vary between different investors. Most common expectations that investors have while investing include high returns potential and minimum risk. The other two common expectations can be tax savings and diversification portfolio. There are a lot of options that will meet these criteria. However, PPF and gold are highly sought after investment options. Here we look at these options from different perspectives to be able to choose the right one that will help meet your investment objectives. Investment Risk in PPF PPF is a very popular savings scheme that has a strong backing by the government of India. The topmost benefit of a PPF account is that your investment will fetch you a fixed annual interest. Year on year, the central government fixes the interest rate for PPF. Asset Management Companies pool the investment from investors and invest it in different kinds of securities. Returns on <keyword id="490221" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-gold">investment in gold</keyword> is prone to fluctuations depending on market conditions. Potential of returns in PPF and Gold The annual interest rate of PPF investment is usually around 8%. Since the rate of interest is predetermined, the amount you will earn year on year is fixed and does not carry any risk. Gold assures a reasonable rate of interest most times. However, the present conditions in Indian market shows us that the returns can only be nominal due to gold inflation and devaluation of paper currency happening side by side. If you do not mind the long lock in period in case of PPF, PPF can be a better option. If you do not mind risks and will look for flexibility, then you might want to choose gold for investing. Investment tenure This is a significant point of comparison while choosing between gold and PPF for investing. The minimum investment duration with regard to PPF is 15 years. The first time you can withdraw from the PPF account is only after 5 years. After maturity, it is also possible to renew your PPF account in sets of 5 years. Due to the long investment tenure associated with PPF account, it will highly suit long term savings. If you invest in paper gold, there are quite a lot of investment tenures to choose from. You can always sell physical gold whenever you want, but this process will incur you a loss most times. Tax Savings PPF investment is not taxed until an upper limit of Rs 1.5 lakh in a year. Also, the returns that you get from PPF are exempted from tax. Gains from gold investment is taxed at the rate of 20 percent along with surcharge. If you buy physical gold, you will have to bear the GST charges of 3 percent in addition to the making charges. The other ways to invest in gold include SGBs, gold ETFs and gold mutual funds. The taxes on gains vary between these gold investment-categories.

comparison between Gold vs PPF: which Is better For Investment

A working woman defines the very ethos of our modern society. They take charge of their hard-earned money and live life unapologetically. No wonder they aren’t hesitant to invest in their first love- jewellery. <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women">Women</keyword> have always had a soft corner for jewellery, be it <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gold">gold</keyword>, diamonds or platinum. As an observant male colleague, I have had the pleasure of working with some sincere and beautiful personalities, and it is quite evident that jewellery holds a special place in a lady’s heart. Purchasing gorgeous pieces not just satiates their style appetite but also serves as a <a href="https://www.gold.org/my-gold-guide/when-to-buy/working-womans-guide-profitable-gold-investment-schemes">great investment option</a> for the millennial women. 
 
Women today want to buy minimal and dainty pieces that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/4-Tips-For-Wearing-Jewelry-To-Work/articleshow/38507172.cms">work well with their business suits and traditional attire</a>. It could be hard to believe, but bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to contemporary jewellery. Lately, more subdued jewellery of a smaller scale has been favoured by celebrities and fashionistas alike. Daintier pieces are not only easier to wear, but also are versatile and go with most outfits. With <a href="http://www.vogue.com/article/shop-best-diamond-earrings">tiny studs or a wafer-thin necklace</a>, there’s no need to worry about sagging earlobes or an aching neck caused by larger chunky pieces. Moreover, one is never short of options with online stores. For instance, <a href="https://www.caratlane.com/jewellery/gold-earrings.html">CaratLane offers</a> some breath-taking gold earrings designs, diamond bracelets and platinum rings. 
 The presence of many <keyword id="4143932" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="online-jewellery-sites">online jewellery sites</keyword> not only offer a good range of sleek and modern designs but they also have many attractive discounts that make shopping on these sites irresistible. Some of the popular jewellery pieces that the millennial women are investing in are. 
 
Mismatched Earrings: Mismatched earrings are the latest craze to hit the fashion scene. The likes of Rihanna, Keri Hilson, Ashanti, Alicia Keys, and Brooke Jasmyn have made this style very popular, and hence we find many women investing in this trend today. 
 
 
 
Photo Credit: <keyword id="686987" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="CaratLane">CaratLane</keyword>, featuring Hoop and Hoop Mismatch earrings. 
 
Nail Ring: Several fashionistas are flaunting quirky rings on their nail bed instead of fingers. While bejewelled ones with faux diamantes, coloured stones, and small pearls can make a statement, but those in solid gold are the hot favourites. 
 
 
 
Photo Credit: CaratLane, featuring Grid nail ring, nail charms by Farah khan. 
 
Bracelet: There is really no limit to how often bracelets can be worn. Just like watches, bracelets can be worn every day including alongside wristwatches. There is a wide range of metals from which these bracelets are crafted ranging from platinum, gold, silver, etc. A bracelet is a multi-purpose fashion accessory that has the capability to add colour and flavour to its owner’s outfit and appearance. 
 
 
 
Photo Credit: CaratLane, Cliona Hammered Bracelet. 
 
Nose Ring: A bejewelled nose can turn quite a few heads. It was once considered as ’90s grunge revival, but the nose ring today has become less of a punk or goth statement and more of a fashion accessory these days. Polished and sophisticated, the nose rings have been sported by many international models including Lady Gaga. 
 
 
 
Photo credit: CaratLane, featuring Starry Nose Pin. 
 
A couple of final notes: In all things, jewellery, nothing is a taboo. You can match everything or match nothing. A trend that is very current is to mix and match various colours of gold —like gold, white, and rose. Just be careful not to overdo it, do not wear too many statement pieces on top of each other: a cuff bracelet or a cocktail ring, not both together. 
 A few key points one must keep in mind before <keyword id="602308" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="investing-in-jewellery">investing in jewellery</keyword> are: 
 
1. Try EMI: Most people feel that investing in gold requires a huge capital. That is absolutely untrue. You can now invest in gold for as little as Rs.1000 a month. E-retailers not only have great offers they also have easy payment schemes that let you buy now and pay later. 
 
2. Look for authentication certificates: Many standalone stores and jewellery sites can lure buyers with good schemes. But only the genuine dealers can provide gold purity certificates. 
 
3. Buy jewellery only from reputable brands: Many jewellery shops and online stores have mushroomed, but it is always good to go with reputed brands because of their excellent track- record. 
 
By investing in jewellery, you not only get to express your personal style, but also make a purchase that will only grow in value as times goes by. So, consider your jewellery as a beautiful way to tell your story to the world. 
 
(About the Author: <a href="https://plus.google.com/+UtkarshSahu9?rel=author">Utkarsh Sahu</a> is a digital strategist with over three years of writing experience for business magazines. You may connect with him on <a href="https://in.linkedin.com/in/utkarshsahu9">LinkedIn</a> and Twitter as <a href="https://twitter.com/UtkSahu">@UtkSahu</a>) 
 
(Main Image: Economic Times)

Here’s Why Millennial Women Are Investing in Jewellery

In essence, mutual fund investing is about trusting your money to a professional <keyword id="135622" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="investment-manager">investment manager</keyword> and letting them take investment decisions for you. You take a high-level decision to invest through <keyword id="6357979" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="mutual-funds">mutual funds</keyword> and then let the professionals take over from there. 
 
The investment manager collects a pool of money from a large number of investors and makes the day-to-day decisions to invest it in a portfolio of securities or other assets. These could be <keyword id="6354298" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="stocks">stocks</keyword>, bonds, gold, real estate, or some other securities. Each investor in the fund gets a share of the total assets. 
 Then you only need to monitor if the <keyword id="109711" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Fund-manager">fund manager</keyword> is doing a good job for you. If not, fire them by taking your money out. 
<h2>
	How it works in practice is as follows:</h2>
 
 A reputed financial service company with a track record of managing <keyword id="6362476" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="investments">investments</keyword> sets up what is called an Asset Management Company (Also referred to as an <keyword id="6358378" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="AMC">AMC</keyword>, mutual fund company, or fund house). Not everyone can set up an AMC. They have to get a license from <keyword id="35210" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="sebi">SEBI</keyword> (the regulator that governs mutual funds in India) by demonstrating a track record and solid financial standing. 
 
After getting a license, the AMC decides what kind of mutual fund they want to offer. They can offer just one or many options. Each is called a Mutual Fund Scheme (commonly shortened to scheme, mutual fund or just fund). They will also appoint one or more named individuals to act as the fund manager for that scheme. While offering the Scheme, the AMC clearly defines the investment objective and the mode of operation of the scheme in a set of Offer Documents the format of which has been specified by the regulator. This ensures that the public investor knows exactly how their money is going to be invested. 
 
Let’s say the fund house offers two schemes: 
 
Scheme 1: invests in stocks 
 
Scheme 2 invests in bonds. 
 
As an investor, you can choose to invest in whichever one suits your purpose. Like you, thousands of investors will ‘subscribe to’ or ‘buy’ that scheme. The money so collected is the pool of money or ‘corpus’ available for the fund manager. He or she will then take the decisions about which specific stocks to invest that money in. 
 
The total corpus of the mutual fund scheme is sub-divided into units (or shares), which the investors buy. To begin with the corpus is divided into units of Rs 10. 
 
As the value of the investments made by the mutual fund changes, the value of the units changes as well. This is called the NAV (Net Asset Value) of the unit. It’s calculated by dividing the total value of the net assets of the fund by the number of units. This is published daily so you know how your money is doing. You also get periodic statements with information about your holdings. 
 
The AMC does not do all this for free. They charge a fee for managing the money. In addition there are other costs such as brokerage fees, costs of publishing statements etc. These need to be borne by the investors and are deducted from the corpus periodically. These are called Expenses of the fund and the ratio of expenses to the total money managed by the fund is called Expense Ratio. To protect investors, the regulator SEBI has specified the maximum expense ratio that can be charged. Most fund houses manage to control costs and keep the expenses below the maximum cap. 
 
That was probably a lot of new stuff to learn in one go. But now you can hold your own when your advisor throws these terms at you: 
<ul>
	<li>
		Asset Management Company (AMC, Mutual Fund Company or Fund House)</li>
	<li>
		SEBI (Securities &amp; Exchange Board of India)</li>
	<li>
		Mutual Fund Scheme (Scheme, mutual fund or fund)</li>
	<li>
		Offer Documents</li>
	<li>
		Units or shares</li>
	<li>
		NAV (Net Asset Value)</li>
	<li>
		Expenses, Expense Ratio</li>
</ul>
The next Lesson in this series will be: Why should you consider investing in mutual funds? If you would like to learn more, stay tuned! 
 
(About the author: This article has been contributed by Sanjiv Singhal, CEO, <a href="http://scripbox.com/" target="_blank">scripbox.com</a>.)

Investment
series part 1: What is a mutual fund?

Indians love <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold">gold</keyword>. But interestingly, <keyword id="6357979" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds">mutual funds</keyword> too are fast gaining popularity as an investment option. According to a report by <keyword id="6355988" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assocham">ASSOCHAM</keyword>, while gold continues to be a safe bet, Indians are also returning to the stock market for higher returns following a buoyancy in the equity market in the recent times. 
	 
	“The middle class families are investing in gold as the reliable and stable bet while some of them are also returning to the riskier option of the stock market, enthused by a runaway rise in the equity market in the last one year, especially after formation of the new government at the centre,” said DS Rawat, general secretary of the industry body. 
	 
	The report revealed that considerable percentage of working women preferred investing in the stock market as well through mutual funds schemes like Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) for quicker returns. 
	 
	According to the study, about 72% of the respondents preferred gold as an investing option followed by shares and mutual fund schemes in this festive season followed by extra earnings from bonuses. On the other hand, 62% of corporate seconded the equity markets for investment because there is an easy availability of advisory consultants who they can rely on for guidance. 
	 
	"They are now focusing on investing in gold and stock markets rather than in traditional channels of investment like post offices, fixed deposit and PPF promoted by the government," added Rawat. 
	 
	Nevertheless, Indian investors still practiced investing a portion of their funds in the traditional options as these assured safe returns. 
	 
	Interestingly, analysts noted that while investment in gold may seem as a good option, it may lead to a riskier situation in the overall economy in the long run. “Gold imports rose by 450% in September which is actually worrying as this would add substantially to our import bills. Rising imports have caused concerns among the policy makers while the government is mulling import curbs again,” noted Rawat.

Indians Prefer Gold, Mutual Funds For Investments

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&amp;VBID=2C0FCI62VCX5L&amp;SMLS=1&amp;RW=1562&amp;RH=859#/SearchResult&amp;VBID=2C0FCI62VCX5L&amp;SMLS=1&amp;RW=1562&amp;RH=859&amp;PN=2&amp;POPUPPN=86&amp;POPUPIID=2C04080G5TRCP">REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao</a></div></div></div>The <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword>'s Royal Mint has said it will now offer people the chance to <a href="https://www.royalmintbullion.com/Gold-For-Pensions" target="_blank">buy gold bars</a> to hold in tax-efficient self-invested personal pension (SIPP) schemes.These bars will be stored in the Royal Mint's vault, with prices fluctuating according to the live gold price. The most expensive single bar <a href="https://www.royalmintbullion.com/Products/Bars?utm_source=trm-microsite-newprodpage&amp;utm_medium=inline&amp;utm_campaign=trm-microsite" target="_blank">can be purchased for £28,286 ($41,131)</a>, which will get you one kilogram of gold.There is also a 1% (plus VAT) charge for storing the gold, based on the daily market value.The move follows the decision by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2014 to make gold Bullion a "standard asset," - which means financial advisors are now allowed to advise clients to invest in gold.The Royal Mint adds that for Revenues and Customs (HMRC) to recognise the gold, it must be in "bar or wafer" form and have a purity of "no less than 99.5%."Here's a look at some of the gold bars available on the Royal Mint's website:<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.royalmintbullion.com/Gold-For-Pensions">Royal Mint</a></div></div></div>Chris Howard, director of bullion at the Royal Mint, said the mint's age made it a safe choice: "The Royal Mint benefits from a centuries-old reputation as a trusted bullion provider and manufacturer of coins on a global scale. The move to make Royal Mint gold bullion available for holding within pension schemes opens us up to a whole new marketplace."However Jason Hollands, managing director of financial advisors Tilney Bestinvest, <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/458731ea-2cb2-11e6-a18d-a96ab29e3c95.html#axzz4Axs9OO2H" target="_blank">told the Financial Times</a> that there would only be "marginal interest" in the scheme from pensioners: "Most investors wanting exposure to gold will do so either through Exchange Traded Commodities, which follow bullion prices and are backed up by physical reserves, or through the prism of gold mining stocks or funds specialising in gold equities. The latter are very high risk."Gold has proved to be a solid investment so far in 2016. As a safe haven asset, the metal enjoyed huge inflows early in the year, when crazy volatility in the global markets led investors to look for safe storage spaces for their money. As a result, its price has risen by more than 16% since the beginning of 2016.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><a href="http://www.investing.com/commodities/gold">Investing.com</a></div></div></div> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-interview-edith-cooper-tips-2016-5">Don't walk into an interview at Goldman Sachs without doing this first</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="tvZGNtMzE6fmGEHJcYiExg4AANBpiXWi" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

The Royal Mint is letting British pensioners invest in its gold reserves for the first time

New Delhi, Jan 16 () Mutual funds industry body Amfi has requested the government to allow low cost debt-linked saving schemes, with tax benefits, to deepen bond market, and lower holding period in gold and commodity ETFs to one year from existing three years for LTCG purposes.
 In its Budget proposals to the Finance Ministry, the industry body has also demanded that the government recognise mutual funds (MFs) as specified long-term assets, qualifying for Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG), as well as bring ULIPs of life insurance companies and equity MF schemes on par.
 The mutual fund body has also asked for dividend distribution tax (DDT) exemption for EPFO, NPS and insurance companies investing in MF schemes and pass-through status for income tax purpose to those Category III AIFs which make 65 per cent investments in listed equities.
 "Amfi's suggestions have been in the Budget proposal list for a few years. We are hoping this time our long pending submissions get addressed, which would help take the Indian MF industry not only to the next level of growth but also help in contributing to making economy stronger, especially with deepening of bond market, making long term availability of funds for infrastructure growth, and reducing the fiscal deficit by shifting investments from pure gold to gold ETFs," Amfi Chief Executive N S Venkatesh said.
 Some of the proposals are also aimed at bringing parity with comparable investment avenues and making mutual funds more retail investor friendly, he added.
 The Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) said that mutual funds should be allowed to introduce low-cost, lower-risk tax-exemption-linked debt-linked savings schemes (DLSS) on the lines of equity linked saving schemes (ELSS).
 It further proposed that investments up to Rs 1.5 lakh under DLSS be eligible for tax benefit, subject to a lock in period of 5 years.
 At present, equity-linked savings schemes qualify for tax benefits under Section 80 CCC of the Income Tax Act for an investment limit of up to Rs 1.5 lakh in a fiscal year.
 In order to make gold and commodity ETFs more attractive, the industry body has proposed to lower the holding period for LTCG purposes from 3 years to 1 year, as is the case for listed debt securities.
 Besides, Amfi has requested clarity in respect of creation of segregated portfolio in mutual fund schemes, on capital gains tax treatment upon sale of mutual funds units with regard to the treatment of the units allotted consequent on segregation of portfolio.
 In addition, it has proposed that the threshold limit in equity oriented mutual fund schemes be restored to 50 per cent. Reducing the threshold limit of equities from 65 per cent to 50 per cent for being regarded as 'equity-oriented fund' would encourage more investors with lower risk appetite to invest in such funds.
 Amfi has also proposed that the definition of equity oriented funds be revised to include investment in Fund of Funds schemes, which invest predominantly in units of equity oriented mutual fund schemes. SP 
RVK

Amfi pitches for debt-linked saving schemes with tax benefits in Budget proposal

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Individual investors can invest in <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword> in two ways: physical <keyword id="6384667" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword> (bars or coins), or securities (stocks, funds) that represent gold.</li><li>While bullion is a more direct, "pure" way to own gold, securities are easier to hold and can appreciate.</li><li>Analysts recommend investing 5 to 10% of your portfolio in gold, as a long-term inflation hedge and diversifier.</li></ul>Ah, gold. It's rare, accepted everywhere, and governments can't print it at will. These are the reasons that some folks - fondly known as "gold bugs" - have always invested heavily in the honey-hued metal. And in times of financial chaos, they're not the only ones."History has shown that during economic slowdowns, from the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-caused-the-great-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great Depression</a> to the COVID-19 pandemic, gold appreciates in value," says financial analyst James Jason of Mitrade, a commodities trading platform.No matter what the state of the economy, gold offers a good way to diversify your assets. Many financial advisors recommend keeping anywhere from 5% to 10% of your portfolio in it - perhaps up to 15% in times of crisis.Individuals have two main ways to invest in gold: <ul><li>Physical gold, or bullion (the most obvious, but not necessarily the least expensive) </li><li>Gold securities such as stocks, funds, and futures (less of a pure play, but more convenient)</li></ul>Let's go digging into both.<h2>How to invest in physical gold</h2>Physical gold comes in many forms and sizes, each with its own characteristics and costs. <h3>Gold bullion</h3>Bullion often refers to gold in bulk form, <a href="https://blog.providentmetals.com/poured-bars-vs-ingots-major-differences-similarities.htm#.X1ZSXXlKhhE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usually bars or ingots</a>. Typically, gold bars are poured and ingots are pressed (a cheaper production method). As a result, bars command a higher premium, or added cost, over the daily spot price of gold than ingots. Ranging in size from quarter-oz. wafer to a 430-oz. brick, bars, and ingots are stamped with purity, origin, weight, and where the bullion was minted. Not all gold is equal, especially when it comes to purity and weight. Investment-grade gold is <a href="http://www.lbma.org.uk/cn/downloads/LBMA_Interactive.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least 99.5% pure</a>.Bullion bars and ingots <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0135-investing-bullion-and-bullion-coins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are sold by</a> banks and gold dealers. Banks often offer physical gold at a lower-markup than dealers but finding a branch that actually has it may be harder.<h3>Gold coins</h3>Minted coins are another common way to buy physical gold. Not to be confused with old rare coins that numismatists collect, these coins are new, minted by governments for investors. The prices they fetch are based on their gold content -aka their "melt value"- plus a 1%-5% premium. Although several governments issue gold coins, for maximum liquidity, most buyers stick with the most widely circulated and recognized:<ul><li>American Gold Eagle</li><li>Australian Gold Nugget</li><li>Canadian Maple Leaf</li><li>South African Krugerrand</li></ul>Minted bullion coins are available from major banks, coin dealers, brokerage firms, and precious metal dealers.<h2>Pros and cons of physical gold</h2>For many people, the whole point of owning gold is to own the physical stuff. It's the actual metal that has most of the inherent investment advantages. <h3>Advantages of physical gold</h3><ul><li>Inflation hedge. Advocates argue that, as a tangible asset, gold maintains an intrinsic value that always reflects the cost of living. There's an old saying that an ounce of gold equals the cost of a quality business suit. That held in 1934 when men's suits fetched $35, and it does today too, with gold close to $2,000 an ounce (of course, that suit better be a Boglioli). </li><li>Counterweight to stocks. Like other commodities, gold acts as a counterfoil to equities, usually moving in the opposite direction of the stock market. Case in point: When the subprime mortgage meltdown began in 2008, ushering in the Great Recession, gold-which for years had been trading in the $400-600 range-shot up to $1,000 per ounce and kept going for the next three years.</li><li>Safe haven. Gold's seen as a safe haven in uncertain times or whenever there's socio-political turmoil. After the 2016 Brexit vote, its price rose over 10% in one month, for example. "Owning gold," says Dennis Notchick, a certified financial planner at Stratos Wealth Advisors, "appeals to individuals who are concerned about the collapse of global <keyword id="31671" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="markets" source="Orion">markets</keyword> or other threats to a government's ability to back its currency." </li><li>Virtually indestructible. "Physical gold cannot be hacked or erased," says Charles Stevens, COO of Bullion Box Subscriptions. (Remember, we're thinking in catastrophic terms here.) "Gold cannot be destroyed by a natural disaster and it will not get worn down in time."</li></ul><h3>Drawbacks of physical gold </h3><ul><li>Expensive to hold. Storing gold at home carries enormous risks of theft or loss. Keeping it in a commercial facility incurs storage costs, often based on the size and value of the holdings (anywhere from .5% to 2%). If you're not using a professional storage facility, you'll want to insure your gold, too - another ongoing charge. </li><li>Illiquid. Physical gold can't be sold with a press of the button or a call to a broker. Even with dealers acting for you, a sale can get days or weeks to settle, plus you have to arrange for shipping. </li><li>Does not produce income or profit. A $1,000 investment in bullion buys $1,000 - period. Physical gold doesn't generate interest or dividends. The only potential for appreciation is if there's a jump in prices that lets you sell at a profit (and even that can be compromised by the time, effort, and various assessment costs that accompany selling).</li></ul><h2>How to invest in gold securities</h2>Given the hassles and limits of bullion, gold securities - in the form of stocks, funds, or options - are often a better choice, especially for novice investors. They may not be as pretty, but they're infinitely more practical:<h3>Gold stocks</h3>Buying shares of companies in the mining, refining, or other aspects of the gold production business is one way to play. About 300 of these companies, aka "miners," are listed on major stock exchanges. Their share prices generally reflect the movement of the metal itself. However, "the growth and return in the stock depend on the expected future earnings of the company, not just on the value of gold," notes the World Gold Council, an industry trade group.<h3>Gold ETFs and mutual funds</h3>More conservative investors can buy shares in gold-oriented mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds have varying investment approaches: gold-backed ETFs tend to invest directly in physical gold, while mutual funds favor gold mining stocks. Some funds invest in both. But all offer a liquid, low-cost entry into the gold market that is more diversified, and so lower-risk, than buying equities outright.<h3>Gold options</h3>More seasoned investors might consider an option on a gold <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">futures</a> contract. Like any financial option, these represent the right - but not the obligation - to buy or sell an asset (gold in this case) at a specific price during a specified window of time. You can buy an option to bet on whether gold's going up or going down, and if the market moves the opposite way, all you've lost is the small amount you've paid for the option. Gold options trade on a division of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) known as COMEX. Gold options can be bought on gold bullion or on gold ETFs.<h2>Pros and cons of gold securities</h2>Like any financial asset, gold securities have both benefits and drawbacks.<h3>Advantages of gold securities</h3>Along with some of the general benefits of gold ownership, securities offer:<ul><li>Liquidity. Trading as they do on major exchanges, gold securities are obviously easier to buy and sell than bullion. No storage costs, either - aside from any management or account fees your broker or fund manager might charge.</li><li>Compounded returns. While dividends offered by miners are typically average at best, they are greater than no dividends at all, which is what you get from physical gold. And there is also the possibility of appreciation in the share price.</li><li>Low initial investment. The most cost-efficient way to invest in general, mutual funds and ETFs let you in on the game at a far lower cost. With the <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/gold-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spot price </a>of an ounce of gold around $2,000, $180 for a share of the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/spdr-gold-shares-us78463v1070" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GLD</a>) - equal to 1/10th of an ounce of gold - is, well, spot on. </li></ul><h3>Drawbacks of gold securities</h3><ul><li>Volatility. Just as with any company, a miner's operating costs, reserves, and management all play a factor in its performance. As a result, shares prices tend to be more volatile: If bullion sinks 10%, gold stocks often plummet 15%. Miners definitely "have a higher speculative aspect to them," says investment strategist Lyn Alden, who follows precious metals and currencies. </li><li>Systematic risks. A gold mining company's share performance also reflects in political and economic conditions in its native country. Some of the biggest operations are in Africa, Russia, and Latin America - places that have known their share of turbulence and are often avoided by socially responsible and institutional investors.</li><li>You don't own gold. Gold securities are less of a pure play. They represent physical gold but you <a href="https://nationwidecoins.com/gold-stocks-vs-physical-gold-portfolio-options-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don't have the right</a> to redeem them for the actual metal. So they don't provide the protection against a paper currency or financial market meltdown that the metal itself does. </li></ul><h2>The financial takeaway</h2>So, should you go for the gold? Though it usually becomes part of the conversation during times of economic crisis or political uncertainty, gold as part of your portfolio makes sense anytime - as a diversifier of your holdings, if nothing else. But how much to invest, and what form to invest in, depends on your own tolerance for risk and desire for convenience.<a data-type="61143d4737043a45f7070cd8">Digital assets are becoming the new normal - here's how to buy cryptocurrency</a><a data-type="613a241ebd69125fd4743686">Start investing in mutual funds in 4 steps</a><a data-type="6140c7ba4dde6127641ef2ec">What to know about staking - the process of locking up crypto holdings to earn rewards and interest</a><a data-type="613a2035b0b35f5c695cf174">5-step beginner's guide to investing in index funds</a>

How to start investing in gold - and the major benefits and drawbacks to know about

<div type="image" title="Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!" height="900" width="1200" msid="114507055" hostid="261" sizebytes="439216" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from <keyword id="23657519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="king-midas" source="keywords">King Midas</keyword> to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the <keyword id="6384667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword>. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind China. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> and <keyword id="4067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="Orion">Dhanteras</keyword> knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure 24k gold, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an <keyword id="19930506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="etf" source="keywords">ETF</keyword> on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2>Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the RBI and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2>Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3- and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the LTCG (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

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