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In Maharashtra’s Thane district, police have registered a case of alleged fraud involving two construction company owners accused of deceiving a family of ₹1.2 crore. The incident came to light after a 28-year-old woman from Thane’s Rabodi area lodged a complaint against the two accused, who are brothers. The accused allegedly persuaded the woman, her mother, and her sister to invest the substantial sum in their construction company based in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Promises were made of a significant payout within five years or, alternatively, the option of acquiring two or three apartments in the city’s prime real estate zone. According to the complaint, the woman’s family entered the deal on December 31, 2022, convinced by assurances of either a return of ₹3 crore over five years or property options in Bandra. To meet the required investment amount, the family borrowed funds from various sources, entrusting their money with the accused based on the lucrative promises. The police official handling the case noted that the family, enticed by the seemingly profitable terms, had not foreseen the outcome that would follow. In May 2023, however, when the family attempted to reclaim their funds and the anticipated profit, the accused allegedly declined the request. The complainant stated that the brothers not only refused to pay but also reportedly threatened the family, citing powerful connections that would shield them from legal repercussions. This behaviour alarmed the family, leading them to seek legal recourse. The Rabodi police have filed a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 420 for cheating, Section 406 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 506 for criminal intimidation. Additionally, charges were filed under Section 34, indicating common intention, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act. The case highlights the dangers that investors may face when lured by high-return promises in unregulated sectors. Fraudulent schemes in real estate and construction have been known to target individuals and families looking for profitable investments, often leaving them with financial losses and emotional distress. Authorities are continuing investigations, with the Rabodi police closely monitoring the case to gather further evidence. This incident is expected to bring more attention to regulatory practices within the real estate industry and underscore the need for stricter oversight to protect potential investors from falling prey to deceitful operators. (with PTI inputs)

Thane family loses Rs 1.2 crore as they get cheated by construction company, details here

The deluge of funds in sectoral, or <keyword id="20296225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thematic-Funds" source="keywords">thematic funds</keyword> continued unabashed in September, with investors pouring in Rs 13,254.63 crore via 183 schemes into this category, as <keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AMFI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AMFI">AMFI</keyword> data showed. In August too, investors had put in Rs 18,117.18 crore via 179 schemes here. The trend has been going strong since July, 2024, which saw <keyword id="20444306" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sectoral-Funds" source="keywords">sectoral funds</keyword> garner Rs 18,386.35 crores via 174 schemes. In August, 5 new thematic funds were launched on the momentum, which raised Rs 10,202 crore. Last month saw the launch of 4 new sectoral schemes, which garnered around Rs 8,000 crore. However, inflows into <keyword id="21366551" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Equity-Schemes" source="keywords">equity schemes</keyword> fell by 10% in September to Rs 34,419 crore, as compared to Rs 38,239 crore in August 2024. Between April and June 2024, equity <keyword id="19929240" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mutual-Funds" source="keywords">mutual funds</keyword> had seen a total inflow of Rs 94,222.27 crore, out of which inflows in sectoral funds (Rs 46,731.17 crore) alone were a whopping 50%. While the quantum of inflow in equities, and sectoral funds certainly seems to have tapered down a bit, it continues to remain significantly strong, indicating heavy <keyword id="20354507" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Investor-Interest" source="keywords">investor interest</keyword> in this largely risky segment. Over the last year, AMCs have been pumping out more and more NFOs in this space in a bid to get a bigger chunk of investor's money, and also regulations restrict them from launching new schemes under other categories. However, with the ongoing geopolitical concerns in Middle East, and rising prices of crude oil, the equity markets are set for volatile, uncertain times ahead. However. thematic funds have had a good run so far this year, with YTD (yield to date) of 28.69%, and returns worth 44.71% over the past year. Says Deepak Ramaraju, Senior Fund Manager, Shriram AMC, "On the prima facie, it looks like investors are concerned about the valuation, increasing geo-political uncertainty and moderation in earnings and hence, we have seen redemption from funds. But we will have to wait for how the global events play out – like the Chinese stimulus, the Fed Decision and the RBI’s MPC policy stance in the months to come". As such, you should think twice and carefully assess the risks involved before dipping your hands in the gush of sectoral funds right now. While they may be all the rage, identifying the right sector or theme at the right time is a job best done by professionals. <h2>Don't ignore the risks involved</h2>Siddharth Alok, AVP Investments, Multi Ark Wealth-Epsilon Money explains that sectoral funds come with high risk, since they are more vulnerable to sector-specific downturns. This might not suit the risk palate of many investors. "All markets have cycles, where some sectors naturally outperform while some underperform in the short to medium term. For instance, industrial and consumer discretionary sectors may perform well in a growing economy, while defensive sectors like utilities or healthcare may perform better during downturns". "To make the most of your investments in sectoral funds, it is essential to time your entry and exit in these sectors, which is a difficult job for a regular investor", he continued. In order to maximise your returns in thematic funds, either investors i.e. you should understand the dynamics of the underlying sector or theme, or you should have qualified and experienced advisors who can help you take the right decision with regards to such investments. As a matter of fact, you should approach any new funds only after comparing them with similar existing offerings and ensuring their aptness in your portfolio. As an astute investor, you should understand that such funds offer a very high-risk high return investment proposition and may not fit in the portfolio of every investor. Investing in every <keyword id="20498936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NFO" source="keywords">NFO</keyword> (New Fund Offering) without assessing the sector's viability and future growth, merely on the back of its current hype is unadvisable.

The newest fad in mutual fund multiverse: Sectoral Funds. Here's why you should not over-invest in them

Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

Consumer goods, auto and healthcare sector to expand but energy may face challenge in 2025: Report

Imagine waking up to a sunlit morning, where the sky is painted with vibrant hues of blue and the air feels crisp and invigorating. For some, this might be the perfect weather to go for a refreshing walk or plan a picnic in the park; for others, it could be a nudge towards making riskier financial decisions! No, really. New research by the University of South Australia has unearthed a fascinating connection — one which links pleasant weather to higher investment in lottery-like stocks. Its findings shed light on how sunny skies and clear weather conditions significantly influence investors to engage more in high-risk investments. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The sunny side of investing" comment="subhead" text="The sunny side of investing">The sunny side of investing</cmsannotation> This study was conducted by Dr Bradrania, Senior Lecturer of Finance and a member of UniSA's Center for Markets, Values and Inclusion, alongside PhD student Ya Gao. Together, they meticulously analysed 36 years' worth of weather data, including hourly sky cloud cover, wind speed, rain depth and air temperature from major weather stations across US cities. They also examined price data of common stocks from this extensive period, ranging from 1983 to 2019. Their findings indicate that on days with favourable weather, investors are more prone to be risk-taking and optimistic, leading to increased investment in lottery-like stocks. This surge in demand drives the prices of these stocks higher initially, but their prices eventually adjust, often resulting in significant losses for investors. Such lottery-like stocks are typically inexpensive compared to other stocks and are perceived as opportunities for substantial gains, much like lottery tickets. However, the likelihood of a high return is minimal, categorising them as high-risk investments. Given that a good mood can encourage risk-taking behaviour, the researchers sought to find if weather conditions are linked to the demand for these <keyword id="21956496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="high-risk-stocks" source="keywords">high-risk stocks</keyword>, and they did — a finding that could have significant implications for financial markets. “Over-optimism is associated with overconfidence in many cases and investors who are overconfident tend to trade lottery-like stocks more. The research suggests weather relates to gambling preference and influences our judgement and choices. It also provides some guidance on investment decisions depending on weather conditions,” Dr. Bradrania said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The curious link between weather and human behaviour" comment="subhead" text="The curious link between weather and human behaviour">The curious link between weather and human behaviour</cmsannotation> Studies in psychology have delved into the profound impact of weather on human emotions and behaviour, suggesting that it can explain around 40% of our daily mood fluctuations. Sunshine, in particular, can have a huge impact on how we feel, Dr. Reza Bradrania adds. Previous research has even underscored the broader implications of weather patterns on financial markets, indicating a tendency for stock prices to rise on sunny days and dip during cloudier periods. Weather dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping consumer spending habits as well, notably leading to increased sales during warmer weather, particularly in sports equipment and apparel sectors. Moreover, seasonal transitions have been found to wield considerable influence over our emotional state — a phenomenon well-documented in <keyword id="19978647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="seasonal-affective-disorder" source="keywords">Seasonal Affective Disorder</keyword> (SAD). This condition manifests as recurring episodes of depression, typically coinciding with the onset of a fall and persisting through the winter months. The diminished sunlight during these seasons disrupts the body's natural rhythm, contributing to feelings of melancholy and lethargy. From affecting our emotional well-being to our financial situation, weather can have a significant impact on humans, often in ways that might not be immediately obvious to us. Therefore, being aware of these subtle effects could go a long way in helping us make well-informed decisions and navigate daily challenges effectively. The research is published in the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance and can be accessed <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S221463502400025X">here</a>.

Blue skies, bold investments: Pleasant weather drives investors to buy more high-risk stocks, study finds

Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Sebi" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Sebi">SEBI</keyword> has asked the <keyword id="20677983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-fund-industry" source="keywords">mutual fund industry</keyword> to proactively conduct stress tests, a key component of <keyword id="20383727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="risk-management" source="keywords">risk management</keyword> for the financial sector, which will help strengthen the ecosystem, its whole-time member Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan said on Friday. The regulator's stress testing emphasizes the need to assess and manage liquidity risks, especially in small and midcap equity schemes. Speaking at a mutual fund event, Gopalakrishnan highlighted the importance of modelling stress scenarios not just for individual schemes or fund houses, but for the entire mutual fund ecosystem. "It is also important to model stress scenarios for the entire composite mutual fund ecosystem. I would strongly encourage the industry and <keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AMFI" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="AMFI">AMFI</keyword> to take the lead and proactively conduct objective and credible industry wide stress tests. themselves," Gopalakrishnan said. He also emphasized the need to find better ways to communicate the risks associated with different mutual fund schemes. The SEBI official mentioned that while the current risk measurement system is straightforward and has had a significant impact, it doesn't fully capture the differences in risks among various investment schemes. According to him, many schemes are just labelled as high risk, even though they have different kinds of risks. The goal is to improve this system to better reflect those differences, while keeping it simple and easy to understand. One possible approach is to consider the portfolio's volatility and liquidity from stress tests to give a clearer picture. "While ensuring simplicity and ease of understanding remains a key objective, perhaps the underlying volatility of the portfolio along with the liquidity of the portfolio from stress tests could be used to provide better colour all around," he added. This comes at a time when the holdings of mutual funds by <keyword id="20234284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="domestic-institutional-investors" source="keywords">Domestic Institutional Investors</keyword> (DIIs) and individuals have risen from about 54.3% of free float of all mid cap and small cap companies, as of March 2020 to 60.6% as of March 2024. Several fund houses have proactively stopped lump sum investments in some small-cap schemes and also capped the amount that can be invested through <keyword id="20675888" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="systematic-investment-plan" source="keywords">Systematic Investment Plan</keyword> (SIP) into small-cap schemes. He also highlighted the potential mismatch between the demand for paper and the supply of fresh paper coming into the ecosystem. Gopalakrishnan said the industry can make more progress in streamlining operations and improving efficiency for investors. "At a time when instantaneous fund transfers have become ubiquitous in our country, perhaps we should look to improve our internal processes and the security settlement ecosystem, to ensure that funds are passed on to investors on the day of the settlement itself, rather than a day after or two days after," he added. Over the last few years, the mutual fund industry has made impressive strides, and is now playing a crucial role in channeling financial savings towards risk capital formation. This was driven by stable macros, increased formalization, robust corporate earnings, digitisation and user friendly access. Moreover, the number of mutual fund investors has grown significantly from about 2 crore as of March 2019 to nearly 4.7 crore as of June 2024, an impressive compounded annual growth rate of 18% during that period. Gopalakrishnan mentioned that several exciting initiatives are in the works, developed with input from all stakeholders. These include a proposed low-ticket SIP, further breaking down regular SIPs into smaller, more accessible units (sachetisation and tokenization), and the introduction of "mutual funds lite" regulations. These new regulations will simplify rules for passively managed funds, reducing the compliance burden and encouraging competition and innovation. Additionally, a new class of higher-risk schemes is proposed for investors with a greater capacity to handle risk.

SEBI asks mutual fund industry to proactively conduct stress test

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US stocks were on a roll following Donald Trump's victory in last week's election.</li><li>Markets are banking on lower taxes and fewer restrictions on businesses.</li></ul>The week since the US elections was better for stocks than anyone other than Donald Trump's biggest supporters could have expected.Many parts of the market <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sectorspdrs.com/sectortracker">caught fire</a> ever since Republicans significantly outpaced polls on November 5. The consensus view among strategists is that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-trump-win-election-stock-market-outlook-strategy-2024-11">US stocks are set up for success during Trump's next term</a>, as they believe his policies will benefit corporations and the economy.Sébastien Page, an investment chief and head of global multi-asset at T. Rowe Price, is mostly on board with this upbeat sentiment. He told Business Insider last week that the post-election relief rally checks out, as markets finally have more clarity about policy in the next four years."The reduction in the uncertainty that we had going into the election — that's good for stocks," Page said in an interview, as are the possibilities of deregulation and corporate tax cuts.Even more vital for stocks is the economic growth backdrop. Widely followed indicators like GDP growth and the unemployment rate <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-outlook-tariffs-trump-trade-war-slowdown-jpmorgan-david-kelly-2024-10">suggest that the US is already on solid ground</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/consumer-confidence">consumer sentiment is rebounding strongly</a> from perplexingly low levels.While there have been signs of softness in the labor market, including <a target="_blank" href="https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/ces0000000001?output_view=net_1mth">lackluster job additions in four of the last five months</a>, Page expects the economic expansion to roll on — at least for now."The probability of recession is rarely zero, but my view is, it's unlikely for the next 12 months," Page said.<h2 id="d6647ee1-0cb2-4d09-9bed-457944a6aa59">3 key risks to watch heading into 2025</h2>Although Page is optimistic about the path forward for stocks and the economy, he thinks investors shouldn't ignore three risks that could cause a market reversal.Chief among Page's concerns is that valuations are historically high and leave little room for error on the earnings front.The S&amp;P 500's 35.6% rise in the last 12 months and 67% gain since its bear-market low in October 2022 has pushed the index's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to over 22x. That's the <a target="_blank" href="https://yardeni.com/charts/stock-market-p-e-ratios/">one of the richest marks in the last two decades</a>, and it suggests this supportive backdrop is no secret.<div type="image" title="S&amp;P 500 val 11-12-24" height="1120" width="1990" msid="115253245" hostid="261" sizebytes="168202"></div>And even if growth stays robust, stocks may have already pulled forward future gains."If you had to summarize my view, I'm positive on the economy, but I think it's mainly priced in," Page said.If earnings continue to defy expectations, as they have again in the third quarter, stocks could keep climbing. Profits increased about 7.1% in Q3, which is much higher than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-q3-earnings-season-recession-risk-investing-strategy-2024-10">the 4.6% that analysts were calling for</a>. That's an underrated reason why stocks have done so well lately.But otherwise, it's quite possible that the S&amp;P 500 could give back much of its recent gains."There's a lot priced in," Page said. "The earnings expectations for next year are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-q3-earnings-season-recession-risk-investing-strategy-2024-10">about 15% growth</a>. We're tracking at around 9% growth this year."Page added: "Earnings coming up is good, but high expectations can lead to disappointment."Stocks often perform well in expansions, the investment chief said, though there are exceptions.In 2022, the S&amp;P 500 had its worst year since the financial crisis, <a target="_blank" href="https://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/spearn.htm">even as earnings ticked up</a>. Stocks were plagued by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-cpi-price-growth-june-2022-7">multi-decade high inflation</a>, interest rate hikes, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gdp-q2-economic-growth-recession-inflation-hiring-us-recovery-progress-2022-7">two quarters of negative GDP</a>, and geopolitical flare-ups like Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Most of those concerns have since been neutralized, though new ones could pop up whenever."There's always tail risks, and next year it could be geopolitics — maybe another oil shock," Page said. "But I don't personally see a repeat of '22, unless something major happens to maybe commodity markets, or a major disappointment in earnings — something unexpected in terms of some of those flagship companies that are dominating the market."The last major concern Page cited is one that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-outlook-trump-president-economy-tariffs-trade-war-kelly-2024-11">many market observers have warned about lately</a>: a global trade war defined by steep tariffs, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-trump-harris-economy-inflation-stock-market-volatility-risk-orlik-2024-10">which could hurt growth and spark inflation</a>."The market might be underestimating the potential impact of trade wars that could be disruptive," Page said. "Maybe the market is thinking, 'This is a problem for another day,' and we'll see. But the president has more power over trade policy than fiscal, and all those expectations [are] for lower taxes, so maybe the market's underestimating this a little bit."Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/trump-favors-huge-new-tariffs-how-do-they-work">has hinted</a> that he'll put 60% tariffs on Chinese imports and up to 20% tariffs on other foreign goods, though even some of his outspoken critics have said that he might be bluffing. That's Page's hunch as well."It's not necessarily what is actually going to happen," Page said. "With this administration, there's a tendency to use tariffs as part of a strategy to bring manufacturing into the country, as a negotiation tool."If Trump actually implements such tariffs, pundits like Anthony Scaramucci have said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-crash-risk-outlook-trump-deportation-tariff-anthony-scaramucci-2024-11">there'd be a major market meltdown</a>. Page had no such call, but even if there was a modest pullback, the investment chief wouldn't necessarily complain."We like to buy when markets sell off," Page said.

'High expectations can lead to disappointment': A top strategist at T. Rowe Price outlines the 3 risks he's watching as markets celebrate Trump's win

New Delhi: Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">Sebi</keyword> has proposed allowing Real Estate Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="REITs" source="keywords">REITs</keyword>), Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186403" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="InvITs" source="keywords">InvITs</keyword>) to use <keyword id="21737868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate-derivatives" source="keywords">interest rate derivatives</keyword> for <keyword id="23778373" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hedging-risk" source="keywords">hedging risk</keyword>. Also, the regulator has suggested approving locked-in units for REITs and InvITs to be transferred among sponsors and their groups, similar to rules for promoters in listed companies, to help sponsors manage their holdings without compromising "skin in the game". Additionally, Sebi has suggested permitting fixed deposits to be considered as cash equivalents when calculating leverage for REITs and InvITs, clarifying credit rating requirements for REIT and InvIT borrowings, and setting a timeline for filling vacancies on their boards and expanding the asset base for REITs and SM REITs. The regulator has also proposed to permit REITs to invest in liquid mutual funds. It has suggested measures to facilitate ease of doing business for REITs and InvITs, along with investors' protection. According to its consultation paper, Sebi is considering allowing REITs and InvITs to hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using derivatives like interest rate swaps. This could help stabilise cash flows, reduce risks, and protect unitholder interests, especially for long-term infrastructure projects. It is also proposed to define "Common Infrastructure" for REIT regulations. To enhance business flexibility for REITs, it has been proposed to clarify that facilities like power plants, heating/cooling systems, water treatment, and waste treatment plants -- serving one or more REIT assets -- will qualify as "common infrastructure" under REIT rules. This applies even if these facilities are not located within a single project due to their technical requirements. These facilities should supply and be used exclusively by REIT assets. For power plants, however, any excess power can be sold to the state utility/grid as per regulations, with any credits or payments going towards the benefit of REIT assets. To improve transparency, it has been proposed to amend the governance norms for quarterly reporting of InvITs. Currently, quarterly results for the investment manager and its business segments are presented to the investment manager's board, but there is no direct requirement for InvITs to report their performance. The proposed amendment would clarify that quarterly results should specifically reflect the performance of the InvITs themselves, not just the investment managers. This change aligns InvIT regulations with REIT regulations, where the focus is on the quarterly results of the REIT itself. Also, it has been suggested to align the composition of NRCs in REIT and InvIT managers with listed companies under the LODR regulations. Currently, all NRC members for REITs and InvITs must be independent directors. The proposal allows a mix of independent and non-executive directors, similar to listed companies. To enhance investors' protection, Sebi has suggested reviewing conditions for InvITs to borrow beyond the 49 per cent limit, assessing REIT investments in unlisted equity shares and outlining the roles and responsibilities of trustees for REITs, InvITs, and SM REITs. In a separate consultation paper, the regulator has proposed a regulatory framework for "restricted return InvITs" to provide infrastructure investors with predictable returns by setting limits on both upside gains and downside protection. The proposed framework for restricted return InvITs is designed to provide investors with structured returns, capped at both minimum and maximum levels to offer stability. Restricted return InvITs would include downside protection -- a minimum assured return -- and/or an upside restriction, a cap on returns -- depending on the arrangement. These investments would be limited to sophisticated investors who meet high minimum investment thresholds, with each unit priced at a minimum of Rs 500 crore and total InvIT assets of at least Rs 50,000 crore. Investors would be required to sign a waiver and undertaking form, acknowledging their understanding of the structured returns and risks involved, including the transfer of any excess returns to the sponsors. This waiver should be submitted before purchase in both primary and secondary markets, with compliance overseen by merchant bankers or brokers. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sought public comments on both consultation papers by November 13.

Sebi proposes to allow InvITs, REITs, SM REITs to use interest rate derivatives for hedging risk

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Stocks have hit records highs this year as they've entered "Goldilocks zone," Mark Spitznagel says.</li><li>He says investors are overly confident amid immediate positive catalysts like rate cuts and disinflation.</li></ul>"Black Swan" investor Mark Spitznagel thinks that the stock market's streak of record highs is distracting from a more jarring reality that could come by year-end.In a recent <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-09-26/universa-s-spitznagel-says-we-re-in-a-goldilocks-zone-video?sref=LspfQlRv">interview with Bloomberg TV</a>, he said investors are currently enjoying a market that's in a "Goldilocks zone." In his mind, they're focusing too much on positive drivers like disinflation and dropping rates. That's built up overconfidence in the current market.Instead, Spitznagel says they should focus more on catalysts that have a greater lag time, and which could send markets spiraling once they hit. Still, any sort of downturn could take a while longer, he admitted."I think this is going to continue more into sort of pure euphoria before it's over," he said.Spitznagel specifically referenced the recent uninversion of the yield curve, which has historically been a reliable recession indicator."When the yield curve disinverts and then unverts, the clock starts ticking and that's when you enter black swan territory," Spitznagel <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-26/stock-market-s-goldilocks-zone-is-in-danger-of-an-abrupt-end">told Bloomberg</a>. "Black swans always lurk, but now we're in their territory."Spitznagel said traders should be more focused on where the market will stand next year as the Fed cuts rates. In his opinion, the Fed was wrong to hike rates so much during the most recent tightening cycle, and that the economy will be forced to deal with those effects eventually."We really need to look back to '22 and what happened there. That was a massive hike, a massive tightening that happened in the economy. Personally, I thought it was an enormous mistake at the time," he said.It's not the first time Spitznagel has raised warning signs on the economy. He has warned of a stock market crash <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-crash-recession-debt-bubble-1929-black-swan-fund-2023-1?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">since January 2023</a>, and back in July, he said the market's yearslong rally has become the <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-bubble-close-to-bursting-mark-spitznagel-black-swan-2024-7">"greatest bubble in human history,"</a> and its bursting would make for a recession.Spitznagel heads Universa Investments, a fund that hedges bets on "Black Swan" events like the 2008 stock-market crash, the 2015 flash crash, and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. When such events occur, Spitznagel capitalizes on the sudden dislocations.

The stock market's euphoria-driven record highs are at risk of a painful downturn, 'Black Swan' investor says

Stock market trading is something that needs expert guidance and has its own set of risks associated. This is why, people generally consult experts before investing in stocks. However, one needs to be careful who they are seeking advice from when it comes to financial matters. In a recent case, a 63-year-old man from Hyderabad lost Rs 50 lakh after falling for a fraudulent stock trading scheme shared through a <keyword id="790242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="whatsapp" source="Orion">WhatsApp</keyword> group. This is just one example of how fraudsters are increasingly using messaging platforms to lure in victims with false promises of easy profits. <h2>How the scam unfolded </h2> The scam began when the victim received an invitation to join a WhatsApp group called Stock Discussion Group. According to a Times Now report, the group was led by a man named <keyword id="23828130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kunal-singh" source="keywords">Kunal Singh</keyword>, who introduced himself as a financial advisor with extensive experience in the stock market. Singh claimed that his past clients had earned significant profits, boasting of returns as high as 500% by following his stock trading advice. Intrigued by these promises, the victim enrolled in online classes that were promoted within the group. These sessions, held through private links shared on WhatsApp, promised to teach participants how to make money by investing in the stock market. Singh continued to assure group members that his expertise would guide them to financial success. The victim, trusting his guidance, began to invest small amounts of money on a platform called Skyrim Capital, which Singh claimed was a legitimate trading platform. At first, the victim saw some returns on his investment, which only encouraged him to invest more. The initial success built his confidence, and over time, he transferred a total of Rs 50 lakh into multiple investments, believing that he was making wise financial decisions. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds, he was unable to do so. The platform blocked his attempts, and when he tried to contact Singh, he received no response. The truth behind the scam The victim soon realised that he had been scammed. The platform, Skyrim Capital, turned out to be nothing more than a front for fraudulent activity, and Singh had disappeared with the man’s money. The scam had been carefully designed to build trust initially, only to betray the victim when he tried to cash out. The fraudsters used the lure of high returns and expert advice to convince the victim to keep investing larger sums, ultimately draining his finances. This scam is just one of many that have been reported in India, with cybercriminals exploiting the convenience and popularity of platforms like WhatsApp to reach potential victims. These scams often rely on false promises and fake personas, with fraudsters creating elaborate stories to convince their targets that they are legitimate financial advisors.

63-year-old Hyderabad man loses ₹50 lakh after joining WhatsApp group for stock market investment advice

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Welcome back! The fast-moving, big business of weight-loss drugs is already shifting to its next stage. Here's a rundown of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/upcoming-glp1-weight-loss-drugs-to-watch-2024-11">five upcoming pills and injections</a> to keep an eye on.In today's big story, Microsoft's massive bet on AI with Copilot <a target="_blank" href="https://businessinsider.com/microsoft-ai-artificial-intelligence-bet-doubts-marc-benioff-satya-nadella-2024-11">has yet to live up to the hype</a>, potentially raising alarms for everyone else investing in the space.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: You can still bet on politics <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-political-prediction-bets-trump-2028-nominees-election-kalshi-polymarket-2024-11">even though the election is over</a>.</li><li>Tech: Why the Trump-Musk relationship is unlike anything <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-donald-trump-elected-shadow-president-2024-11">we've ever seen in US politics</a>.</li><li>Business: Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-chapter-11-bankruptcy-restructure-low-cost-airlines-2024-11">tells customers it'll keep flying</a>.</li></ul>But first, is this thing even worth it?If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3 id="7fa5f018-5b05-4a37-a8dc-d3f89138bcb3">The big story</h3><h2 id="5fd547b9-ec52-41fc-8e08-4f4b27dd8097">A Copilot conundrum</h2><div type="image" title="Microsoft logo glitching" height="1000" width="1334" msid="115423174" hostid="261" sizebytes="160900"></div>Microsoft's challenges with its flagship AI product could be another red flag for an industry with high hopes for the tech.Business Insider's Ashley Stewart, our resident Microsoft expert, has a deep dive on Copilot <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-ai-artificial-intelligence-bet-doubts-marc-benioff-satya-nadella-2024-11">coming up short on the big expectations laid out for it</a> when it launched over a year ago.CEO Satya Nadella didn't hold back initially, describing Copilot as something that would "fundamentally transform our relationship with technology" when it was unveiled.But internally and among clients, that doesn't always feel like the case. One Microsoft executive told Ashley that Copilot offers useful results about 10% of the time."The rest of the time it's: Why do we even try?" they said.It's an unsettling realization considering the stakes of AI. Many companies — and arguably the entire US stock market — are banking on generative AI being revolutionary. And while Microsoft's bet on AI dwarfs almost everyone else's, its hangup with the tech is something a company of any size can relate to: Is this stuff worth it?It's also not the only challenge the generative AI space is navigating.Reports about OpenAI's newest AI model struggling to show big improvements raised questions about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-orion-model-scaling-law-silicon-valley-chatgpt-2024-11">tech hitting a performance wall</a>. CEO Sam Altman appeared to address it with a cryptic tweet: "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-ai-wall-slowdown-openai-2024-11">there is no wall</a>."Still, it's feeding concerns about the timeline for artificial general intelligence. AGI is the concept that autonomous computer systems outperform humans at most economically valuable work, but it appears <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/agi-predictions-looking-stretched-openai-sam-altman-google-ai-2024-11">harder to achieve than previously anticipated</a>, writes BI's Alistair Barr.<div type="image" title="AI robot hand gripping a time bomb, displaying a countdown timer set to expire in 2025" height="1500" width="2000" msid="115423171" hostid="261" sizebytes="122298"></div>The counterargument is straightforward: It's still the early innings.Microsoft is adamant its Copilot investment is already paying off. Jared Spataro, a vice president of marketing for Microsoft 365, pointed Ashley to Copilot success stories like Lumen Technologies, which projects $50 million in annual savings from its sales team's use of Copilot.Some customers aren't necessarily worried either, as they continue to plow money into AI. A Flexera survey found OpenAI ranked fourth among vendors that IT leaders plan to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-top-vendor-it-leaders-2024-11">spend the most with next year</a>.But tech players won't have forever to figure things out. Earlier this year, analysts at Barclays highlighted an under-the-radar risk to AI bets: <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ai-stocks-risk-nvidia-gpus-blackwell-tech-outlook-depreciation-accounting-2024-8">the depreciation costs related to AI chips</a>. As firms look to stock up on GPUs, they run the risk of the tech no longer being relevant as new iterations emerge.And then there's the possibility of internal drama. Ashley previously reported on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-pay-data-shows-how-much-more-ai-workers-make-2024-8">the pay disparity at Microsoft</a> between AI-focused employees and everyone else."AI is great and it might be the future, but when are you going to focus on your billpayers?" one employee told Ashley.<h3 id="77f31a4c-8462-4e3d-a71f-838cb79493fb">News brief</h3><h2 id="1fcd294b-3f53-425f-9f20-4093e8623b59">Top headlines</h2><ul><li>Meet the top four candidates Trump is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-treasury-kevin-warsh-marc-rowan-howard-lutnick-scott-bessent-2024-11">considering for Secretary of the Treasury</a>.</li><li>Biden authorizes Ukraine to use powerful ATACMS to strike inside Russia. The move is a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-ukraine-russia-atacms-authorization-2024-11">significant shift in US policy</a>.</li><li>Trump, Musk, and new cabinet picks celebrate election victory with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-musk-celebrate-election-victory-ufc-309-cabinet-picks-2024-11">surprise appearance at UFC</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="8120060b-ae66-48dc-b149-f0489a30ffa2">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Photo illustration of judge's gavel on colorfulbackground" height="960" width="1920" msid="115423175" hostid="261" sizebytes="501366"></div><ol><li>A lawsuit about trade secrets has a corner of Wall Street's data industry enthralled. Yipit, a Carlyle-backed provider of credit-card data, filed a lawsuit accusing two former salespeople of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-yipits-lawsuit-against-2-former-employees-who-joined-mscience-2024-11">stealing intellectual property to use in their new roles at rival MScience</a>. The suit has the attention of the young, fiercely competitive industry that sells non-traditional data to investors looking for an edge.</li><li>Just because the election is over doesn't mean you need to stop betting on politics. Who will be the Republican nominee in 2028? Will Matt Gaetz be confirmed as attorney general? Will Trump create a national Bitcoin reserve? The prediction markets <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-political-prediction-bets-trump-2028-nominees-election-kalshi-polymarket-2024-11">have plenty of political outcomes</a> to scratch your gambling itch.</li><li>It's giving the year 2000 for one legendary investor. Rob Arnott compared the current market to the dot-com peak in 2000. Arnott told BI <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-crash-rob-arnott-warns-bear-market-tech-bubble-2024-11">why a bear market could be forthcoming in the next couple of years</a> thanks to high valuations and AI optimism that is largely priced in.</li></ol><h2 id="f4b54806-7f81-450c-ba32-92560d4fae9b">3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="Elon Musk" height="900" width="1200" msid="115423177" hostid="261" sizebytes="159876"></div><ol><li>Elon Musk's incredible hold on US politics. Politics and money have always been intertwined, but the current relationship between the world's richest man and the president-elect is unprecedented. The result is Musk <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-donald-trump-elected-shadow-president-2024-11">acting almost as a shadow president</a>.</li><li>A potential Trump trade plan beneficiary: US semiconductor jobs. If Trump's proposed trade plan is enacted, the American semiconductor industry could see hiring growth. Industry experts told BI that tariffs on foreign-made chips <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-tariffs-chips-could-create-more-american-jobs-increase-prices-2024-11">could help level the playing field for US chipmakers</a>, which have faced tough competition from their global counterparts.</li><li>The OpenAI mafia swells its ranks. Nearly two dozen former employees have left the AI juggernaut and founded startups of their own. The latest defectors include OpenAI cofounder and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and former chief technology officer Mira Murati. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/former-openai-employees-who-left-launch-vc-backed-ai-startups-2024-1">See what they're up to now</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="9260fa45-d397-4b3c-b4f8-4bb193976216">3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="A $100 bill on top of a house" height="1500" width="1992" msid="115423179" hostid="261" sizebytes="339688"></div><ol><li>Four ways Trump's housing plans could hurt homebuyers and three ways it could help. Trump promised to make housing more affordable in part by deporting millions of immigrants, slashing construction regulations, and building houses on federal land. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-high-home-prices-housing-mortgage-rates-deregulation-tariffs-immigration-2024-11">Here's how experts think that would actually pan out</a>.</li><li>Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The budget airline has struggled since a planned merger with JetBlue was called off in March. In an open letter to customers, it said people can continue to book tickets and fly as normal as it <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-chapter-11-bankruptcy-restructure-low-cost-airlines-2024-11">undergoes financial restructuring</a>.</li><li>Walmart might be just fine under Trump's proposed trade plan. Target, not so much. As America's grocery king, Walmart US makes nearly 60% of its revenue from groceries, which are predominantly domestic. But Target often relies on imported merchandise, such as apparel and beauty. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-walmart-trump-tariffs-exposure-analysts-2024-11">Walmart also has another key advantage: scale</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="1ad7b482-3f4b-44b4-81b6-a864aa386478">In other news</h2><ul><li>Disney CEO Bob Iger is moving to cement his legacy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bob-iger-disney-earnings-guidance-succession-legacy-chapek-media-analysis-2024-11">by undoing his biggest mistake</a>.</li><li>Shoppers and businesses are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/a/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=c30b8703d160410398dd34e9584c94a3&amp;_e=i25E5ONB4tMiXtE06VeSaaFdC9RBeKEf6Am3QwaEcB2E4JdSqnDqmYr-387ig-ruhUxPoPCaat-voaDbfD_6S9r_lRX7w-hriYUuLZLf0oBVVklUgTGSC4rQQEsaV2VrmBmyEJBbhb5t_4ii9kzf5mGNs24JHBU4kD2t77qvgLde0_hccfFyZJGyX-HSEOcVt3hm2j3fy4fJUboGG4PKvgV09z0iPgS9Sd9YYBa5vfJF0tPkg6nqTPSf_-4F-a8aB1csTjQJYq2n-O1Ho511puOlxNeZs4WzL5ZST0WJkZqjescVMWVojaLY68-GnLbrAONhAtYwR4sRYyo_gVAswrtOyO2OjgTQ7GPu_kEO5SvlrvfmHChZsIOFVxvPWR7cGcH5q-QsclhVCpi1tyVirT8OKMZUsBjylVY0fJJZOSkOO4NwglFhyDOfQDrbf0_ErXhpUTPhEJeNs9bRlNwOVGxCBs2oCYN7T81FPiuSVJw%3D">stockpiling to avoid potential price hikes</a> before Trump takes office.</li></ul><h2 id="9f5d80ac-3466-429f-a50a-2ffbb70c65ff">What's happening today</h2><ul><li>G20 summit begins in Rio de Janeiro.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London.

Microsoft Copilot's underperformance is the latest red flag for investments in AI

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 King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. 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 <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. 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 Diwali and Dhanteras 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 <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, 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 ETF 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 <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> 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, stock 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 <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (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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Thane family loses Rs 1.2 crore as they get cheated by construction company, details here

BI India Bureau

The newest fad in mutual fund multiverse: Sectoral Funds. Here's why you should not over-invest in them

Ira Alok Puranik

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'High expectations can lead to disappointment': A top strategist at T. Rowe Price outlines the 3 risks he's watching as markets celebrate Trump's win

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The stock market's euphoria-driven record highs are at risk of a painful downturn, 'Black Swan' investor says

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63-year-old Hyderabad man loses ₹50 lakh after joining WhatsApp group for stock market investment advice

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Microsoft Copilot's underperformance is the latest red flag for investments in AI

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Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

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