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New Delhi: <keyword id="19900795" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-investors" source="keywords">Foreign investors</keyword> pulled out a massive Rs 94,000 crore (around USD 11.2 billion) from the Indian <keyword id="19925636" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stock-market" source="keywords">stock market</keyword> in October, making it the worst-ever month in terms of outflows, triggered by the elevated valuation of domestic equities and attractive valuations of <keyword id="20295104" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chinese-stocks" source="keywords">Chinese stocks</keyword>. Before this, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) withdrew Rs 61,973 crore from equities in March 2020. The latest outflow came after a nine-month high investment of Rs 57,724 crore in September 2024. Since June, FPIs have consistently bought equities after withdrawing Rs 34,252 crore in April-May. Overall, FPIs have been net buyers in 2024, except for January, April and May, data with the depositories showed. Looking ahead, the trajectory of global events like geopolitical developments, interest rate movements, progress in the Chinese economy and the outcome of the US Presidential election will play a crucial role in shaping future foreign investment in <keyword id="20014814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-equities" source="keywords">Indian equities</keyword>, Himanshu Srivastava, Associate Director, Manager Research, Morningstar Investment Research India, said. On the domestic front, key indicators like inflation trajectory, corporate earnings, and the impact of festive season demand will also be closely watched by FPIs as they assess opportunities in the Indian market, he added. According to the data, FPIs recorded a net outflow of Rs 94,017 crore in October. The intensity of net outflows could be gauged from the fact that except for one day, FPIs were net sellers throughout the month, bringing their total investment for 2024 down to Rs 6,593 crore. This relentless selling resulted in about an 8 per cent decline in benchmark indices from their peaks. Several factors contributed towards this massive withdrawal of foreign capital from the Indian equity markets in October. The major among them is the elevated valuations of Indian equities. This has triggered a shift in investments towards China, where valuations are currently more attractive. Additionally, a series of stimulus measures, aimed at bolstering Chinese economic growth has made Chinese equities increasingly appealing to global investors, Srivastava said. Despite the massive FPI selling in financials, this sector is resilient since the valuations are fair and every selling is being absorbed by DIIs and individual investors, particularly HNIs, VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said. In addition, FPIs pulled out Rs 4,406 crore from the debt general limit and invested Rs 100 crore from the debt Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) during the period under review. So far this year, FPIs invested Rs 1.06 lakh crore in the debt market.

FPIs withdraw record Rs 94,000 cr from Indian equities in Oct on attractive Chinese valuations

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Welcome back to our Sunday edition, a roundup of some of our top stories. We're constantly hearing about the dangers of ultra-processed foods, but what's the real impact on your body? A food-policy expert tried an all-UPF diet for a month. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-diet-ultra-processed-foods-month-quit-five-days-2024-8">He lasted five days</a>.On the agenda today:<ul><li>Forget Hinge and Tinder. This week, 11 hot new bombshells <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-dating-startups-and-apps-disrupting-the-industry-2024-8">enter the dating-app villa</a>.</li><li>Internal AWS guidelines advise sales reps <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-aws-sales-guidelines-spread-doubt-about-openai-ai-capabilities-2024-8">to bad-mouth competitors</a>.</li><li>Hundreds of private jets descended upon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/burning-man-private-planes-landing-billionaire-tech-black-rock-city-2024-8">billionaire favorite Burning Man</a>.</li><li>Americans are taking a lot more sick days — and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-sick-leave-pto-mental-health-work-from-home-2024-8">Gen Z is leading the charge</a>.</li></ul>But first: A whole lotta hype.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today-sunday-edition">sign up here</a>. Download Insider's app <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/app">here.</a><h3 id="58506b3b-b008-4ead-9e90-71439c9e98dd">This week's dispatch</h3><div type="image" title="Photo illustration of Jensen Huang" height="975" width="1300" msid="112969214" hostid="261" sizebytes="114242"></div><h2 id="28c68377-607e-4fda-a554-e798bb9517e1">Great expectations</h2>Sometimes good isn't good enough.That was the case for Nvidia this week when it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-earnings-call-live-updates-nvda-stock-2024-8">reported its second-quarter earnings</a>. (It's pronounced "en-VID-eeyah," by the way. Some of you <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-how-to-pronounce-correct-way-2024-8">seem to be a bit confused</a>.)The chipmaker beat second-quarter revenue and EPS estimates. The future looks promising too, with Nvidia's Q3 revenue guidance beating average estimates.So what's the problem?The guidance fell short of the loftiest expectations, disappointing greedy optimistic investors and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/nvidia-stock-price-q2-earnings-results-nvda-outlook-jensen-huang-2024-8">sending the stock sliding</a>.That led some to wonder if Nvidia was projecting a pullback from customers facing tough questions about their AI investments paying off. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang looked to ease nerves by talking through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-swift-returns-on-ai-infrastructure-2024-8">how customers were getting payback on their AI spend</a>.Still, one person's trash is another's treasure, and Nvidia's dip was viewed as a <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/nvidia-stock-price-outlook-buy-q2-earnings-decline-wall-street-2024-8">buying opportunity for many on Wall Street</a>.But if Nvidia's earnings raised questions about the appetite for AI investment, we got an answer shortly thereafter.Reports of Apple and Nvidia's interest in investing in OpenAI's newest funding round, which values the startup at more than $100 billion, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-talks-invests-openai-microsoft-apple-100-billion-valuation-reports-2024-8">shows how hot the space remains</a>.<div type="image" title="Photo illustration of dating app founders Elle Wilson, Nandini Mullaji, and Anushka Joshi" height="900" width="1200" msid="112969212" hostid="261" sizebytes="79998"></div><h2 id="7916cd87-818f-4aaa-83df-187589b1a8da">A hot new dating app enters the villa</h2>If you're tired of swiping on Tinder and think you might be stuck in Hinge's "rose jail," look no further than these 11 new dating apps seeking to upend the industry.Some are designed by dating coaches, others by influencers and young tech industry professionals. They're centered on mutual connections, meeting in person, and a general disdain for endless swiping.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-dating-startups-and-apps-disrupting-the-industry-2024-8">The bombshells of digital-age dating</a>.<div type="image" title="The Amazon Web Services logo with first-place ribbons on it, with OpenAI's and Microsoft's logos behind it." height="900" width="1200" msid="112969211" hostid="261" sizebytes="37026"></div><h2 id="81ff7759-3b9e-4ebc-a2a5-6e41ea0208b3">Talking smack</h2>Leaked internal AWS sales guidelines reveal how the cloud giant wants its reps to talk about AI — and its competitors.The guidelines advise employees to address customer questions about rivals OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. Of the three, Sam Altman's company is the biggest perceived threat; Amazon really wants to dispel the hype around ChatGPT and raise doubts about OpenAI's security.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-aws-sales-guidelines-spread-doubt-about-openai-ai-capabilities-2024-8">How Amazon plays offense</a>.Also read:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-flattered-amazon-seems-worried-about-ai-capabilities-2024-8">Google says 'we're flattered they're worried about us,' after Amazon sales guidelines diss rival's AI capabilities</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-l-9-factors-customers-consider-before-buying-ai-aws-2024-8">Leaked Amazon documents reveal 9 top factors customers consider before buying AI models and services</a></li></ul><div type="image" title="The Burning Man festival" height="723" width="1024" msid="112969213" hostid="261" sizebytes="74510"></div><h2 id="f998db23-c99c-4aad-922c-38a00b16732a">Billionaire playground</h2>Forget the Hamptons — hundreds of private jets touched down this week on a makeshift tarmac in the Nevada desert. Officially named Black Rock City Municipal Airport, it's the entryway to billionaire playground Burning Man.Built specifically for the festival and run almost entirely by volunteers, the temporary airfield is only around for about two weeks before it's taken down "without a trace."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/burning-man-private-planes-landing-billionaire-tech-black-rock-city-2024-8">Inside the blink-and-you'll-miss-it airport</a>.<div type="image" title="Photo collage of a tissue box, thermometer, and pills." height="1500" width="2000" msid="112969217" hostid="261" sizebytes="89838"></div><h2 id="6bd837b4-3bb8-45db-b599-fb1f451182ba">I can't, I'm sick. *cough*</h2>More American workers are calling out sick than ever, and Gen Z is leading the charge.While there's no single factor that can explain the change, experts pointed to a growing attitude shift among workers that prioritizes a good work-life balance and self-care. And thanks to the pandemic, more people see the value in staying home when they're actually sick.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-sick-leave-pto-mental-health-work-from-home-2024-8">All good; stay home</a>.This week's quote:"An accountant? Why would you want to be an accountant?"— Bryan, 23, recalling his mother's reaction to telling her he was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/accountant-shortage-sexy-taxes-business-school-pwc-kpmg-2024-8">going to major in accounting in college</a>.More of this week's top reads:<ul><li>The presidential election is a distraction that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-a-distraction-silicon-valley-wants-to-be-over-2024-8">Silicon Valley just wants to be over</a>.</li><li>What Mark Zuckerberg really said — and didn't say — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-letter-jim-jordan-meta-facebook-censorship-politics-meaning-2024-8">in that letter to Congress</a>.</li><li>How to nail that interview, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-meta-product-manager-prepares-big-tech-interview-questions-manager-2024-8">a Snap and Meta product manager</a>.</li><li>Former billionaire John Foley says he lost all his money <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/peloton-john-foley-former-ceo-says-lost-all-money-2024-8">after losing the Peloton CEO job</a>.</li><li>OpenAI called ChatGPT as a witness in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-testimony-legal-filing-sheds-light-on-openais-strategy-2024-8">a major copyright lawsuit</a>.</li><li>Apple's big iPhone 16 event now has an official date. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apples-iphone-16-heres-what-we-know-ai-battery-i2024-7">Here's what to expect</a>.</li><li>Investors should be watching <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-indicator-perkins-rule-negative-payroll-report-sahm-unemployment-rate-2024-8">this simple recession indicator</a>.</li><li>How Alex Cooper's $125 million <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/call-her-daddy-alex-cooper-earn-125-million-siriusxm-2024-8">podcast deal with SiriusXM actually works</a>.</li><li>New job alert: OpenAI is hiring someone to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-is-hiring-someone-to-investigate-its-own-employees-2024-8">investigate its own employees</a>.</li><li>Eight innovative tech projects on Wall Street, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-top-technology-projects-goldman-blackstone-morgan-stanley-2024-8">from Blackstone to Goldman Sachs</a>.</li><li>JD Vance commented on that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-donut-shop-video-comment-georgia-2024-8">awkward doughnut-shop video</a>.</li><li>Some boomers say <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retirement-savings-social-security-baby-boomers-without-savings-401k-poverty-2024-8">social security isn't working anymore</a>.The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/amanda-yen">Amanda Yen</a>, fellow, in New York.</li></ul>

Insider Today: Billionaires' favorite festival

<ul><li>E-commerce companies are expected to clock up to ₹1.2 lakh crore in sales this <keyword id="19894908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-season" source="keywords">festive season</keyword>.</li><li>Mobile, electronics and fashion categories are expected to dominate during the sale.</li><li>The <keyword id="20253122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gross-merchandise-value" source="keywords">gross merchandise value</keyword> is expected to record a 20% <keyword id="21396882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="year-on-year-growth" source="keywords">year-on-year growth</keyword>.</li></ul>The festive season is here and e-commerce giants Amazon, Flipkart and other companies have started their festive sales. Driven by high pent-up demand and a premiumisation wave in the country, <keyword id="21687870" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="E-commerce-sales" source="keywords">e-commerce sales</keyword> are estimated to reach up to ₹1.2 lakh crore in gross merchandise value (GMV). The GMV of ₹1.2 lakh crore will be a 20% year-on-year (YoY) growth for the e-commerce sector, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants. Mobiles, electronics and fashion categories are set to gain momentum while other categories such as beauty and personal care, home and more will see an incremental upside, “taking their festive growth above 25%,” as per the report. According to Kushal Bhatnagar, Associate Partner at Redseer, mobiles and electronics remain key value and growth drivers this festive season, especially as consumers respond to affordability options that make premium products more accessible. “Moreover, sellers and platforms have the potential to unlock the pent-up demand in the category by optimising for pricing and selection,” Bhatnagar added. As brands look to capitalise on the festive demand, many are strategically leveraging e-commerce platforms to cater to the aspirational customers’ needs and reach the relatively less accessible customers in tier 2 cities and beyond. “As a result, they look to partner deeply with the leading platforms to attract customers via lucrative discounts and offers available in the large-scale festive events,” he said. This festive season, brands are looking to push premium stock keeping units (SKUs) at a discounted price, to encourage aspirational buying. Quick commerce, which saw significant traction in 2023, is set to contribute approximately 8% to overall e-commerce growth, up from the 5% growth recorded last year. Newer categories such as home and kitchen appliances are likely to get pushed aggressively on quick commerce platforms and could also help the platforms to boost their average order values and profitability as per the report. With inputs from agencies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-october-2024/slidelist/113809612.cms">Upcoming cars launching in India in October 2024</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-october-2024/slidelist/113804125.cms">Upcoming smartphones launching in India in October 2024</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/krn-heat-exchanger-ipo-allotment-check-allotment-status-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/113801258.cms">KRN Heat Exchanger IPO allotment – Check allotment status, GMP, listing date and more</a>

E-commerce sales expected to reach ₹1.2 lakh crore this festive season

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.

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

<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.

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

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A 5-year-old Taiwanese boy dressed up as Nvidia's Jensen Huang for Halloween.</li><li>The boy sported Huang's signature black leather jacket and carried a GPU.</li></ul>This Halloween, CEO costumes are in.At least, that's the case for the 5-year-old boy from Taipei who dressed up as Nvidia's Jensen Huang for the holiday.The boy's costume, which features a GPU and Huang's signature black leather jacket look, went viral after an X user posted it online on Wednesday."The Jensen Huang Halloween costumes are here," the user wrote.The boy's mom, Kuo Yuyun, told Business Insider she was inspired to create the costume after seeing the CEO on TV."He always wears classic black leather jackets and visits the most down-to-earth night markets in Taiwan. This contrasting image left a deep impression, so I asked my son to dress up as him this time," she said in Taiwanese Mandarin.The GPU costume took a week to make, said Kuo. She dressed her son up as part of Tianmu's Halloween Festival in Taipei."We also participated in the event last year," she said. "I dressed him up as a typhoon. It was also loved by everyone."<div type="image" title="A young boy dressed up as Jensen Huang holding a GPU in front of a Halloween window display" height="1324" width="993" msid="114815155" hostid="261" sizebytes="166644"></div>Huang, who was born in Taiwan, founded Nvidia in 1993. The AI boom has turned the chipmaker into a $3.42 trillion giant and made Huang the 11th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $122 billion.Today, Nvidia is at the head of the AI revolution. The company reported $30.04 billion in revenue for the second quarter of the year, doubling revenue from the same time last year and beating analyst expectations. The company's stock is up 181% year to date.Huang and Nvidia alike have inspired cult-like followings across the world. Huang's signature leather jacket has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-leather-jacket-brand-nvidia-ceo-2023-9">spawned legions of copycats</a>; Nvidia's second-quarter earnings created an unofficial <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-earnings-watch-party-bar-nyc-2024-8">watch party</a> at a bar in New York City.On a trip to Taiwan last May, Huang was greeted with a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-30/nvidia-ceo-gets-rockstar-reception-in-taiwan-with-ai-stock-surge">rockstar reception</a> and mobbed with selfie requests. And at a tech event in Taiwan in June, Huang fielded — and fulfilled — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-signed-womans-chest-tech-conference-nvidia-rockstar-leather-2024-6">fan requests</a> to sign Macbooks, chips, and even one woman's top.Some of that cult status appears to have trickled down to Kuo's 5-year-old son."He just knows that he is dressed as a very remarkable person," Kuo said. "To him, he is like a 'superhero.'"Nvidia's official Instagram page also reposted the photo of the boy, garnering more than 17,000 likes in a day."We spotted mini-Jensen in Taiwan, well-crafted GPUs in hand!" the caption read.Nvidia did not respond to a request for comment from BI for this story.

This 5-year-old kid who dressed up as Jensen Huang for a festival in Taipei has already won Halloween

<keyword id="21999883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Passenger-vehicle-retail-sales" source="keywords">Passenger vehicle retail sales</keyword> in India witnessed a 5 per cent on-year decline in August on account of delayed customer purchases, poor consumer sentiment and persistent heavy rains, industry body <keyword id="20108734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FADA" source="keywords">FADA</keyword> said on Thursday. The overall <keyword id="762866" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Passenger-vehicle" source="Orion">passenger vehicle</keyword> (PV) registrations last month stood at 3,09,053 units, as compared to 3,23,720 units in August 2023. "Even with the arrival of the <keyword id="19894908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Festive-season" source="keywords">festive season</keyword>, the market remains under significant strain... Inventory levels have reached alarming levels, with stock days now stretching to 70-75 days and inventory totalling 7.8 lakh vehicles, valued at an alarming Rs 77,800 crore," Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) President Manish Raj Singhania said in a statement. Rather than responding to the situation, PV Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) continue to increase dispatches to dealers on a month-on-month basis, further exacerbating the issue, he added. "FADA urgently calls upon all banks and NBFCs to intervene and immediately control funding to dealers with excessive inventory," Singhania said, adding that dealers must also act swiftly to stop taking on additional stock to protect their financial health. The OEMs, too, must recalibrate their supply strategies without delay, or the industry faces a potential crisis from this inventory overload, he said. "If this aggressive push of excess stock continues unchecked, the <keyword id="23047448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="auto-retail-ecosystem" source="keywords">auto retail ecosystem</keyword> could face severe disruption," Singhania said. Commercial vehicle registrations saw a 6 per cent year-on-year dip in August, while tractor retail sales also witnessed a drop of 11 per cent as compared to the year-ago period. Two-wheeler sales, however, increased 6 per cent year-on-year to 13,38,237 units in August, as compared to 12,59,140 units in the same month last year, on the back of improved stock availability and the onset of the festive season, Singhania said. Three-wheeler retail sales also increased by 2 per cent to 1,05,478 units last month, as compared to 1,03,782 units in the year-ago period. Overall registrations last month saw an increase of 3 per cent year-on-year at 18,91,499 units, as against 18,38,501 units in August last year. On business outlook in the near term, FADA said it remains cautiously optimistic. While the festive season and improved rural demand present promising opportunities for growth, ongoing weather uncertainties and high inventory levels may temper the overall recovery, it stated. To navigate these challenges, strategic inventory management and targeted marketing initiatives will be crucial in maximising festive sales and mitigating risks from adverse weather conditions, it added.

Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 5% in August 2024; FADA raises alarm over rising inventory level

India’s automobile sector is expected to get a boost during the upcoming festive season, with a forecasted growth of over 15%, particularly in the two-wheeler (2W) segment. According to an ANI report, this projection comes from a research report by <keyword id="23122458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuvama-wealth-investment-limited" source="keywords">Nuvama Wealth Investment Limited</keyword>, which attributes the growth to increased customer enquiries and a resurgence in rural demand. A key factor driving this surge is the anticipated revival of rural demand, which contributes more than 55% to the two-wheeler market. According to the report, rural areas are showing strong signs of recovery, and the increased enquiries suggest a positive outlook for sales. This bodes well for mass-market original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as TVS Motors, <keyword id="19983534" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hero-motocorp" source="keywords">Hero MotoCorp</keyword>, and <keyword id="19897354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bajaj-auto" source="keywords">Bajaj Auto</keyword>. The launch of new models, including the <keyword id="22875740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tvs-jupiter" source="keywords">TVS Jupiter</keyword> and Hero Xtreme 125R, is also expected to boost two-wheeler sales. In contrast, premium OEMs like Eicher Motors, which produces Royal Enfield motorcycles, may not experience the same level of demand growth. In the passenger vehicle segment, rural demand accounts for over 35% of the market. While growth in this area is expected to be in the single digits, it is anticipated that utility vehicles (UVs) will outpace hatchbacks with double-digit growth. This trend will likely benefit manufacturers such as Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and Tata Motors, with new models like the Mahindra Thar Roxx and Tata Currv expected to attract a significant share of customers. On the other hand, <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword>, traditionally a strong player in the hatchback segment, may see more subdued growth compared to its rivals in the UV space. In preparation for the festive season, dealers have ramped up their inventories for both two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. According to the report, dealers have built up stocks for 1.5 to 2.5 months, signalling confidence in the market’s potential for increased sales. This build-up of inventory demonstrates that both manufacturers and dealers are optimistic about the surge in demand during the festive period. While two-wheelers and passenger vehicles are set to lead the charge this festive season, the commercial vehicle (CV) market is expected to grow at a more modest pace. Demand for medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCVs) is projected to increase in the low single digits, primarily driven by replacement demand as freight availability improves across India. Similarly, the tractor segment is expected to perform well over the next few years, with volume growth likely in the high single digits from FY24 to FY26. Tractors are seen as a strong performer in the long term, and the sector is poised to benefit from India’s agricultural demand and rural recovery. Looking beyond the festive season, the report suggests that the long-term outlook for the two-wheeler and tractor segments remains robust. Historical sales cycles, which typically span two to four years, suggest that these sectors could reach new peaks in the coming years. As a result, the report forecasts high single-digit volume growth for two-wheelers and tractors through FY24-26, while passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles are expected to see low single-digit growth. Overall, the Nuvama report paints a positive picture for the Indian automobile sector. (With PTI inputs)

You Searched For "festive stocks" and got 8 results

FPIs withdraw record Rs 94,000 cr from Indian equities in Oct on attractive Chinese valuations

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E-commerce sales expected to reach ₹1.2 lakh crore this festive season

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

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

Ira Alok Puranik

This 5-year-old kid who dressed up as Jensen Huang for a festival in Taipei has already won Halloween

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Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 5% in August 2024; FADA raises alarm over rising inventory level

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Festive season to drive over 15% growth in Indian Automobile Market, says report

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