Image via Shutterstock

Deals rain during monsoon

Many travellers use the season to get great discounts from hotels and airlines

Business Standard

Accident cover to guard against disability

The young should buy a personal accident cover before adding other policies

Power shifts from builders to buyers

Recently, courts have ignored agreements between developers and purchasers, and awarded compensation to the latter

With no clear direction from profits, one doesn't know where the value addition is coming from

Reality check on GDP

It is about time the tax laws that impede property ownership by women should be amended

Empower women through property ownership

Nimesh Shah, managing director & chief executive officer, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, answers your questionsI want to discontinue my Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) for some time but not withdraw the funds, as I might restart it. Is this possible?If you know beforehand that you will be unable to pay SIP installment(s) for a/certain month(s), you can take a pause for your SIP investments through the 'SIP Pause' option.This option will only pause the SIP for the specific period opted and will restart automatically once the pause period is over.I recently discovered I had invested in a fund five or six years ago. I had forgotten about it all this while. For withdrawing the money, what kind of documents will I have to show as proof?For redemption, you will need your folio number or Permanent Account Number (PAN). Redemptions can be done either through the online mode (through online investment facility provided by asset management companies (AMCs) or offline mode (throu

Readers' Corner: Mutual Fund

Sebi slaps Rs 1 crore fine on Classic Global Finance

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), as part of its effort to tighten the norms for giving investment advice, warned the public to deal with Sebi-registered investment advisors (RIAs) and research analysts only. Investors who heed the regulator's advice are much less likely to fall victim to the twin malaise of poor-quality advice and mis-selling. Sebi (Investment Advisors) Regulations, issued in January 2013, made it mandatory for any person or entity that acts as an investment advisor to obtain a certificate of registration from the regulator. The first advantage of dealing with an RIA is that he would be properly vetted. He would have cleared NISM Series-X-A and B exams. To obtain the certificate, he would have demonstrated that he possesses the required qualifications, infrastructure and capital. An inherent conflict of interest arises when people who offer investment advice also sell products. They inevitably veer towards selling products on which they can

Stick to Sebi-registered investment advisors

Case study

Business Standard analyses one family's finances and suggests a way forward

If a company parks surplus money for a short time, 
it can be considered as a consumer

Bank liable for negligence in cheating case

Big impact of small tax hikes

With returns on investments falling due to cuts in small savings and bank deposit rates, higher cess and service tax will only hurt consumers further

The government has to take a call on reducing or retaining the excise rate. The latter will be politically difficult

Dangers of rise in crude oil prices

Have enough riders to counter monsoon damage

These covers aren't very expensive and there is no waiting period, but keep in mind conditions like the number of claims allowed in a year

Image via shutterstock.com

Keep a record of all documents or else proving medical negligence and claiming damages will be a big challenge

Bringing errant doctors to book

Jayanagar has shaped up as a self-sustained residential micro-market that provides all conveniences and infrastructure for its residents

Jayanagar, Bengaluru: Appreciation in both property rates and rental yields

Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO at HDFC Life, answers your questionsWhat is the timeline for restarting a lapsed policy?  If it cannot be restarted, could I ask the company to pay me the premium after deducting charges?You may revive the lapsed policy within two years from the date of the first unpaid premium. In order to revive the policy, you would be required to pay all the outstanding premiums and the interest (if any) on the premiums dues along with applicable taxes. The interest rates might vary across insurers. You may get in touch with their respective customer service departments for the rates applicable.After two years, a lapsed policy cannot be revived. However, in a unit-linked policy, the fund value will be payable (after a lock-in period of five years) after deducting charges (if any). In case it is a traditional policy, you might be eligible for a payout depending on the number of premiums you have paid. You should refer to your policy document for conditions pertaining t

Readers' Corner: Life Insurance

Lending to friends and family can be risky

Verify the purpose of borrowing and make other members part of the loan, if possible. Maintain a loan agreement for tax purposes

Scheme-merger rider for mutual fund M&amp;As

Experts say Sebi's new rules to make MFs safer for retail investors but many fund houses disagree

Now, fund houses can't restrict redemptions

YOUR MONEYThe Indian central bank has been cutting interest rates amid a softinflation scenario. If we have a good monsoon and commodity prices, especially that of oil, don't revivesignificantly, interest rates may soften further. In this environment whichfavours longer-duration funds, SBI Mutual Fund has launched the SBI 10 YearGilt ETF, an exchange traded fund whose objective is to provide returns that correspond closely to the total returns ofthe 10-year G-Sec (government securities) Index. While the G-Sec category is notpopular among Indian retail investors, experts say these funds can be used both by thelong-term investor and those looking to play interest rate movementstactically.Typically, lotsizes for buying government securities tend to be so high that it is difficultfor retail investors to invest in them directly. An ETF (or any mutual fund)allows them to participate even with small amounts.Another advantage of ETFs islow cost. SBI MF aims to keep the expense ratio for its ET

SBI's new ETF is not for the risk-averse investor

Game plan to deal with job loss

Reduce frill expenses, monetise your assets and invest in professional development to negotiate the choppy phase

Developers want real estate Bill to address approval delays

Even if the deal gets extended to the next calendar year and circle rates go up, the tax liability will not increase

No fear from changes in ready reckoner rates

While they offer additional benefit, the premiums of these plans are competitive

Page 13 - Investment