ULIPS
LIC to step up focus on non-par savings, protection products
Life Insurance Corporation of India is enhancing its focus on non-participating savings and protection products. This strategy aims to continue improving profitability amid weak equity market sentiment impacting ULIP sales. The non-participating savings segment saw a significant margin increase, contributing to overall growth.
LIC shares fall 3% as Q2 VNB misses estimates. Jefferies cuts target but lists 3 reasons to buy the stock
LIC reported a 20% year-on-year rise in Q2 consolidated net profit to Rs 12,115 crore, while net premium income grew 16% to Rs 1.47 lakh crore, supported by higher single-premium collections. Net investment income in the shareholders' account surged 38% to Rs 2,855 crore. Its solvency ratio improved to 2.35 from 2.13 a year ago, while the expense ratio declined to 10.26% from 12.05%.
Ageas Federal launches multi-currency life insurance plan at GIFT City
Ageas Federal Life Insurance has launched its first GIFT City product, a multi-currency ULIP that lets customers invest in US dollars, euros or pounds while receiving life cover. The Aurum Advantage Plan is open to customers of any nationality, including NRIs, OCIs and PIOs, with a minimum investment of $3,000, €3,000 or £3,000.
ET Alpha Wealth Summit 2.0: Bear markets can breed best investment ideas, says Nilesh Shah
Nilesh Shah from Kotak Mutual Fund highlights the advantage of bear markets in uncovering robust investment opportunities. He points out that India's growth potential surpasses that of South Korea due to its remarkable talent pool and infrastructure. Shah advises diversifying portfolios with alternative investments like SIFs, credit AIFs, and global funds, suggesting that 15% to 20% be dedicated to international assets.
Edelweiss Asset Management launches Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund in GIFT City, invests in JPMorgan US Technology Fund
Edelweiss Asset Management launched the Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund through GIFT City, providing dollar-denominated exposure to JPMorgan’s US Technology Fund. The fund targets resident investors, NRIs, institutions and family offices, with a $5,000 minimum investment. The launch offers an alternative overseas investment route amid India’s mutual fund limits.
Best small cap mutual funds to invest in October 2026
According to the Sebi mandate, small cap schemes must invest in companies that are ranked below 250 in terms of market capitalisation. These schemes also will have to invest at least 65% in small cap stocks. Small companies go through many ups and downs - more than the established companies in the large and mid cap segments. That is why investing in small cap stocks is considered extremely risky; the small cap segment can also be extremely volatile, especially in the short term. That is why small cap schemes are recommended only to aggressive investors with a very high risk appetite and very long investment horizon.
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RBI MPC rate hike: Experts decode what the policy decision means for mutual fund investors
The RBI raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, its first hike in nearly four years. Mutual fund managers favour short-duration, high-quality debt, while cautioning investors on duration, inflation, crude prices, global rates and tightening liquidity.

RBI MPC decision: How should mutual fund investors tweak their portfolio strategy after 25 bps rate hike?
RBI’s 25-basis-point repo rate hike has changed the near-term outlook for mutual fund investors. Experts advise continuing SIPs, staggering lumpsum investments and favouring quality, shorter-duration debt funds. In equities, large caps remain preferred for core allocations, while investors should be selective with small-cap and thematic exposure amid policy uncertainty.

Vikas Khemani’s Carnelian Mutual Fund appoints Rajkumar Dhiman as CEO
Carnelian Mutual Fund has appointed Rajkumar Dhiman as CEO as Vikas Khemani’s asset management firm expands into mutual funds, with the fund house set to launch liquid and smallcap funds.

Rs 4 crore portfolio with ULIPs and multiple mutual funds. Should you simplify and consolidate your investments?
Effectively managing a Rs 4 crore investment portfolio requires streamlining and consolidation for optimal financial performance. With multiple mutual funds, ULIPs, and real estate elements, complexity can arise. Financial advisor Shivam Pathak recommends assessing ULIPs and potentially separating insurance from investments. He also advocates for consolidating mutual funds to minimize redundancy and improve clarity, ultimately aiming to align the portfolio more closely with long-term financial aspirations.

Reducing commissions may help curb mis-selling of insurance products; IRDAI’s role remains crucial
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has announced new proposals to limit commission rates for insurance distributors. This move seeks to tackle high distribution costs, ultimately enhancing the policyholder experience. By implementing reforms aimed at fostering customer-centric practices, the initiative aims to curtail the mis-selling of insurance products. Insurers must align their compensation methods with the value delivered to customers.

Macquarie sees strong earnings recovery for banks, picks 5 stocks to outperform
Macquarie expects Indian banks to deliver 18% EPS growth in FY28, supported by higher margins, stronger loan demand, easing liquidity pressures and stable asset quality. The brokerage upgraded Bank of Baroda, Kotak Mahindra Bank and select financial stocks.

Piyush Goyal plans 1,000-strong regional language network to handhold exporters
India will train one thousand local personnel in regional languages to support exporters. Integrated commerce and industry offices are planned for major cities to streamline access. Industry representatives highlighted the need for digital interoperability and improved export processes. The government is examining proposals for electronic transmission of Certificates of Origin. Enhanced logistics and simpler customs procedures are crucial for export growth.

Ulips bought after Jan 2021 will be tax exempt only under these conditions: Govt issues rules
Budget 2021 had proposed to remove the tax-exempt status on the proceeds of ULIPs if the annual premium exceeded Rs 2.5 lakh. However, there were a lot of ambiguities regarding how the framework will work especially in the case of multiple ULIPs which involves both types taken before the budget proposals and bought after it.

Five aspects to consider before buying a ULIP
ULIP is a hybrid investment product, that strives to meet both investment and insurance needs. The policy premium gets invested in different funds of the policyholder's choice -- which can be across multiple asset classes.

ULIPs gain traction as preferred insurance schemes amid pandemic: Survey
The ULIP insurance policies offer wealth creation alongside life cover. Part of the premium goes towards life cover and the rest goes towards a fund that is invested in equity, debt or a combination of both.

ULIP taxation: The free switching among funds may go away with new amendment
At present, most ULIPs offer several free switches from one fund to another and even from a debt fund to equity fund and vice versa. However, after the new amendment, where taxability has to be ascertained, the unrestricted free switching facility may no longer be available.

Should you still invest in ULIPs despite Budget 2021’s new tax?
For ULIP investors, especially in higher income tax bracket, the substantial tax advantage of section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act besides the opportunity to gain higher return through equity investment has been the biggest motivator to go for ULIPs.

Will 10% LTCG tax on ULIPs be positive for equity mutual funds?
In today’s budget, Nirmala Sitharaman proposed that, “the nonexempt ULIP shall be provided same concessional capital gains taxation regime as available to the mutual fund.”

What makes New Age ULIPs a smart investment option in the current volatile market?
Unit-linked insurance plan or ULIPs are being recognized as one of the best investment options in the recent times.

Ulips vs mutual funds: Which will give you better returns?
Unlike MFs, Ulips are not very widely tracked. Here are the best performing Ulip funds and a comparison with the returns of mutual fund categories.

How mutual funds score over ULIPs, despite new LTCG tax
Recently, we came across a person who was mis-sold a ULIP. Yes, mis-selling of ULIPs still continues.

ULIPs don’t attract LTCG tax; should you dump your mutual funds for them?
Predictably, the introduction of long term capital gains tax on equity investments have given a new lease of life to Unit Linked Insurance Plans or ULIPs.

ULIP premiums of private insurers surge even as mutual funds attract inflows
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, the largest private life insurance company, has had 85% of its new premiums coming from ULIP schemes in FY15.

Return of ULIP era to hurt insurance industry: Reliance Life's CEO Anup Rau
As markets gain momentum, investors are again being lured into investing in ULIPs but they may face the heat in case markets fall.

ET Wealth: Are Ulips better investment now?
After the removal of several of their shortcomings, Ulips offer a good investment opportunity. Here’s what to watch for while buying one.
Ulips’ charges may be down, but they still have many limitations
Now that the charges have come down, do Ulips, being a combination product usually with a focus on a particular goal, make a good choice?
When buying Ulips make sense
Ulips will work for you if you know how to use them for your specific needs.

Transparency will ensure better structure for Ulips: DK Mehrotra
LIC managing director DK Mehrotra says people are still interested in buying Ulips provided they know that their money is safe.
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