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Since times immemorial, gold has enjoyed a special status in Indian culture. It is not just treated as a precious metal but also an auspicious keepsake. Over the centuries, the way to invest in gold has evolved––be it traditional forms of physical gold like coins and ornaments to modern financial options like gold ETFs and sovereign gold bonds. In recent times, digital gold has emerged as a popular avenue among Indian investors.

Money decisions often look different for women. Income may rise, pause, restart, and change shape across different life stages. A career break, caregiving responsibility, or the need to plan for a longer retirement can quietly alter the way wealth gets built. That is one reason financial planning for women deserves its own lens. And in that conversation, mutual funds for women and SIPs often come up as a practical route worth understanding.

The Indian markets are trading weaker following the outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf. This is a continuation of the subdued trend that has persisted since early 2024. The Nifty has fallen 6.65% (in USD terms) over the two-year period from April 2024 to April 2026. During the same period, the S&P 500 delivered a return of 43.16%, while the MSCI EM Index posted returns of 52.99%. Importantly, both these indices are denominated in US dollars.

Many investors are grappling with the uncertainty caused by the West Asia conflict. The objectives are unclear and the mixed messaging from the US administration is keeping Iran, as well as the global economy and markets, on tenterhooks.

Policy Action

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.

The Indian IT services industry is at a crossroads again, raising questions about how disruptive the next technology wave could be. Interestingly, this is not the first time that the sector has been perceived to be under existential threat; we have been here a few times before.

Happy Holi! The season of colours is upon us. On this happy day, we mark the beginning of spring and the end of winter. May this auspicious day add colour to your lives.

Key Takeaways

Policy continuity: The RBI held the repo rate at 5.25% and retained its “Neutral” stance, reinforcing the December policy framework.

“The patterns repeat, though the details never do.”
—Howard Marks, American investor and co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management

Is it really different this time?

There’s a famous line often attributed to Mark Twain – ‘History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes’.