Beginner

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.