Beginner

UTI Value Opportunities Fund is an open-ended equity scheme that follows a value investment strategy. The Fund follows the principle of intrinsic value — instead of the traditional multiple-based definition of value for portfolio management. Intrinsic value is ‘the discounted value of cash generated by a business during its remaining life’. The Fund has a flexible approach in terms of investing across the market cap spectrum based on available opportunities.

Mutual funds are increasingly becoming the preferred option for retail investors, as reflected by the consistent monthly SIP inflows. As per the latest data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), mutual funds received Rs. 12,976 crores through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in September 2022 alone and Rs. 74,234 crores total in FY 2022-23 so far. (Source: AMFI)

When it comes to investing in equity markets, retail investors often look at the movements of the benchmark indices - NSE Nifty 50, S&P BSE Sensex BSE 200, BSE Midcap Index, BSE Small Cap Index, Nifty 500, etc. This is because such indices may be considered indicators of financial markets.

Investing may be considered more of an art than a science. Amidst a wide range of investment options, products may be selected basis individual risk profiles, financial goals and investment horizons. Within an investment portfolio, the focus should also be on diversification and optimal asset allocation.

Diversification of investment portfolio across different asset classes

A demat account is a digital account available through depositories, whereby investors can hold their  securities   in a dematerialised or digital form. Investors can use it for multiple securities like equity shares, bonds, debentures, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), mutual funds etc.

Rate action: The monetary policy committee today voted 5-1 to raise the policy repo rate by 35 bps to 6.25%, in line with the market expectations. The external member Prof. Jayant Varma dissented against the decision & voted against the rate hike. The policy corridor floor, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate, was also hiked by 35 bps to 6.00%, while the ceiling Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate was hiked to 6.50%.

TDS stands for Tax Deducted at Source. As the name suggests, this tax is deducted by the income payer (deductor) while  making a payment to the deductee. Such taxes are taken from the total amount payable by the payer and deposited with the Income Tax Department. The person paying the income and deducting the TDS is called the deductor, while the person receiving the income and on whose behalf the tax has been deducted is called the deductee.

National Savings Certificate (NSC) is one of the investment options the Government of India offers. NSC investments are received and serviced by the National Small Savings Fund, managed by the government through the interface of post offices.

While discussing the valuations of markets in general and stocks in particular, the most commonly used tool is undeniably a Price Earnings multiple (PE multiple). A PE multiple is a short-hand for the valuation process — not valuation per se — and no one should fail to make that distinction. The good thing about multiples is that they save time. However, they also incorporate a lot of economic assumptions that need to be unpacked for investors for them to accurately understand their meaning.

Dissecting the earnings multiple

As per income tax laws, all taxpayers must file their Income Tax Return (ITR) for the previous year, within the prescribed due dates, during the assessment year. The due date for filing tax returns for salaried taxpayers & non-audit businesspersons and professionals is usually July 31. Sometimes this date may be extended by the Finance Ministry.

Since the terms  'financial year', 'previous year' and 'assessment year' are often used in income tax laws, it’s helpful for all taxpayers to know their basic meaning. Read on to know the meaning and importance of these terms.