Himali Patel

The performance of these funds will hinge on a strong earnings recovery

Taking a rupee loan and deciding a loan amount based on conservative estimates of earnings prospects should keep you safe

Instead of borrowing to the hilt, maintain a buffer to avoid margin calls during spells of market volatility

India's gold recycling market is expanding rapidly as rising prices push households to exchange old jewellery, but customers must watch for purity checks, deductions and opaque valuation practices

Make sure the fund manager does not abandon this strategy in a bull run

Costs, liquidity, and the mechanism for conversion to physical gold are aspects you must understand before taking the plunge

Treat SIFs as satellite holdings, not replacements for core mutual fund holdings, as management and threshold compliance risks remain

Indians continue to favour physical gold for tradition and security, but ETFs offer a more efficient, low-cost route for long-term investment

Those choosing such plans may also forgo the 8-10 per cent savings often available under down-payment option

Combine base policy with super top-up, opt for policy with favourable bonus norms to manage premium cost

The best way to optimise benefits is to keep multiple cards and use the one offering highest rewards for each spending category

A resurgence of inflation could keep policy tight. Prolonged high interest rates could weigh on valuations and multiples

As senior living projects expand rapidly, experts advise buyers to assess developers' track record, service quality, costs and long-term sustainability before investing

A specialised indemnity heart policy makes sense for someone diagnosed with a coronary disease, or one who has undergone a procedure like angioplasty or bypass surgery

Repay loans on time, keep credit utilisation below 30%, and avoid too many applications within a short period

To tackle inflation, consider hybrid or increasing annuities, or combine fixed annuity with mutual funds; for legacy planning, opt for return-of-premium options

Sophisticated investors who manage diversified portfolios and don't wish to outsource asset allocation may avoid them

Existing investors who have become overweight after the bull run of the past year should book partial profits and rebalance

Maintain a liquidity buffer in case you get a margin call due to falling gold prices

Availing of this facility without a clear repayment plan can lead to financial stress and higher borrowing costs over time, experts warn