Himali Patel

Understand which covers are mandatory and weigh the risks of dropping an optional protection

Crypto exchange hacks highlight risks to investors, who should check platforms' security, insurance and reimbursement policies and keep long-term holdings in personal wallets.

Higher US real yields, a stronger dollar, weak investment demand and industrial concerns have pressured silver, though experts remain cautiously positive over the medium term

Allocate 10-20 per cent of your equity portfolio for style diversification and wait patiently for performance to turn around

Reassess these holdings, avoid averaging down on price alone, and keep exposure modest

Active and passive funds offer different advantages across market-cap segments, making a mix of both a sensible portfolio strategy

Choose a fund you can hold to maturity, and assess its return after factoring in costs

Rising cardiac treatment costs make adequate health cover and a strong emergency fund essential for financial protection

Compare the new policy with the old one, disclose health changes when seeking higher cover, and obtain written confirmation of the increased sum insured

Review spending, reduce costly debt, favour quality equities and avoid longer-duration funds unless you have a matching horizon

Track price history, compare the final payable amount and keep screenshots

Estimate annual mileage carefully, choose the right slab and check top-up terms

With demat account openings rising, investors should choose brokers based on trading style, platform reliability, costs, margin rules and safety record

Compare portfolio mix, risk and costs; keep exposure small and invest with a long horizon

Compare rates, choose a short tenure, make a larger down payment, and keep EMI within manageable limits

Balanced advantage funds are raising equity exposure, but investors must assess allocation models, portfolio risks and downside protection-not just past returns

Avoid chasing the rally; stagger fresh investments and rebalance if gold exceeds your target allocation

Nearly 88% of individual F&O traders lost money in FY26. High leverage, frequent trading and behavioural mistakes can amplify losses, making disciplined risk management essential

Forgotten bank deposits can remain claimable even after transfer to the DEA Fund. Knowing how to search UDGAM and navigate nominee or legal-heir rules can make recovery easier

Maintaining exposure across various market-cap categories is important as leadership can change during different market phases