Sanjay Kumar

The regulator's action against Canara HSBC Life highlights how elderly buyers can be mis-sold unsuitable insurance products and what safeguards they should follow

Calculate the internal rate of return, assess surrender costs and make sure the long-term premium commitment fits your goal before opting for guaranteed-benefit insurance products

Read the RHP, compare valuations and do not chase grey market premiums or listing gains. Investors should check whether the fundraise is for business purposes or for existing shareholders.

Benefit-based plans offer a fixed payout on diagnosis but have a narrow scope; buyers with regular health insurance should assess whether they need supplementary protection

Trace the title chain, check encumbrances and verify every owner's right to sell before buying a property; mutation, tax records and possession alone do not establish ownership

Buying into an unregistered housing project can expose homebuyers to legal, financial and construction risks. Here's how to verify a project and seek redress

Avoid leverage, respect valuations and let earnings, cash flows and balance sheet strength, not narratives, guide investment decisions

Besides a high current yield, it is also crucial to assess whether it will sustain

Investors should restrict margin trading facility use to liquid stocks, maintain adequate cash buffers for margin calls, and avoid excessive leverage during periods of market stress

Compare total cost and maintain a buffer to reduce auction risk

How the continuing reforms in the MF space have created an over ₹82 trillion powerhouse

If you wish to stay safe, stick to the minority that has a Sebi-registered investment adviser or research analyst licence

Verify alerts through official channels, never install files sent by text, and report fraud immediately

A card with zero cross-currency conversion charge will allow you to load US dollars and then spend in any currency without incurring further charges

Annuitise only essential expenses, retain liquidity and compare payout options and rates before purchase

Those who do not understand the underlying equity and debt indices should stay away

Credit utilisation ratio should remain below 30%

While subscribers get greater flexibility in making partial withdrawals, they should exercise this freedom judiciously so that they don't deplete their retirement corpus drastically

Assess the policy's returns, risks and liquidity restrictions, and ensure that you can sustain the premiums throughout its term

If reimbursement becomes unavoidable, submit a complete file at the earliest