I got into stock trading a few years ago. Most of buying was based on tips from friends and colleagues. I have ended up with a portfolio laden with B-group stocks and have booked losses on their sale. Now, I have devised a strategy wherein I purchase stocks of the leader in a particular sector. Since these stocks are very expensive, my purchasing capacity is restricted.

Investing: Paras Adenwala

Business Standard

Insurers are pushing riders with term plans. You may not need most of these.

Choose riders on cover carefully

Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI), a large private equity (PE) player in India, is restructuring its focus to chase big-ticket deals.

Citi Venture Cap to go upmarket on Indian deals

Leading corporate hospitals, which are out of the preferred provider network (PPN) of public sector health insurance firms, will offer standardised treatment packages for nearly 250 procedures to see their PPN status restored soon.

Private hospitals meet insurance firms today

Plan early if you want to live in a retirement home. Here&rsquo;s how...

Retired, not dependent

Corporate hospitals may restore cashless treatment to policyholders of the four public sector health insurance firms in a week.

Cashless hospital cover may return in a week

Auto loan rates are set to rise following the decision of HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Prime to raise interest rates.

Auto loans to become dearer

If you have not taken notice of a slew of feeder funds in the market, it is time you did. They've clocked impressive returns during the current uptrend and provided diversification.Feeder funds became popular lately, with many international funds making a debut here.

Add feeder funds for diversification

To tame inflation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised two of its key policy rates - repo and reverse repo - twice last month. Repo is the rate at which it lends short-term funds to banks. If this rate rises, the cost of RBI funds for banks goes up. The current repo rate, post the RBI hikes, is 5.75 per cent. Reverse repo is the rate at which RBI borrows funds from banks. An increase can reduce liquidity from the system, as banks find it lucrative to get high risk-free returns. The current reverse repo rate, post the hikes, is 4.5 per cent.

Deal with debt carefully

When you are given challenges in life, God wants you to meet these and rise higher. We all understand the philosophy but that does not make taking care of a disabled dependant and planning for their future any easier.

Keep the smile going

Life insurance companies are likely to reduce premium on their products after an updated mortality table comes into force, which will take into account rise in life expectancy of Indians.

Life cover may get cheaper

State Bank of India (SBI), the country&rsquo;s largest lender, announced sharp increases&mdash;by up to 150 basis points &mdash; in deposit rates, as banks aggressively compete for funds to meet burgeoning credit demand.

SBI increases deposit rates, ICICI ups PLR

State Bank of India&rsquo;s (SBI) latest offering &ndash; to link deposit rates with base rate &ndash; is being viewed as a strategy to lure depositors in the current market scenario, when interest rates are moving upward. But bankers doubt if the product will still be accepted when the rate cycle changes.

SBI's new scheme links deposit rates to base rate

Sadly, so will lending rates. Do not hurry to put all your money in existing offers.

Hold on! deposit rates could rise further

Vetri Subramaniam, head of equities, Religare Mutual Fund, tells Dipta Joshi and Neha Pandey that while valuations are a challenge, he is bullish on the domestic consumption space.

Q&A: Vetri Subramaniam, Head of equities, Religare Mutual Fund

When Sugandha Bose wanted to get into equities, she planned to invest Rs 70,000 in infrastructure funds as most were upbeat about the sector. Given the current infrastructure deficit in the country, the sector seemed to have huge growth potential.

Sector funds: Tread with caution

Just days after the July 26, 2005, deluge in Mumbai, Shalini Kamath&rsquo;s belief in safety of bank lockers was shattered. The cash and important documents she had kept in the locker were damaged beyond redemption as the locker was in the basement and submerged for days. &ldquo;My jewellery was restored but what about notes and documents?&rdquo; she asks. Worse, the bank brushed aside her plea for compensation.

Locking horns over bank lockers

I am 26 and have a surplus of Rs 15,000 every month. I want to invest this amount over the next 20 years for securing my future goals. In short-term (next two-three years), I want to save for my marriage. I also want to save for children&rsquo;s education (at least 10 years from now) and my retirement.

Financial Planning: Gaurav Mashruwala

You still need to check the price-value proposition before taking the plunge.

Sebi's retail therapy for IPOs

The long-awaited, tax-saving infrastructure bond issue is out. Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) is the first company to issue these, at 7.85 and 7.95 per cent.

Useful addition to portfolio, but no harm waiting

I have an ongoing unit-linked insurance plan (Ulip). I want to enhance my cover. My insurance company does offer additional life cover as a rider. However, a term plan from another company for the same sum insured works out to be slightly cheaper.

Life Insurance: Kamesh Goyal

Personal Finance: Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Personal Finance: Investing, Planning, Retirement, Loans, & Insurance | Business Standard

Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

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