Mutual Fund

Apple has launched its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, marking its entry into the foldable device segment. The device features a 7.6-inch main inner display with an almost invisible crease and folds down to a 5.4-inch outer screen. Powered by the A20 Pro chipset, it supports multitasking, enhanced AI functions, and Siri capabilities, along with a 48-megapixel fusion camera, an invisible internal camera without a punch hole, and the return of Touch ID. In India, the high price tag of nearly ₹3 lakh for the foldable model and starting prices around ₹1.5 lakh to ₹1.65 lakh for the Pro series have triggered widespread reactions across social media. Netizens and financial commentators responded with memes, comparing the cost of the device to Royal Enfield motorcycles, Maruti cars, and mutual fund investments.

The Indian rupee strengthened to 94.39 against the US dollar amid bullish commentary from Goldman Sachs, which projected the currency to outperform Asian peers due to Reserve Bank of India policy measures, reduced Russian oil imports, and improved trade discussions with the United States. Meanwhile, benchmark equity indices traded range-bound, opening flat around 23,888, with IT stocks facing downward pressure while broader market counters showed resilience. Tata Motors launched an all-cash voluntary offer worth 3.82 billion euros to acquire full ownership of Italian vehicle manufacturer Iveco Group through its Dutch arm TML CV Holdings. On retail data, August vehicle registrations grew 18% year-on-year, driven by robust non-tractor segments. Separately, the Supreme Court took up a petition demanding restrictions on unpredictable airfares and ancillary charges alongside the establishment of an independent aviation regulatory body, as the central government works on framed rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak framework.

A debate on India's economic growth numbers features BJP National Spokesperson Sanju Verma and Congress National Spokesperson Brajesh Kalappa. Defending the official 7.8% real GDP growth figure for Q1 FY27, Sanju Verma dismissed claims by former finance secretary Subhash Garg regarding a 2.6% growth rate, arguing that comparing new series data with old series data is misleading. She cited strong economic indicators, including a 23.4% rise in capital expenditure, robust auto sales, credit expansion, and rising GST collections. In response, Brajesh Kalappa questioned the credibility of the numbers, pointing to negative stock market reactions, rising unemployment, falling purchasing power, and stagnant job creation. Kalappa also challenged the rationale behind changing GDP calculation parameters and questioned why public advisories against spending on gold or foreign travel were being issued if the economy was booming. The discussion concluded with heated exchanges over base year revisions, international credit ratings, and political commentary surrounding India's economic performance.

The session at the Wonderful Women Summit focuses on financial empowerment and money management for women. It addresses the gap between managing household budgets and making independent investment decisions. The discussion highlights the transition from traditional bank savings to investing in equity, debt, and gold using systematic investment plans. Key guidelines include adopting the 10-30-50 savings framework across different age brackets, securing adequate health insurance coverage, and avoiding high-risk assets like cryptocurrency. The session emphasizes the benefits of accessible investment options such as flexi-cap, hybrid, and multi-asset mutual funds, comparing a balanced portfolio to an Indian thali. Additionally, it clarifies retirement planning strategies, debunking myths around astronomical target figures and explaining how small, regular investments can help build long-term wealth, financial security, and dignity.

The Nifty snapped its seven-day losing streak, surging 150 points to near 24,250, while the Sensex jumped 600 points near 77,500. All sectors traded in the green, led by banks, IT, and real estate stocks. Easing global bond yields, foreign institutional investments, and a strengthening rupee supported the market recovery. Sugar stocks like Balrampur Chini rallied over 18% after the government reduced inventory limits to 15 days from September 1. Gold finance stocks Manappuram Finance and Muthoot Finance gained up to 4% as gold hit a two-month high. Meanwhile, a Chinese court sentenced Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan to life imprisonment over fundraising fraud and property default liabilities exceeding $300 billion. Elon Musk's Starlink reapplied for regulatory approval from InSpace to launch a satellite internet network of nearly 30,000 satellites in India. Additionally, IRDAI and healthcare industry leaders are working to address medical inflation running at 8 to 10%.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate examination has been cancelled following a widespread paper leak, prompting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

Indian stock markets witnessed a severe crash as the Sensex plunged over 2200 points and Nifty fell by 687 points, down nearly 3 per cent, due to escalating conflict in West Asia.

A sophisticated 'digital arrest' scam in Delhi is the focus of this report, where an elderly couple was duped of nearly ₹14 crores. The victims, Dr. Indra, a former United Nations employee, and her husband Om Taneja, were held as digital hostages for 15 days by criminals impersonating police officers and Supreme Court judges. According to India Today's Arvind Ojha, the criminals used threats of a money laundering case to seize control, with a fake judge even appearing on a video call with a Supreme Court background. Ojha reports that the criminals used these tactics to get the couple to transfer their life savings, saying, 'she is digitally arrested for 15 days, and Rs. 14,85,00,000, in her account, the mutual fund, FDP, the cyber criminal has taken her money'. The couple, who run a charitable trust, have filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, who have launched an investigation into the massive cyber fraud.

This market closing report highlights the impact of the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) new regulations on mutual fund fees and stockbroker norms. Experts analyze the unbundling of charges and its potential to lower costs for investors. The programme also covers the aviation sector, where an airline chief addresses recent flight disruptions and employee concerns. Additionally, a state finance minister discusses the challenges of central fund allocations despite reporting strong economic growth. The show tracks the day's market movements, noting a decline in benchmark indices driven by foreign investor outflows and weak global cues.

On this edition of Business Today, Anchor Abha Bakaya, Chief Analyst Shailendra Bhatnagar, and Geojit Financial Services’ Senior VP Gaurang Shah discuss the market’s reaction to SEBI’s major regulatory overhaul. The regulator has cleared proposals to lower costs for investors and mutual fund companies while replacing 30-year-old stockbroker rules. The show also tracks the Nifty’s outlook following a Jefferies report predicting the index will hit 28,300 by December 2026. In global news, US President Donald Trump claims his tariff policies have secured a record $18 trillion in investments. Giving his take on the reforms, Gaurang Shah says, ‘Bringing in transparency, clarity and discipline is the need and I am glad that these changes have been put in place.’

On this Special Report, Business Today anchor Sakshi Batra discusses the market closing action as the Sensex falls over 200 points. Market expert Sudeep Bandyopadhyay, Group Chairman of Inditrade Capital, advises investors to 'stay away' from Indigo shares following the airline's flight disruptions and parliamentary summons. He instead recommends buying Vedanta to capitalise on the surge in silver prices, which hit a record ₹2.06 lakh per kg. The programme also features advice from a financial planner on fixed deposits and debt funds.

This special report focuses on the unprecedented surge in silver prices in India, which are outpacing gold, and the resulting supply crisis. Key financial institutions like Kotak Mutual Fund, UTI Asset Management, and SBI Mutual Fund have been forced to suspend new lump-sum investments in their Silver ETFs due to a severe shortage of physical silver and soaring domestic premiums. An expert notes, 'this is supply tightness in silver and this is the war between buying between physical silver and digital silver.' The report examines the causes, including surging industrial demand and silver's new status as a 'critical material' in the US, and the impact on consumers and investors ahead of the festive season. With Diwali around the corner, the squeeze presents a tricky situation for buyers, as demand continues to outstrip supply, creating long waiting periods and high premiums in local markets.

This special report focuses on the unprecedented surge in silver prices in India, which are outpacing gold, and the resulting supply crisis. Key financial institutions like Kotak Mutual Fund, UTI Asset Management, and SBI Mutual Fund have been forced to suspend new lump-sum investments in their Silver ETFs due to a severe shortage of physical silver and soaring domestic premiums. An expert notes, 'this is supply tightness in silver and this is the war between buying between physical silver and digital silver.' The report examines the causes, including surging industrial demand and silver's new status as a 'critical material' in the US, and the impact on consumers and investors ahead of the festive season. With Diwali around the corner, the squeeze presents a tricky situation for buyers, as demand continues to outstrip supply, creating long waiting periods and high premiums in local markets.

This special report delves into the unprecedented rally in silver prices, which has led key mutual funds like Kotak, UTI, and ICICI Prudential to halt new lumpsum investments in their Silver ETFs. Commodity expert Vandana Bharti describes the situation as a 'war between buying between physical silver and digital silver and physical silver is winning anywhere.' The surge is attributed to a massive supply-demand gap, with domestic prices trading at a premium of up to 12% over global rates. This is fueled by festive season demand, shipping delays, and increased industrial use in AI and solar. Vandana Bharti also highlights that the US has proposed designating silver as a 'critical mineral,' further escalating demand. The program also touches upon the broader market outlook, with experts suggesting a focus on consumption, railways, and specialty chemical stocks.

The sudden surge in price has even forced three major fund houses, Kotak Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, to temporarily stop accepting fresh lump sum investments in their silver ETF fund of funds.

At the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2025, experts discussed how AI is changing stock market investing, whether it can replace traditional methods, and what role human judgement will continue to play.

Speaking at the Business Today Most Powerful Women 2024 event, Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, emphasised the need for women to move beyond saving and start investing. 

Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, emphasized a disciplined approach to investing amidst record stock market highs.

Upbeat earnings pushed the Nifty across the 19,700 barrier for the first time while the Sensex also closed at a new record high.

MG Motor India plans to offer majority stakes to local partners over the next 2 to 4 years as part of a five-year business roadmap in the country. The company will also set up a new plant in Gujarat to ramp up capacity.