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The markets are trading at lifetime highs, backed by good quarterly results, improving economic outlook and a decline in Covid cases. Against this backdrop equity, mutual fund investors, after withdrawing money for months, have stepped up their investment s as confidence among the investing fraternity soars higher. For the first time since February last year, equity mutual funds have seen an inflow of 10,000 crores in May 2021. The redemption pressure too is waning. The best is yet to come. Many were afraid to buy during corrections due to high volatility, but with volatility subsiding, those who were waiting on the sidelines have jumped the bull bandwagon. Investors realised that the longer they wait, the more they will miss out on dividends and growth. The underperformance of debt funds, too, have contributed to the gung-ho attitude of equity investors. It should be noted that the debt category reported outflows of Rs. 44,000 crores in May 2021. The gradual decline in Covid cases too...

The first step is making yourself financially confident by empowering yourself to construct an efficient money box. It is not about getting rich instantly rather it's about building a system that would allow you to be hands-free for most of your time. Just little tweaks twice a year and you'll be good to go.  This is not going to be an easy task and demands patience. For starters, your fully functioning money box will take 6-months to construct. But it's worth all the time and patience. As this money box will empower you in financing all the necessary things and also save for the long-term goals. Once constructed, the money box will work on its own demanding minor tweaks once in a while. Sounds like a win-win situation, right? Let's agree on one fact - the needs and situations of every individual vary. Therefore, to achieve your financial goals even your roadmap should differ.  All of us know the importance of spending money according to a 'Plan'. And most of u...

Often people look for the investment option with the best returns to resolve their money problems. But to acquire financial fitness, there are many more factors that need to be considered. Instead of focusing on finding a single shot solution for all of your money-related concerns, you must concentrate on starting from the very root and then build a system. Even after working to our full capacity, often we feel a mess in our money lives and feel blameworthy for the same. The guilt trip gets even harsher in the moment of silence. The guilt of not making the clever financial moves on time, the guilt of not having enough for your kids, the guilt of not living life extravagantly, and much more. The guilt is further loaded with the pressure of long-term care of your aging parents and other inescapable responsibilities. The very fact of not doing enough or not having enough can make us anxious. After years of hoarding cash in the name of emergencies, when there is a sufficient amount and the...

Before the pandemic, the demand for commodities saw deflationary pressures. The commodity stocks underperformed the market. This was not a local problem; the situation was the same across the globe. This was evident from the purchase managers index (PMI) for industrial production which spiraled downwards for few quarters, a testimony of weak demand. Due to lower demand on the commodities front, the companies avoided Capex in the commodity space. The pandemic has forced governments to re-evaluate their fiscal policies. The governments are stressing local manufacturing. Monetary stimulus programs have been announced to support the economy, and the biggest beneficiaries will be commodities. The fiscal stimulus, direct bank transfers will improve the demand going forward. Companies too have realized the need to re-align their supply chains. Against such a backdrop thematic commodity funds deserve tactical asset allocation from investors. However thematic commodity funds are not for everyon...