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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Hybrid Funds: A smart counterweight in volatile markets?
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads But Tariffs Are Only Part of the Picture Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why People Are Paying More Attention to Hybrid Mutual Funds Not Immune, But Able to Take in Crises Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Volatility Is No Longer an Outlier; It's Built In Not a "Safe Haven," But a Market Buffer Conclusion (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) Since October 2024, the Indian stock market has been very volatile, with corrections, global disruptions, and a growing gap between fundamentals and of February 2025, benchmark indices like the Sensex and Nifty 50 are down 10–11% from their highs, which means they have lost most of the gains they made in the last three months of 2024. The mid-cap and small-cap segments have dropped even more, down 15% from recent highs. This shows how quickly sentiment has changed in less liquid parts of the main cause isn't just in the US. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is pushing for tariffs again. For example, he wants a 25% import duty on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China. This has caused a ripple effect. India's volatility index (VIX) shot up right after he won the election, showing how changes in policy from outside the country can still cause instability inside the the same time, China has released DeepSeek, an AI model that could change the way the world talks about technology. At the same time, tensions between countries are rising, manufacturing data is still slow, and corporate profits have dropped since the second quarter of FY25. Concerns about rising prices and inflation linked to climate change and raw materials prices make the market even more complicated and Leaving, Domestic Flows Staying Strong Up January 2025 saw a sharp ₹78,000 crore sell-off by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which made the pressure even worse. Some of the selling has been taken up by domestic investors, but the imbalance is clear, especially in the broader market, where liquidity is lower and stories change portfolios, especially those that are heavily invested in aggressive equity mutual funds, have been hit hard. The values of all stocks have gone down, and the drop in mid- and small-cap stocks has been much worse than what the headline indices are looking at hybrid mutual funds, which mix stocks and bonds, in a different way in this market. Not because they are "safe" or "conservative," but because they show that you can adapt to a market that is changing quickly. Hybrid funds have been around for a while. People are no longer seeing them as a fallback, but as a way to stay invested without being fully exposed to one direction of the funds can lean more towards growth or stability, depending on the type:Aggressive hybrid funds, which invest 65–80% of their money in stocks, let capital grow but also take some of the shocks that pure equity funds can't allocation funds, which invest in gold or other asset classes, do well when stocks are under stress because they don't move in the same hybrids, on the other hand, focus on debt and only have a small amount of equity exposure. This is useful when stability is more bear markets of the past, hybrid funds have had drawdowns, but they've handled them example, during the COVID-led sell-off in early 2020, aggressive and multi-asset hybrid funds fell less than pure equity funds. The reason is that assets are automatically rebalanced and spread out. When stocks fall, the debt part (and sometimes gold) helps make up for some of the same mechanism is still important today, when news can cause intraday swings and headlines from outside the market can change the ratings of whole sectors only are markets more volatile since 2024, but that volatility has also become a part of the structure. Supply chains, energy prices, and geopolitical alignments are all changing, which means that risk is no longer a one-time thing; it's built into the easy to see why a product that changes its asset mix on the fly would be appealing in this situation, both in terms of returns and risk management. Especially when investors don't want to be completely wrong or completely right important to know that hybrid funds can still lose money. They still have market risk, especially the ones that invest a lot in stocks. But what they do give you is time and space: time to move things around and space to deal with corrections without losing all your importance doesn't grow in bull markets; it grows in transitions, which is where we are right are paying more attention to hybrid mutual funds again, but it's not because they want to make money or avoid risk. It's about realising that the market has changed permanently, not just for a short things get more volatile and correlations break down, asset allocation itself becomes the product. In that sense, hybrid funds aren't a compromise; they're a sign of how hard it is for investors to navigate the market right now.(The author of the article is Chakravarthy V, Cofounder & Executive Director, Prime Wealth Finserv Pvt Ltd.)
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
The Ratan of Indian Theatre: Ratan Thiyam harnessed his spectacular stage to confront modern chaos and shape a just society
Ratan Thiyam, a prominent figure in Indian theatre, has passed away. He was an institution and a visionary artist. Thiyam founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Manipur. He used theatre for social reflection. His work was rooted in the Natyashastra. He served as director and chairperson of the National School of Drama. Thiyam's plays addressed social issues. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads MANIPUR'S OWN CHORUS Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Uttar Priyadarshi is one of Thiyam's acclaimed productions Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) When a friend called to inform me that Ratan Thiyam was no more, I was shocked and devastated. He wasn't just a stalwart of the Indian theatre , he was an institution in himself. With his passing, I have lost a fellow traveller.I first met Thiyam in the late 1980s. Over the years, our paths crossed many times, both in Guwahati and Delhi. Even a brief interaction with him was profoundly enriching. I now carry a regret: despite his many invitations, I never made it to Imphal to witness his work at its conversations were always centred around art, culture and the society in which we live. We rarely spoke of personal matters — it was always about the larger canvas. One area we deeply connected on was the Natyashastra of sage Bharata, the ancient and powerful treatise on performing arts, often revered as the fifth theatrical work was deeply rooted in the Natyashastra. Having drawn on the same theories in my own films, I felt an immediate creative kinship with him. As outlined in that ancient text, human emotions are classified into nine fundamental compartments — the nava rasa. Thiyam not only embodied this ancient science in his plays but also used it extensively in training his in 1948, Thiyam graduated from the National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi, where he later served as its director (198788) and eventually as chairperson (2013-17). He was the founder-director of the Chorus Repertory Theatre that he established in his home state of Manipur, which remained his primary creative base.A visionary artist, Thiyam masterfully used theatre as a tool for social reflection and transformation, confronting the chaos of modern life through his craft. For long, Manipur has had a rich cultural legacy, and Thiyam not only preserved it but elevated it to national and global prominence. That he was also an accomplished painter is hardly surprising—true cultural stalwarts often express their versatility in multiple art many ways, Thiyam filled a long cultural void in the Northeast and beyond, leaving behind a legacy that continues to our society, good and evil forces constantly fight with one another. Thiyam understood that the role of an artist is not neutral — it is to stand firmly with the forces of good and contribute to building a just and healthy society. Through his plays, he consistently sought to confront and expose the devilish elements in our social fabric. His work served as a moral compass, urging reflection and reform. It is imperative that future artists carry forward this legacy of socially conscious his most celebrated productions are Uttar Priyadarshi , Chakravyuha , Andha Yug and Ritusamhara — each a testament to his creative mastery and ethical was a pioneer of the 'theatre of roots' movement. His plays were deeply grounded in Indian cultural traditions, particularly those of his home state, Manipur, and the broader Northeast region. It was his profound mastery of the Natyashastra that enabled him to write and direct plays drawing from ancient Indian theatrical traditions, infusing them with present like the legendary Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, Thiyam too saw art as a bridge — a powerful medium to foster a healthier and harmonious society. Whether or not he fully succeeded in his lifetime is secondary; what truly matters is that he committed himself, relentlessly, to the struggle for an ideal a time when societal values have steadily degraded, Thiyam stood as a cultural warrior, fighting valiantly to counter that erosion through the power of performing legacy will endure for generations. As we bid farewell to this stalwart of Indian theatre, we are reminded that true artists never die—they live on through their work, their vision, and most importantly, the ideals they leave behind. Yes, the stage feels dimmer without the doyen, but his light will continue to guide generations to writer is a National Award-winning filmmaker (As told to Shantanu Nandan Sharma)
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Can I buy a new house with home loan and pay it off soon when my old house is sold? Will I get capital gain tax benefit?
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) Under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, an individual can claim exemption from taxation of long-term capital gains (LTCG) arising from the sale of a residential property if the gains are invested in the purchase of another residential property either within a year before or two years after the date of sale (or within three years in case of construction). Section 54 does not mandate that the capital gains be directly used for the purchase. It only requires that the investment in the new residential property falls within the specified timelines. Judicial precedents have affirmed that the exemption under Section 54 can be claimed even if the new property is acquired through a loan and the capital gains are later used to repay that loan. Though supported by several tribunal rulings, assessing officers may deny the exemption if capital gains aren't directly used for the purchase. However, courts have allowed it in similar cases where gains were used to repay a home loan for the new best option is to continue with your home loan if you have taxable income to claim deductions under Section 24. This will help you save on income tax and potentially avoid capital gains tax. If you have no taxable income (from pension, rental income, interest, or dividends), consider selling the house and using the proceeds to prepay the loan. To minimise tax liability, use the capital gains for prepayment. You can pay more than the capital gains if you wish. The capital gains tax can be avoided if the house was purchased within one year using the home loan. Otherwise, you will need to pay tax on the capital our expertsHave a question for the experts? etwealth@
Economic Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Remove underperforming mutual funds and cut risk from shares by shifting to index funds to meet life goals
This couple can reduce risk in their portfolio by moving some of their equity investments to index mutual funds The Portfolio Doctor assesses the health of the fund portfolio, examines the schemes and their suitability with regard to the goals and, if required, recommends corrective measures. The advice given is based on the performance of the funds, the risk profile of the investor as well as his financial goals. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads PORTFOLIO CHECK-UP Abhishek Mittal and his wife are investing for their son's education and wedding, as well as their own retirement. The couple has highrisk investments, with over 50% of the portfolio in stocks. Direct investment in stocks can be volatile and risky. They should move to a mutual fund or an index scheme. The three equity mutual funds have been consistent underperformers and should be weeded out. They should continue investing in the NPS scheme. They should invest only Rs.1.5 lakh a year in their own and minor's PPF accounts. Can restart investing more when the son turns 18. Note from the doctor The couple has adequate life insurance: Rs.2 crore for husband and Rs.1 crore for wife. They also have passive rental income from two flats. They should review and rebalance their portfolio at least once a year. They should reduce risk when goal is near to avoid missing the target. WRITE TO US FOR HELP Names of the funds you hold. Current value of the investment. If you have SIPs running in any of them. The financial goals for which you invested. How much you need for each financial goal. How far away is each goal. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) Not many investors know whether they have invested in the right funds and if their fund portfolio is on track. The Portfolio Doctor assesses the health of the fund portfolio, examines the schemes and their suitability with regard to the goals and, if required, recommends corrective measures. The advice given is based on the performance of the funds, the risk profile of the investor as well as his financial you want your portfolio examined, write to etwealth@ with 'Portfolio Doctor' as the subject. Mention the following information:
Economic Times
20-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
How global forces are reshaping base metal prices
Base metals like aluminium and copper are witnessing sharp volatility in 2025, driven by U.S. trade tariffs, a weakening dollar, geopolitical tensions, and China's evolving policies. While global supply chains face disruptions, demand remains mixed amid green energy transitions. As uncertainty persists, investors and industries must adopt flexible strategies to navigate this increasingly complex and globally influenced market. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads U.S. Trade Tariffs: A Double-Edged Sword Weakening U.S. Dollar: A Bullish Signal for Commodities Geopolitical Tensions: Disrupting Supply Chains Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads China's Supply-Demand Dynamics: The Decisive Factor Conclusion (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) The base metals market is navigating a complex web of economic and geopolitical and copper—two of the most critical industrial metals—are experiencing heightened price volatility, driven by U.S. trade policies, currency fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and shifting supply-demand dynamics in United States, under President Donald Trump's renewed tariff strategy, has imposed blanket tariffs on imports from several countries, including key metal producers. These tariffs aim to protect U.S. industries but often lead to unintended consequences. Retaliatory tariffs from affected nations are disrupting global supply chains, adding to market U.S. dollar has shown signs of weakening in 2025 due to rising fiscal deficits and dovish monetary policy. Since base metals are priced in dollars, a weaker greenback typically makes them cheaper for foreign buyers—boosting demand and driving prices effect has been particularly visible in copper, which is widely used in electrical infrastructure and green technologies. As global buyers take advantage of favorable exchange rates, copper prices have surged, even amid supply constraints. Aluminium, with its applications in transportation and packaging, has also come under upward price geopolitical tensions—especially in Eastern Europe, the South China Sea, and the Middle East—are adding layers of complexity to the metals market. Conflicts and sanctions disrupt mining operations, transportation routes, and trade agreements, triggering supply tensions involving Russia, a major aluminium producer, have led to sanctions restricting exports to Western markets. Similarly, instability in African copper-producing nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo has affected global supply reliability. These disruptions are fueling speculative pressure, with traders pricing in risk premiums that elevate market remains the world's largest consumer and producer of base metals. Its domestic policies, industrial output, and environmental regulations have a profound impact on global pricing. In 2025, China is grappling with slower economic growth and a transition toward cleaner energy, both of which affect demand and the demand side, reduced construction activity and cautious infrastructure spending have softened copper consumption. However, the country's aggressive push toward electric vehicles and renewable energy continues to support long-term copper demand. Aluminium demand, meanwhile, is being reshaped by China's efforts to curb carbon emissions, leading to production caps and higher domestic the supply side, China's tightening environmental regulations have led to the closure of several high-emission smelters, particularly in aluminium production. This has reduced global supply and contributed to price increases, especially as other producers struggle to fill the interplay of U.S. trade tariffs, currency movements, geopolitical instability, and China's evolving industrial landscape is creating a volatile environment for base and copper, essential to both traditional manufacturing and emerging technologies, are at the center of this ahead, base metal prices are likely to remain volatile in the short term. Investors, manufacturers, and policymakers must navigate this uncertainty with agility. Hedging strategies, diversified sourcing, and adaptive trade policies will be crucial for managing risks and capitalizing on opportunities in a market increasingly shaped by global forces beyond just supply and demand.
