Stocks
- IT stocks have begun looking up; though CNX IT is delivering negative one-year returns, the sector outperformed in the last quarter.
- The small-cap universe is a treasure trove of bargains— provided you can spot them. Money Today ties up with Trisys Research to identify stocks that aren’t in the limelight, but have the potential to give high returns.
- Corporate results are worse than before but better than expected. Best of all, despite the definitive slowdown, stocks remain the best investment.
- Our model portfolios have generated a lot of interest among readers. Dipen Sheth answers some of the more prolific and profound among them.
Banking funds perform well
Banking funds have outperformed their benchmarks in the past one year. The category average for the past year is double that of equity diversified funds. With fall in returns on mutual funds, investors have gone through a tough time. Pick up the right lessons to turn today's losses into tomorrow's gains.Four ratios to knowBenefiting from basicsFunds: Look beyond surface Finding the right mutual fund is not the easiest thing to do. But with some basic facts in place and sufficient knowledge of the markets, you could end up with a winner. The most successful strategies of investing in mutual funds are surprisingly also very simple. Here are some of the time-tested thumb rules to keep in mind. You don’t need to know how to calculate them, but understanding what these ratios indicate will help you understand the finer distinctions between fund schemes. Real estate funds will offer greater liquidity, lower tax rates, more transparency, convenience and, above all, lower entry price to investors in property.'Be disciplined about investing'
"Adopt a disciplined, rather than impulsive approach to investing," says, Anand Radhakrishnan, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager (equity), Franklin Templeton Investments. Not for the first-time equity fund investor; this fund will suit experienced investors. If you already have a few sector funds, exit one to invest in this. Market fall and investor behaviour
People who have been investing regularly with discipline and taking the financial planning route are still comfortable and are not asking many questions. Cash is critical in an equity fund’s portfolio. A large cash component protects it from a sharp downfall. But there is also an opportunity cost of holding cash. The global economic slowdown is certain to cast a shadow over the Indian economy. But consumer and industrial spending in India will be strong enough to ensure a reasonably healthy economic growth. A growing portfolio of brands, expansion into more states and bigger orders from its MNC and Indian clients will ensure that Twilight Litaka Pharma’s revenues more than double to Rs 475 crore by 2009-10. If your mutual fund has had a bad quarter, find out why. Check what stocks it bought and sold, and if it made sense. But do this just once in three months. Premium space
Bungalows in high-rise apartments? Yes, this is what a slew of new super-size smart flats offer.Kanpur: Commercial hub of Uttar Pradesh
The commercial capital of Uttar Pradesh is second (after Lucknow) on the priority list of real estate developers investing in the state. Free, legal and comprehensive
Take a look at this far-from-exhaustive list; simply check-out websites for more. Just remember that although most of these programs sound good, they are relatively untried. Before you buy an AC
Buying an AC that suits both your room and your pocket need not be a difficult task. We show you how Gleaming options
Newer modes of investing in gold are emerging. Money Today gives you a lowdown in the times when returns from the metal are attractive. Increase risk intake
Raipur-based Pradeep Saxena has a secure government job. He can and must increase investments in equities to meet all financial goals. Decoding profits
You are checking a company’s financial report and the words earnings and profit jump out from all over. Which profit should you consider while evaluating a company? What is the utility of so many profitability measures? How are the ratios—which analysts keep talking about—calculated? Digitising stamp papers
The next time you want to get a property registered, you might not have to run around applying for stamp papers and then match different denomination of stamp papers to add up to the total amount. Travel in the Wild
This summer walk the wild side. We put together a selection of holidays that won’t pinch your pocket yet deliver on adventure. Should I buy a Ulip or a combination of a term plan and mutual funds?
If you are looking at only risk cover, term insurance is the best and cheapest option for you. Ulips offer a combination of insurance and investment. However, Ulips come with administrative charges, which are high in the initial years but taper off with time. Ashish Kapur on how the Yo! China chain came about
Ashish Kapur spent months researching the fast-food business before launching his Yo! China chain. Certified success
What good are cancelled shares and bond certificates? Pranav Gandhi, collector of old certificates shows it can be akin to owning some of the best companies. Cool on the pocket
Here's a statistic that should make it easier to cope with the scorching summer months. Competitive pressures and cheaper imports have brought down prices of air conditioners significantly in the past 10 years. Can a retired person get deduction for rent
Yes, you can avail tax deduction for payment of rent subject to certain conditions. Read on to know the complete answer. I will retire next year, where should I invest
It is difficult to suggest an investment strategy without knowing your financial details. As a rule of thumb, invest your retirement savings in a mix of fixed income instruments, monthly income plans of mutual funds and large-cap equity funds. Clear your fundamentals
In the past few weeks, mutual funds have given negative returns. So investors have begun to review their fund strategy. If you want a book to brush up basics of fund investing, this one is a good choice says Sameer Bhardwaj. 
