Author: Sarita Jena

  • 2024’s Best Tax-Saving Mutual Funds: Up to 45% Returns!

    2024’s Best Tax-Saving Mutual Funds: Up to 45% Returns!

    In 2024, the top five tax-saving mutual funds, known as ELSS, have given awesome returns of over 25%! There are 38 funds in total in this category. The top fund is Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund, which made about 45.36% profit this year. Close behind are the HSBC ELSS Tax Saver Fund with 32.97% and the JM ELSS Tax Saver Fund with 27.58% returns.

    Other good performers include WOC ELSS Tax Saver Fund at 27.46% and SBI Long Term Equity Fund at about 26.68%. The Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund gave two cool returns of 21.48%, followed closely by the Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund at 21.41%. The largest fund, Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund, returned around 16.98%. Sadly, the Samco ELSS Tax Saver Fund and Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund had lower returns of 9.10% and 8.06% respectively.

    Who Did Better?
    27 of the 38 funds exceeded their expected returns! Both the Motilal Oswal ELSS and HSBC ELSS funds did especially well compared to their benchmarks. For example, SBI Long Term Equity Fund posted a profit of 26.68% while its benchmark only managed 15.20%.

    Funds like Franklin India and Kotak also outperformed their benchmarks. Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund and Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund gave decent returns of 17.55% and 17.18%, both beating their benchmarks of 15.70%. Axis ELSS delivered 16.98%, better than its benchmark too.

    Some Funds Lag Behind
    On the other hand, funds like PGIM India ELSS and Sundaram ELSS did not match their benchmarks. Bandhan ELSS only provided 12.96%, lower than its benchmark return.

    Overall, the average return from these ELSS funds in 2024 was around 19.31%. The benchmarks for these funds, the NIFTY 500 – TRI and BSE 500 – TRI gave returns of 15.70% and 15.20% respectively.

    This information helps us look at how these mutual funds performed this year. Remember, it’s always good to think about your personal finances before you invest!

  • Colgate-Palmolive Stock Update: Price Drop and Strong Sales Growth

    Colgate-Palmolive Stock Update: Price Drop and Strong Sales Growth

    Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. saw its share price fall by 1.37%, reaching Rs 2713.05 around 1:38 PM IST on Monday. The stock reached a high of Rs 2756.95 and a low of Rs 2710.00 during the day. In the last session, the stock closed at Rs 2750.95.

    So far today, about 1.48 crore shares have been traded on the BSE. This stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 50.27, meaning investors believe the company will grow and are willing to pay more for its profits. It also has a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 27.81, which shows how much investors value the company even if it isn’t growing much.

    Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. is a part of the Personal Care industry. As of September 30, 2024, promoters owned 51% of the company, while Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) held 24.94% and domestic investors owned 5.54%.

    In the latest quarter ending September 30, 2024, the company reported total sales of Rs 1695.09 crore, an 11.51% increase from the previous quarter and a 13.6% rise from the same period last year, which was Rs 1492.10 crore. The company made a profit of Rs 395.05 crore, which is a 16.17% increase compared to last year.

  • PV Sindhu’s Beautiful Wedding: Celebrations and Recent Victory!

    PV Sindhu’s Beautiful Wedding: Celebrations and Recent Victory!

    Indian badminton champion PV Sindhu has tied the knot with her fiancé, Venkata Datta Sai, in a lovely ceremony in Udaipur on Sunday. The couple looked stunning in traditional outfits and shared their vows in front of close family and friends. The event was special and also featured Jodhpur’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was excited to post the couple’s first wedding photo on social media.

    In his post, he expressed his joy in attending the wedding, wishing them happiness as they begin their new life together. Both Sindhu and Sai wore gentle, elegant colors; Sindhu in a beautiful white gold and silver dress, while Sai matched her in a similar outfit.

    The celebrations won’t stop here! The newlyweds plan to host a reception in Hyderabad on December 24. Before the wedding, they had a series of joyful pre-wedding ceremonies, including a lively Sangeet on December 20, followed by Haldi, Pellikuthuru, and Mehendi celebration the next day.

    Sindhu’s father mentioned that the families have been friends for a long time, but they quickly arranged the wedding in just a month. The couple chose this date carefully, as Sindhu’s training will be busier next year.

    On the sports side, Sindhu recently made a great comeback by winning the Syed Modi India International title in Lucknow. She beat China’s Wu Luo Yu in a thrilling match, winning 21-14, 21-16, marking her first BWF World Tour title since 2022!

    Meet Venkata Datta Sai
    Venkata Sai is currently the Executive Director of Posidex, a company that focuses on data mining. He has a BBA in Accounting and Finance from Flame University and a Master’s Degree in Data Science & Machine Learning from IIFT Bangalore.

    He started his career as an intern and has worked hard to become the Managing Director of Sour Apple Asset Management, while also being the Executive Director at Posidex. He even had the incredible opportunity to manage a team in the IPL, reflecting on this experience as a key part of his journey.

  • King Charles and Kate Middleton: Their Heartfelt Journey Through Cancer

    King Charles and Kate Middleton: Their Heartfelt Journey Through Cancer

    King Charles and Kate Middleton have experienced a huge shock this year after both received cancer diagnoses. Charles found out he has an undisclosed type of cancer back in February, while Kate revealed her health battle in March. A source shared with the Mail, “Their lives were turned upside down really quickly.”

    Palace officials told GB News that Charles is undergoing treatment which will continue into next year. Fortunately, his treatment is going well. “It’s moving in a positive direction, and it’s now a condition he can manage,” the source explained.

    Kate is slowly returning to her royal responsibilities after announcing she finished her preventative chemotherapy in September. She expressed gratitude for the support she received, saying, “Everyone’s kindness has been truly humbling.”

    On December 6, Kate hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas service. This special event will be shown on Christmas Eve on ITV1 and ITVX at 7:30 PM.

    One palace insider reflected on how overwhelming the family’s challenges have been, saying, “I don’t think anyone expected such a hopeful outcome so soon. It’s truly amazing how they’ve handled everything with so much dignity and strength.”

    Another source mentioned that King Charles wants to be open about his journey to inspire others facing similar challenges. “He hopes to raise awareness and support for families going through tough times,” they said.

    Both King Charles and Kate Middleton are planning to spend Christmas at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

  • Top Stock Market Tips for 2024: Where to Invest Now!

    Top Stock Market Tips for 2024: Where to Invest Now!

    Anshul Saigal, the founder of Saigal Capital, says there are many chances to pick good stocks in the current market. Whether in construction, manufacturing, alcohol, or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), there is a lot to explore. This year will offer plenty of chances for those who can spot the right investments.

    However, this week’s market is showing some weakness. Saigal explains this is mainly due to big economic factors and the fact that stock prices have risen a lot recently, leaving little room for further growth in the short term. After strong growth over the last couple of years, the market is taking a pause. This is a good thing because it will remind many investors that making money in the stock market is not always easy.

    In the upcoming year, the stock market will really challenge investors. There will be clear winners and losers, and it will take skill to pick the right stocks. For example, some stocks may go up by 6-7% even when the overall market drops. Observing these trends will be essential.

    When discussing companies like ABB India and Siemens, Saigal points out their high stock prices. For instance, these companies might be priced at 60 to 80 times their earnings. To justify such prices, investors need to carefully consider if they are paying too much. While these companies are great, there’s little room for bad news, which could lead to price drops.

    As for buying opportunities in the current market, some experts believe that next year might see a rise in demand for basic goods, such as food and household items, especially in rural and smaller towns. Companies providing these goods are worth watching, as their prices have remained stable despite recent challenges.

    Another area to consider is banking. Many banks, especially state-owned ones, are currently priced very attractively, making it a great time for investment. Overall, Saigal believes there are many stock-picking opportunities in various sectors, like capital goods, manufacturing, and more. To succeed this year, investors should be prepared to work hard and stay informed.

  • Top Movie Cameos of 2024 That Wow Audiences!

    Top Movie Cameos of 2024 That Wow Audiences!

    This year has been all about unexpected collaborations, especially in the world of Indian films. Fans have been thrilled to see their favorite actors pop up in special cameo roles, surprising everyone! Let’s look back at some of the most exciting guest appearances that made 2024 memorable:

    1. Sreeleela in Pushpa 2:
    In the much-anticipated film Pushpa 2, Sreeleela wowed audiences with her dance number “Kissik” alongside Allu Arjun. Just like Samantha’s famous song from the first Pushpa, this performance lit up the screen!

    2. Salman Khan in Singham Again:
    Fans buzzed about Salman Khan’s cameo in Singham Again. He made a thrilling entrance as Inspector Chulbul Pandey from Dabangg, joining Ajay Devgn in a police HQ showdown. The excitement doesn’t stop there—fans are in for more with a future film featuring Chulbul vs. Singham!

    3. Tamannaah, Akshay, and Varun in Stree 2:
    Stree 2 was a big hit this year, partly due to its star-studded cameos. Tamannaah Bhatia charmed everyone with her electrifying number “Aaj Ki Raat.” Akshay Kumar brought laughs as Sarkata’s descendant, while Varun Dhawan reprised his role as Bhediya, keeping fans connected to Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy universe.

    4. Ananya Panday in Bad Newz:
    Ananya Panday appeared unexpectedly in Bad Newz, kicking off the film with a fun scene where she discusses her peculiar love life with lead actress Triptii Dimri. The surprise entry left audiences buzzing!

    5. Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, and Dulquer Salmaan in Kalki 2898 AD:
    Fans were thrilled to see Vijay Deverakonda as Arjuna in Kalki 2898 AD, alongside Mrunal Thakur and Dulquer Salmaan as key characters. Their unexpected appearances stole the show!

    6. Varun Dhawan in Munjya:
    Varun had another exciting cameo this year as Bhediya in Munjya, expanding the Dinesh Vijan universe once again. His character’s interactions were a hit with fans!

    7. Janhvi Kapoor in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya:
    Janhvi’s fun moment in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya added to the film’s appeal. A lighthearted chat with Shahid Kapoor brought smiles to viewers and set the stage for more magic in the future.

    So these are the exciting cameos that lit up 2024! Which one was your favorite?

  • Top 5 Indian Batting Performances at MCG’s Boxing Day Test!

    Top 5 Indian Batting Performances at MCG’s Boxing Day Test!

    India is getting ready for the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day. This test is a big deal in every Australian summer, and India has played some amazing matches here before. Fans are hopeful that the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will be inspired by some of the best innings from Indian players at this historic ground.

    Here are the top five highest scores by Indian players at the MCG:

    1. Virender Sehwag: 195, 2003-04
    Virender Sehwag put on a show against the Australian bowlers, hitting 130 runs just from boundaries, including 25 fours and 5 sixes. His thrilling innings made for an exciting Boxing Day, but sadly, India lost control of the match later on.

    2. Virat Kohli: 169, 2014-15
    After some ups and downs in earlier games, everyone was curious about how Virat Kohli would perform. He played a fantastic innings, thriving against the Australian bowlers and making sure India kept up with Australia’s big score.

    3. Ajinkya Rahane: 147, 2014-15
    Ajinkya Rahane also stepped up, partnering with Kohli for a 262-run partnership. With his own century, he helped India stay competitive in the game, even though India faced difficulties later on.

    4. Sunil Gavaskar: 118, 1977-78
    Sunil Gavaskar played a key role in India’s first-ever win in Australia at the MCG. His steady innings helped India take a big lead, paving the way for a memorable victory.

    5. Sachin Tendulkar: 116, 1999-2000
    Sachin Tendulkar shone in a tough match, scoring 116 runs while most teammates struggled. His effort nearly saved India from a follow-on, but they still lost against a strong Australian team.

  • Why Elon Musk is Trending as ‘President’ Over Trump!

    Why Elon Musk is Trending as ‘President’ Over Trump!

    A lot of funny posts about “President Musk” have gone viral on social media! These started after some Democrats claimed that Elon Musk, who runs Tesla and the DOGE group, is really the one in charge of the GOP, not President-elect Donald Trump. People began sharing memes and jokes that show Musk as a powerful leader.

    One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared a video saying that Musk is the “real president” while Trump is just the vice president. They captioned it: “Everyone knows who is running this show: President-elect Musk.” Another post had an AI image of Trump sitting in a tiny chair while Musk relaxed in a big chair behind him, making it look like he’s the boss.

    There’s even a meme where Trump is shown bowing down to Musk, who is dressed like a king! This made people laugh and also sparked discussions about how Trump’s supporters might feel about it. One user commented that Trump would be unhappy if such images went viral.

    Many people are sharing memes where Trump is depicted as Musk’s servant. In one, Trump is shown walking Musk like a pet. In another, Trump, dressed as a waiter, is serving food to Musk. Even Musk seems to be in control of a car with Trump sitting in the back.

    The hashtag #PresidentMusk started trending after Democrats criticized Musk for influencing Republican decisions about spending, which could lead to a government shutdown. Some representatives called Musk “president” during their speeches, questioning how much he actually knows about the struggles normal people face during a shutdown.

    Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also joined in, saying that the Republicans are following Musk’s orders. Other Democratic leaders expressed concerns about Musk’s influence, claiming he has become like a “fourth branch of government.”

    Recently, the House of Representatives passed a spending bill to prevent a shutdown, but Musk had previously threatened Republicans about supporting a different deal, showing how much weight his opinions carry.

  • Watch Christmas Day NFL Games Live on Netflix!

    Watch Christmas Day NFL Games Live on Netflix!

    This Christmas, get ready for some exciting NFL games! The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans will play on Netflix. You can watch the games from anywhere in the world!

    Here’s the schedule:
    – First Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs at 11 AM (EST)
    – Second Game: Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans at 4:30 PM (EST)

    Before the first game, there will be a two-hour pregame show starting at 11 AM (EST), so don’t miss it! You can also watch these games on CBS if you live in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Houston.

    A lot of people will be tuning in especially around 6 PM (EST) during halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, when Beyoncé will perform!

    Netflix has about 282.3 million subscribers all over the world, making this a big deal since it’s the first time NFL games will be available globally through one platform.

    Netflix is really trying to become a go-to place for sports fans. They recently got the rights to stream the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and plan to start showing WWE shows like Monday Night Raw starting January 6.

    For the Tyson-Paul fight, Netflix had a huge audience of 60 million people watching!

    In the past, the biggest number of people watching an NFL game streamed exclusively was 23 million on Peacock. This shows how big a step Netflix is taking!

    Nielsen will track how many people are watching these Christmas Day games, and we can expect early numbers on the afternoon of December 26.

  • Kolkata Airport Plans 100 Daily Flights & New Terminal by 2025!

    Kolkata Airport Plans 100 Daily Flights & New Terminal by 2025!

    The Indian government wants to make Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport a busy hub for flights again. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced that soon, 100 flights will take off from the airport every day!

    At a special event celebrating the airport’s 100th birthday, the minister reminded everyone that the airport once had direct flights to big cities like London and Paris. Right now, there are only 15 international and 49 domestic flights. But the government wants to change that and make Kolkata one of the busiest airports in India.

    Every day, more planes are flying in and out of the airport—up from 264 to 400! The goal is to boost the number of people using the airport from 2.6 million to over 4 million each year. To help with this, they plan to open a new terminal by November 2025.

    During the celebration, the minister, along with MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, released a special coin and a coffee table book. He also announced a new café called ‘Uran Café’ that will be affordable for everyone. This will be the first of its kind in the country!

    TMC MP Sougata Roy, who helps advise on airport matters, asked the ministers to add more international flights from Kolkata and to improve other airports in West Bengal, like those in Andal, Coochbehar, and Bagdogra. The minister agreed, saying that better airports will help the economy and create more jobs, especially in Bagdogra, which is in a very important location.