With the new financial year (FY 2025-26) beginning today, April 1, 2025, we take a look at the key changes affecting online payments, GST rates, income tax slabs, bank balances, LPG cylinder prices, TDS, tolls, credit cards, and more.Citizens and taxpayers need to stay informed about new income tax rules, revised credit card charges, changes to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and other personal finance updates taking effect from April 1, 2025.Also Read | Trump threatens Harvard with $9bn grants loss over alleged ‘antisemitism’.What Changes for UPI Payments?In order to enhance the security of UPI payments, the National Payments Corporation…
Author: user
Image source: Getty Images The International Consolidated Airlines (LSE: IAG) share price was on what looked like a cracking recovery. But then, in March, the shares dropped by 26%. And it’s actually a bit worse than that, as IAG shares are now down 29% from the 52-week high of 368.4p set in early February. I saw worse, but that’s relative and might only matter to short-term traders. Though 2025 isn’t off to a great start, the shares are still up 48% over the past 12 months. Strong 2024 results With full-year results released on 28 February, CEO Luis Gallego said:…
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York City on April 1, 2025. Charly Triballeau | Afp | Getty ImagesThe S&P 500 climbed to positive territory on Tuesday, in another volatile session as the market awaited clarity from President Donald Trump regarding his tariff policy rollout. Wall Street also faced pressure stemming from weaker-than-expected economic data.The broad market index ticked up 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 68 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500’s move higher after initially falling earlier follows a…
Image source: Getty Images Global growth shares are losing their lustre as ‘Trump Tariffs’ (and reciprocal action from US trade partners) threaten the economy. The impact of fresh import taxes could be devastating across a variety of industries. I’ve lost none of my appetite for UK shares, although I’m more cautious with what I buy today. One way to protect myself is to choose counter-cyclical shares — and companies in traditionally defensive industries — whose earnings forecasts are boosted or unaffected by current economic conditions. With this in mind, here are two great growth stocks I’m considering right now. H&T…
In our interconnected world, geopolitical events — ranging from trade disputes and regulatory shifts to conflicts and pandemics — capture headlines and influence market sentiments. As investment professionals, it’s crucial for us to understand these dynamics without losing sight of long-term client objectives. At CFA Institute, our role is clear: we educate financial professionals. We do not take positions on geopolitical matters. Rather, we focus our work through the lens of investment outcomes and improving the financial system for the benefit of all market participants. Since our founding in 1947 — the post–World War II era — every decade has…
We recently published a list of 10 Best Financial Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) stands against other best financial stocks to invest in. Financial stocks had a great run in 2024, jumping over 30% by mid-December and outpacing the broader market. Fidelity noted that concerns about bank failures faded as the economy stayed strong, and improving fundamentals kept the sector on track. With the Fed cutting rates for the first time since the pandemic, lower borrowing costs could boost economic activity, even…
Image source: Getty Images All the headlines suggest we’re heading for a stock market crash, or rather, that we’re in the middle of one. With the Stocks and Shares ISA allowance deadline fast approaching on 5 April, many will be wondering whether now is the right time to invest. Fears over Donald Trump’s tariffs are spooking investors, making it a worrying time to commit fresh cash. Despite the headlines, the FTSE 100 is actually doing okay. In fact, it’s up around 5% this year. Wall Street has taken a bigger hit, with the S&P 500 down 5% amid US recession…
Image source: Getty Images The US stock market has been all over the shop recently. In fact, the S&P 500‘s 4.6% drop in the first quarter of 2025 was the index’s largest quarterly loss since 2022. Given this, I’ve been weighing up a few options for my Stocks and Shares ISA. Here are two stocks I’ve got my eye on. Out-of-favour AI stock The first — Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) — needs no introductions. The chipmaker is the world’s third-largest firm and remains central to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Demand for its latest Blackwell AI chips is very strong, according…
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks outside the legislature on March 31, 2025. (PHOTO Government of British Columbia) The B.C. government is cancelling the carbon tax by introducing legislation to drop the rate to $0, effective today. Premier David Eby says the consumer carbon tax has become divisive at a time we need to be united. “We will help people with costs and fight climate change by ensuring big polluters continue to pay, encouraging industry to innovate and giving British Columbians affordable options to make sustainable choices,” he said. The reduction of the tax to $0 is an immediate step to…
ICICI Bank launched the Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card in the second half of 2023. It had good features and benefits. However, with the introduction of the iShop portal in February 2025, the value proposition of the Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has further improved significantly. On using the card for the iShop portal transactions, the cardholder can earn up to 12X reward points. In this article, we will understand the features and benefits of this card and whether it is the best card.Features and benefits of the Emeralde Private Metal credit cardThe Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is the…