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When people are worried about the future they turn to gold to protect their savings. That’s rarely been more true than today. Surging demand and disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic have created a shortage of the small gold bars most popular with consumers. Those who do manage to get their hands on metal have to pay up –- well above the per-ounce prices being quoted on financial markets in London and New York.

Indian infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs) have drawn investments from some of the largest global institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds. According to sources, since their introduction in India, InvITs and REITs have together raised more than $3.6 billion of capital. These vehicles (together referred to as ‘business trusts’) have significant potential to aid the government in achieving its targets of massive infrastructure development and give a fillip to the commercial realty market in the country.

India’s biggest lender State Bank of IndiaNSE -5.23 % (SBI) listed Green Bonds of $100 million under its $10 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme on India INX’s Global Securities Market Green Platform (GSM). The bond issue has been priced after adding 80 basis points over three-month London-Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) and is rated BBB- by Fitch.

In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Sebi has extended the deadline for public comments on proposed relaxation in norms with regard to six-month-gap between two QIPs, and delisting of a firm in case of its merger with listed holding firm till April 30. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had sought comments on these two proposals till April 15.

Investors looking for higher returns post the sharp cut of interest rates in small savings products and bank deposits by up to 140 basis points could turn to banking and PSU debt funds. These funds could give investors 6.5-7.5%, thereby helping them earn 50-150 basis points higher than small savings products. For those in the high tax bracket, if they hold these funds for more than three years, these products will also get indexation benefits, which will significantly improve the post-tax returns. Post the repo cut of 90 basis points by RBI, the government reduced interest rate on 1-, 2- and 3-year time deposits from 6.9% to 5.5% and on Public Provident Fund by 80 basis points to 7.1%.

Equity saving schemes are sold as `one of the safest’ investment products. A typical sales pitch goes like this: “look at the portfolio. It is debt, arbitrage, and a little bit of equity. And you also get equity taxation. It is a win-win situation for conservative investors.” However, the ongoing bloodbath in the stock market following the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the claim.

The new financial year has started yesterday on April 1. It is time to kick start the process of tax planning for the new financial year. You also can use the next three months to finish you tax-saving investments in ELSS if you haven't already done that. In case you missed, the government has extended the last date of tax-saving investments for the last financial year to June 30. If you are thinking of investing in ELSS funds, here is our update on the recommended list of tax-saving mutual fund.

We all are globally on “COVID time” now. We have never seen such a swift change in our society, culture and economy. Since we don’t know the severity of the pandemic or how long will it last, it is difficult to predict the investment opportunities and threats that lie ahead for investors. It is remarkable that in the course of a few weeks, we have gone from an all-time high in stocks in the United States (February 19)—supported by relatively strong and improving economic data and a and a record low unemployment rate—to a global economic freeze as the global economy is mandated to almost stop. The equity markets globally corrected by more than 35%, and then sharply rebounded.

I have two quick queries. One, is this the right time to invest a lumpsum in mutual funds? Or should I wait? Is this the right time to switch from the old funds to new schemes? -Munish Kinjal It seems, you want to go for value hunting in the current market. Most mutual fund managers and advisors are asking investors tread very cautiously in the current market conditions. Sure, the market has corrected 30-35% in the last one month. However, nobody knows whether there is more pain left or when the market is likely to see a revival. This is mainly because everything hinges on how the world is going to come out of the Coronavirus pandemic. At the moment the universal advice is not to commit a lumpsum at this point of time. Stagger your investments over a few weeks or months, depending on the quantum of funds you are planning to invest.

Equity market is going through an unprecedented correction. S&P BSE Sensex has fallen to almost 25,000, from its peak of 42,000 it scaled in January, 2020. Gone are the days when individual investors used to press the panic button on seeing their portfolio turning red. Now, most of them believe that crashes like this offer a great investment opportunity where many quality stocks are available at a cheaper valuation. Many of them, it seems, have taken the advice of great investor guru Warren Buffet very seriously - be greedy when others are fearful and be fearful when others are greedy.

Markets regulator Sebi has asked stock brokers, depositories, mutual fund houses and other market intermediaries to ensure strict compliance with the prevention of unlawful activities law. In a statement, Sebi advised market intermediaries to ensure compliance with instructions pertaining to UAPA or The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In addition, the regulator has asked market entities to ensure that accounts are not opened in the name of anyone whose name appears in updated list of individuals and entities linked to Taliban and Al-Qaida issued by the United Nation's Security Council.

The tug of war between the bulls and bears continued with the latter securing April 1 session dragging benchmark indices down 4 percent. The market is struggling to factor in the potential implications of COVID-19 which has created an environment of uncertainty.

Debt investors are finding bank bonds issued under the old Basel II norms more attractive, after the recent near-failure of Yes Bank AT1 bonds highlighted the equity-like risks in bonds compliant with modern Basel III rules, widely considered as gold standard for banks. Several investors are looking for opportunities in bank bonds issued under Basel II framework, rather than Basel III, as the norms seem to be less stringent. Further, market experts say that investors are finding comfort in less safer Basel II bonds for now, while trying to fully comprehend the nuances of new Basel III regulations.

Indian markets have had a choppy ride since February as equities started pricing in risks emanating from the spread of Covid-19. As foreign portfolio investors kept up the heavy selling pressure, volatility has spiked to levels last seen during 2008, after the global financial crisis broke.

The first day of a new financial year has already started on choppy waters; domestic indices S&P BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 are down more than 3% as equity markets continue to tank, nudged by the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, even as investors recently lost most of the gains made during the first half of the previous fiscal, market participants are busy chalking out plans on how to tide over the troubles that the new financial year brings. While most experts are watching out for companies with strong cash flows, some are advising to keep tabs on domestic businesses.