Category: Personal Finance

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

If monetary policy was a blockbuster movie, the liquidity trap is its surprise twist—when lowering interest rates and showering the economy with cash has everyone… still holding on to their wallets. It’s like a mega sale where no one wants to buy, and the shopkeeper (RBI) keeps reducing prices, but shoppers remain undecided, scanning every aisle with suspicion.​

Picture India’s 2025 economy: record-low rates, but businesses are expanding only as much as needed, not chasing big dreams. Most borrowed funds go to meet immediate working capital; those bold new factories or innovative ventures? They’re stuck in traffic. Why? When demand snoozes and factories have empty seats, playing it safe feels smarter.​

Meanwhile, the government steps in like a superhero, pumping billions into infrastructure and capex, hoping to jazz up the market. Still, true excitement is missing—consumers and corporates are glued to their cash and anxiously watching the economic weather report. The result: a curious paradox, where there’s plenty of money, but nobody wants to spend or risk it.​

To break the spell, it’s not enough for the RBI to just cut rates; only lively government spending and confidence-building can inspire the bazaar to wake up and play. Until demand returns, India’s economic stage will keep hosting this unusual show—the liquidity trap, where everyone waits for someone else to make the first move.

Personal Finance

• Homebuyer was denied Rs 10 lakh capital gain tax exemption by Income Tax dept for not depositing unutilised land sale gains in CGAS on time, he wins case in ITAT Chennai: A homebuyer successfully claimed a Rs 10 lakh capital gains tax exemption. The tax department had initially denied this benefit. The ITAT Chennai ruled in favour of the homebuyer, stating that non-deposit of unutilised sale proceeds in the Capital Gains Account Scheme before the ITR due date is not fatal. Read here
  
  
• Loan against PPF vs personal loan: Key differences and benefits explained: Borrowers must understand the risks of personal loans, including high interest rates and potential credit damage. PPF loans are a more affordable option for short-term needs, while personal loans offer larger sums for various expenses. Read here
  
  
• Clone Funds: Are You Also Investing? Check How To Avoid Doubling Down on The Same Stocks: Owning multiple mutual funds doesn’t ensure true diversification if they invest in the same top stocks. Read here

Investing

• Wealth for Yourself vs. Wealth for Others: True wealth isn’t about endless consumption or personal indulgence—it’s about purpose. Once your own needs are met, fulfilment comes from using your resources, time, and effort to improve the lives of others and create lasting impact. Read here
  
  
• The Global Shift from Dollars to Gold: A Change We’re Living Through: Global reserves are undergoing a quiet but historic transformation. As confidence in the U.S. dollar weakens, central banks are steadily replacing Treasuries with gold—nearly $900 billion worth in the past decade. Read here

Economy & Sector

• ​Export Surge: India Steps Up on Global Stage: Exports surged by 5.19% in April-August 2025 vs. April-August 2024, boosting trade confidence. Read here
  
  
• India’s economy: When a cooldown indicates strength, not weakness: India’s manufacturing and services sectors have eased from record highs into steady, sustainable growth. The slight PMI moderation signals maturity, not slowdown—showing resilience powered by domestic demand, technology, and policy support. Far from faltering, India’s economy is learning to pace itself for the long run. Read here
  
  
• Empowering MSMEs, the real backbone of Indian economy: MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy, employing 26 crore people and contributing nearly one-third of GDP. Empowered MSMEs can drive local manufacturing, create jobs, and strengthen India’s self-reliance. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

From Good to Extraordinary: The Power of Margin Expansion

As investors, we often chase growth—top-line numbers, market share, or flashy sector stories. But true wealth creation frequently lies in something subtler: margin expansion. At first glance, it seems obvious companies that earn more from the same sales should deliver better returns. Yet this simple idea can transform a good business into an extraordinary wealth compounding machine.

Margin expansion is more than just numbers; it reflects competitive advantage. It often signals that a company has strengthened its position—through better products, scale-driven pricing power, or operational efficiency. When these advantages are sustainable, compounding accelerates. Ordinary growth stories suddenly become unstoppable forces for wealth creation.

The challenge for investors lies in timing and discernment. Margin gains from temporary cycles—commodity price swings or short-term cost savings—can be misleading. The real prize is structural expansion, where higher margins are a result of deliberate strategy and improved capital efficiency.

Spotting these opportunities requires both analysis and intuition. Numbers alone won’t reveal the turning point; you must read between the lines, understand the business, and anticipate change before the market fully prices it in.

In a market like India, growth is abundant. The differentiator is quality of growth. Margin expansion is its fuel—a rare lever that can turn good investments into extraordinary ones. For patient investors willing to look closely, the rewards can be transformative.

In short: growth gets you started, but margin expansion drives compounding—and compounding drives wealth.

Personal Finance

• How would Sebi’s validated UPI handles make digital payments safer for investors? Validated handles are introduced as an additional payment option for investors. This compliments existing payment modes, allowing investors the flexibility to continue using the method they are most comfortable with. Read here
  
  
• NPS gets major overhaul: 100% equity option, shorter lock-ins, more choice: NPS upgrades from October 1, 2025, offer 100% equity, multiple schemes, and a 15-year vesting period. Discover how these changes give younger investors growth, flexibility, and smarter retirement options. Read here
  
  
• How Festive Spending Habits Are Reshaping Investment Decisions in Indian Households: While festivals will always be about tradition and celebration, channelling a part of that festive budget into investments can help fast-track critical goals, such as your children’s education or retirement. Read here

Investing

• Top 5 mistakes investors make in volatile markets: Common investing mistakes—panic selling, market timing, ignoring diversification, halting SIPs, and losing sight of goals—can cost you big. Discover how simple strategies can protect and grow your wealth over time. Read here
  
  
• Rate Cuts Near All-Time Highs: Impact on Stocks and Gold: When rate cuts occur near all-time highs, history shows double-digit gains in S&P 500 and gold, with gold potentially rising 30%. Emerging markets often lag, making balanced portfolios with gold and equities crucial for protection and growth. Read here
  
  
• The Millionaire’s Dilemma: Becoming a millionaire isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom. Hitting $1M gives options, choices, and control over your life. How will you use your wealth to shape your future? Read here

Economy & Sector

• ​India’s Economy Steered by Robust Consumption, Investments, Low Inflation, Favourable Food Prices & GST Reforms: Strong policy support, structural reforms, and a vibrant services sector are further reinforcing the growth outlook. These projections highlight broad confidence in India’s ability to sustain high growth amidst global challenges. Read here
  
  
• US government shutdown: What it means and how it will impact India’s economy and markets: The U.S. government shutdown affects 1.6 million federal workers, slows services, and creates market volatility. India faces potential IT delays and export impacts, highlighting the need for diversified portfolios and global awareness. Read here
  
  
• How Did India Maintain Economic Momentum In April–September Amid Tariff Stress? India’s economy shows strong H1 FY26 growth, driven by consumption, investment, public spending, and structural reforms. RBI keeps repo at 5.5%, GDP projected at 6.8%, with robust domestic demand and global confidence. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

Planning in an Unpredictable World

Ronald Reagan once joked about Soviet life, where a man had to wait 10 years to collect a car. When asked whether he should come in the morning or afternoon, he replied, “The plumber is scheduled that morning.” The absurdity highlights a harsh truth: life under unpredictable systems isn’t about waiting—it’s about the impossibility of planning rationally.

Today, we see similar challenges globally. Take the recent H-1B visa fee hike in the U.S.—a 2,000% increase overnight. Indian professionals abroad suddenly face life-altering decisions: move now or later, manage careers, children’s education, and family health—all under uncertainty. Businesses are no different. Erratic trade policies and shifting tariffs make long-term investment decisions nearly impossible. A company cannot plan factory builds or supplier contracts when trade rules can flip in months.

The bigger cost isn’t the policy itself—it’s the behavioural change it triggers. Companies become ultra-conservative, delay expansion, diversify excessively, and hoard cash. Families rethink careers, travel, and education. Even when policies stabilize, the caution lingers, slowing growth and efficiency.

For investors and entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: unpredictability is as much an economic drag as any tax or tariff. The winners will be those who adapt quickly, stay flexible, and plan for multiple scenarios. Like the man waiting ten years for his car, success comes not from controlling the world, but from learning to navigate it intelligently.

In an unpredictable world, the smartest move isn’t rushing blindly—it’s planning wisely, adapting continuously, and staying prepared for whatever comes next.

Personal Finance

• Starting young with insurance: How much cover do you really need? Should you buy life cover in your 20s, and can freelancers get health insurance that covers therapy? An expert explains how to secure affordable protection without overcommitting. Read here
  
  
• RBI issues directions for digital payment transaction authentication mechanism: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new guidelines for digital payment authentication, effective April 1, 2026, mandating two-factor authentication for all transactions. These guidelines emphasize dynamic authentication factors, risk-based checks, and validation of cross-border transactions. Issuers must implement mechanisms for handling cross-border CNP transactions by October 1, 2026, and register their BINs with card networks. Read here
  
  
• Credit cards vs BNPL in India: Which is better for you in 2025? In 2025, smart spending is all about choosing between Credit Cards and BNPL. Cards give rewards and global perks, while BNPL offers quick, interest-free instalments. Discover which one fits your lifestyle—and how combining both could boost your finances! Read here

Investing

• Why the 5% Rule is the New 4% Rule: Think the 4% Rule limits your retirement? Bill Bengen’s new book reveals you could safely spend more—maybe even retire sooner—and finally enjoy your golden years worry-free! Read here
  
  
• China’s Rising Yuan: How De-Dollarization Is Reshaping Global Trade: In just 15 years, China has shifted nearly half of its cross-border trade to the yuan. De-dollarization is accelerating, global trade is evolving, and the world’s financial order may never look the same. Read here
  
  
• The Rise and Fall of Options Trading by Indian Retail Investors: Retail options trading in India surged eight-fold from 50M to 375M contracts in just a few years—but volumes have now tumbled back to 80M. Market frenzies are temporary; skill, discipline, and caution remain key. Read here

Economy & Sector

• ​Consumption conundrum: On the Indian economy’s predicament: With private investment sluggish and exports under pressure, the government is re-prioritizing household consumption to drive growth. GST reforms and income-tax cuts help but boosting spending also requires higher wages and targeted fiscal support. Consumption is now the engine India must rely on. Read here

• India, US make ‘progress’ for joint trade-oil deal as talks move forward: Amid U.S. tariffs pressuring India over Russian oil purchases, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says progress was made in recent trade discussions. Negotiations continue, covering tariffs, skilled worker access, and market reforms. Read here
  
  
• India pegs its logistics cost lower than China in terms of percentage of GDP: India’s logistics cost stands at 7.97% of GDP, lower than China, driven by rail efficiency and reforms. Initiatives like freight corridors and Gati Shakti are gradually reducing costs and improving multimodal connectivity. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

Knowledge Grows by Subtraction

Nassim Nicholas Taleb once said, “Knowledge grows by subtraction much more than by addition – what we know today might turn out to be wrong, but what we know to be wrong cannot turn out to be right, at least not easily.” This insight perfectly captures the challenge facing today’s investors, particularly in India.

Three decades ago, investing in mutual funds was simple – most people didn’t know they existed. The job was to explain the basics: what a mutual fund is, what NAV means, and how investments grow. It was a process of addition, building knowledge from scratch.

Today, the landscape is dramatically different. Financial information is abundant, yet much of it is misleading. Investors arrive armed with technical analysis charts, complex derivatives strategies, and market-timing opinions, often confident in knowledge that is fundamentally flawed. SEBI data shows 89% of derivatives traders lose money, highlighting how sophisticated knowledge can become a liability if built on misconceptions. Similarly, many can read charts fluently but lack understanding of the businesses behind the stocks.

The real challenge now is subtraction – helping investors unlearn dangerous ideas before teaching sound principles. Simple truths, like buying quality businesses, staying diversified, and maintaining patience, are overshadowed by the allure of complex strategies and speculation. Warren Buffett’s advice – focusing on business fundamentals rather than price predictions – remains countercultural yet timeless, surviving the subtraction test.

In today’s information-saturated world, the wisest investment strategy isn’t learning more techniques, but developing the discipline to discard appealing but harmful misconceptions. True financial wisdom comes not from accumulation but from clarity, honesty, and the courage to unlearn what doesn’t serve long-term wealth creation.

Personal Finance

• 25 personal finance hacks the rich don’t tell you: Got a bonus or tax refund? The rich don’t rush to buy the latest gadget. Instead, they invest unexpected money into SIPs, stocks, or debt funds, turning temporary cash into long-term wealth. Read here
  
  
• Why ignoring your credit score can cost more than you think: Ignoring your credit score may seem harmless, but experts warn it can lead to hidden costs, loan rejections, and even fraud risks. As India’s digital credit ecosystem grows, monitoring your report is becoming essential for financial stability.Read here
  
  
• How to save LTCG tax when selling mutual funds and property u/s 54 and 54F: If you redeem your equity mutual funds and earn long-term capital gains (LTCG), you can claim an exemption under Section 54F by investing the gains in a new residential property. But what happens when you own more than one house? Read here

Investing

• Global Bond Yields Surge: What It Means for Investors: Global 30-year bond yields are surging across major economies despite expected rate cuts, signalling market risk and potential financial stress. Could this yield spike trigger a global market shock? Read here
  
  
• Are Quality Stocks in a Bubble? Even top-quality companies may deliver poor returns as valuations hit extreme levels. Are you overpaying for safety? Find out why a strategy, not just quality, matters. Read here

Economy & Sector

• GST reforms set to reignite consumption growth, spur corporate profitability: India is set to implement new Goods and Services Tax reforms. These reforms aim to simplify tax structure and boost spending. Revised rates will take effect from September 22, 2025. Experts believe that the reforms will play a key role in addressing the demand challenges. Lower taxes on essential and processed goods will create savings for consumers and improve spending and consumption. Read here

• How is India’s economy resilient amidst global uncertainties? At a time when global uncertainties are mounting, India stands out. Real GDP growth at 7.8%, record GST collections, and stable inflation. All this resulted in India’s sovereign rating being upgraded by Fitch after 18 years. What differentiates India from rest of others is its strong domestic consumption (60% of GDP), strategic policy frameworks, a diversified economy, and an active approach to modernisation in critical sectors such as manufacturing and services. Read here
  
• How regulation is shaping a sustainable crypto assets sector in India: India’s crypto sector is on a sustainable path through robust government regulations and industry self-regulation. Could this model make India a global crypto leader? Discover how the framework works. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter