Controversies cloud this infra giant's ascent
Second only to L&T, but controversies may weaken Megha Engineering's growth story For MEIL, a company once admired for its efficiency, the road ahead will demand more than engineering excellence — it will require regaining public trust. Looking for quick buck in unlisted shares? Better think twice! HDB Financial Services, backed by HDFC Bank, has launched an INR12,500 crore IPO at a price band of INR700 – INR740, nearly 40% below its grey
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Still earning 2.75% in your savings account? Here's a smarter option
Most people leave their extra money in a savings account because it feels safe and easy. But with low interest rates, that money isn't really growing, it's just sitting there, losing value to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to cut the repo rate by 50 basis points, i.e., from 6% to 5.5%, several leading banks have slashed their savings account interest rates. The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, has brought its rate down to a flat 2.5% per annum across all balances, effective June 15, 2025. HDFC Bank followed suit with a uniform 2.75%, starting June 10, and ICICI Bank did the same from June let's be honest, with prices rising and your money earning just 2.5% or 2.75%, that doesn't do much for your WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE? One increasingly popular option is liquid funds — a low-risk, short-term investment that gives your idle money a chance to earn better returns without compromising on access or understand how they work and why they're gaining traction, spoke to Kaustubh Gupta, Co-Head, Fixed Income at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC ARE LIQUID FUNDS?Think of liquid funds as the middle ground between a savings account and fixed deposits, but with more flexibility and usually better returns.'Liquid funds are open-ended mutual fund schemes that invest in debt and money market securities with maturity of up to 91 days,' explains Gupta. 'These include Treasury Bills (T-Bills), Commercial Papers (CPs), Certificates of Deposit (CDs), CBLO and similar instruments.'advertisementThese funds are designed to serve as a short-term parking solution for your surplus funds, while offering reasonable returns. Because these funds invest in high-credit-quality instruments with short maturity periods, the risk of default or losing money is very limited, noted THEY REALLY OFFER BETTER RETURNS?In most cases, yes. 'Liquid funds are more responsive to the market and adjust their holdings with interest rate movements, unlike savings' accounts which offer fixed, lower returns,' says returns aren't guaranteed, the numbers speak for themselves. Over the past one and three years, liquid funds have delivered average annualised returns of 7.3% and 7% respectively. Compare that to 2.5–2.75% in a savings account, and the difference is clear, pointed out Kaustubh short, liquid funds help your money keep pace with inflation, something most savings accounts fail to THEY SAFE?A valid concern, especially when it comes to short-term reassures, 'Liquid funds have become a go-to choice for many looking to park idle cash. With their focus on high-quality, low-risk short-term debt, they offer not just safety, but better returns than your average savings account - all without locking away your money.'HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU GET YOUR MONEY?advertisementThis is where liquid funds shine. They offer high liquidity, allowing redemptions within one working day (T+1).'Investors can further take advantage of an instant redemption facility to redeem up to Rs 50,000 per scheme per day through online mode on a T+0 basis, bringing liquid funds at par with savings bank accounts,' Gupta noted.'There's no lock-in,' he points out. 'Withdrawals can be made any time, making them ideal for managing short-term needs.'However, while redemptions are continuous, short exit loads may apply if withdrawals occur within the first seven days, pointed out YOU CONSIDER SWITCHING?If you've got money sitting in your savings account that you don't need immediate access to, liquid funds are certainly worth explains, 'They're ideal for investors with short-term goals, ranging from a few days to a few weeks, who want better returns without giving up too much liquidity.''Liquid funds are suitable for those willing to accept minimal risk for potentially higher returns than a traditional savings account,' he other words, it's easy to overlook your savings account's performance — until you realise it's barely keeping your money afloat in today's economy. Liquid funds offer a chance to change that, giving you better returns, without taking big risks.(Disclaimer - This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment or financial decisions. The views expressed are independent and do not reflect the official position of the India Today Group.)Tune InMust Watch


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Orders soar for Taiwan cleanroom firms amid global chip industry expansion
Taiwanese cleanroom companies are receiving a wave of new orders as major global chipmakers expand production around the world, especially in the United States and Southeast Asia. United Integrated Services Co. (UIS), a longtime supplier to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. ( TSMC ), is one of the main winners in this trend. From January to May 2025, UIS secured NTD (New Taiwan dollar) 83.68 billion ($2.57 billion) in cleanroom-related contracts -- a new record for the company. Much of this growth is tied to TSMC's massive investment of $65 billion in three chip factories, known as "fabs," in Arizona. The first fab has already started mass production, and the second is nearly finished. With a total order backlog of NTD 132.27 billion ($4.45 billion), UIS is expected to receive even more orders later in 2025. Experts predict the company will have its highest-ever sales in 2025. L&K Engineering Co., another major cleanroom provider, is also seeing strong demand. It reported NTD 95.76 billion (USD 3.23 billion) in new orders in the first five months of the year, largely from Taiwanese firms building new fabs in Southeast Asia. L&K now has a total backlog of NTD 208.49 billion ($7.02 billion). Some of this comes from projects with United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), which recently opened a new fab in Singapore. Production there will start in 2026. L&K is also working with Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp., which is building a 12-inch fab in Singapore with Dutch company NXP Semiconductors. That plant will start production in 2027. Other Taiwanese firms like Acter Group Corp. and Yankey Engineering Co. are also doing well. Acter now holds over NTD 46 billion ($1.55 billion) in orders, up from NTD 38 billion ($1.28 billion) at the end of 2024, helped by business from chip packaging company Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Yankey Engineering has NTD 40.67 billion ($1.37 billion) in orders, supported in part by Dutch equipment maker ASML's expansion in Taiwan. Cleanrooms are a critical part of chipmaking. They remove dust and other particles that could damage delicate components during production. As chip companies grow worldwide, demand for these high-tech spaces is rising -- and Taiwanese firms are leading the way.


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
L&T Share Price Live Updates: L&T's latest closing figure
23 Jun 2025 | 08:42:41 AM IST Stay up-to-date with the L&T Stock Liveblog, your comprehensive source for real-time updates and detailed analysis on a prominent stock. Explore the latest information on L&T, including: Last traded price 3662.0, Market capitalization: 503595.37, Volume: 2575277, Price-to-earnings ratio 33.49, Earnings per share 109.35. Our liveblog provides a comprehensive overview of L&T by integrating fundamental and technical indicators. Stay informed about breaking news that can impact L&T's performance in the market. Our expert analysis and stock recommendations empower you to make well-informed financial decisions. Join us on this journey as we delve into the exciting world of L&T and its market potential. The data points are updated as on 08:42:41 AM IST, 23 Jun 2025 Show more