AFFORDABLE EMIS

Insurance has to grow alongside as the healthcare sector grows. Viren Prasad Shetty, Narayana Health

Viren Prasad Shetty discusses the impracticality of price caps in healthcare and the need for addressing opacity in pricing. Regulatory intervention has affected Narayana Hrudayalaya's profitability. Healthcare sector has seen exponential growth, but affordability requires insurance to grow alongside. Shetty also says hospitals are charging a lot because it costs a lot to deliver.

Tech salaries get reset as startup talent becomes affordable amid crises at Byju's, Paytm

While many employees of cash-strapped ed-tech firm Byju’s have been in the job market for a while now, troubles at Paytm after the central bank imposed curbs on its payments bank unit have made a number of its staffers jittery, driving them to explore other options. Swiggy and Flipkart’s announcements of workforce cuts have also added to the supply of talent who were highly paid.

Houses have become more affordable across the 8 biggest Indian cities; how affordable are property prices in your city

Even though home loan rates are up and property prices are rising, houses have become more affordable across the eight biggest Indian cities, as per a study by Knight Frank India.

5-point checklist to help you achieve your financial goals in 2024

Here are some pointers on forming an effective strategy that will help you achieve your financial goals in the new year.

Amazon Sale 2024 - Deals you can’t afford to miss in the Great Republic Day Sale

Ahead of Amazon's Great Republic Day (2024), which promises a plethora of tantalising bargains, be ready for an unmatched shopping binge. This amazing deal offers savings that will completely change the way you purchase. The discounts on everything from apparel and technology to necessities for the house and more are just too amazing to pass up.

Want a house that fits in your budget? 5 most affordable cities in India to buy home now

According to the Knight Frank Affordability Index, Ahmedabad has emerged as the most affordable housing market in the country among major cities. Affordability Index indicates the proportion of income that a household requires to fund the EMI of a housing unit in a particular city. Thus, an affordability index level of 40% for a city implies that on average, households in that city need to spend 40% of their income to fund the EMI of a home loan for a unit. Check the full list of affordable cities in India here.

Home loan interest rates may fall by 50 bps or more in 2024; how to save more on your loan

Last year home loan borrowers witnessed significant jump in their EMIs. However, the new year 2024 is likely to bring good news for them. Experts predict that there may be a reduction of 50 bps or more in interest rates to benefit home loan borrowers. Moreover, there are many steps that you can take to ensure that you saving is much more than the fall in interest rate.

Thoda achhe wala dikhao: The year Indian shoppers went premium

In 2023, India witnessed a shift in consumer demand, as sales of low-priced goods declined while luxury items surged, marking a notable trend. Companies adapted by targeting affluent consumers to offset reduced sales and declining margins, highlighting a clear split in consumer preferences towards premium products amid market challenges.

Housing affordability improves across key Indian property markets in 2023

Mumbai is the only city beyond the affordability threshold of 50%, a level exceeding which banks rarely underwrite a mortgage. The most expensive residential market of the country, has however seen an improvement of 2% in its affordability index measured at 51% in 2023 from 53% in 2022. Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Pune have emerged as the most affordable residential markets in 2023.

10 red flags that show you are falling into a debt trap

You may land in a debt trap without even realising it. Here are a few warning signs to note, before it is too late.

Affordability and versatility needed to drive agri-mechanisation in India: Balwaan Krishi’s Rohit Bajaj

India’s agriculture suffers from low mechanisation, which in turn affects productivity. Farm equipment-maker, Balwaan Krishi, wants to change that.

Bullish on affordable housing segment: Atul Monga, CEO Basic Home Loan

"This initiative aligns seamlessly with our goal to expand our reach within the priority sector lending (PSL) domain," said Atul Monga, chief executive of BASIC Home Loan.

Are you financially ready to buy a house worth Rs 50 lakh-Rs 70 lakh? Here's your checklist

From down payment to equated monthly instalments (EMIs) to location to additional cost for registrations, you need to consider a range of factors before you sign on the dotted line on a home. If you are asking yourself "am I ready to buy a house?", and if you are a first-time buyer, it would be wise to make a checklist before starting the process. But before you start the process ask yourself if you earn adequately to buy a property.

Premiumisation trend: Consumers are no more enticed by entry-level cars, TVs and phones

The premiumisation gradient is the most visible in personal mobility choices. Once the mainstay of the car industry, the share of small cars in the overall pie is shrinking rapidly, even as stocks of companies such as Maruti Suzuki India hit lifetime highs. Lower priced vehicles, which earlier accounted for 85% of the market, now have a 58% share, said Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director, Maruti Suzuki.

Air travel bookings surge 90% during Flipkart annual sale

Bookings for air travel rose close to 90% during Flipkart’s annual flagship sale compared with the business-as-usual period, Cleartrip chief financial officer Aditya Agarwal told ET in an interview. While bus bookings at the online travel agency grew 80%, the biggest jump was in hotel bookings that expanded three times.

Buying a vacation home could be your ultimate dream but are you ready for it?

Dreaming about a personal abode in nature’s lap is one thing, but can you fit it within your financial reality? A weekend property will cost a tidy sum. This will eat into a sizeable portion of your savings. Make sure your priorities are right before taking the plunge. Here are the key things you need to consider before buying a vacation home.

Unsecured loans are on the rise as Indian aspirations meet easy borrowing. Do lenders and households need to be cautious?

Despite high inflation and slowing economic growth, many middle-class Indians are still buying consumer products on credit. Unsecured loans, including loans for consumer goods and credit cards, have become a key driver of consumption in the country. The demand for financing consumer durables primarily comes from the low- to middle-income segment, with young professionals and millennials being the most substantial demand drivers.

Do not seriously consider part prepaying your home loan while evaluating your investment decisions: Gautam Kalia

"It is not necessary to rush to pay off your home loan. Even if the return on equity is higher than the loan rate, it is still beneficial to continue with both, considering the long-term perspective. However, one should consider tax savings and maximize them when deciding on part prepayment. if one is conservative and prefers a guaranteed return, it may be better to pay off the loan sooner. "

Is it a good idea to settle loan or huge credit card bill if you can’t repay? Know how to approach a loan settlement

You can settle any type of loans — personal, auto, home, education, business or credit card debt. But it is of utmost importance to remain cautious of certain points while taking a decision on settling your loan as it will have a significant impact on your credit score and financial future. How one-time loan settlement works and how you can do it by yourself. ET Wealth explains

Ranked! Most affordable cities in India to buy a house

Where to buy a budget house? Here are 5 most affordable cities in India in 2023

The 250 basis points increase in policy rates has reduced affordability across markets by 2.5 per cent on average, showed Knight Frank India's Affordability Index for 2023. The mid-and-premium segments in the residential market have been consistently outperforming, the report said. Check affordability index of leading eight cities of India

Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata most affordable housing markets in India

Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kolkata are the most affordable housing markets in India, with the ratio of EMI to income for an average household at 23%, 26%, and 26%, respectively, according to Knight Frank India's Affordability Index. Housing affordability levels have decreased across the country due to higher home loan rates, except in Mumbai. The central bank has raised the Repo rate by 250 basis points since May 2022 to address rising inflation, affecting affordability by an average of 2.5% across cities and increasing the EMI load by 14.4% since then.

Car loan may not be the best option to buy a used car; consider these ways instead

There are a good number of buyers who go for a second-hand car. Cost-effectiveness is, of course, a major factor. A two-year-old vehicle can be 20-30 per cent cheaper than a new one. Most car companies have their pre-owned divisions, and several banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) offer lucrative rates and deals. So should you opt for an auto loan to buy a pre-owned car?