IT may be lagging its arch rival where equity and equity derivative volumes are concerned. But there is some comfort for Bombay Stock Exchange as far as the mutual fund platform is concerned. BSE's mutual fund platform 'Star MF' is having an upper hand over National Stock Exchange's 'NEAT-MFSS' for the time being. If sources are to be believed, BSE has transacted fund units worth Rs 21 crore since December 4, when this facility was opened on the exchange, more than twice than that transacted on the NSE. Though both the exchanges have 10 fund houses listed with them, BSE has more schemes (over 130 schemes) that are eligible to be transacted through the exchange, say brokers. Moreover, BSE has gathered support from several financial advisors, who have been requested to advise their clients to trade through BSE. According to industry sources, the exchange has received confirmed participation from 15 other fund houses who are expected list their funds on the exchange over the next few days.
National Savings Certificate Here's everything you need to know about the 5-year savings scheme offered by the Government This is a 5-year small savings scheme of the government. From 1 July 2016, a National Savings Certificate (NSC) can be held in the electronic mode too. Physical pre-printed NSC certificates have been discontinued and replaced with Public Provident Fund-like passbooks. What's on offer The minimum amount you can invest in them is Rs100 and there is no upper limit. Under this scheme, all deposits up to Rs1.5 lakh qualify for deduction under section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The interest earned is taxable. You can invest in multiples of Rs 100. These certificates can be owned individually, jointly and also on behalf of minors. The interest rates for all small savings schemes are released on a quarterly basis. The effective rate for NSC from 1 October to 31 December is 8%. The interest is calculated on an annual compounding basis and is given along w...