Charmaine Foo
Desk byline for wealth at Asianomist: investing, savings and rates, property, and consumer and retail.
Financial planners: SWP safer than IDCW for retiree tax, payouts
Financial planners suggest Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) offer greater control and tax efficiency for post-work cash flow than traditional Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal (IDCW) payouts from mutual funds.
Vietnam's Ultra-Rich Population to Grow 59% by 2031, Knight Frank Says
This expansion, forecast as the world's fourth-fastest, reflects broader financial wealth growth expected to exceed 9% annually through 2030, according to Boston Consulting Group.
India's 'No-Cost EMI' for iPhone 18 Pro Carries Hidden Fees, Debt Risks
Indian consumers considering "no-cost" equated monthly instalments for an Apple iPhone 18 Pro face undisclosed processing fees and potential loss of upfront discounts, according to financial analysis.
AI Boom Concentrates Wealth, Challenges Diversification
A surge in artificial intelligence as an investment theme is heightening concentration risk across public equities, fixed income, and real assets, according to The Business Times.
Five Asian Billionaires Post World's Biggest Single-Day Wealth Gains
Three Chinese, one Japanese, and one South Korean tycoon collectively added billions to their fortunes, according to Forbes data from Monday, 28 September 2026.
Asia's Wealthy Underprepared for Longevity, Index Shows
Affluent families in mainland China and Hong Kong score 62/100 on a new longevity readiness index, despite US$5.8 trillion in regional asset transfers expected by 2030.
Wealth Co., FundsIndia Warn on Fund Overlap Risk
The Wealth Company's Debasish Mohanty and FundsIndia's Jiral Mehta explain how common holdings can create unintended concentration for investors.
Singapore PSD probes S$138m civil servant property deals
The Public Service Division is reviewing transactions between 2007 and 2011, after research cited 113 purchases totalling S$138 million near future MRT stations.
Pune ITAT Cancels ₹2.21 Lakh Tax Penalty for Bosch Employee
The tribunal's 2 September 2026 ruling for Dilip Gangaram Mali shows that taxpayers remain accountable for income tax return accuracy, even when using a consultant.
DragonFi first Philippine broker for global equities via SEC sandbox
The brokerage, a DoubleDragon Corp. unit, will allow investors to access foreign stocks and ETFs through an over-the-counter depositary receipt model under regulatory supervision.
India: Gold Beat Nifty 50 Post-Tax Over 20 Years
A ₹1 lakh investment in gold would have yielded ₹13.25 lakh after tax over 20 years, compared to ₹8.14 lakh for the Nifty 50, according to FundsIndia's latest report.
Vingroup's Pham Thu Huong Wealth Surpasses Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift
Pham Thu Huong, Vingroup's Vice Chairwoman, now holds a US$4.4 billion net worth. This places her as Southeast Asia's second-richest woman, ahead of global figures like Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift on Forbes' real-time billionaire list, driven by Vingroup's share performance.
Beijing Offshore Trust Tax Deadline Nears for Global Chinese Wealth
Mainland tax residents face a 20 per cent levy on realised gains from offshore trusts, with a penalty-free declaration window closing on October 22.
Singapore PSD reviews civil servant MRT property allegations
Singapore's Public Service Division is examining a US-published research paper that claims public officials bought homes near unannounced train stations, potentially leading to a CPIB referral.
Hong Kong Tax Savings Boost Indian Couple's Wealth
An Indian couple living in Hong Kong estimates annual tax savings of ₹7.5 lakh compared to India, leveraging higher incomes and lower tax rates for wealth growth.
HSBC Midcap Fund Leads Indian Peers in Three-Year SIP Returns; Large Funds Lag
Only four Indian mid-cap funds delivered over 17% annualised three-year Systemic Investment Plan (SIP) returns, Value Research data shows. HSBC Midcap Fund topped the list at 20.70%, while several larger funds by assets under management (AUM) showed lower performance.
India's largest flexi-cap funds trail smaller rivals in one-year returns
Three dominant flexi-cap schemes, holding over half of India's sector assets, delivered modest or negative returns over the past year, AMFI data shows.
SBI NFO Drives India Balanced Hybrid Fund Inflows in August, AMFI Shows
Despite aggressive hybrid funds delivering stronger one-year returns, India's balanced hybrid funds attracted ₹1,836 crore in August 2026, largely driven by a single new fund launch.
India EPF Balances Keep Earning Interest Post-Job Change
Indian workers' Employee Provident Fund (EPF) balances continue to accrue interest until age 58, even after employment or contributions cease, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) confirms.
PFRDA Expands NPS Access, Tightens PoP Oversight
India's pension regulator, PFRDA, outlined proposals to broaden National Pension System (NPS) access across the country. The changes expand eligible entities for Points of Presence (PoPs) and introduce a dedicated digital onboarding channel. They also strengthen PoP accountability for subscriber data and potential fraud.
India Gold Ownership: Documentation Key, Not Quantity
India imposes no statutory cap on individual gold ownership. Widely cited limits apply to income-tax search exemptions, not legal holdings. Proper source documentation remains critical for legitimacy.
Hong Kong Leads Asia Billionaires; China Cities Gain from AI Wealth
Hong Kong held Asia's top spot for billionaires in 2025, Altrata reported. Mainland Chinese cities gained rapidly, driven by artificial intelligence wealth.
Experts: Debt Funds Boost Young Investor Portfolios
Young investors benefit from debt mutual funds, even with high equity risk tolerance. Bajaj Capital and Anand Rathi Wealth explain how debt provides portfolio stability, liquidity, and diversification. Asset allocation should align with financial goals and horizons, not merely age.
Indian Home Loans: Rate Hikes Add ₹46 Lakh to Repayment
Indian borrowers face significantly higher home loan costs as interest rates climb. A ₹1 crore loan over 20 years sees total interest payment increase by ₹46 lakh with a 3% rate rise.
Pham Thu Huong Becomes Vietnam's Second Richest as Vingroup Shares Rally
Pham Thu Huong, Vingroup's Vice Chairwoman, now holds Vietnam's second-richest individual title. Her net worth reached US$4 billion, driven by Vingroup's stock performance.
India Hybrid Funds: Multi-Asset Allocation Leads 3-Year SIP Returns, Balanced Advantage Lags
India's multi-asset allocation funds delivered the strongest three-year Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) returns among hybrid categories. This performance, based on recent Value Research data, contrasts sharply with balanced advantage funds, which showed the lowest returns.
India Mid-Cap Funds Show Deepest Alpha Underperformance by July 2026
Recent data reveals several Indian mid-cap and small-cap funds delivered negative alpha, indicating underperformance against their benchmarks. Taurus Mid Cap Fund recorded the largest negative alpha as of July 2026.
India Differentiates Stock Trading Profits for Tax, Impacts ITR Deadlines
Indian taxpayers must correctly classify stock trading profits as capital gains or business income. This distinction alters Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadlines and loss adjustment rules, preventing penalties.
India's ITR Deadlines Approach: Penalties for Missed August 31 Filing
India's income tax return (ITR) filing deadline for business and professional income is August 31, 2026. Missing this date triggers penalties and interest, though options for belated returns remain until December 31, 2026. Specific deadlines vary by taxpayer category.
India Mandates CA Certification for Overseas Remittances from April 2026
India's Income Tax Department now mandates Chartered Accountant certification for specific taxable foreign remittances from April 2026, streamlining Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) calculations.