ET Wealth Expo 2026: Explore the future of investing, financial security and intergenerational wealth

As India's investment landscape evolves, wealth management is becoming about more than identifying the right investments. Investors must navigate changing market dynamics, diversify portfolios, manage tax liabilities, prepare for financial uncertainties and ensure that the wealth they create can be preserved for future generations. Against this backdrop, Day 1 of ET Wealth Expo 2026, scheduled for October 30 at NESCO, Mumbai, will follow the theme Build, Protect, Legacy, bringing together fund managers, investment professionals, financial planners, tax specialists and legal experts to examine the decisions that shape the entire wealth journey.

The Build pillar will focus on wealth creation, investment opportunities and portfolio diversification, beginning with a keynote address by S Naren, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer at ICICI Prudential AMC, titled How to Make Wealth in the AI Age. With retail equity participation increasing, systematic investment plan (SIP) investments rising and gold prices reaching record levels, investors are reassessing the role of traditional asset classes. The session will examine whether equities, gold, real estate and other investments can deliver rewarding returns as artificial intelligence reshapes the economic landscape.

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The conversation will continue with MFs, PMS, AIF, ETFs or Direct Stocks: What Will Work in 2026 and Thereafter? The panel will feature Vikas Khemani, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors; Aashish P. Somaiyaa, Chief Executive Officer at WhiteOak Capital Asset Management; Swarup Mohanty, Vice Chairman and CEO at Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd.; and Naveen Kulkarni, CIO, PMS and Listed Equity Alternatives at Axis AMC. The discussion will examine equities, debt, gold, real estate, private markets and emerging investment themes, considering which asset classes could offer opportunities over the next decade.

Further perspectives on diversification will come through a fireside conversation on Investing in Commercial Real Estate Through REITs: Understanding the Opportunity, featuring Ramesh Nair, Managing Director and CEO of Mindspace Business Parks REIT and a board member of the Indian REITs Association. The session will explore the role of real estate investment trusts in providing investors with access to commercial property markets. Devina Mehra, Founder and CMD of First Global, will also examine international asset allocation in her presentation, Global Diversification: Smart Strategy or Investor FOMO? Covering India versus global markets, US equities, dollar exposure, global ETFs and the appropriate level of international exposure in Indian portfolios, the session will address the opportunities and risks of investing beyond domestic markets.

The theme of Legacy will also emerge through a presentation by Ganesh Mohan, Chief Executive Officer of Bajaj Asset Management Limited, titled Is Inter-generational Wealth Transfer a Megatrend That India Will See? As family wealth and financial assets pass between generations, the session will examine the growing significance of intergenerational wealth transfer and its implications for India's financial future.

The Protect pillar will bring attention to the importance of financial preparedness, risk management and tax efficiency. A panel discussion on Couple Finance: Managing for Tax Efficiency and Being Ready to Face Eventualities will feature Aditi Sharma, Partner at Khaitan & Co.; CA Nitin Kaushik; Suresh Sadagopan, Founder of Ladder7 Financial Advisories; and Hiten Shah, Tax Partner at EY India. The discussion will explore how couples can structure their joint finances, manage tax obligations and prepare for unforeseen circumstances, including death, disability and divorce.

As life expectancy increases, retirement planning is becoming an increasingly important part of financial security. The CEO roundtable, Age Proofing: Are You Financially Ready to Live Till 90 Years?, will examine longevity, retirement corpus adequacy and rising healthcare costs. The session will focus on the financial challenges of living well into later life and the importance of preparing for a longer retirement.

Tax planning will be another key area of discussion. In Tax Planning: Saving Income Tax After the New Act, Rahul Charkha, Partner at Economic Laws Practice; Akhil Chandna, Partner – Global People Solutions Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat; Mousami Nagarsenkar, Partner – Tax at Deloitte; and Suresh Surana, Founder of RSM India, will examine the considerations involved in choosing between the old and new income tax regimes. The panel will also address capital gains tax planning and the tax considerations relevant to freelancers, consultants and content creators.

The Legacy pillar will return to the forefront with Succession Planning: Family Wealth Transfer Done Right. The panel will bring together Sadia Khan, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.; Sreepriya N S, Co-Founder and CEO of Entrust Family Office; Kanchi Gandhi, Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Trusteeship Services; and Badri Narayanan, Executive Partner at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan. Through discussions on nominations, wills, trusts and tax-efficient wealth transfer, the session will examine how families can approach succession planning to protect their assets and facilitate the orderly transfer of wealth.

The day will conclude with a special address by Vijay Kedia, Managing Director of Kedia Securities Pvt. Ltd., titled How to Think About Money. Bringing together perspectives on wealth creation, risk and legacy, the address will explore the broader principles that influence financial decisions and the way individuals approach long-term wealth management.

Through its Build, Protect, Legacy framework, Day 1 of ET Wealth Expo 2026 will bring together the key considerations of the wealth journey from identifying investment opportunities and managing financial risks to planning for retirement and preserving wealth for future generations. For investors, affluent individuals, family offices and financial decision-makers, the programme will offer perspectives on making informed financial choices in a changing economic environment.

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