New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- With Diwali and the festive season approaching, many employees may receive a festive bonus from their employers. If you are expecting an additional Rs.5,000, Rs.10,000, or more, deciding in advance where to invest this money can help you make the most of it rather than spend it impulsively.

However, with returns varying across asset classes in 2026, choosing the right investment option among mutual funds, gold, and fixed deposits (FDs) requires looking beyond recent performance. Here's what you need to know.

These tables show how equity mutual fund categories and gold ETFs/funds have performed year-to-date in 2026 and over three years.

Here are the highest FD interest rates and rates offered by select banks for one...