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Selena Gomez paid glowing tribute to Taylor Swift’s songwriting prowess in a new Instagram Story video posted late Thursday, highlighting the enduring bond between the two longtime friends and their shared history in the spotlight.

In the clip, Gomez lip-synced enthusiastically to Swift’s unreleased track “Father Figure,” a song that has circulated among fans in bootleg form and gained renewed attention recently. Overlaid text on the video read a simple but pointed message: “The songwriting… unmatched,” with heart emojis emphasizing her admiration. The post appeared on Gomez’s “Secret Friends” Story list — a private feature she’s used this week to share exclusive content, including never-before-seen photos with Swift.

The tribute arrives just days after Gomez opened up in depth about Swift’s songwriting during an appearance on the “Friends Keep Secrets” web series, hosted by her husband Benny Blanco alongside rapper Lil Dicky. In the March 3 episode, Gomez confirmed long-standing fan theories that Swift’s 2020 “Evermore” track “Dorothea” was written about her, praising how eloquently Swift captured their nearly two-decade friendship.

“Well, ‘Dorothea’ is about me, one of her songs,” Gomez said on the podcast. “I feel like a lot of huge moments that were self-defining, from relationships to family to love to hate, all of it in between — we were figuring it out because I was 15 and she was 18, and we didn’t really know what was going on. And so we’ve never seen each other any differently. So when I listen to it, I’m so impressed how it’s eloquently put.”

Gomez, 33, described connecting with Swift’s music “a million percent” on a different level, attributing it to their parallel journeys from teenage stars to accomplished women navigating Hollywood’s highs and lows. She also revealed that Swift penned an unreleased song titled “Family” more than a decade ago about their bond, with lyrics imagining their dreams of stardom — “you have these amazing dreams. You want to be in a movie, in every crowd I see you.”

The Instagram video tribute amplified that sentiment, with fans quickly screenshotting and sharing the clip across social platforms. “The way Selena just casually reminds us Taylor’s pen game is elite,” one commenter wrote on X. Others noted the timing, coming amid Swift’s ongoing personal milestones, including preparations for her rumored wedding to Travis Kelce, speculated for June 13 at Ocean House in Rhode Island.

Gomez and Swift’s friendship dates back to 2008, when they met as rising Disney talents — Gomez on “Wizards of Waverly Place” and Swift climbing the country-to-pop charts. They’ve supported each other through breakups, career pivots, health challenges and public scrutiny. Swift attended Gomez’s September 2025 wedding to Blanco in California, where she reportedly gave a heartfelt speech. In return, Gomez has been a fixture at Swift’s events, including Eras Tour stops and award shows.

The latest gestures underscore how their relationship has evolved into one of mutual artistic respect. Gomez, who has released albums like “Rare” and built the billion-dollar beauty brand Rare Beauty, has increasingly spoken about Swift’s influence. During the podcast, she marveled at both finding stable partners after past heartbreaks — Swift with Kelce and Gomez with Blanco — calling it unbelievable luck.

Swift’s songwriting has long been celebrated for its personal storytelling, earning her multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year wins for “Folklore” and “Midnights.” Tracks like “Dorothea,” with its nostalgic reflection on a small-town friend chasing fame, exemplify her ability to weave real-life inspirations into universal anthems. Fans have long speculated about Gomez references in Swift’s catalog, from “Evermore” to earlier songs, but Gomez’s recent confirmations provide rare firsthand insight.

The “Father Figure” lip-sync adds another layer, as the track — believed to date from Swift’s earlier catalog sessions — touches on themes of guidance and admiration, which Gomez appeared to mirror in her praise. While neither artist has commented further publicly, the moment has sparked widespread fan appreciation for their supportive dynamic in an often competitive industry.

Gomez’s post caps a week of nostalgia for the pair. Earlier, she shared throwback images via her Secret Friends list, including unseen photos from Swift’s wedding preparations and past hangouts. The gestures come as both navigate busy careers: Gomez continues starring in “Only Murders in the Building” and expanding Rare Beauty, while Swift remains one of music’s top earners with ongoing projects post-Eras Tour.

Industry observers see these public affirmations as a refreshing contrast to celebrity feuds that dominate headlines. “In an era of manufactured drama, Selena and Taylor’s genuine friendship stands out,” said one entertainment analyst. “It’s a reminder of how powerful long-term support can be.”

As clips of the tribute circulated Friday morning, hashtags like #SelenaPraisesTaylor and #SwiftSongwriting trended on social media. Fans expressed hope for future collaborations, though both have focused on solo endeavors in recent years.

Gomez’s tribute reinforces Swift’s reputation as one of the era’s most gifted lyricists, while highlighting the depth of their bond. In a business built on fleeting alliances, their nearly 18-year friendship — immortalized in songs and now celebrated anew — remains a rare and enduring highlight.

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India’s financial landscape has been undergoing a rapid transformation as more people begin participating in investments, banking and digital payments. One of the most notable changes in recent years is the rising participation of women across multiple financial segments, including mutual funds, insurance, stock market investing, cryptocurrency and digital payments.

Highlighting this trend, Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, said that women are currently the fastest-growing segment in finance.

Also Read | Women crypto investors grow 116.8% in India, hold 4 different digital assets: CoinDCX

In a recent video shared on social media platform X, Gupta posed a question about what has been the fastest-growing development in the financial sector lately. While one might assume the answer to be mutual fund SIPs, the newly launched product by SEBI, SIFs, or credit cards, Gupta explained that the real answer is the rise of women in finance.
Speaking in the video, Gupta highlighted several rising trends that show how women are increasingly shaping India’s financial ecosystem. According to her, women have recorded nearly 140% growth in mutual fund folios, reflecting a sharp rise in their participation in market-linked investments.

The trend is not limited to mutual funds. Gupta noted that women’s presence has been expanding across a range of financial products. In the insurance sector, she pointed out that one in three life insurance policies in India is now held by women, indicating a growing focus on financial security and long-term planning.
Women are also becoming more active in the stock market. Gupta said their participation in equities has grown by more than 300%, demonstrating a strong shift from traditional saving habits towards investment-oriented financial planning.Beyond investments, women are increasingly using formal financial services. Gupta highlighted that bank account coverage among women has reached around 89%, reflecting the progress made in expanding financial inclusion. At the same time, their participation in credit markets has also risen.

Women have also played a major role in the growth of digital payments in the country. The surge in transactions through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has transformed the way Indians transact, has been partly driven by the growing number of women using digital financial platforms.

Also Read | Share of equity mutual funds in portfolio of women investor surge to 32% in 5 years : Report

Summing up the trend, Gupta said that while the financial industry often focuses on products, platforms and technology, the most important shift is the growing financial participation of women themselves.

“The fastest-growing thing in finance today is women,” Gupta said, underscoring how their rising presence is reshaping the country’s financial landscape.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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Commodity derivatives have become one of India’s most dynamic trading segments, especially on exchanges like MCX. It’s important to understand commodity derivatives and the right way to trade in them.

Commodity derivatives are financial contracts linked to the price of physical commodities such as gold, crude oil, natural gas, silver, copper, and agricultural products. One doesn’t need to buy the actual gold bar or a barrel of oil, instead, they can trade futures contracts, where one agrees to buy or sell a commodity at a future date and price. These instruments help traders benefit from price movements without handling the physical commodity, making them popular for hedging and short-term trading.

In today’s fast, technology-led markets, a new-age trader must be informed, disciplined, and process-driven. Here are the five best practices every modern commodity trader should follow.

1. Understand What Moves Commodity Prices

Commodity markets react quickly to global and domestic triggers. A new-age trader must know the key factors that influence prices:

• Global cues: Movement of the US dollar, geopolitical tensions, and inflation trends can make commodities like gold or crude oil rise or fall. For example: A rising dollar often pushes gold prices down, making it important for traders to track the currency.
• Domestic factors: Import/export numbers, monsoon forecasts, and government policy changes can move agri-commodities significantly. For example: A poor monsoon forecast may lift prices of crops like cotton or soybean.
• Exchange margin updates: During high volatility, exchanges may increase margins. Traders who are unaware may face forced square-off.

Understanding these fundamentals helps traders avoid panic reactions and make informed decisions based on data and not emotions.

2. Trade with a Defined System

Random trading is the fastest way to lose money. A new-age trader follows a well-defined trading system that includes:

• Clear entry signals (like a breakout, trend change, or fundamental cue)
• A pre-decided stop-loss to limit damage
• A realistic target based on volatility
• Position sizing rules to protect capital

Back-testing strategies on historical MCX charts helps understand how the system might perform in real markets.

3. Put Risk Management Before Profit Chasing

In commodity trading, staying in the game matters more than making a quick profit. Prices in markets like crude oil, natural gas, and metals can swing wildly, and one bad trade can drain your capital if you’re not careful.

A disciplined trader:

• Risks only a small fraction of their total capital on each trade
• Keeps a margin buffer to avoid forced RMS square-offs during sudden volatility
• Steers clear of over-leveraging, no matter how tempting the opportunity looks

Example:

If you have ₹1,00,000 in your trading account, putting ₹20,000 at risk on a single gold futures trade is extremely risky. A smart new-age trader limits risk to just 1–2% of capital (₹1,000–₹2,000). This approach protects your account during bad phases and ensures you can continue trading for the long run.

4. Use Technology to Stay Ahead

Modern traders use technology to remove emotional errors and improve precision.

• Real-time data dashboards help track price movements instantly.
• Automated alerts notify you of breakouts, margin changes, or global news.
• Algo or semi-auto systems help execute trades faster and more consistently.

Example: Setting an automated alert for crude oil at a key support level saves you from staring at the screen all day and allows faster reaction when the price hits your level.

5. Stay Updated on Contracts and Regulations

Commodity traders must know the rules of the game:

• Lot sizes, contract specifications, and expiry dates
• Position limits for traders and clients
• Intraday square-off timings, especially for MIS/BO/CO orders
• Margin changes announced by MCX during volatility

Lack of awareness can lead to penalties, forced exits, or unintended losses.

Example: If you forget that a contract is nearing expiry, you may be forced to roll over at a poor price or risk physical delivery obligations.

Conclusion

A successful new-age commodity derivatives trader combines market knowledge, rule-based trading, strict risk control, smart use of technology, and strong regulatory awareness. In a market where price swings are sharp and margins change frequently, discipline and capital preservation are the real competitive edge. By following these five practices, traders can navigate volatility confidently and build long-term success in commodity markets.

(The author is Head of Commodities Retail Business, Kotak Securities Ltd.)