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Should a 25-year-old invest 44k per month in SIPs?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8614 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 19, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 14, 2024Hindi
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I am 25 and investing around 44k per month in SIPs. 11k in quant small cap, 10k in nippon small cap, 5k in icici prudent technology direct fund, 5k in icici prudent bharat 22 fof direct, 7k in HDFC small cap, 1k in 360 one focused equity fund, 1k in axis growth opportunities fund direct, 2k each in quant psu direct and quant infrastructure fund, and 200 in HDFC infrastructure. Is this mix good for a 10-15 year term

Ans: Assessment of Your Current Portfolio
You are investing Rs 44,000 per month in a variety of mutual funds. Here’s an assessment of your current portfolio:

Quant Small Cap Fund: Rs 11,000
Nippon Small Cap Fund: Rs 10,000
ICICI Prudential Technology Direct Fund: Rs 5,000
ICICI Prudential Bharat 22 FoF Direct: Rs 5,000
HDFC Small Cap Fund: Rs 7,000
360 One Focused Equity Fund: Rs 1,000
Axis Growth Opportunities Fund Direct: Rs 1,000
Quant PSU Direct Fund: Rs 2,000
Quant Infrastructure Fund: Rs 2,000
HDFC Infrastructure Fund: Rs 200
Portfolio Analysis
Strengths
Aggressive Growth Potential: Your investments in small cap and sector-specific funds indicate a focus on aggressive growth.

Sector Diversification: Exposure to sectors like technology, infrastructure, and public sector units provides sectoral diversification.

Weaknesses
High Risk: A significant portion of your portfolio is in small cap and sector-specific funds, which are high-risk investments.

Over-Diversification: Investing small amounts in many funds (e.g., Rs 200 in HDFC Infrastructure Fund) may not yield significant returns.

Concentration in Small Caps: Heavy investment in small cap funds could increase volatility and risk.

Recommendations for Improvement
Balanced Diversification
Reduce Overlap: Avoid investing in too many similar funds. This will simplify your portfolio and improve potential returns.

Include Large Cap Funds: Adding large cap funds will provide stability and reduce overall portfolio risk.

Increase Focused Investments: Instead of spreading small amounts across many funds, focus on a few well-performing funds to maximize growth.

Quality Over Quantity
Consistent Performers: Focus on funds with a proven track record of consistent performance rather than chasing the latest trends.

Consult a CFP: To avoid costly mistakes, seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner. They can guide you in choosing consistently performing funds.

Strategic Allocation
Core-Satellite Approach: Allocate a core portion of your investments in diversified equity funds (large, mid, small cap) and a smaller portion in sectoral/thematic funds.

Periodic Review: Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to align with your financial goals and market conditions.

Suggested Portfolio Structure
Core Investments
Large Cap Funds: Allocate 30-40% to large cap funds for stability.

Multi Cap Funds: Allocate 20-30% to multi cap funds for diversified growth.

Satellite Investments
Small Cap Funds: Allocate 20% to small cap funds for aggressive growth.

Sectoral/Thematic Funds: Allocate 10-20% to sector-specific funds (technology, infrastructure) based on market conditions and trends.

Emergency Fund and Debt Allocation
Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund in liquid assets (equivalent to 6 months’ expenses).

Debt Funds: Allocate 10-20% to debt funds for fixed income and reduced risk.

Final Insights
Your portfolio shows a strong inclination towards growth with high-risk, high-reward funds. Balancing this with stable, consistent performers will help in achieving long-term financial goals with reduced risk. Regular consultation with a Certified Financial Planner and periodic portfolio reviews will ensure alignment with market dynamics and personal financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8614 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 07, 2024

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As a start of my career , I am investing 10k in Axis small cap fund , 8k in ICICI nifty 50 , 5k in quant tax saving fund . Is it good mix? What is your thought on this
Ans: Your investment approach demonstrates a well-diversified portfolio across different mutual fund categories, which is a positive step, especially for someone starting their investment journey. Here are some thoughts on your investment mix:
1. Axis Small Cap Fund: Investing in a small-cap fund like Axis Small Cap Fund can offer the potential for higher returns over the long term, as small-cap stocks tend to outperform over extended periods. However, they also come with higher volatility and risk. Since you're starting your career, having exposure to small-cap stocks can be beneficial for long-term wealth creation, provided you have a high-risk tolerance.
2. ICICI Nifty 50 Index Fund: Investing in an index fund like ICICI Nifty 50 Index Fund provides exposure to the top 50 large-cap stocks in India. It offers diversification and stability to your portfolio while tracking the performance of the Nifty 50 index. Index funds are known for their low cost and passive investment approach, making them suitable for investors seeking stable returns over the long term.
3. Quant Tax Saving Fund: Investing in a tax-saving fund like Quant Tax Saving Fund helps you save taxes under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act while providing exposure to equities. These funds have a lock-in period of three years and primarily invest in a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related instruments. However, tax-saving funds are subject to market risks, and returns can vary based on market conditions.
Overall, your investment mix appears well-rounded, covering small-cap, large-cap, and tax-saving categories. However, it's essential to regularly review and rebalance your portfolio based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.

Additionally, consider diversifying across other asset classes like debt, gold, or international funds to further spread risk and optimize returns over the long term. Consulting with a financial advisor can also provide personalized guidance based on your individual circumstances and objectives.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8614 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 23, 2025

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Sir, I am 37. I have been investing ₹22000/month in various sip which includes 7000 in small cap funds, 4000 in mid cap funds, 1000 in index funds, 3000 in thematic funds(1000 each in infra, commodities and technology) and remaining in multicap and flexicap funds. Please tell me if the allocation is good and what can I expect on a 15 year time horizon.
Ans: Your disciplined SIP investment of Rs. 22,000 per month is commendable. Below is an analysis of your portfolio:

Small-Cap Funds
Allocating Rs. 7,000 (31.8% of your total SIP) to small-cap funds shows a focus on high growth potential.

Small-cap funds offer strong long-term returns but come with high volatility.

Consider limiting small-cap exposure to 25% for better risk management.

This adjustment can reduce stress during market downturns.

Mid-Cap Funds
Rs. 4,000 (18.2%) invested in mid-cap funds is a balanced choice.

Mid-cap funds provide a mix of stability and growth.

Retain this allocation as it complements the small-cap funds well.

Thematic Funds
Rs. 3,000 (13.6%) allocated to infra, commodities, and technology is sector-focused.

Thematic funds can be rewarding but depend heavily on market cycles.

Limit thematic exposure to 10% of your portfolio.

Use the extra allocation for diversified or multicap funds for better stability.

Index Funds
Rs. 1,000 (4.5%) in index funds may not maximise your potential returns.

Index funds passively track the market but lack flexibility to outperform it.

Actively managed funds can generate higher returns through expert stock selection.

Shift this allocation to actively managed flexicap or large-cap funds.

Multicap and Flexicap Funds
Rs. 7,000 (31.8%) in multicap and flexicap funds ensures broad diversification.

These funds spread investments across large, mid, and small-cap stocks.

Retain this allocation as it balances the portfolio risk effectively.

Tax Considerations
Long-term equity mutual fund gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term equity gains are taxed at 20%.

Consider rebalancing based on tax-efficiency and annual gains.

Expected Returns
Equity funds can offer 12-15% annual returns over a 15-year horizon.

With disciplined SIPs, your corpus could grow 4-6 times over this period.

Market fluctuations will occur, but patience and consistency are key.

Recommendations
Portfolio Rebalancing: Reduce small-cap and thematic exposure to optimise risk.

Avoid Index Funds: Actively managed funds provide higher growth potential.

Increase Diversification: Focus on multicap and flexicap funds for broad exposure.

Stay Disciplined: Continue SIPs during market corrections to benefit from rupee cost averaging.

Professional Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalised guidance.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct funds lack access to personalised advice and expert monitoring.

Investing via a Certified Financial Planner ensures professional management of your portfolio.

Regular funds through an MFD with CFP credentials offer better support for goal-based planning.

Final Insights
Your portfolio reflects good planning and commitment. A few adjustments will enhance returns and reduce risk. Focus on long-term goals and review performance periodically with professional guidance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8614 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 23, 2025

Listen
Money
Sir, I am 37. I have been investing ₹22000/month in various sip which includes 7000 in small cap funds, 4000 in mid cap funds, 1000 in index funds, 3000 in thematic funds(1000 each in infra, commodities and technology) and remaining in multicap and flexicap funds. Please tell me if the allocation is good and what can I expect on a 15 year time horizon.
Ans: Your monthly SIP investment of Rs. 22,000 is well-structured across multiple categories. This diversification reflects thoughtfulness in building a balanced portfolio. Below is an analysis of each allocation with suggestions for improvement:

Small-Cap Funds
Small-cap funds are highly volatile but deliver superior long-term returns. Your Rs. 7,000 allocation is reasonable at 31.8% of your SIP.

However, overexposure can increase portfolio risk. Consider capping small-cap allocation to 25% of your total SIP.

Small-cap funds require patience and discipline, especially during market downturns.

Mid-Cap Funds
Allocating Rs. 4,000 to mid-cap funds (18.2% of SIP) balances risk and return.

Mid-caps offer growth potential, bridging the gap between large caps and small caps.

Retain this allocation as mid-caps perform well over long horizons like 15 years.

Thematic Funds
Thematic investments in infra, commodities, and technology at Rs. 3,000 (13.6%) are niche choices.

Thematic funds depend heavily on sector performance and market cycles.

Limit thematic exposure to 10% of your total SIP to avoid concentration risk.

Consider reallocating a part of this to diversified equity funds for stability.

Index Funds
Your allocation of Rs. 1,000 (4.5%) to index funds has limited value.

Index funds simply replicate indices and lack potential to outperform markets.

Actively managed funds, handled by professional fund managers, may deliver better returns.

Redirect this amount to actively managed flexicap or large-cap funds for superior growth potential.

Multicap and Flexicap Funds
The remaining Rs. 7,000 (31.8%) allocation to multicap and flexicap funds ensures diversification.

These funds provide exposure to all market caps, balancing risk and returns.

Continue with this allocation as it complements your other investments.

Tax Implications
Equity fund gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5% under the new rules.

Monitor your gains annually to manage taxes efficiently.

Debt funds are taxed based on your income tax slab. Consider this for future rebalancing.

Expected Returns over 15 Years
Equity funds can deliver 12-15% annual returns over a 15-year horizon.

Your portfolio could potentially grow 4-6 times, depending on market conditions.

Consistent SIPs and market discipline will help you reach this target.

Suggestions for Improvement
Portfolio Rebalancing: Reduce small-cap and thematic exposure to manage risk. Reallocate to multicap and flexicap funds.

Avoid Index Funds: Actively managed funds can generate higher returns with professional management.

Stay Disciplined: Continue investing during market corrections for long-term wealth creation.

Review Annually: Evaluate fund performance and make changes if needed.

Professional Guidance: Investing via a Certified Financial Planner ensures expert advice and portfolio monitoring.

Insights on Regular Funds
Direct funds lack the benefit of professional advice and continuous monitoring.

Investing in regular funds through a CFP offers goal-based planning and expert guidance.

This approach minimizes emotional decision-making and enhances long-term returns.

Final Insights
Your SIP strategy reflects commendable discipline and foresight. With minor adjustments, you can optimize returns and manage risks effectively. Long-term consistency and professional advice will ensure financial success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

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