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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 28, 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 - May 28, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 27 year old, have been earning money since 2017 but didn’t save any or used all the money. Now since a year I’ve started saving , my current portfolio/plan is 2286 : tata sampoorn life insurance 750000 (rop) 40 years 3180 : aditya birla capital guarantee solution pay 5 year stay invested 20 years 3000 : bajaj goal assure pay 20 y invest 20 y 2000 : tata fortune pro pay 5 invested 15 y Sips ::::::: 4000 : nippon small cap 2000 : quant small cap -G 2000 : hdfc infrastructure-G 2000 : icici pru infrastructure-G 2000 : icici pru bharat 22 fof-G 2000 : icici pru equity and debt - idcwy 1000 : kotak equity hybrid reg-G 1000 : quant focused -G Health insurance with no return. I can not stop the policy plans, can only change sips Does this portflio looks healthy to you, or j need to shuffle / add/ remove something. Plz suggest

Ans: Evaluating Your Current Investment Portfolio

Your effort to save and invest is commendable. Saving for the future is crucial for financial stability and growth. Let's evaluate your current portfolio and provide suggestions for improvements.

Insurance Policies Assessment

Insurance is important for financial security. However, combining insurance with investment might not always be the best strategy. Your portfolio includes several life insurance policies with investment components. While these policies offer a mix of protection and savings, they often come with higher costs and lower returns compared to pure investment options.

SIP Investments Overview

Your SIP investments are diversified across different sectors. This diversification helps in spreading risk. However, the concentration in small-cap and sector-specific funds can lead to higher volatility.

Recommendation for Balanced Diversification

Consider adding more large-cap and multi-cap funds to your portfolio. These funds tend to be less volatile and can provide more stability. Balancing your portfolio with a mix of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds is advisable.

Infrastructure Funds Analysis

You have invested significantly in infrastructure funds. While these funds can offer good returns during economic growth, they can be cyclical and volatile. Reducing exposure to sector-specific funds and increasing investment in more diversified equity funds can provide better risk-adjusted returns.

Equity and Debt Fund Balance

You have a good mix of equity and debt through the equity and debt fund. This balance is essential for managing risk and ensuring steady returns. Maintaining a proportion of your portfolio in balanced funds can help in achieving long-term financial goals.

SIP Discipline

Your commitment to SIPs is impressive. Regular investments through SIPs help in averaging costs and reducing market timing risk. Continue with this disciplined approach for sustained growth.

Health Insurance Coverage

Health insurance is crucial for managing medical emergencies. It’s good that you have health insurance in place. Ensure that the coverage is adequate to meet potential healthcare costs.

Flexibility and Liquidity

Ensure that your investments offer some liquidity. While long-term investments are important, having access to funds for emergencies is equally crucial. Consider maintaining an emergency fund in liquid instruments.

Certified Financial Planner Advice

Consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide personalized advice tailored to your financial situation. A CFP can help you align your investments with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Investment Goals and Time Horizon

Your investment choices should align with your financial goals and time horizon. For long-term goals, equity investments are suitable. For short-term goals, consider safer instruments like debt funds or fixed deposits.

Assessing the Overall Portfolio Health

Your portfolio has a strong foundation, but some adjustments can enhance its performance. Diversifying across different asset classes and reducing sector-specific exposure can improve risk management.

Surrendering Insurance Policies

Considering the higher costs and lower returns of your current insurance policies, it might be beneficial to surrender them. By doing this, you can reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds, which typically offer higher returns over the long term. This approach can optimize your investment returns while ensuring sufficient life insurance coverage through term insurance policies.

Summary of Recommendations

Diversify your SIP investments with large-cap and multi-cap funds.

Reduce exposure to sector-specific funds like infrastructure funds.

Maintain a balance between equity and debt investments.

Ensure liquidity for emergencies by keeping some investments in liquid instruments.

Surrender current insurance policies and reinvest in mutual funds.

Regularly review and adjust your portfolio based on market conditions and financial goals.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice and ongoing financial planning support.

Continued Financial Education

Stay informed about financial markets and investment strategies. Continuous learning and adapting your portfolio will help in achieving financial success.

You have taken significant steps towards financial planning. Continue with your disciplined approach and make necessary adjustments. Your financial future looks promising with the right strategies.

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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Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on May 30, 2022

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I am 42. Up to now I have very little investment. One and half years back I started following SIP and lump sum investment in MF along with I have mediclaim policy for 10 lakh for my family.  1. Axis Midcap Fund regular growth: 1500 per month 2. Kotak Emerging equity fund growth (Regular): 1500 per month 3. SBI small cap fund regular growth: 2000 pre month 4. Canara robeco emerging Equities regular growth: 2000 per month 5. SBI balanced advantage fund regular growth: 1,50,000 Lump Sum 6. Kotak balanced AF Regular growth: 1,50,000 Lump Sum\ 7. Canara Robeco Ultra short term fund regular growth: 1,00,000 Lump sum 8. Kotak Saving Fund GRowth regular: 1,00,000 Lump Sum 9. UTI floater fund regular growth: 1,00,000 Lump SUm 10. Rs. 30,000 Shares Of Reliance Industries for long term 11. Rs. 25,000 Shares of Tata Motor for the long term.  12. Sukanya Samrudhi Account: 4000 per month All funds are in negative now. All this investment I have made for the long term. I want to know your expert advice if I should continue with this portfolio as all SIPs and MFs are regular and all SIPs are small cap funds. 
Ans: Please continue

I have only one daughter; she is 10. So apart from this I want to invest additional 5000 per month SIP for at least 10 years for her higher education. Kindly guide me for direct SIP looking at my age and purpose.

You may consider these funds:

  • Axis Esg Equity Fund - Growth
  • Uti Flexi Cap Fund -growth
  • Samco Flexi Cap Fund - Growth
  • Hdfc Index Fund - Sensex Plan - Growth

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 30, 2024

Money
Hi sir ,I am 37 years now, my investments are like this 1,invested in hdfc pro growth ULIP plan for 10 years every year 25k and in another 2 years r remaining 2, hdfc sanchey plus 1 lakh per year for 10 years at 15 th year will get lump sum 18lakhs 3, hdfc sampoorna Niveah for 5 years each year 61k 4, lic Jeevan Lakshay for 18 years every month 5780 I pay at maturity I will get 24.7 lakhs in 2043 5, PPF every month 2k 6,mutual fund sip of 8k per month in a,Mirae asset tax saver lumsum had invested 10k now it is giving me 109% profit should I keep it or remove it b,sbi small cap fund -500/month C,Parag Parikh flexicap fund -1k/ month D,nippon India Pharma fund -500/month E,sbi nifty index -500/month F,Tata India consumer fund- 500/month G,axis multi asset allocation fund - 1000/month H,dsp natural resource lump sum 1k having 109 % returns I,quant infra fund direct -1k /month J,nippon indian small cap-1 k /month K,,sbi gold direct plan -1 k /month L,Motilal Oswal mid cap -1 k / month Plz suggest any changes and good investment plans
Ans: Enhancing Your Investment Strategy: Recommendations and Considerations
Your investment portfolio demonstrates a disciplined approach towards wealth creation and financial planning. Let's delve deeper into the various components of your portfolio and provide recommendations to optimize your investment strategy.

Fixed Income Investments:
Public Provident Fund (PPF):

Your monthly contribution of 2,000 rupees to PPF provides tax-efficient returns with a long-term investment horizon.
Continue investing to benefit from compounding growth and tax benefits over time.
Mutual Fund SIPs:
Equity Mutual Funds:

Your portfolio comprises a diversified mix of equity mutual funds, including Mirae Asset Tax Saver, SBI Small Cap, Parag Parikh FlexiCap, Nippon India Pharma, Tata India Consumer, Axis Multi Asset Allocation, and Motilal Oswal Mid Cap.
These funds offer the potential for wealth creation over the long term.
It's advisable to review the performance of each fund periodically and consider rebalancing based on market conditions and your risk tolerance.
Gold and Sectoral Funds:

You've allocated funds to sectoral funds like SBI Gold Direct Plan, DSP Natural Resource, Quant Infra Fund, and Nippon India Small Cap.
While sectoral funds and gold provide diversification benefits, they are subject to market volatility.
Monitor their performance regularly and adjust allocations accordingly to manage risk effectively.
Recommendations and Considerations:
Review ULIPs:

Surrendering existing insurance policies and reallocating the funds into mutual funds can be a strategic move to optimize your investment portfolio and potentially enhance long-term returns. Let's delve deeper into this approach and explore its benefits and considerations.

Analysis of Insurance Policies:
HDFC Pro Growth ULIP Plan:

Evaluate the ULIP's performance, charges, and insurance coverage.
Assess if the returns justify the associated costs and if the insurance coverage meets your needs.
HDFC Sanchay Plus:

Consider the opportunity cost of tying up funds for 15 years for a lump-sum payout.
Assess whether the returns align with your financial goals and if alternative investment avenues offer better growth potential.
HDFC Sampoorna Nivesh:

Review the performance and liquidity features of the plan.
Determine if the returns are competitive compared to other investment options and if the plan aligns with your risk profile.
LIC Jeevan Lakshay:

Evaluate the maturity benefits and compare them with alternative investment avenues.
Consider surrendering the policy if the returns are suboptimal or if better investment opportunities are available.
Benefits of Reallocating to Mutual Funds:
Enhanced Returns Potential:

Mutual funds, especially equity funds, have historically outperformed traditional insurance plans over the long term.
By reallocating funds, you may potentially benefit from higher returns and capital appreciation.
Greater Flexibility and Liquidity:

Mutual funds offer greater liquidity compared to insurance policies with lock-in periods.
You can access your funds as needed without penalties, providing flexibility in managing your financial goals.
Diversification and Risk Mitigation:

Mutual funds offer diversification across various asset classes and investment strategies.
Diversifying your portfolio reduces concentration risk and enhances overall risk-adjusted returns.
Considerations Before Surrendering Policies:
Surrender Charges and Penalties:

Evaluate the surrender charges and penalties associated with terminating insurance policies prematurely.
Compare the costs with the potential benefits of reallocating funds to mutual funds.
Insurance Needs and Coverage:

Assess your insurance needs and ensure adequate coverage for life, health, and other contingencies.
Consider retaining essential insurance policies while surrendering redundant or underperforming ones.
Recommended Action Plan:
Evaluate Surrender Value:

Obtain surrender values and assess the financial implications of surrendering each insurance policy.
Consider surrendering policies with high charges or low returns, prioritizing those that offer better growth potential elsewhere.
Reallocate Funds to Mutual Funds:

Identify suitable mutual funds based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Allocate surrendered funds to a well-diversified mutual fund portfolio across equity, debt, and other asset classes.
Regular Review and Monitoring:

Periodically review your mutual fund portfolio's performance and make adjustments as needed.
Consult with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure your investment strategy aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Surrendering insurance policies and reallocating funds to mutual funds can optimize your investment portfolio, potentially enhancing long-term returns and flexibility. By carefully evaluating your insurance needs, surrender charges, and investment opportunities, you can make informed decisions to achieve your financial objectives.
Optimize Mutual Fund Portfolio:

Regularly monitor the performance of equity and sectoral funds in your portfolio.
Consider consolidating or reallocating funds based on performance, risk, and investment objectives to maximize returns.
Asset Allocation:

Maintain a balanced asset allocation strategy across equity, debt, and alternative investments to mitigate risk and achieve long-term financial growth.
Diversification:

Ensure your portfolio is well-diversified across asset classes and investment avenues to minimize risk and maximize returns.
Regular Review:

Periodically review your investment portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner to make informed decisions and adapt to changing market dynamics and personal financial goals.
Conclusion:
By following these recommendations and considerations, you can optimize your investment portfolio, maximize returns, mitigate risks, and achieve your long-term financial objectives effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

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Money
Hi, I am 33yr old Male drawing 67k per month in hand. I invest monthly 17k in SIP (5k in Axis Small Cap Reg, 4K in ICICI Large & Mid cap, 4K in ICICI blue chip and 4K in HDFC Balanced Advantage IDCW) I have 58lakh home loan (jointly with wife) which comes around 22k per head per month for 20years. I have a 4year old son want to save a substantial amount for his education and also simultaneously wants to have a corpus of 5cr for my retirement. The SIP I am currently investing is for long term. Please suggest if I should continue with my same portfolio or there should some changes?
Ans: Evaluating and Optimizing Your Investment Strategy

Thank you for sharing the details of your financial situation and goals. Your current investment strategy is commendable, with a disciplined approach towards SIPs and long-term planning. Let's review your portfolio and explore any potential adjustments to better align with your goals.

Current Investment Analysis
You are investing ?17,000 per month across different mutual funds, which is a solid approach. Here’s a breakdown:

Axis Small Cap Fund: ?5,000
ICICI Large & Mid Cap Fund: ?4,000
ICICI Blue Chip Fund: ?4,000
HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund (IDCW): ?4,000
Home Loan Consideration
Your home loan is significant, and managing the EMI of ?22,000 per head per month over 20 years requires careful planning. Balancing loan repayment with investments is crucial for financial stability.

Goals and Financial Planning
You aim to save for your son’s education and build a corpus of ?5 crores for retirement. Both goals are achievable with a structured and diversified investment plan.

Suggested Portfolio Adjustments
Diversification and Risk Management
Your current portfolio includes a mix of small-cap, large & mid-cap, blue-chip, and balanced advantage funds. While this provides a good mix of growth and stability, a few adjustments could enhance diversification and risk management.

Reduce Concentration in Small Cap
Small-cap funds are high-risk and high-reward. Given your goals, consider reducing exposure to small-cap funds slightly and reallocating to more stable funds.

Increase Exposure to Balanced and Large Cap Funds
Balanced and large-cap funds offer stability and consistent returns. Increasing your investment in these funds can provide a more balanced risk-return profile.

Introduce Multi-Cap Fund
Multi-cap funds invest across all market capitalizations, providing diversification and flexibility. Adding a multi-cap fund can enhance your portfolio’s resilience.

Revised SIP Allocation Suggestion
Consider the following revised SIP allocation:

Large-Cap Fund (ICICI Blue Chip): Increase to ?6,000
Multi-Cap Fund: Introduce with ?4,000
Balanced Advantage Fund (HDFC Balanced Advantage): Maintain ?4,000
Large & Mid Cap Fund (ICICI Large & Mid Cap): Maintain ?4,000
Small-Cap Fund (Axis Small Cap): Reduce to ?3,000
This revised allocation provides a balanced approach, reducing risk while aiming for substantial growth.

Planning for Son’s Education
Child-Specific Funds
Consider investing in child-specific mutual funds or equity-oriented savings schemes. These funds are designed to meet educational expenses and have tax benefits.

Separate Education Corpus
Open a separate investment account dedicated to your son's education. Invest systematically to build a substantial corpus over the next 14 years.

Retirement Planning
Consistent SIPs
Continue your SIPs with the revised allocation to build a retirement corpus. Regularly review and increase your SIP amount in line with income growth and inflation.

Long-Term Focus
Remain focused on long-term growth. Avoid frequent portfolio changes based on short-term market movements. Consistency and patience are key.

Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regular Review
Review your portfolio at least once a year. Ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk tolerance. Rebalance if necessary.

Professional Guidance
Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) periodically. A CFP can provide personalized advice and help optimize your investment strategy based on changing financial needs and market conditions.

Conclusion
Your current investment strategy is on the right track. With minor adjustments to enhance diversification and risk management, you can achieve your financial goals more effectively. Stay disciplined, regularly review your portfolio, and seek professional guidance to ensure long-term success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 28, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 27 year old, have been earning money since 2017 but didn’t save any or used all the money. Now since a year I’ve started saving , my current portfolio/plan is 2286 : tata sampoorn life insurance 750000 (rop) 40 years 3180 : aditya birla capital guarantee solution pay 5 year stay invested 20 years 3000 : bajaj goal assure pay 20 y invest 20 y 2000 : tata fortune pro pay 5 invested 15 y Sips ::::::: 4000 : nippon small cap 2000 : quant small cap -G 2000 : hdfc infrastructure-G 2000 : icici pru infrastructure-G 2000 : icici pru bharat 22 fof-G 2000 : icici pru equity and debt - idcwy 1000 : kotak equity hybrid reg-G 1000 : quant focused -G Health insurance with no return. I can not stop the policy plans, can only change sips Does this portflio looks healthy to you, or j need to shuffle / add/ remove something. Plz suggest
Ans: Your commitment to saving and investing is commendable, especially after recognizing the need for financial planning. Let’s evaluate your portfolio and suggest improvements for a healthier financial future.

Current Portfolio Assessment
Insurance Policies
You have allocated significant funds to various insurance-cum-investment products. These plans often offer low returns compared to other investment options. However, since you cannot stop these policies, it's crucial to focus on optimizing your other investments.

SIP Investments
Your SIP investments are diversified across small cap, infrastructure, and hybrid funds. Small cap funds can provide high returns but come with higher risk. Infrastructure funds are sector-specific and can be volatile. A mix of equity and debt funds is good, but let's refine it further.

Diversification and Risk Management
Diversification is vital for risk management. While you have diversified across various funds, it's important to balance high-risk and low-risk investments. Ensure you have a mix of large cap, mid cap, and small cap funds. This will help in balancing the risk and returns.

High-Risk Investments
Small Cap Funds: These can yield high returns but are also risky. Limit exposure to these funds to manage risk.

Sector-Specific Funds: Infrastructure funds can be volatile. Consider reducing exposure to these funds and reallocating to more stable options.

Moderate-Risk Investments
Equity Hybrid Funds: These funds balance between equity and debt, providing moderate risk and returns. Increasing allocation to such funds can stabilize your portfolio.
Low-Risk Investments
Debt Funds: Adding debt funds can provide stability and reduce overall portfolio risk. They offer lower returns but are safer.
Regular vs. Direct Funds
Investing through a Certified Financial Planner can provide valuable guidance. Regular funds come with expert advice, helping you navigate market complexities. Direct funds might save on costs but lack professional guidance, which can be critical for long-term success.

Health Insurance
Your health insurance with no return is a prudent choice. It’s essential for financial protection against medical emergencies. Ensure the coverage is adequate for your needs.

Recommendations for Improvement
Rebalance SIP Investments

Reduce small cap and sector-specific fund exposure.

Increase allocation to equity hybrid funds for balanced growth.

Add debt funds for stability and risk reduction.

Emergency Fund

Ensure you have an emergency fund equivalent to six months of expenses. This should be in a liquid, low-risk investment.
Retirement Planning

Start a dedicated retirement fund if not already in place. This could be a mix of PPF, EPF, and equity funds.
Review and Adjust Regularly

Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Make adjustments as needed with the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner.

Conclusion
Your initiative to save and invest is a great step towards financial security. By rebalancing your portfolio and managing risks, you can achieve a healthier financial future. Regular reviews and adjustments with professional guidance will ensure you stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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