Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8913 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 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 - Jun 19, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 35 years working as an IT professional.Due to other responsibilities I started MUtual fund last year with 40k every month. quant active, small and Mid cap and ICICI prudential bharat Should I re balance these funds or need to check some other funds.

Ans: I understand your situation as an IT professional managing multiple responsibilities. Starting mutual funds with Rs 40k every month is a great step! Let's dive into how you can optimize your investments for the best results.

Understanding Your Current Investment
You’ve started investing in active, small, and mid-cap funds, as well as an ICICI Prudential Bharat fund. Each type of fund serves different purposes and has unique risks and rewards.

Small and mid-cap funds can provide high returns but are more volatile.

Active funds aim to beat the market through expert stock selection.

Evaluating Fund Performance
Firstly, it's important to evaluate how your current funds have been performing. Check the returns of each fund over the past year, three years, and five years.

Consider their performance compared to their benchmark and category peers.

If any fund consistently underperforms, it might be time to consider alternatives.

Importance of Diversification
Diversification helps in spreading risk. By investing in different types of funds, you reduce the impact of any single fund's poor performance.

It's great that you have a mix of active, small, and mid-cap funds.

However, it's crucial to ensure you’re not overly concentrated in any one sector or market cap.

Actively Managed Funds vs. Index Funds
Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market through strategic stock selection. This can lead to higher returns, especially in a volatile market.

Index funds, on the other hand, simply track a market index. They tend to have lower costs but often provide lower returns compared to actively managed funds.

Considering your choice of actively managed funds, you're positioned to potentially benefit from higher returns, provided the fund manager's strategies pay off.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds
Direct funds have lower expense ratios as they don't include distributor commissions. However, they require you to choose and manage your investments independently.

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with mutual fund distributor (MFD) credentials ensures professional guidance. They can help you navigate market changes and rebalance your portfolio when needed.

The slightly higher cost of regular funds can be worthwhile due to the expert advice and support you receive.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Rebalancing involves adjusting your portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation. It’s essential to review your portfolio at least once a year.

Look at the performance of each fund and your overall investment goals.

If one type of fund has grown significantly, it may dominate your portfolio, increasing risk.

Rebalancing can help you realign your investments with your risk tolerance and goals.

Considerations for Adding or Switching Funds
Before adding new funds or switching existing ones, consider the following:

Fund Objectives: Ensure the fund’s objective aligns with your financial goals.

Risk Profile: Understand the risk associated with each fund and ensure it matches your risk tolerance.

Expense Ratio: Lower expense ratios can significantly impact your returns over the long term.

Past Performance: While past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, consistent performance over time is a good indicator.

Professional Advice
A Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized advice based on your financial situation and goals. They can help you choose the right funds, monitor their performance, and make necessary adjustments.

Their expertise can be invaluable in navigating market fluctuations and optimizing your investment strategy.

Staying Informed
Stay updated with market trends and fund performance. Regularly read financial news, attend webinars, and consult with your financial planner.

Being informed helps you make better investment decisions and stay on track with your financial goals.


It's commendable that you have started investing Rs 40k every month despite your busy schedule. Balancing work, responsibilities, and investments is not easy.

Your commitment to securing a financially stable future is truly impressive. Keep up the excellent work!

Continuous Learning and Adaptation
The financial market is dynamic, and continuous learning is crucial. Adapt your strategy as needed based on market conditions and personal circumstances.

Remember, the goal is not just to invest but to invest wisely.

Final Insights
Investing is a journey, and you’ve taken significant steps by starting mutual funds. Regularly evaluate and rebalance your portfolio to align with your goals.

Seek professional advice to navigate complexities and optimize your strategy. Stay informed and adaptable to changes.

Keep up the dedication, and you’ll likely achieve your financial aspirations.

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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8913 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 14, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 31 years old. I am investing in these funds 5k Parag Parikh Flexi 4k Kotak Emerging fund - mid cap 4k Quant small cap 3k ICICI prud technology fund 3k Quant infra fund 8k Nifty 50 Index fund 5k in Nasdaq 100 etf Please suggest if I have to do any changes or rebalance or change in amount where I have to increase or decrease for any fund. Thanks in Advance
Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards investing at a relatively young age. When reviewing your investment portfolio, it's essential to consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. While your current allocation seems diversified, it's always wise to periodically reassess and rebalance your portfolio to ensure alignment with your objectives.

Consider evaluating the performance and prospects of each fund in your portfolio. Are they meeting your expectations in terms of returns and risk management? Are there any funds that have consistently underperformed or carry higher volatility than desired?

Additionally, reassess your asset allocation strategy. Are you comfortable with the current mix of equity and index funds, or would you prefer to adjust the allocation based on market conditions and your risk appetite?

Lastly, remember that investment decisions should be driven by a well-thought-out plan rather than short-term market movements. Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who can provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique financial circumstances and goals. With careful planning and periodic review, you can work towards achieving long-term financial success.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8913 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 26, 2024

Money
I am 60, disciplined bachelor. My mutual fund investment are giving 10% - 13% pa return on an average consistently during Last 5 years Should I need to rebalance my investment, when I am okay and happy with the return ? Please advise, when and at what age this rebalance should be done ???? What are the consequences if rebalance is not done. Will this reba
Ans: At 60, you have a disciplined approach to investing, and your mutual funds have provided you with an average return of 10%-13% over the last 5 years. It's excellent that you’re happy with your returns. However, even if you are satisfied with the returns, rebalancing plays a critical role in ensuring long-term financial stability. Let’s explore why, when, and how to consider rebalancing.

1. Why You Should Rebalance Even with Good Returns
Your investments may be giving great returns, but rebalancing is about risk management and ensuring that your portfolio aligns with your changing financial needs as you age. Here’s why rebalancing is important:

Portfolio Drift: Over time, your portfolio might have become more equity-heavy due to market growth. This could expose you to higher risks, even though you are seeing good returns.

Changing Risk Tolerance: As you age, your risk tolerance generally decreases. At 60, protecting your capital becomes more critical than seeking higher returns.

Market Volatility: While equity markets have been kind to you, markets are unpredictable. Without rebalancing, a market downturn could wipe out a significant portion of your gains.

Goal Alignment: Your financial goals might have changed over time. Rebalancing ensures that your portfolio is still aligned with your retirement or lifestyle goals.

Consistent Returns: Rebalancing periodically can help lock in profits and prevent overexposure to high-risk assets. It ensures that you don’t rely solely on equity markets for returns, balancing your portfolio between equity and safer assets like debt funds or liquid funds.

2. When to Rebalance Your Investment
Rebalancing isn’t based on age alone, but on various factors like risk tolerance, market performance, and financial goals. However, certain key moments in your life should trigger rebalancing:

Age-Based Trigger: At 60, your focus shifts more towards capital preservation than aggressive growth. It is essential to start rebalancing your portfolio to reduce exposure to volatile assets like equity and increase allocation to safer assets like debt funds.

Every Year or Market Movement: Many Certified Financial Planners recommend rebalancing your portfolio once a year. Another strategy is to rebalance when your asset allocation drifts significantly from your target (e.g., if your equity allocation grows more than 5%-10% higher than your target allocation due to market performance).

Specific Milestones: Major life events, such as retirement, health changes, or unexpected expenses, could also require portfolio rebalancing.

3. How to Rebalance Your Portfolio
Rebalancing doesn’t mean exiting equity investments altogether. Instead, it involves adjusting your asset allocation to match your age, financial goals, and risk tolerance. Here’s how you can approach it:

Gradual Shift: Start shifting a portion of your equity investments into debt funds or liquid funds. This reduces market risk while still allowing your money to grow steadily.

Fixed Asset Allocation: Based on your risk tolerance, maintain a fixed ratio of equity to debt. For instance, you might aim for 60% in debt funds and 40% in equity at your age.

Systematic Rebalancing: You don’t have to rebalance all at once. A Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) can help you gradually move funds from equity to safer options like debt or liquid funds.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner: To get a clearer idea of the right asset allocation, consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner. They can provide tailored advice based on your overall financial picture and retirement needs.

4. Consequences of Not Rebalancing
If you choose not to rebalance, you might enjoy continued growth during bull markets. However, ignoring rebalancing could expose you to significant risks:

Increased Risk Exposure: Without rebalancing, your portfolio may become too equity-heavy. This can lead to high volatility, which might be unsuitable at your age. If the market crashes, your portfolio could lose significant value.

Missed Opportunity for Profit Protection: By not rebalancing, you miss the chance to lock in profits. Equity investments are volatile, and without moving some gains to safer investments, you risk losing them during market downturns.

Not Meeting Financial Goals: Over time, your goals change. If your portfolio is not rebalanced, it might no longer align with your retirement needs. For example, you might need more liquid funds for regular withdrawals, but an equity-heavy portfolio won’t offer this.

Potential Stress During Volatile Markets: At 60, you may not want to deal with the stress of market volatility. A balanced portfolio gives you peace of mind, knowing that your investments are safer, even if the market faces turbulence.

5. Rebalancing at What Age
There’s no fixed age to rebalance your portfolio, but as you move closer to retirement and beyond, consider rebalancing more frequently:

60 to 65 Years: This is when you should start shifting more of your portfolio into debt funds, liquid funds, or other low-risk options. A 50:50 or 60:40 debt-to-equity ratio may work best for you at this stage, depending on your retirement plans.

65+ Years: By this age, your focus should be on income generation and capital protection. At this stage, you may want 70%-80% of your investments in safer assets like debt funds and fixed-income products, while keeping a small portion in equity for continued growth.

6. What Happens if You Do Rebalance
The primary benefit of rebalancing is that it protects your portfolio from excessive risk and aligns it with your retirement needs. Here’s what you can expect:

Stability in Volatile Markets: A balanced portfolio ensures that you won’t lose too much in market corrections, as your investments are spread across safer assets.

Peace of Mind: By gradually shifting to safer investments, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your retirement funds are more secure.

Steady Income: Rebalancing into debt funds or liquid funds gives you the ability to use Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) to generate regular income during retirement.

Better Alignment with Goals: Rebalancing ensures that your portfolio continues to meet your financial goals as they evolve, especially as your focus shifts from growth to stability.

7. Common Rebalancing Strategies
Here are a few rebalancing strategies that you can consider:

Age-Based Strategy: A simple rule is to subtract your age from 100 to determine how much of your portfolio should be in equity. For instance, at 60, you could aim for 40% equity and 60% debt.

Target-Date Strategy: As you approach specific target dates (such as retirement), gradually reduce your equity exposure and increase debt.

Market-Driven Rebalancing: Rebalance based on market performance. If your equity portion grows significantly, move a portion to safer assets like debt or liquid funds.

Final Insights
Rebalancing is not just about returns; it’s about managing risk and aligning your portfolio with your evolving goals.

At 60, it’s essential to start reducing your exposure to equities, even if they are delivering good returns. This ensures capital protection and provides you with liquidity when needed.

You can rebalance gradually, shifting profits into safer investments like debt or liquid funds.

If you don’t rebalance, your portfolio may become too risky for your age, exposing you to market volatility and reducing the chance of meeting your retirement goals.

Regular rebalancing, either yearly or triggered by significant market movement, helps keep your investments in check.

By adopting a rebalancing strategy that aligns with your needs and goals, you’ll not only protect your capital but also ensure long-term financial stability.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Dr Karan

Dr Karan Gupta  |8 Answers  |Ask -

International Education Counsellor - Answered on Jun 13, 2025

Career
I have got the following: 1.) Thapar Patiala- Btech biomedical engineering 2.) SRM sonepath- Btech biomedical engineering 3.) University school of biotechnology- Btech Biotechnology 4.) VIT Bhopal- Btech computer science and engineering in health informatics 5.) Amity noida- btech Biotechnology 6.) Amity Noida - btech bioinformatics Please suggest the order The dates of some of these are gonna slip really soon I would really appreciate your assistance Thank you
Ans: Here’s a suggested order based on overall reputation, course focus, and future scope:
1. Thapar Patiala – BTech Biomedical Engineering
Thapar has a strong name in engineering and good placements. Biomedical is also a good fit if you’re interested in both biology and technology.
2. VIT Bhopal – BTech CSE in Health Informatics
This is a more tech-focused program. It’s unique and has a future in health-tech, but not as core bio/biomed as others.
3. University School of Biotechnology – BTech Biotechnology
This is part of GGSIPU (Delhi) and has a focused biotech program. If you’re more research or biotech core inclined, this is a solid option.
4. Amity Noida – BTech Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is quite niche — good if you like coding + biology. Amity’s research side is developing, but not as strong as Thapar or GGSIPU.
5. Amity Noida – BTech Biotechnology
This is general biotech. Amity has decent labs but placements may not be as strong.
6. SRM Sonepat – BTech Biomedical Engineering
It’s okay, but not as strong in reputation or network as the others on this list.

...Read more

Dr Upneet

Dr Upneet Kaur  |44 Answers  |Ask -

Marriage counsellor - Answered on Jun 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 05, 2025
Relationship
Hello gurus.. I have a friend who has been married for 10 years and with 2 kids one 8 yr old daughter and a two year old son. His wife whom he loved and trusted so much had cheated on him with one of her friends for almost 3 years which he came to know about last year. Though he could not digest that and thought of divorcing her but thinking about his children's future he changed his mind and told her to end all communication with him in order to save this marriage .She too had agreed . He hadn't told about this to anyone except me including her parents whom he respected a lot and hence didn't want to hurt them ... But after 3 months he came to know that she was still in contact with her friend using another phone without his knowledge and her affair also had not stopped . This time he couldn't tolerate and told this to her parents and told them that he would be filing for divorce. Her parents literally begged with him not to do so and requested him to give one last chance as they would mend her this time . He told them that even after giving her a chance to mend herself she has cheated again and broken his trust and that he couldn't live with her without trust . So he had decided to move on but his wife and her mother threatened him that they will have no other choice but to commit suicide if he doesnt forgive his wife. He was also worried about his children's future without their mother .. Based on some elders and friends (including mine )advice he gave her one last chance but on condition that there should not be any communication with her affair partner in future and if he comes to know about them being in any kind of contact he would be filing for divorce . His wife and her parents agreed to this and he took her back though not wholeheartedly but due to circumstances. Though they lived under one roof they did not live a harmonious life and lived like strangers and there used to be quarrels very frequently between them . This sometimes had gone physical and on many occasions his wife had threatened him with suicide... And in March this year he came to know that she was in contact with her affair partner secretly using another phone. When confronted she told they were just talking and nothing else...Though there may not be any physical contact this time my friend is very upset and adamant that he wouldn't live with her and want a mutual divorce ...His wife is not agreeing for it and threatening that she would write his name and end her life if he goes for a contested divorce. My friend is too worried about the legal complications if such a thing happens . He is also concerned about his kids especially his daughters future if he goes for a contested divorce based on adultery , the impact it would have on his daughter s future ..He doesn't want to spoil his daughters future ..At the same time he says he cannot imagine living with his wife again after being cheated on twice... Kindly advice what should I advise him ...
Ans: Hello sir. I understand the situation. The prime thing in this is that your friend should go directly to police station and should file a report that if anything of this sort happens, including harm to his in laws or wife then he will not be responsible and that they are regularly threatening him. This will make your friend legally safe and then he can take a mutual divorce if he wants telling his wife and in laws that he has already filed a complaint.
This is the primary step. Once done you can message again.
Regards

...Read more

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x