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Nikunj Saraf  |308 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on May 22, 2023

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
HABEEB Question by HABEEB on May 02, 2023Hindi
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I am 43 year old, presently doing Rs.31,850/ monthly in different SIP. Aim is wealth creation only. Kindly review my portfolio and advice FUND MONTHLY INVESTED VALUE PRESENT VALUE TATA ETHICAL FUND 3,000.00 1,98,000.00 2,92,000.00 LIC MF LARGE AND MIDCAP FUND-REGULAR-IDCW Daily 300 = 6600/M 3,70,000.00 4,54,000.00 NIPPON INDIA FOCUSED EQUITY FUND GROWTH 4,000.00 2,60,000.00 3,84,000.00 AXIS BLUE CHIP 3,000.00 1,31,000.00 1,51,000.00 AXIS FOCUSED 25 FUND - DIRECT PLAN - GROWTH 3,750.00 56,250.00 54,390.00 -SBI FOCUSED EQUITY FUND DIRECT GROWTH 4,000.00 84,000.00 85,100.00 -PARAG PARIKH FLEXI CAP FUND - DIRECT PLAN 3,500.00 61,000.00 66,330.00 -CANARA ROBECO EMERGING EQUITIES - DIRECT GROWTH 4,000.00 96,000.00 99,940.00 Rs.31,850/MONTH

Ans: Hello Habeeb. Your portfolio seems over-diversified. I would suggest to reconcise and reshuffle your portfolio with 31.5k SIP. I would suggest reconsider the schemes for LIC MF, Axis AMC & SBI AMC.
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  |8342 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 25, 2024

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Hi, I am 22 years old doing SIP of Rs. 16,000 per month in these following funds:- 1. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund :- 4500 2. Quant Flexi Cap Fund :- 4500 3. Nippon India Large Cap Fund:- 2000 4. Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund:- 1500 5. Quant Mid Cap Fund:- 1500 6. Axis Small Cap Fund:- 1000 7. Bandhan Small Cap Fund:- 1000 Please do a review of my portfolio and give your suggestions. Thank you!
Ans: You have a well-diversified SIP portfolio. Investing Rs. 16,000 monthly at 22 is a commendable step. This shows your commitment to building wealth over time. Let’s review your portfolio and provide suggestions for improvement.

Current Portfolio Analysis
Your current SIP investments include:

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs. 4,500

Quant Flexi Cap Fund: Rs. 4,500

Nippon India Large Cap Fund: Rs. 2,000

Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund: Rs. 1,500

Quant Mid Cap Fund: Rs. 1,500

Axis Small Cap Fund: Rs. 1,000

Bandhan Small Cap Fund: Rs. 1,000

Diversification and Allocation
Flexi Cap Funds
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund and Quant Flexi Cap Fund:

Advantages: Flexi cap funds invest across all market capitalizations. They provide flexibility to capture growth opportunities.

Risk and Return: These funds balance risk and return by diversifying investments across large, mid, and small cap stocks.

Evaluation:

Sufficient Exposure: Investing in two flexi cap funds provides adequate exposure to diverse market segments.

Potential Overlap: Check for overlapping stocks to ensure true diversification.

Large Cap Fund
Nippon India Large Cap Fund:

Advantages: Large cap funds invest in established companies. They offer stability and lower volatility compared to mid and small cap funds.

Risk and Return: Lower risk with moderate returns. Suitable for long-term stability in the portfolio.

Evaluation:

Stability Factor: Including a large cap fund adds stability to your portfolio.

Maintain Allocation: Continue with your current allocation to ensure balance.

Mid Cap Funds
Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund and Quant Mid Cap Fund:

Advantages: Mid cap funds invest in growing companies. They have the potential for higher returns than large caps but with higher risk.

Risk and Return: Higher volatility with the potential for significant returns.

Evaluation:

Growth Potential: Two mid cap funds provide a good balance of growth potential.

Diversification: Ensure there is minimal overlap between the funds to maximize diversification.

Small Cap Funds
Axis Small Cap Fund and Bandhan Small Cap Fund:

Advantages: Small cap funds invest in emerging companies. They offer high growth potential but come with higher risk.

Risk and Return: High volatility with the possibility of substantial returns.

Evaluation:

Aggressive Growth: Small cap funds are suitable for aggressive growth in your portfolio.

Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor these funds due to their high volatility.

Recommendations for Improvement
Review Fund Overlaps
Diversification Check: Ensure there is minimal overlap among stocks in your flexi cap, mid cap, and small cap funds.

Balanced Exposure: Aim for a balanced exposure to different sectors and industries.

Rebalance Portfolio
Current Allocation: Your portfolio is skewed towards flexi cap funds.

Suggested Allocation: Consider increasing the allocation to large cap funds for stability. This ensures a balanced risk-return profile.

Long-Term Strategy
Stay Invested: Continue your SIPs for the long term to benefit from rupee cost averaging and compounding.

Periodic Review: Review your portfolio periodically to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.

Additional Suggestions
Emergency Fund
Liquidity: Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of your expenses. This ensures liquidity for unforeseen circumstances.
Health and Term Insurance
Health Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage. This protects you against medical emergencies.

Term Insurance: Consider term insurance for financial security of your dependents in case of an untimely demise.

Education and Learning
Continuous Learning: Keep learning about personal finance and investments. This helps you make informed decisions.

Seek Advice: Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice tailored to your financial goals.

Conclusion
Your current SIP portfolio is well-diversified and on the right track. A balanced approach with adjustments can further optimize it. Investing in mutual funds through SIPs is a commendable strategy for wealth creation. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio. This ensures it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8342 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 05, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, I am 59 years old salaried person and doing monthly SIP since June 2021 in Parag Parikh Flexi cap (Rs.20000) Axis Mid cap (Rs. 5000) Axis ESG (Rs. 5000), Nippon Multi-cap (Rs. 5000), Canara Small Cap (Rs. 3000), SBI Small cap (Rs. 3000)- all direct plans. Investment is to continue till December 2030. Thereafter, I plan to remain invested for another 3 years. Wealth creation is the aim. Kindly review my portfolio.
Ans: Current Investment Strategy

You're investing Rs. 41,000 monthly in mutual funds.
Your portfolio has a mix of different fund types.
You plan to invest till 2030 and stay invested after.

Positive Aspects

Good job starting SIPs for wealth creation.
Your portfolio has a nice mix of fund types.
Long-term investment plan is smart for wealth building.

Areas for Improvement

Your portfolio might be too complex to manage.
Too many small-cap funds could increase risk.
Direct plans need more work from you.

Risk Assessment

At 59, you might want less risky investments.
Small-cap funds can be very risky.
Consider reducing small-cap exposure as you age.

Fund Selection

Your funds are from good companies.
But having six funds might be too many.
Think about cutting down to 3-4 funds.

Regular vs Direct Plans

Direct plans have lower costs, but need more work.
Regular plans give you expert help.
A Certified Financial Planner can guide you better.

Benefits of Regular Plans

Get expert advice on fund selection.
Regular portfolio reviews and rebalancing.
Help with paperwork and tax planning.

Disadvantages of Direct Plans

You must research and choose funds yourself.
No professional guidance for your portfolio.
Might miss out on better investment options.

Suggested Changes

Think about moving to regular plans.
Reduce number of funds to 3-4.
Lower your small-cap exposure.

Asset Allocation

Have a good mix of large, mid, and small-cap.
Add some debt funds for stability.
Review allocation yearly and adjust as needed.

Tax Planning

Check if you're using ELSS funds for tax saving.
If not, consider adding one to your portfolio.
This can help reduce your tax burden.

Monitoring and Rebalancing

Check your portfolio performance every 6 months.
Change funds if they don't do well for long.
Keep your asset mix in line with your goals.

Finally

Your investment plan is good, but needs some tweaks.
Consider expert help for better results.
Regular review and rebalancing can improve your returns.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8342 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 13, 2025
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Greetings!!!! I am 43 years Old, I had started 10k per month TATA AIA SIP in previous year for total 7years Plan. I want to education plan for my 1 kid who is 6 years old now. Please advice and guide me about more investments plan, as i am still confused about future growth and any plan for my wife age 38years.
Ans: You're at a critical financial stage. Planning for your child’s education and securing your family’s future are both top priorities. You've already started a ULIP, which is a start. But let’s take a deeper 360-degree view of your situation.

Below is a detailed plan, broken into simple sections for better clarity.



Assessment of Your Current ULIP Investment

You're investing Rs. 10,000 per month in a 7-year ULIP.



ULIPs mix insurance with investment. That reduces the growth power of your money.



Charges like premium allocation, fund management, and mortality charges reduce returns.



Your actual invested amount is much lower in the first few years.



ULIPs have limited flexibility in fund switching and partial withdrawal rules.



Maturity benefits are taxed if the annual premium exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh. Be cautious of this.



A ULIP is not ideal for education goals or long-term wealth building.



As a Certified Financial Planner, I suggest surrendering this policy and moving funds to mutual funds.



You can continue till 5 years to avoid surrender charges if already started.



But do not renew after the 7-year term. Don't increase contributions in this ULIP.



Planning for Your Child’s Higher Education

Your child is 6 years old. You have around 11-12 years.



College education in India or abroad can cost Rs. 30–60 lakhs or more.



Instead of ULIPs, invest in diversified mutual funds. This will give better inflation-adjusted returns.



Use a mix of large cap, flexi cap and small cap mutual funds.



Start SIPs in these funds with a long-term horizon of 10-12 years.



You may also consider goal-based child education funds that are actively managed.



Don't invest in direct funds. They look cheaper, but don’t offer guidance.



Always invest through a Certified Financial Planner via a regular plan.



Your investment will stay aligned with your goal as the planner will guide with rebalancing.



Use a dedicated SIP only for child’s education goal. Don’t merge it with retirement planning.



Suggested Action Plan for Child’s Education

Shift future contributions from ULIP to SIPs in active funds.



Start with Rs. 20,000 per month SIP only for education.



Review this SIP every year and increase it by 10%-15% annually.



Add lump sums like bonuses or yearly increments into the same goal fund.



In the last 2 years before the education goal, shift to debt funds slowly.



This will protect your accumulated amount from equity volatility.



Investment Plan for Your Wife (Age 38)

She has a long horizon. She can invest for both retirement and her independent needs.



Open a separate mutual fund folio in her name.



Start SIPs in flexi cap, large & midcap, and hybrid funds in regular plans.



You can start with Rs. 10,000 per month and increase gradually.



You may also use her PPF account for additional tax-free corpus.



Avoid investing in gold, insurance policies, or real estate for her.



Ensure she has her own health insurance and a term insurance if she’s working.



If she’s not working, then create an emergency fund in her name.



That gives her independence and safety if she needs cash.



Family Protection with Insurance

You did not mention your term cover. You must have it if not already.



Ideal cover should be 15–20 times your yearly income.



ULIPs or LIC endowment policies should not be considered for protection.



Avoid investment-linked insurance plans. Keep insurance and investment separate.



Review your existing insurance covers. Add riders like critical illness and accident if needed.



Tax Efficient Planning

Use Section 80C wisely. Don’t just rely on ULIP or LIC plans.



Max out PPF, ELSS mutual funds, and children tuition for tax saving.



Invest in actively managed ELSS funds for better returns than ULIPs.



Avoid index funds for tax planning. They may underperform in volatile markets.



Debt funds are taxed as per slab now. Use carefully if short horizon.



Track capital gains if you sell mutual funds. Use new tax rules for equity funds:



  - LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

  

  - STCG taxed at 20%



Plan redemptions well in advance to manage taxes efficiently.



Retirement Planning (For You and Wife)

Start a separate SIP for your retirement corpus. Do not merge with other goals.



You have 17 years for retirement. That’s good for wealth accumulation.



Invest in a mix of actively managed flexi-cap and large-cap funds.



Add hybrid funds to reduce volatility as you near retirement.



Continue EPF, and increase VPF if possible. It is tax-free and safe.



Don't consider NPS if liquidity is important. Maturity rules are rigid.



Use mutual funds with regular advice to stay on track till age 60.



Exit ULIPs and Poor Insurance Products

You mentioned TATA AIA ULIP. Continue for 5 years to avoid penalty.



After that, exit and move funds to SIP in mutual funds.



If you or wife have LIC endowment, Jeevan Saral, or ULIPs, surrender them.



Reinvest maturity amount into SIPs in regular mutual fund plans.



Do not fall for insurance agents who pitch plans as tax saving or guaranteed.



Emergency Fund and Liquidity

Keep at least 6 months of family expenses in a liquid mutual fund.



Don’t use your SIP or education fund as emergency source.



You may open a separate savings bank linked sweep account for this.



This fund will help if there is any job loss, health issue, or urgent need.



What Not to Do

Don’t invest in new ULIPs or insurance-linked plans.



Avoid direct mutual fund investments. You won’t get guided rebalancing.



Do not use your child’s education fund for house down payment.



Don’t pick index funds. They underperform in sideways or bear markets.



Don’t buy land or gold as an investment for your goals.



Final Insights

You are at a very strategic life stage. You have time and income strength.



ULIPs will not help you grow wealth. Shift to goal-based mutual fund SIPs.



Separate goals: child education, your retirement, wife’s security, and emergencies.



Invest only through a Certified Financial Planner for customised long-term support.



Review all goals every year. Increase SIPs with income.



Protect family with pure term insurance and health insurance.



Focus on building wealth in regular mutual funds, not through insurance products.



Real financial freedom comes when goals are funded without stress.



You have a clear head start. Use it with discipline and right guidance.



Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...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.

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