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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8511 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 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
SANDEEP Question by SANDEEP on Oct 09, 2023Hindi
Listen
Money

i am 51 year old. I am investing 10000 through sip from last 3 year. I am investing in 2000 in HDFC small cap fund, 2000 in SBI blue chip fund growth, 2000 in icici blue chip fund growth, 2000 HDFC TOP FUND GROWTH, 2000 in HSBC MIDCAP FUND. I am investing for my retirement. Should i continuous or change my portfolio . Kindly suggest

Ans: Given your investment horizon for retirement, it's crucial to periodically review your portfolio to ensure alignment with your goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions. Here are some considerations:

Diversification: Evaluate if your portfolio adequately diversifies across different asset classes, sectors, and fund types to mitigate risk.

Performance: Assess the performance of each fund relative to its benchmark and peers over the long term. Consistency and resilience during market fluctuations are essential.

Risk Profile: Consider the risk profile of each fund and ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and investment objectives. Small-cap and mid-cap funds tend to be more volatile than large-cap funds.

Fund Manager Track Record: Evaluate the track record and experience of the fund managers managing your investments.

Expense Ratio: Keep an eye on the expense ratios of the funds, as lower expenses can positively impact returns over the long term.

Market Conditions: Stay informed about macroeconomic trends, market valuations, and regulatory changes that could affect your investments.

Based on these factors, you may consider consulting a financial advisor to review your portfolio and make adjustments if necessary. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual circumstances and help you stay on track to achieve your retirement goals.
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  |8511 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 14, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hello sir i am 32 years old and currently investing via SIP mode. From last 3 years i am investing 2200 in motilal Oswal S&P 500 index fund, 2500 in navi nifty 50 (i have stopped this sip and instead started 2500 in parag flexi cab as navi 50 was overlapping by 70% in parag), 2500 in quant small cap, 2000 in axis small cap, just started daily sip of 50 rs in icici muti cap fund. I am also thinking of investing 2k more in quant flexi cap. Kindly suggest any modifications or your thoughts about this portfolio for atleast my attaining 55 years.
Ans: It sounds like you have a diversified portfolio with exposure to various segments of the market, which is generally a good approach for long-term investing. Here are some thoughts and suggestions:

Asset Allocation: You seem to have a tilt towards equity funds, which is fine if you have a long investment horizon and high risk tolerance. However, make sure you have a suitable allocation to debt or other less volatile assets depending on your risk appetite and financial goals.
Review Overlapping Funds: You mentioned that you stopped SIP in Navi Nifty 50 as it overlapped with Parag Flexi Cap. It's essential to avoid redundancy in your portfolio to ensure efficient diversification. Make sure you're not overly exposed to similar holdings across different funds.
Expense Ratios: Check the expense ratios of the funds you're investing in. Lower expense ratios can significantly impact your returns over the long term, so opt for funds with competitive expense ratios.
Regular Review: Periodically review your portfolio's performance and relevance to your financial goals. Rebalancing may be necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation and risk level.
Consider International Exposure: You're investing in domestic equity funds. Depending on your risk appetite and diversification goals, you might consider adding an international equity fund for broader exposure to global markets.
Emergency Fund and Other Investments: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund before investing heavily in mutual funds. Also, consider other investment options like PPF, FDs, or real estate depending on your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Tax Planning: Be mindful of the tax implications of your investments, especially if you're investing in equity funds. Understand the taxation rules regarding capital gains, dividends, and the impact on your overall tax liability.
Seek Professional Advice: If you're unsure about any aspect of your investment strategy or need personalized advice based on your financial situation and goals, consider consulting with a financial advisor.
Remember, investing is a long-term journey, and staying disciplined, diversified, and informed are key principles for success.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8511 Answers  |Ask -

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

Listen
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  |8511 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 01, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 25 ..I have started SIP of 17000 per month in the following funds - 4000 in HDFC index S and P BSE sensex fund 4000 in paragh parikh flexi cap 3400 - kotak equity opportunities fund 2600 - quant small cap fund 3000 - nippon india small cap I want to remain invested for atleast 30 years from now..Is my portfolio ok or any changes is to be done? kindly suggest your valuable opinion.
Ans: It's great to see you taking proactive steps towards investing at such a young age. Let's review your portfolio and see if any adjustments are needed for your long-term financial goals:

Diversification:
Your portfolio consists of a mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and small-cap funds, which provides diversification across different segments of the market.
This diversified approach can help mitigate risk and capture growth opportunities across various market conditions.
Long-Term Horizon:
With a investment horizon of at least 30 years, you have a significant advantage of benefiting from the power of compounding and weathering market fluctuations.
It's essential to stay invested for the long term and avoid reacting to short-term market volatility, as this can hinder the growth potential of your investments.
Reviewing Fund Selection:
Consider reviewing the performance and consistency of the funds in your portfolio periodically to ensure they continue to align with your investment objectives.
Keep an eye on the fund managers' track record, expense ratios, and portfolio composition to assess if any changes are warranted.
Asset Allocation:
While your current allocation seems well-diversified, you may want to consider increasing exposure to mid-cap or multi-cap funds over time to potentially enhance returns.
However, ensure you maintain a balanced approach and avoid overconcentration in any particular sector or asset class.
Regular Monitoring:
Stay updated with market trends, economic indicators, and fund performance to make informed decisions about your investments.
Rebalance your portfolio periodically to realign with your risk tolerance and investment goals, especially as you progress towards your long-term objectives.
Overall, your portfolio appears well-structured for long-term wealth accumulation. Keep up the discipline of regular investing and stay focused on your financial goals. Consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  |76 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on May 25, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 23, 2025
Money
I am 42 years and My husband is 45, We both are running a Sofa manufacturing factory.We have 2 kids 1 is in grade 6 and another is 3.5 years old. We don't have any EMI,I have saved money to both of my children 6 lakhs each in FD. Myself and my husband have saved around 30 lakhs which we have kept in FD, we have health insurance and 5 lakhs I have invested in ICICI mutual funds. We have our own house, car which are EMI free. Since too much competition in Sofa industry gradually business has gone down . If we decide to close our factory how much money should I have in my account to lead happy and tension free retirement life or what should we do know to have a good life.
Ans: Dear Friend,
You're in a strong financial position—no EMIs, own home, and decent savings. At 42 and 45, with two young children, you still have 10–15 years to earn and build wealth for a peaceful retirement actively.
You're financially stable with ?30L in FDs, ?12L saved for kids, and ?5L in mutual funds. But if you plan to close your factory, assess alternate income sources or part-time work. To retire comfortably, aim to build a corpus of ?3–4 crore over the next 15 years through a mix of equity mutual funds (SIP ?50–70k/month), PPF, and targeted investments for your kids' higher education. Keep 1–2 years of expenses in liquid funds. Since you’re debt-free, focus on maximising savings and generating passive income to ensure a tension-free retired life.
Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

...Read more

Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  |76 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on May 25, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 23, 2025
Money
Hi Financial Guru's I am 32 and my wife 30 years old (no kids) earning 4L/mnth and also we have 1.3L/mnth of rental income , total 5.3L/mnth post taxation We have a home loan of 2.2 cr currently for 29 years old at 7.5% intrest Our goal is to close the home loan and create enough savings to retire at the age of 45 without worrying about the study of a kid. We are expecting to spend 1L/mnth once we reach age of 45, Based on our current spends trend ( also adding the inflation and educational expenses of a kid) Please Advise us the mode and the amount required to save to achieve this target of ours before we reach 45. Currently we don't have any savings of our own in any form.
Ans: Dear Friend,
You have a strong foundation with a combined monthly income of ? 5.3 L and a clear goal to retire by 45. Prioritise building an emergency fund of ?10–15 L first. Then, the monthly surplus (after expenses and EMIs) will be split between aggressive investments (70% in equity mutual funds/SIPs) and moderate options like PPF or NPS (30%). Target building a retirement corpus of ?6–7 crore by 45, which can support ?1L/month inflation-adjusted expenses. Simultaneously, prepay your home loan aggressively—aim to close it in 10–12 years by channeling bonuses/rent. Use term/life insurance and plan for your child’s education via dedicated SIPs. Disciplined investing is key to achieving your goals. Advice is to meet a Financial Advisor and create your life and goal plan.
Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5066 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 25, 2025

Career
Sir i got 96 percentile and iam a girl with general ews category abd i need cse in top universities so please suggest sir
Ans: Yogitha, Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main/Advanced Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Have some other options also as back-ups instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admission and a bright future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...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