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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8259 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 11, 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 28, 2024Hindi
Money

Dear Sir, I am 55 years old working in private company. I am investing in following MF monthly, Nippon Small Cap - 10000, Axis Small cap - 10000, HSBC Mid Cap - 10000, ICICI Equity & Debt - 15000, Franklin India Prima fund - 15000, HDFC Balanaced Advantage - 20000. My current MF value is Rs. 1.34 Crores. Apart from this i have invested in Stocks - 36 Lac, PF - 45 Lac, NPS - 22 Lac, FD - 35 Lac. I have taken Health Insurance. I require around 40 Lac for my daughter marriage. 1. I want to know whether my MF portfolio is good to continue or any changes to be made for better return. 2. I will be retiring in 3 years. How i need manage my funds / invest further to achieve 5 Crores retirement fund.

Ans: You've done a commendable job with your investments. Balancing between mutual funds, stocks, PF, NPS, and FDs is impressive. Your dedication to securing your daughter's marriage fund and planning for retirement shows foresight and responsibility. Let's analyze and optimize your portfolio for the best possible returns.

Current Mutual Fund Portfolio

Your current mutual fund investments are diversified across various categories. This includes small cap, mid cap, equity & debt, and balanced advantage funds. Each type serves a unique purpose, balancing risk and return.

Small Cap Funds

Small cap funds have high growth potential but come with significant risk. Your investments in Nippon Small Cap and Axis Small Cap Funds are great for high returns over the long term. Given your proximity to retirement, it might be wise to reduce exposure to mitigate risk.

Mid Cap Funds

Mid cap funds like HSBC Mid Cap offer a balance between risk and return. They can provide substantial growth but are less volatile than small cap funds. Keeping a portion in mid cap is sensible, but consider reducing the allocation as you near retirement.

Equity & Debt Funds

ICICI Equity & Debt Fund provides a balanced approach, combining equity growth and debt stability. This fund type aligns well with your nearing retirement, offering moderate risk and steady returns.

Balanced Advantage Funds

HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund adjusts its allocation between equity and debt based on market conditions. This adaptability is beneficial for reducing risk while aiming for reasonable growth, making it suitable for pre-retirement phase.

Evaluation of the Portfolio

Diversification and Risk Management

Your portfolio is well-diversified across different fund types. However, considering your retirement in 3 years, a higher allocation towards stable, low-risk investments would be prudent. Shifting from high-risk small and mid cap funds to more stable options can protect your corpus.

Performance and Returns

Active funds have the potential to outperform the market. Your selection of actively managed funds is excellent. Regular monitoring and occasional rebalancing can enhance performance. Consult your Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice.

Strategies for Future Investments
Risk Reduction

As retirement approaches, prioritize capital preservation. Gradually move funds from high-risk to low-risk investments. Consider increasing allocation in debt funds and balanced advantage funds. These provide stability and consistent returns.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)

Implementing an SWP post-retirement ensures a steady income while keeping your investments growing. Plan withdrawals from your corpus strategically to balance between immediate needs and long-term growth.

Power of Compounding

Continue leveraging the power of compounding. Even conservative investments can grow significantly over time. Start transitioning funds early to maximize compound interest benefits while minimizing risks.

Managing Your Other Investments
Stocks

Your Rs 36 lakh in stocks should be evaluated for risk and return. Diversify across stable, high-dividend stocks to generate regular income. Consider reducing exposure to volatile stocks.

Provident Fund (PF)

Your PF of Rs 45 lakh is a substantial and safe retirement corpus. Continue contributions and leverage tax benefits. This fund provides a secure foundation for your retirement.

National Pension System (NPS)

With Rs 22 lakh in NPS, you have a tax-efficient retirement tool. Continue maximizing contributions. NPS offers a mix of equity and debt, providing growth with stability. Consider shifting allocation towards safer options as you near retirement.

Fixed Deposits (FD)

Your Rs 35 lakh in FDs ensures liquidity and safety. Continue using FDs for emergency funds and short-term needs. They offer guaranteed returns, aligning well with your low-risk strategy.

Planning for Your Daughter's Marriage
Marriage Fund Allocation

You need Rs 40 lakh for your daughter’s marriage. Keep this fund in low-risk, highly liquid investments. Short-term debt funds, FDs, or high-interest savings accounts are ideal. Avoid equity exposure for this goal due to market volatility.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

If you haven't already, consider SIPs for a targeted marriage fund. SIPs in debt funds or balanced funds can help accumulate the required amount steadily. Regular contributions will build a substantial corpus by the time needed.

Achieving Your Rs 5 Crore Retirement Goal
Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Shift focus from high-risk to low-risk investments. Increase allocation in debt funds, balanced advantage funds, and other stable options. This transition should start now to align with your retirement timeline.

Increasing Contributions

Maximize your contributions to PF and NPS. Both offer tax benefits and long-term growth. Utilize any available tax-saving schemes to boost your retirement corpus.

Professional Guidance

Regularly consult your CFP. Their expertise will help you navigate market changes, optimize your portfolio, and ensure you stay on track towards your Rs 5 crore goal.

Regular Review

Conduct annual reviews of your portfolio. Adjust based on performance, market conditions, and your changing needs. Stay informed about economic trends and investment opportunities.

Final Insights
You've built a robust and diversified portfolio. Transitioning from high-risk to low-risk investments as you near retirement is crucial. Protecting your capital while ensuring steady growth will help achieve your Rs 5 crore retirement fund.

Stay disciplined with your investment strategy. Regularly consult your CFP for personalized advice. With careful planning and smart adjustments, you can secure a comfortable and financially stable retirement.

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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Increase SIP Contributions: Consider increasing your SIP amounts in high-performing funds like Parag Parikh Flexi Cap and PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund, which have shown good potential for long-term growth.

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Hi Sir I’m 39 Male. I’m investing in MF from start of this year for buying a house and for retirement. I’m planning to invest long for next 15-20 yrs. Also I have 3-4 loans which will get finished next year 2025 end. So I’m planning to start increase my MF amount considerably. Please review my portfolio and let me know if I have to remove, add or make any changes Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 fund direct growth 1500 PM UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund 1000 PM ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Direct Growth 1000 PM HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth 1000 PM HDFC Midcap Oppurtunities Fund Direct Plan Growth 1000 PM AXIS Small Cap Fund Direct Growth 1000 PM JM Value Fund Direct Growth 1000 PM Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Direct 1000 PM Nippon India Corporate Bond Fund Direct Growth plan 1000 PM P2P investment 3500 PM for 3 yrs at 15% fixed return
Ans: It's excellent to see your commitment towards investing for both short-term goals like buying a house and long-term goals like retirement. Let's review your portfolio and suggest any adjustments:
1. Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 Fund Direct Growth: This fund provides exposure to the top 100 companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, offering diversification and growth potential in the global tech sector. It can be a suitable addition for long-term wealth accumulation.
2. UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund: Investing in an index fund like UTI Nifty 50 offers exposure to the top 50 companies in the Indian equity market. It provides stability and diversification, complementing your other equity investments.
3. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Direct Growth: Bluechip funds focus on large-cap stocks with strong fundamentals, making them relatively less volatile. It's a prudent choice for stability and capital preservation.
4. HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth: This fund dynamically manages its equity exposure based on market conditions, offering a blend of growth and downside protection. It can be suitable for investors seeking a balanced approach.
5. HDFC Midcap Opportunities Fund Direct Plan Growth and AXIS Small Cap Fund Direct Growth: These funds provide exposure to mid-cap and small-cap segments, respectively, offering growth potential but with higher volatility. Ensure you're comfortable with the risk associated with these segments.
6. JM Value Fund Direct Growth and Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Direct: Both these funds follow value investing principles and focus on investing in fundamentally sound companies at reasonable valuations. They can be suitable for long-term wealth creation.
7. Nippon India Corporate Bond Fund Direct Growth: Investing in a corporate bond fund provides stability and income generation through fixed-income securities. It's a prudent choice for diversification and managing risk.
8. P2P Investment: Peer-to-peer lending can offer attractive returns but comes with higher risk compared to traditional investments. Ensure you've assessed the risk-reward profile and have a diversified portfolio to mitigate risks.
Index Funds:
• Index funds offer broad market exposure by tracking a specific index, such as the Nifty 50 or the Nasdaq 100. They provide diversification and low-cost access to the market, making them suitable for long-term investors.
• However, index funds are passively managed, meaning they aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index rather than outperforming it. While this reduces management fees and turnover costs, it also limits the potential for alpha generation.
• As a result, index funds may not capture opportunities for outperformance during market upswings or provide downside protection during downturns. Investors seeking higher returns may prefer actively managed funds that aim to outperform the market through strategic stock selection and portfolio management.
Direct Funds:
• Direct funds allow investors to purchase mutual fund units directly from the asset management company, bypassing intermediaries like distributors or brokers. This can result in lower expense ratios compared to regular funds, as there are no distributor commissions involved.
• However, direct fund investors are responsible for conducting their own research, selecting suitable funds, and monitoring their investments. This requires a certain level of financial literacy and investment expertise to make informed decisions.
• On the other hand, investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who holds the necessary credentials and expertise can provide valuable guidance and support. A CFP can help investors navigate the complexities of the financial markets, select appropriate investment strategies, and optimize their portfolio allocations based on individual goals and risk tolerance.
Considering your investment portfolio, it's essential to evaluate the role of both index funds and direct funds in achieving your financial objectives. While index funds offer cost-effective market exposure, direct funds provide the potential for active management and outperformance.
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Ans: Priyanshi, Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main 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 | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
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.

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 admissions!

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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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