Should I continue my SIP in Nippon India Banking & Financial Fund after 10 years?

Ans: You have been diligently investing in a thematic fund for 10 years, which has shown significant growth. Your invested amount of Rs 7 lakhs has grown to Rs 21 lakhs, with a XIRR of 16%. While this performance is commendable, it's natural to explore other funds that may offer better returns in today’s market.

Now, the question arises: should you continue with this fund or switch to another?

Let’s break down the key points that will help you make an informed decision.

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Thematic Funds: Strengths and Limitations
Thematic funds, like the one you’ve invested in, are sector-specific. In your case, it focuses on the banking and financial sector. Such funds can offer high returns when their sector is performing well. However, they are also more volatile and risky compared to diversified funds, as they depend heavily on one sector.

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Why Thematic Funds Can Be Risky?
Sector Dependency: The performance of a thematic fund is directly tied to the performance of the sector it focuses on. If the banking sector faces any challenges, it can negatively impact your returns.

Limited Diversification: Unlike diversified equity funds, thematic funds do not spread your investment across various sectors. This increases risk because if one sector underperforms, the entire fund may struggle.

Given the cyclical nature of sectors like banking, there is always an inherent risk in continuing with such funds for the long term, especially if your goal is stable returns.

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Assessing the Current XIRR of 16%
While 16% XIRR may seem moderate when compared to some newer funds, it's important to remember that thematic funds are known for higher volatility. The question is whether this volatility aligns with your financial goals.

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Is 16% XIRR Good Enough?
Context Matters: The performance of your fund should be evaluated in the context of its sector and your risk appetite. While other funds might be giving higher returns today, thematic funds can sometimes outperform during sectoral booms.

Risk vs Reward: High returns always come with high risk. Are you comfortable with this level of risk for your goals? If you’re looking for stable and consistent returns, it might be worth reconsidering your exposure to thematic funds.

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The Need for SWP After One Year
You’ve mentioned that you will need a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from this investment after one year. This means you will start drawing a regular income from this mutual fund.

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Why SWP from a Thematic Fund May Not Be Ideal
Income Stability: Thematic funds can have fluctuating returns, which may not provide a consistent income for your SWP. Market dips can reduce your withdrawal amount or even erode the principal.

Tax Considerations: SWP from equity mutual funds will attract capital gains tax. If your gains exceed Rs 1.25 lakh, LTCG is taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains, if any, are taxed at 20%.

Given that you are planning an SWP, it may be prudent to consider switching to a fund that offers more stable and predictable returns.

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Exploring Better Alternatives
There are many actively managed mutual funds that offer better diversification and, potentially, higher returns. These funds are not limited to one sector and are better suited for both growth and stability.

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Why Actively Managed Funds Can Be a Better Choice?
Professional Management: Actively managed funds have a fund manager who selects stocks based on market conditions. This allows for better risk management compared to index or thematic funds.

Diversification: These funds invest across sectors, spreading the risk. You benefit from the growth of different industries, reducing the impact of any sector-specific downturns.

Consistent Returns: While thematic funds can offer high peaks, actively managed funds often provide more consistent growth over the long term.

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Why Not Choose Direct Funds?
Direct funds may seem appealing because they have a lower expense ratio. However, they require you to actively monitor and manage your investments.

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Benefits of Regular Funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Ongoing Guidance: Investing through a CFP ensures that your portfolio is regularly reviewed. A CFP can help you make timely adjustments based on market conditions.

Better Risk Management: Direct investors often miss key signals for rebalancing or exiting a fund. A CFP will ensure you make the most of market opportunities and avoid pitfalls.

Hassle-Free: With regular funds, you don’t need to worry about monitoring the market constantly. The planner does it for you.

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Your Next Steps
You have a few options going forward, each with its pros and cons. Here’s a balanced approach you could consider.

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Option 1: Stay with the Thematic Fund
Pros: You already have a significant corpus, and exiting now may attract capital gains tax.

Cons: High volatility, sector-specific risk, and unpredictable SWP income.

If you are comfortable with the risks, you can stay invested. But keep in mind that regular reviews are essential.

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Option 2: Switch to a More Diversified Fund
Pros: Better risk management, stable returns for your SWP, and potential for consistent growth.

Cons: You may have to pay LTCG tax when you exit your current fund.

This option is ideal if you want a balanced approach with more stability, especially for your SWP needs.

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Option 3: Partial Switch
Pros: You can switch part of your investment to a diversified fund while keeping a portion in the thematic fund.

Cons: You still face sector-specific risks for the portion you retain in the thematic fund.

This approach offers the best of both worlds—keeping some exposure to high-growth sectors while ensuring stability for SWP.

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Tax Implications of Switching
Before making any decisions, consider the tax impact of switching funds. When you exit your current thematic fund, LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains, if any, will be taxed at 20%. Calculate your potential tax liability and weigh it against the benefits of switching.

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Final Insights
Your investment in a thematic fund has grown well over the past 10 years. However, it’s essential to assess whether this fund aligns with your current goals, especially with your upcoming need for an SWP.

While a XIRR of 16% is reasonable, there are other funds that may offer better stability and consistent returns, especially for generating regular income. Actively managed funds can provide diversification and reduce sector-specific risks.

Consider working with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to review your options. Whether you choose to stay, switch, or partially switch, regular monitoring is crucial.

In your case, stability and a consistent SWP should be a priority. So, shifting to a more balanced and diversified approach may be wise.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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