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Ramalingam Kalirajan |8098 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 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 - Oct 28, 2024Hindi

Hello Sir I am 36 yr Government employee, currently doing SIP of ?30,000 per month in MF with step up 10% and ?15,000 per month in EPF. Please review my portfolio. My MF portfolio today is 4 lakhs. My aim is long term for 15 years. My SIP details are:- 1. Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund -3000 2. ICICI Multi Asset -4000 3. Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid- 5000 4. Mahindra Multicap -4000 5. Quant Small Cap - 5000 6. SBI Contra- 5000 7. MO Nasdaq 100 FoF-3000 8. HDFC Midcap Index -5000 I also want to increase my SIP to 40000 per month please suggest any additional fund or in same funds. Please evalutate my funds and advise me on any changes in the funds. Thank you

Ans: Your portfolio has a mix of asset classes: large-cap, multi-asset, hybrid, multi-cap, small-cap, and sectoral funds. This blend gives you broad exposure across equity categories, aiming for balanced risk and return. Given your long-term horizon of 15 years, it’s great that you're invested in equity mutual funds as they are ideal for wealth creation over the long term.

General Recommendations on Index and Direct Funds

A notable aspect is your investment in index funds like Navi Nifty Fifty Index and HDFC Midcap Index. While index funds are low-cost, they only match the market returns and lack the flexibility to outperform in volatile markets. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, allow expert fund managers to tap into growth opportunities and better navigate market fluctuations, potentially boosting your returns.

Direct funds can seem attractive because of lower fees. However, managing them requires knowledge and time. By investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD), you gain guidance on fund selection and market dynamics. This approach saves time, reduces mistakes, and improves returns.

Review of Individual Funds in Your Portfolio

Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund: This index fund merely tracks the Nifty 50, offering market-average returns. Shifting to an actively managed large-cap fund could enhance your returns with expert management.

ICICI Multi-Asset: Multi-asset funds offer stability by diversifying across equity, debt, and gold. It's a good choice for balanced growth, particularly in volatile times.

Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid: This fund combines equity and debt, balancing risk and reward. Hybrid funds can be beneficial as they stabilize returns when equity markets are turbulent.

Mahindra Multicap: Multicap funds are excellent for broad market exposure. They balance investments across large, mid, and small-cap segments, aligning well with long-term wealth creation.

Quant Small Cap: Small-cap funds have high growth potential but come with greater risk. Over 15 years, they can add significant value, yet monitoring their performance is crucial.

SBI Contra: Contra funds invest based on contrarian strategies. They can perform well over the long term but may face extended periods of underperformance.

MO Nasdaq 100 FoF: International funds like Nasdaq 100 FoF offer exposure to the global tech market. However, they add currency risk and can be volatile. It’s a good addition but in moderation.

HDFC Midcap Index: Midcap index funds are riskier and don’t actively manage mid-cap volatility. You could consider an actively managed mid-cap fund for potentially higher returns.

Suggested Changes and Additional Investments

To further diversify, consider these refinements:

Replace Index Funds with Actively Managed Funds: Shifting from index to actively managed large and mid-cap funds could deliver higher growth. Actively managed funds allow seasoned managers to pick high-potential stocks.

Add a Balanced Large & Midcap Fund: A well-chosen large and midcap fund balances stability and growth. It provides exposure to the market's more reliable companies while capturing growth from mid-sized companies.

Consider Adding a Flexicap Fund: Flexicap funds give fund managers the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on market trends. They can maximize returns by adjusting allocations as per market conditions.

Increasing SIP to Rs. 40,000 Monthly

With your current SIP of Rs. 30,000 and plans to increase it to Rs. 40,000, it’s wise to allocate the extra Rs. 10,000 strategically across high-growth potential funds.

Allocate More to Multicap and Flexicap Funds: You can increase your investment in multicap and flexicap categories as they provide broader diversification and capitalize on all market segments.

Increase Allocation in Small Cap for High Growth: Since small caps generally perform well over long horizons, a small increase here can boost your portfolio returns. However, due to higher risk, limit your allocation to a balanced level.

Long-Term Tax Planning Considerations

Be mindful of capital gains tax implications:

Equity Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) over Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%. This tax structure affects your returns over time. Hence, a well-planned withdrawal strategy post-15 years can optimize tax savings.

Debt Allocation: If you invest in debt funds in the future, LTCG and STCG taxes will be as per your income tax slab. Long-term planning here ensures minimal tax impact on overall gains.

Key Insights for Your Long-Term Strategy

Stay Invested and Maintain Discipline: Sticking to your SIPs, especially with the step-up feature, accelerates wealth creation. The 10% annual SIP step-up will significantly enhance your investment corpus over 15 years.

Regular Reviews: Every 2–3 years, revisit your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner. This helps adjust to market changes, optimize asset allocation, and maintain growth.

Avoid Over-Concentration: Monitor your investments to avoid too much exposure in one category. Your diversified approach already reduces risk, but regular rebalancing ensures balanced exposure across categories.

Goal-Based Withdrawals: As you approach the 15-year mark, plan withdrawals gradually, considering both market conditions and tax efficiency. Redeeming in a phased manner avoids sudden tax burdens and market timing risks.

Final Insights

Your portfolio has a solid foundation for long-term growth. Adjusting allocations to reduce index funds and enhance active fund exposure will refine your strategy. With discipline, regular portfolio reviews, and smart fund selection, you can expect significant wealth creation over 15 years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

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.