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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7279 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 13, 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 - May 09, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hello My name is Dr Ali.I am investing close to 35 k every month in S.I.P. My portfolio is bandhan small cap 9000 P.M,Icici infrastructure fund7000and the remaining amount of 20 k is distributed between 11 funds in which average amount is 1000 and the fund includes icici business cycle,axis gold, Motilal oswal small cap 250, Franklin build India, Nippon small india icici pharma and healthcare,mirae assets large,small cap etc.I took so many funds to diversify my portfolio my aim is to invest at least 30 years more.My questions is should i reduce my portfolio or continue with it

Ans: Assessment of Your Investment Portfolio

Understanding Your Current Situation

Dr. Ali, your commitment to investing is commendable. Your portfolio reflects a well-thought-out strategy aiming for long-term growth. By investing in Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), you are adopting a disciplined approach towards wealth accumulation.

Analyzing Portfolio Composition

Your portfolio comprises various funds, including small-cap, infrastructure, and diversified equity funds. Diversification is a wise move to spread risk across different asset classes and sectors. However, having eleven funds with relatively small allocations might lead to over-diversification, diluting potential returns.

Evaluation of Fund Selection

The funds you've chosen cover a spectrum of sectors, from cyclical businesses to gold and healthcare. While this diversification offers some protection against market volatility, it's essential to assess the performance of each fund periodically. Keep an eye on funds with consistent underperformance or high expenses.

Assessing Future Strategy

Given your long investment horizon of at least 30 years, staying invested in equity-oriented funds is appropriate. However, periodically reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio is crucial. Consider consolidating your holdings to fewer funds with stronger track records and potential for growth.

Recommendations for Portfolio Optimization

Consolidation: Consider consolidating your portfolio by trimming down the number of funds. Focus on high-performing funds with proven track records and aligned with your risk appetite and investment goals.

Regular Review: Conduct periodic reviews of your portfolio's performance and market conditions. Make adjustments as necessary to stay on track towards your long-term objectives.

Professional Guidance: Consider seeking assistance from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who can provide personalized advice based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market dynamics.

Final Words of Encouragement

Dr. Ali, your commitment to investing is commendable. By staying disciplined and adapting your strategy as needed, you're positioning yourself for long-term financial success. Remember, investing is a journey, and periodic adjustments are part of the process.

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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on May 30, 2022

Listen
Money
I am 42. Up to now I have very little investment. One and half years back I started following SIP and lump sum investment in MF along with I have mediclaim policy for 10 lakh for my family.  1. Axis Midcap Fund regular growth: 1500 per month 2. Kotak Emerging equity fund growth (Regular): 1500 per month 3. SBI small cap fund regular growth: 2000 pre month 4. Canara robeco emerging Equities regular growth: 2000 per month 5. SBI balanced advantage fund regular growth: 1,50,000 Lump Sum 6. Kotak balanced AF Regular growth: 1,50,000 Lump Sum\ 7. Canara Robeco Ultra short term fund regular growth: 1,00,000 Lump sum 8. Kotak Saving Fund GRowth regular: 1,00,000 Lump Sum 9. UTI floater fund regular growth: 1,00,000 Lump SUm 10. Rs. 30,000 Shares Of Reliance Industries for long term 11. Rs. 25,000 Shares of Tata Motor for the long term.  12. Sukanya Samrudhi Account: 4000 per month All funds are in negative now. All this investment I have made for the long term. I want to know your expert advice if I should continue with this portfolio as all SIPs and MFs are regular and all SIPs are small cap funds. 
Ans: Please continue

I have only one daughter; she is 10. So apart from this I want to invest additional 5000 per month SIP for at least 10 years for her higher education. Kindly guide me for direct SIP looking at my age and purpose.

You may consider these funds:

  • Axis Esg Equity Fund - Growth
  • Uti Flexi Cap Fund -growth
  • Samco Flexi Cap Fund - Growth
  • Hdfc Index Fund - Sensex Plan - Growth

..Read more

Moneywize

Moneywize   |174 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Apr 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 19, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Could you please review my portfolio and recommend if I need to prune some of these, or add new ones, or continue investing in the same funds? Here are my funds and SIPs: * Kotak flexi cap fund * Nippon India low duration fund * Sbi blue chip fund * Sundaram focused fund * Tata mid cap growth fund * Uti nifty 500 value 50 index fund * Uti mid cap fund * Sbi infrastructure fund I am investing Rs 8,000 in each of these funds through SIPs.
Ans: Here's the analysis of your portfolio and recommendations:

1. Kotak Flexi Cap Fund: This is a diversified equity fund that invests across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. It's generally a good choice for long-term wealth creation due to its flexibility in picking stocks across market capitalisations. Given its track record and flexibility, it's a solid choice for your portfolio.

2. Nippon India Low Duration Fund: This fund is a debt fund that aims for stable returns by investing in a mix of short-term debt and money market instruments. It's a good choice for diversification and for managing the risk of your overall portfolio. It provides stability and can act as a counterbalance to the volatility of equity funds.

3. SBI Blue Chip Fund: This is a large-cap equity fund that invests in well-established, blue-chip companies. It's suitable for investors looking for stability and moderate growth. Since you already have exposure to large caps through this fund, you may consider whether you want to further diversify into other segments.

4. Sundaram Focused Fund: This fund focuses on a concentrated portfolio of stocks, typically around 25-30 stocks. It aims to generate alpha by investing in high-conviction ideas. While concentrated funds can potentially offer higher returns, they also carry higher risk due to the limited diversification. Consider whether you're comfortable with this level of risk in your portfolio.

5. Tata Mid Cap Growth Fund: Mid-cap funds like this one invest in stocks of mid-sized companies with high growth potential. They can be more volatile than large-cap funds but offer the potential for higher returns over the long term. Given its focus on mid-caps, it complements your large-cap investments well.

6. UTI Nifty 500 Value 50 Index Fund: This index fund tracks the Nifty 500 Value 50 Index, which comprises 50 stocks selected from the Nifty 500 index based on value investing principles. It's a good choice for passive investors seeking exposure to fundamentally strong, undervalued companies across market capitalisations.

7. UTI Mid Cap Fund: This fund specifically targets mid-cap stocks, similar to the Tata Mid Cap Growth Fund. Since you already have exposure to mid-caps through the Tata Fund, you may consider whether you want to maintain duplicate exposure to this segment or consolidate your mid-cap investments into a single fund.

8. SBI Infrastructure Fund: This fund focuses on the infrastructure sector, which can offer growth opportunities but also comes with sector-specific risks. It's suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite and a bullish outlook on the infrastructure sector.

Overall, your portfolio appears well-diversified across different asset classes and market segments. However, you might want to consider pruning some redundancy, such as whether you need both SBI Infrastructure Fund and Tata Mid Cap Growth Fund, or UTI Mid Cap Fund and Sundaram Focused Fund.

Additionally, periodically review the performance and consistency of each fund to ensure they continue to align with your investment goals and risk tolerance. Consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalised advice tailored to your specific financial situation and objectives.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7279 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 17, 2024Hindi
Money
Question on Financial Planning: I am 53 years old and took retirement in 2023, a year ago. I have a corpus of approximately ?20 crores allocated as follows: ?6.5 crores in stocks ?5 crores in mutual funds ?5 crores in debt instruments ?2 crores in gold ?1.8 crores in a savings bank account** (to cover the next 12 years of household expenses). My monthly expenses are approximately ?1 lakh, and I receive: ?70,000 per month as house rent (?8.4 lakhs annually) ?10 lakhs annually as dividends from stocks. I have allocated ?5 crores in debt instruments to fund the higher education of my two sons (expenses will arise after 1 year and after 4 years). My goal is to grow my equity portfolio over the next 12 years since I do not depend on it for my current monthly expenses. Additionally: I have adequate health insurance. I own properties worth ?7.5 crores. I have no liabilities. My query: Is my financial planning on track, or do you see any areas for improvement or correction? I am open to suggestions for optimizing my investments, especially considering my goals of equity growth, funding my sons' education, and maintaining a comfortable retirement.
Ans: Your financial planning reflects strong foresight and effective resource allocation. With a corpus of Rs. 20 crores and no liabilities, your position is financially stable. Let us evaluate your financial setup from a 360-degree perspective and suggest areas for optimisation.

Assessment of Current Allocations
Equity Portfolio: Stocks (Rs. 6.5 Crores)
Your equity allocation reflects a growth-oriented approach.
A diversified stock portfolio is ideal for long-term growth.
Ensure the portfolio is well-balanced across sectors and market capitalisations.
Mutual Funds (Rs. 5 Crores)
Mutual funds provide diversification and professional management.
Review the fund categories to maintain a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.
Regular performance reviews are essential to optimise returns.
Debt Instruments (Rs. 5 Crores)
Allocating Rs. 5 crores for your sons’ education is prudent.
Ensure the debt investments are in low-risk instruments like bonds or fixed deposits.
Laddering maturity dates aligns well with your sons’ educational timelines.
Gold (Rs. 2 Crores)
Gold provides stability during market volatility.
Keep it as a hedge against inflation but avoid further allocation to this asset.
Savings Account (Rs. 1.8 Crores)
Holding Rs. 1.8 crores for 12 years of expenses is a cautious approach.
Move a part of this amount into liquid funds for better returns with liquidity.
Income and Monthly Expenses
Rental Income (Rs. 8.4 Lakhs Annually)
Rental income covers 70% of your monthly expenses.
Ensure the rental property is well-maintained to sustain consistent returns.
Dividends (Rs. 10 Lakhs Annually)
Dividend income provides an additional safety net.
Reinvest surplus dividends into mutual funds for compounded growth.
Monthly Expenses (Rs. 1 Lakh)
Your monthly expenses are comfortably managed.
Maintain a contingency fund of at least Rs. 20-25 lakhs for unexpected costs.
Recommendations for Optimising Equity Portfolio
Focus on Quality Stocks

Prioritise stocks of companies with strong fundamentals and consistent earnings.
Avoid overexposure to any single sector or company.
Systematic Equity Investments

Add to your equity portfolio gradually through Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).
This reduces market timing risks.
Regular Portfolio Review

Review the equity portfolio annually.
Exit underperforming stocks and reallocate to high-growth opportunities.
Enhancing Mutual Fund Returns
Diversify Fund Selection

Include funds with different strategies to maximise returns.
A Certified Financial Planner can help identify high-performing funds.
Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Regular funds offer advisory support for timely rebalancing.
This helps navigate market volatility effectively.
Utilise Tax-Efficient Withdrawals

Plan withdrawals systematically to reduce tax liability on capital gains.
Debt Instruments: Securing Educational Goals
Low-Risk Instruments for Predictable Returns

Allocate funds to secure options like government bonds, fixed deposits, or debt mutual funds.
Match the maturity timelines with educational milestones.
Avoid Premature Withdrawals

Breaking long-term debt investments can reduce returns.
Use other funds for emergencies to protect this allocation.
Optimising Gold Allocation
Retain as a Hedge

Gold should form no more than 10% of your portfolio.
Avoid further investments unless there are specific requirements.
Leverage Gold for Liquidity

Gold-backed loans can provide temporary liquidity if needed.
Savings Account Allocation
Move Funds to Liquid Investments

Savings account returns are suboptimal for such a large balance.
Move funds into liquid funds for higher returns and liquidity.
Emergency Fund Segregation

Retain Rs. 50 lakhs for immediate emergencies.
Invest the rest in short-term debt instruments or liquid funds.
Maintaining a Comfortable Retirement
Healthcare Planning

Ensure health insurance policies are adequate for critical illnesses.
Maintain a separate corpus for medical emergencies.
Contingency Fund Maintenance

Keep Rs. 20-25 lakhs readily accessible for unforeseen expenses.
Review this fund periodically to adjust for inflation.
Estate Planning

Draft a will to avoid disputes and ensure smooth wealth transfer.
Assign nominees for all investments and properties.
Taxation Considerations
Equity Taxation

Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakhs are taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt Taxation

Debt instruments are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Choose tax-efficient options like tax-free bonds if needed.
Dividend Income

Dividends are taxed at your marginal income tax rate.
Reinvest dividends for tax-efficient growth.
Final Insights
Your financial plan is well-structured and aligns with your goals. However, optimising your equity and mutual fund allocations can enhance growth potential. Move idle funds from your savings account into liquid investments for better returns. Review and rebalance your portfolio periodically with the help of a Certified Financial Planner. Your current strategy provides a secure foundation for funding education, retirement, and wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7279 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Money
Hello Sir.. I am 44 years old and don't have any investment but now wanted to invest in limited SIP and can invest 30K every month onwards for next 10 years Please suggest what amount and which SIP should I select?
Ans: At 44 years of age, investing Rs. 30,000 monthly for the next 10 years can help you build a substantial corpus. The plan will ensure wealth creation while maintaining a balance between risk and return. Let’s analyse the best approach for your financial journey.

Setting the Foundation: Your Investment Goals and Risk Appetite
Define Clear Goals

List your financial goals: retirement, children’s education, or wealth creation.
This helps in aligning investments with timelines and objectives.
Understand Your Risk Tolerance

At 44, you have a medium-term horizon of 10 years.
A mix of aggressive and moderate risk funds suits this duration.
Plan for Diversification

Diversification reduces risks and optimises returns.
Split investments into large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and hybrid funds.
Optimal Monthly Allocation of Rs. 30,000
Large-Cap Funds (Rs. 7,500)

Focus on stability with established companies.
Large-cap funds are resilient during market volatility.
Large and Mid-Cap Funds (Rs. 6,000)

Combine stability with moderate growth potential.
These funds are ideal for medium-term horizons.
Flexi-Cap Funds (Rs. 6,000)

Flexi-cap funds invest across market capitalisations.
They balance risk and growth, making them versatile.
Mid-Cap Funds (Rs. 5,000)

Mid-cap funds offer higher growth potential.
Invest for higher returns with a manageable level of risk.
ELSS Tax-Saving Funds (Rs. 5,500)

These funds provide tax benefits under Section 80C.
ELSS has a lock-in of 3 years and offers equity-like growth.
Benefits of SIP Investing
Rupee Cost Averaging

SIPs buy more units when markets fall and fewer when they rise.
This reduces the overall cost of investment over time.
Power of Compounding

Compounding grows wealth exponentially when you stay invested.
Reinvestment of returns boosts your corpus significantly.
Market Discipline

SIPs promote regular investments irrespective of market movements.
This ensures systematic wealth accumulation.
Active Fund Management Over Index Funds
Why Actively Managed Funds?

Actively managed funds outperform index funds over the long term.
Professional fund managers adapt to market trends effectively.
Drawbacks of Index Funds

Index funds lack flexibility during market downturns.
They mirror the index, limiting growth opportunities in bearish phases.
Benefits of Regular Plans with CFP Guidance

Regular plans come with advisory support and regular portfolio reviews.
A Certified Financial Planner ensures optimal fund selection and rebalancing.
Monitoring and Rebalancing Investments
Annual Portfolio Review

Review fund performance every year to ensure alignment with goals.
Replace underperforming funds promptly with better alternatives.
Asset Allocation Rebalancing

Adjust equity and debt exposure based on market conditions.
Move to safer options in the later years as you near your goal.
Tax-Efficient Withdrawals

Plan withdrawals systematically to minimise tax liabilities.
Use systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs) for tax-efficient regular income.
Building a Medical Corpus for Contingencies
Separate Health Fund

Allocate a part of savings for medical emergencies.
Health-related costs should not disturb your investment goals.
Health Insurance Optimisation

Even if health coverage is minimal, top-up plans can reduce financial stress.
Use your investment surplus for medical contingencies if needed.
Taxation of Mutual Funds
Equity Funds

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
STCG is taxed at 20%.
Debt Funds

Gains are taxed based on your income tax slab.
Debt funds are best for risk-averse investors nearing retirement.
Tax-Saving ELSS Funds

ELSS investments help you save taxes under Section 80C.
They provide dual benefits of tax savings and long-term growth.
Preparing for Long-Term Financial Independence
Retirement Focus

Allocate part of your corpus to retirement.
Ensure a balance between immediate goals and post-retirement needs.
Emergency Fund Creation

Build a corpus for at least six months of expenses.
Keep it in a savings account or liquid fund for easy access.
Nomination and Will

Assign nominees for all investments.
Create a legally valid will to avoid complications in asset transfer.
Final Insights
Investing Rs. 30,000 monthly through SIPs is a disciplined approach to wealth creation. Diversify investments into equity-oriented funds for growth and tax-saving funds for benefits. Periodically review and adjust your portfolio for better results. Seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner to ensure that your investments align with your long-term goals.

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.

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