Hello sir, All our corpos mostly 90% is in debt(in the form of FDR's, SSSC, LIC etc) and rest 10% in MF and ULIP. I am 32 years and my mother is 61 years. I am working professional in tier 2 city and mother is retired from government job. I am seeking a financial advice to balance out the investments in debt and want some exposure in equity by investing through MF's. We have a total of 3 cr in debt and approx 40 lacs in equity market. Please suggest us the suitable mix so that our corpus would also grow and expenses would also meet out. Our total expenses per month would be around 35 K. Please also suggest the names of mutual funds to start investing?? Regards, Bharat Manik

Ans:

Answer 1.

Answer 2. You may consider short duration funds, corporate bond funds and banking and PSU funds for debt investments

 

Ans:

Please be informed, that the Equity oriented schemes (Equity / Hybrid) come under high to very high risk categories and not moderate. Therefore, Hybrid balanced advantage can only be considered which has moderately high risk.

1. ICICI Pru Balanced advantage fund - Growth
2. Union Balanced advantage fund -- Growth
3. Tata Balanced advantage fund growth

For 6 to 12 months you may look at low duration funds as under:

1. Icici Prudential Savings Fund - Growth
2. Aditya Birla Sun Life Low Duration Fund - Growth-
3. Hdfc Low Duration Fund - Retail- Growth

Ans: You’ve wisely accumulated a significant corpus of Rs 60-70 lakhs. Now, you want to ensure this money continues to grow, provides inflation-beating returns, and does so with minimal risk. Your goal of achieving 9-10% returns in the short term, while aiming for better returns in the long term, is reasonable. As a retired person, maintaining a balance between growth and safety is crucial.

Let’s delve into your questions to help craft a suitable investment strategy.

Should You Invest Entirely in Mutual Funds?
Mutual funds offer diversification, professional management, and potential for good returns. Given your situation, investing the entire corpus in mutual funds could be a prudent move. However, balancing between equity and hybrid funds can help manage risks effectively.

1. Balancing Risk and Returns
Large-Cap Funds: These invest in well-established companies, offering stability with moderate growth. They are suitable for conservative investors seeking steady returns.

Multi-Cap Funds: These invest across companies of various sizes. They offer a mix of stability and growth potential, ideal for those with a balanced risk appetite.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds: These funds invest in a mix of equities and debt instruments. They offer a buffer against market volatility, making them suitable for retired investors like you.

Given your age and goals, a balanced approach with a mix of equity and hybrid funds seems appropriate. This can provide the growth you seek while managing risk.

Direct Equities vs. Mutual Funds
Investing directly in equities can offer higher returns, but it comes with higher risks. As a retired person, your focus should be on preserving capital while achieving reasonable growth.

1. Benefits of Mutual Funds Over Direct Equities
Professional Management: Mutual funds are managed by professionals who make informed decisions, reducing the risk of poor stock selection.

Diversification: Mutual funds spread investments across various sectors and companies, reducing the impact of any single stock's performance.

Convenience: Mutual funds require less time and expertise compared to managing a direct equity portfolio.

For someone in your position, relying on mutual funds instead of direct equities offers a safer, more convenient way to achieve your financial goals.

Ideal Portfolio Mix for You
Considering your objectives, here’s a suggested portfolio mix that balances risk and returns:

1. Large-Cap Funds (30-35% of Corpus)
Stability with Growth: Large-cap funds provide steady growth with relatively low risk. They invest in well-established companies that are less volatile.

Inflation-Beating Returns: These funds typically offer returns that outpace inflation, which is crucial for preserving your purchasing power.

Suggested Allocation: Invest Rs 18-24 lakhs in large-cap funds. This will form the stable core of your portfolio.

2. Multi-Cap or Flexi-Cap Funds (25-30% of Corpus)
Balanced Growth: Multi-cap funds offer a mix of large, mid, and small-cap stocks. They provide a balance between stability and higher growth potential.

Market Opportunities: These funds can adjust based on market conditions, allowing fund managers to capitalize on growth opportunities.

Suggested Allocation: Invest Rs 15-21 lakhs in multi-cap or flexi-cap funds. This provides a balanced approach to growth.

3. Balanced or Hybrid Funds (35-40% of Corpus)
Risk Mitigation: Balanced funds reduce risk by combining equity and debt investments. They provide a cushion during market downturns.

Steady Returns: These funds are designed to offer moderate returns with lower risk, ideal for retirees.

Suggested Allocation: Invest Rs 21-28 lakhs in balanced or hybrid funds. This ensures your portfolio has a solid defense against volatility.

Alternatives to Consider
If you prefer not to invest entirely in mutual funds, there are other options to explore. These alternatives can provide additional safety or income streams.

1. Debt Funds
Low Risk: Debt funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds, offering lower risk compared to equities.

Moderate Returns: While returns are lower than equity funds, they still beat traditional FDs, making them a safer alternative.

Suggested Allocation: If you prefer less exposure to equities, consider allocating 20-30% of your corpus to debt funds. This would provide a stable, low-risk component to your portfolio.

2. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)
Safe and Secure: SCSS is a government-backed scheme offering regular income with safety of capital.

Attractive Interest Rates: The interest rates are higher than regular FDs, and they are also tax-efficient under Section 80C.

Suggested Allocation: If safety is your primary concern, you could allocate 10-20% of your corpus to SCSS. This will provide regular income and peace of mind.

Final Insights
Your investment strategy should reflect your risk tolerance, financial goals, and retirement needs. Given your situation, here’s a recap of the suggested approach:

Invest 30-35% in large-cap funds for stability and steady growth.

Allocate 25-30% to multi-cap or flexi-cap funds for balanced growth.

Place 35-40% in balanced or hybrid funds to manage risk and ensure moderate returns.

Consider debt funds and SCSS as safer alternatives if you prefer less equity exposure.

This diversified portfolio is designed to achieve your desired 9-10% returns while managing risk effectively. It offers a mix of growth and security, which is crucial as you enjoy your retirement years.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Hello Bharat Manik,

It's commendable that you're looking to diversify your investments and seek growth opportunities in equity markets. Here are some suggestions to achieve a balanced portfolio:

Asset Allocation:
Considering your age difference and risk tolerance, you may adopt a balanced approach to asset allocation.
Allocate a significant portion of your portfolio (around 60-70%) to debt instruments to provide stability and income generation, especially considering your mother's retirement.
Allocate the remaining portion (around 30-40%) to equity investments to benefit from potential growth opportunities over the long term.
Mutual Fund Selection:
For equity exposure, consider investing in a mix of large-cap, multi-cap, and balanced funds to diversify across market segments and manage risk effectively.
Opt for funds with a consistent track record of performance, experienced fund managers, and a strong investment philosophy aligned with your objectives.
Regular Review:
Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
Rebalance your portfolio as needed to maintain the desired asset allocation and optimize returns.
Emergency Fund:
Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund set aside in liquid instruments to cover unforeseen expenses and emergencies.
Consultation:
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to receive personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and goals.
They can help you develop a comprehensive financial plan that addresses your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and retirement needs.
By adopting a balanced approach to asset allocation and investing in diversified mutual funds, you can work towards achieving your financial goals while managing risk effectively.

Ans: Hi Bharat & thanks for writing to me. I am assuming that you are able to cover your living expenses from your salary & Mothers' pension.

Assuming that you are fine with the risks of equity, you can consider rebalancing your portfolio from the debt tilt to equity tilt.

You can consider investing around 1 Crore in mutual funds, at the below allocation:

1-Small Cap Funds: 10%
2-Mid Cap Funds : 10%
3-Large Cap Funds:15%
4-Flexi Cap Funds:15%
5-Balanced Advantage Funds/Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds: 25%
6-Multil Asset Allocation Funds:25%

The investment in pure equity funds (points 1 to 4) will help your corpus grow but with higher volatility & the BAF/DAAF & Multi Asset Allocation Funds can provide relative stability to your portfolio.

I recommend you to meet a financial planner who can understand your needs & goals to craft a detailed plan for you.