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

Nikunj Saraf  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on Apr 19, 2023

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
Vikas Question by Vikas on Apr 05, 2023Hindi
Listen
Money

Hello, This is Vikas, I have invested 5000/ per month from my Daughters account in following funds for last one year. 1 DSP Midcap Fund - Reg Gr 2 HDFC NIFTY Next 50 Index Fund - Gr. But at present both the funds are showing negative. I am at loss of 7000/ approx. Kindly suggest about these funds. Shall i continue in this funds or not.

Ans: Hello Vikas. If you are investing for long run say 7-10 years. I would recommend to reconsider both mentioned schemes to better peer schemes. You may consider multicap and mid cap categories for your portfolio.
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

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7029 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2024

Money
Hi Sir, My name is Krishna & I am 38 years old and I have a savings of around 40Lakhs in bank in FD's and I started investing 20000 every month from Jan-2024 in these mutual funds [DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct-Growth, HDFC Index Fund Nifty 50 Plan - Direct Plan, Nippon India Large Cap Fund - Direct Plan, Edelweiss Large Cap Fund - Direct Plan, ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan-Growth, Kotak Emerging Equity Fund - Direct Plan, Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund - Direct Plan,Axis Small Cap Fund - Direct Plan, Kotak Multi Asset Allocator FoF - Dynamic - Direct Plan, Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund - Direct Plan]. I checked through money control and value research before investing in these mutual funds. Please let me know if my investments are good?
Ans: Hello Krishna,

Your commitment to financial planning and investment is commendable. Let's analyze your mutual fund portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

Portfolio Composition
Your portfolio comprises a diverse range of mutual funds, spanning various categories including large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, index funds, and hybrid funds. This diversified approach spreads risk across different market segments and investment styles.

Fund Selection
Index Funds: Investments in index funds like DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund and HDFC Index Fund Nifty 50 Plan provide exposure to the broader market, capturing the performance of the Nifty 50 index constituents.

Active vs. Passive Management:
While you've included both actively managed mutual funds and index funds (ETFs) in your portfolio, it's important to understand the differences between the two. Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market through active stock selection and portfolio management, while index funds passively track a specific index's performance.
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds:
Actively managed funds offer the potential for higher returns compared to index funds, especially during market inefficiencies or when skilled fund managers can identify lucrative investment opportunities. Additionally, active management allows for flexibility in portfolio construction and adjustments based on market conditions.
Potential Disadvantages of Index Funds:
While index funds offer low expense ratios and broad market exposure, they may lack the potential for outperformance compared to actively managed funds. Additionally, they're subject to tracking error, which occurs when the fund's performance deviates from the index it's designed to replicate.

Large Cap Funds: Nippon India Large Cap Fund, Edelweiss Large Cap Fund, and ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund offer stability and growth potential by investing in established companies with strong fundamentals.

Mid Cap and Small Cap Funds: Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund and Axis Small Cap Fund aim to capitalize on the growth potential of mid-sized and small-sized companies, albeit with higher volatility.

Hybrid and Multi-Asset Funds: Kotak Multi Asset Allocator FoF - Dynamic and Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund provide a blend of equity and debt exposure, suitable for investors seeking balanced returns with lower risk.

There are some advantages to consider direct funds, and the cost savings can be significant in the long run. However, there are some potential benefits to using a regular MFD:
Advantages of Investing Through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD):
• Personalized Advice: MFDs can be helpful for beginners or those who lack investment knowledge. They can assess your risk tolerance, financial goals, and investment horizon to recommend suitable mutual funds. This personalized guidance can be valuable, especially if you're new to investing.
• Convenience: MFDs handle all the paperwork and transactions on your behalf, saving you time and effort. They can help with account setup, SIP registrations, and managing your portfolio across different funds.
• Investor Support: MFDs can be a point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have about your investments. They can provide ongoing support and guidance throughout your investment journey.

Fund Research
Cross-referencing your fund selections with reputable sources like Moneycontrol and Value Research is a prudent approach. These platforms offer valuable insights into fund performance, risk metrics, and portfolio composition, aiding informed investment decisions.

However, relying solely on mutual fund ratings overlooks individual financial goals and risk tolerance. Ratings may not account for changing market conditions or long-term performance. Blindly following ratings can lead to a mismatched portfolio, potentially resulting in suboptimal returns and increased investment risk over time.

Continuous Monitoring
Regularly reviewing your portfolio's performance, fund ratings, and market dynamics ensures alignment with your financial goals and risk appetite. Periodic rebalancing and adjustments may be necessary to optimize returns and manage risk effectively.

Conclusion
Your mutual fund portfolio exhibits diversity and a thoughtful selection process, indicating a sound investment strategy. By staying informed, maintaining a disciplined approach, and periodically reassessing your investments, you're well-positioned to achieve your financial objectives.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |632 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 12, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 40 year old with 1.5 lac salary and 1 crore in FD. Have a 8 year old son. Currently I don't have any EMI but I wish to buy new house of 2 crore with appx loan of 1 cr and remaining 1 cr by selling current house. Also I invest 60k in mutual funds. What can I do if I wish to retire at 45 years and still be able to pay emi using swp and FD income.
Ans: Hello;

General Comments:
People nowadays get carried away by FIRE(Financial independence retire early) fads on social media and go by thumb rules provided on SM for retirement corpus calculation.

Please consult a certified financial planner or a retirement advisor who can guide you on these matters professionally.

Specific comments:
Do your math. If you retire at 45 you have 35 years in retirement considering life expectancy of 80. What corpus would you need to fund:

1. Your inflation indexed retirement income
2. Impact on retirement income due to home loan EMI.
3. Separate provision for higher education of son

If doing 3% SWP can meet your monthly income requirements post-tax it is okay but If you are increasing SWP rate beyond 3% you run the risk of eating into your corpus during periods of flat or negative returns by your fund.

Also pure equity funds for SWP in retirement are a strict NO.

Only hybrid mutual funds such as equity savings or conservative hybrid funds may be suitable with moderate risk.

If your regular expenses are 50 K today they will be 90 K in 10 years, 1.6 L in 20 years time considering modest 6% inflation.

Your 60 K monthly sip if continued for 5 years may yield you a corpus of 50 L assuming modest return of 12% from pure equity mutual funds which could be earmarked for higher education of your son.

Do you have any EPF/NPS corpus?

Please confirm.

Thanks;

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7029 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 15, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Sir, I had purchased kotak premier endowment plan in 2020. SI is 2.82 lakhs and annual premium is 32k. Premium payment term is 10 yrs and maturity term is 17 yrs. After having paid premium for 4 years, i am thinking to surrender the policy as it doesn't convince me anymore with its benefits. However, after paying Rs. 1.28 lakh premium over 4 years, surrender value is coming to Rs. 82k only. Should i continue with this policy or surrender and invest the amount anywhere else. Pls advise. Thanks
Ans: You purchased the Kotak Premier Endowment Plan in 2020. This plan combines insurance with savings. The sum assured is Rs. 2.82 lakhs, and the annual premium is Rs. 32,000.

You’ve already paid Rs. 1.28 lakhs over four years. The premium payment term is 10 years, and the maturity term is 17 years. The surrender value is currently Rs. 82,000, meaning a loss of Rs. 46,000.

Now, you are contemplating whether to continue with this plan or surrender and invest elsewhere.

Evaluating Endowment Plans
Endowment plans typically offer low returns compared to other investment options.
Most endowment plans have a return rate of 4-6%.
The main benefit is insurance coverage, which is often inadequate.
By continuing with this plan, your money may not grow significantly. It also locks your funds for a long period.

Advantages of Surrendering
By surrendering, you free up Rs. 82,000.
You stop further premium payments, avoiding additional allocation to a low-return product.
You can reallocate the funds to better-performing investment options.
Drawbacks of Surrendering
You lose Rs. 46,000 from the premiums paid so far.
Early surrender often results in reduced returns.
The plan’s long-term guaranteed returns will no longer apply.
Alternative Investments
If you surrender, the next step is reinvesting wisely.

Equity Mutual Funds: Offers long-term wealth creation. These funds outperform endowment plans in the long run.
Small-Cap Funds: For higher risk appetite, this can provide superior returns.
Debt Mutual Funds: Suitable for lower risk tolerance. Ideal for stable and predictable returns.
PPF (Public Provident Fund): A safe and tax-efficient option for long-term goals.
Benefits of Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Active funds often outperform benchmarks.
Professional fund managers actively monitor market opportunities.
You benefit from diversification and risk management.
Avoid direct funds unless you’re a seasoned investor. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or mutual fund distributor ensures better guidance.

Why Insurance Should Be Separate
Insurance-cum-investment plans like endowment are not ideal.
Term insurance offers high coverage at low costs.
Use the money saved from premiums for pure investments.
Tax Implications
Surrendering may have tax implications. Check if your premiums qualified for Section 80C.
New gains from investments may attract taxation. For equity mutual funds, LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
360-Degree Financial Assessment
Financial Goals: Align investments with your goals (e.g., retirement, children’s education).
Risk Appetite: Choose investments matching your comfort level with risk.
Emergency Fund: Maintain liquid funds to handle financial emergencies.
Debt Management: Clear high-interest liabilities before investing.
Portfolio Review: Balance investments between equity, debt, and fixed income.
Final Insights
The decision depends on your long-term goals. Surrendering is better if the plan does not align with your financial strategy. Reallocate wisely to maximize returns. Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice.

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