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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 09, 2025

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 - Jul 02, 2025Hindi
Money

Iam 30 years old and have invested around 18 lakhs in MF like (1)paragh pareikh flexi cap fund(2)Quant mid cap and small cap direct growth (3)Aditya Birla sun life PSU equity fund (4) ICICI technology direct growth (5) Invesco india contra direct fund (6) Aditya Birla sun life healthcare fund (7) Edelweiss aggresive Hybrid fund direct growth But the corpus is not growing most of the amount is lump sum shall I continue these funds or transfer it to some other holding is since last 1 year

Ans: Understanding Your Investment Concern

You are 30 years old now.

You have invested Rs. 18 lakhs in mutual funds.

Most of the money is lump sum, not SIP.

You are disappointed with the growth in the past year.

You are holding a mix of sectoral and thematic funds.

Some funds are mid-cap, small-cap, and hybrid too.

Let us assess this from all angles and give a 360° guidance.

Why the Portfolio May Not Be Performing

Equity markets are volatile in the short term.

One year is too short to judge mutual funds.

Mid and small caps are more volatile than large caps.

Sector funds like tech or pharma are risky and cyclical.

Some funds may overlap in holdings.

Direct plans don’t offer guidance or portfolio correction.

Disadvantages of Sector and Thematic Funds

Sector funds invest in only one industry.

If that sector underperforms, the fund suffers.

Healthcare and PSU sectors are not consistent.

Technology funds are highly volatile in current markets.

These funds need expert entry and exit timing.

They are not suitable for long-term wealth building.

You are exposed to concentrated risks.

Disadvantages of Direct Plans

Direct funds have lower expense ratio, but lack support.

No one guides when to shift or redeem.

No tracking, no rebalancing is available.

You may miss important updates or changes.

There is no hand-holding in market corrections.

Regular funds through MFD with CFP give complete advice.

You get periodic reviews and goal-based tracking.

That improves long-term discipline and confidence.

Need for Portfolio Simplification

Your portfolio is spread across too many categories.

This makes review and monitoring very hard.

Overlap of stocks can reduce diversification benefits.

You should not hold more than 3–4 funds.

Sectoral and thematic funds should be avoided now.

They create confusion and increase risk exposure.

Only keep diversified equity and hybrid funds.

Suggested Action Plan

Avoid exiting all funds at once.

Create a clear portfolio goal for each holding.

Divide your Rs. 18 lakhs based on time horizon.

Shift out from sectoral funds in a phased manner.

Move into diversified equity and balanced hybrid funds.

Take help of MFDs with CFP credential.

They will help in goal alignment and fund selection.

Phased Exit Strategy

Do not redeem all funds together.

Use market rallies to exit thematic funds slowly.

Exit technology and PSU funds first.

Then shift funds to suitable long-term diversified funds.

Avoid panic selling in bearish phases.

Why Actively Managed Funds are Better

Index funds just copy the market.

They don’t protect capital in market falls.

No flexibility to exit weak sectors.

Actively managed funds adjust based on market trends.

Fund managers use research to find strong stocks.

They aim to beat the market consistently.

This helps in long-term wealth building.

Rebuilding with a Fresh SIP Plan

Start new SIPs in actively managed flexi-cap or large-mid funds.

Add a hybrid fund for medium-term goals.

Choose funds that suit your risk and goals.

Use Rs. 10,000–15,000 monthly SIP to average cost.

Let lump sum units stay and recover gradually.

Review portfolio every 6 months with a CFP.

Taxation Considerations While Switching

Capital gains tax applies when you redeem mutual funds.

Equity fund gains over Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Gains below that are tax-free.

Short-term capital gains taxed at 20%.

Check holding period before redeeming.

Exit only when gains are above cost and taxable limit is safe.

Emergency Fund and Insurance Check

Maintain 4–6 months’ expenses in liquid fund.

Don’t invest emergency money in equity.

Ensure term insurance and health insurance are in place.

Insurance is not investment. Don’t mix both.

Avoid These Common Mistakes Going Forward

Don’t invest based on returns of past 1 year.

Don’t hold too many funds without reason.

Don’t continue with direct funds if you feel lost.

Don’t mix sectoral funds with core portfolio.

Don’t exit mutual funds during market correction.

Benefits of Working With a CFP

CFP gives goal-based investment plans.

Reviews and updates are done regularly.

Asset allocation is adjusted based on life stage.

Tax planning is included in strategy.

You save time and avoid emotional decisions.

Certified advice builds long-term confidence.

Final Insights

Your frustration is understandable but avoid sudden exits.

Markets take time to reward patient investors.

Avoid sectoral and thematic funds for long-term goals.

Direct plans are not suitable without expert hand-holding.

Regular plans through MFD and CFP offer support and clarity.

Keep your investments simple and well-diversified.

Create new SIPs for long-term wealth creation.

Exit existing risky funds in steps, not all at once.

Track and review your goals every 6–12 months.

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.
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Ans: Given your desire for aggressive growth in the next 3 years, it's crucial to assess your current mutual fund holdings and make informed decisions. Here are some considerations:

Performance Review: Evaluate the performance of your existing funds over the past few years. Look at their consistency, returns, and how they have performed during different market cycles.
Risk Appetite: Consider your risk tolerance and whether your current funds align with your risk profile. Aggressive funds typically carry higher risk, so ensure you are comfortable with potential volatility.
Diversification: Check the diversification of your portfolio across different fund types (large cap, mid cap, small cap) and sectors. A well-diversified portfolio can help mitigate risk.
Expense Ratio: Assess the expense ratio of your funds, especially if they are regular plans. Direct plans generally have lower expense ratios, which can significantly impact returns over the long term.
Exit Loads and Tax Implications: Understand any exit loads or tax implications associated with redeeming your existing investments, especially if they are less than 3 years old.
Consideration of Direct Plans: Switching to direct plans can save on expenses in the long run, potentially boosting returns. However, ensure you are comfortable with managing your investments independently or seek the assistance of a fee-based advisor.
After considering these factors, you can decide whether to continue with your current holdings, reallocate investments, or explore new funds that align better with your goals and risk appetite. It's essential to periodically review your portfolio and make adjustments as needed to stay on track with your financial objectives.

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Ans: Let's analyze your portfolio and provide recommendations based on your aggressive investment stance and the desire for high returns over the next three years.

Portfolio Review:

You have a well-diversified portfolio with exposure to various equity categories, which is a good approach for long-term growth. Given your aggressive stance, let's assess your holdings:

Equity Funds:
You have exposure to large-cap, mid-cap, focused equity, technology, and flexi-cap funds. This diversification can potentially balance risk and return, but you might consider focusing more on aggressive funds for higher growth.
Direct vs. Regular Plans:
Investing through an agent (Regular Plans) involves a higher expense ratio due to commissions. While Direct Plans can reduce costs, your relationship with a trusted Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) who provides personal emotional support can add value beyond just financial advice.
Recommendations:

Continue with Regular Plans through a Trusted MFD:
Given your aggressive stance and the emotional support you receive from your MFD, continuing with Regular Plans through your trusted MFD can align well with your investment goals. A supportive MFD can offer personalized advice, emotional reassurance, and keep you informed about market developments.
Focus on Aggressive Funds:
Emphasize funds with a proven track record of aggressive growth and high returns. Your MFD can help identify and recommend funds that align with your risk appetite and investment horizon.
Periodic Reviews with Emotional Support:
Schedule regular reviews with your MFD to evaluate your portfolio's performance and make necessary adjustments. A supportive MFD can offer emotional support during market fluctuations, helping you stay disciplined and confident in your investment decisions.
Build a Strong Relationship with Your MFD:
Embrace the relationship with your MFD who understands your financial goals, concerns, and provides emotional support. A strong relationship can enhance your investment experience, making it more reassuring and enjoyable.
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Given your aggressive stance and the importance of emotional support in your investment journey, continuing with Regular Plans through your trusted MFD seems suitable. Focus on aggressive funds, maintain regular reviews with your MFD, and nurture your relationship with them for personalized advice and emotional reassurance. Remember, investing is not just about numbers; it's about peace of mind, trust, and confidence in your investment decisions. Embrace this journey with your MFD by your side, and may your investments flourish over time.

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Ans: Hello Yatin,

Firstly, I appreciate that you've been consistently investing in mutual funds for more than 15 months. Based on your age and the 3-year investment horizon you mentioned, it's reasonable to have an aggressive investment strategy. However, I would also like to remind you that higher returns often come with higher risks.

Regarding your current holdings, I see that you have a well-diversified portfolio across large-cap, mid-cap, focused, and sectoral funds. Given your investment goals, you may consider continuing with most of these funds. However, I recommend reviewing the performance of the funds against their benchmark indices and their respective categories. You might want to consider replacing any underperforming funds with better-performing alternatives in the same category.

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What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

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Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

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Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

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GitHub

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