Hi, I am investing in mutual funds since last 14 years. My age is 45 years. I have invested around 32 Lakhs and the current value stands at 59 Lakhs. Returns are around 17 percent. Current investment via SIP is as follows - Canara Robecco Small Cap - 4000 DSP Small Cap - 5000 Edelweiss Flexi Cap - 6000 Franklin India Focussed Fund - 2000 HDFC Midcap Fund - 2000 Mirae Multicap Fund - 3000 Mirae Midcap Fund - 11000 Mirae Emerging Bluechip Fund - 8000 Nippon India Multicap Fund - 17500 Total Monthly SIP - 58500 I wish to accumulate around Rs 3 Crores in next 10 years. Kindly suggest on the monthly SIP requirement and the funds in my portfolio.

Ans: You may continue, review after an year

Ans: Hello Rishu, thanks for writing to me. The funds you invest in are good funds. As you want to increase your investment by Rs.9,000 every month, you can consider beginning investments in:

1-Edelweiss NIFTY Quality 100 30 Index Fund: Rs.3,000 per month
2-SBI Focused Equity Fund: Rs.3,000 per month
3-Motilal Oswal Focused Fund: Rs.3,000 per month.

Ans: It's great that you're investing your monthly surplus in SIPs to build your wealth.

You have a well-diversified portfolio and the funds in your portfolio are performing well in the current market scenario. In the finance planning of any portfolio, we consider many factors, including client age, risk profile, current asset allocation, etc.

With your existing accumulated bulk investments of Rs 9.06 lakhs and ongoing SIPs of Rs 20,000 you will be able to accumulate the corpus after 9 years (2033) of Rs 64 lakhs with expected returns of 12%.

To achieve your wealth target of Rs 1 crore, it's advisable to increase your current investments. Considering your existing bulk investment of Rs 9.06 lakhs, an additional monthly investment of approximately Rs 39,000 is required. As you are already contributing Rs 20,000 per month through SIPs, an incremental SIP amount of around Rs 19,000 would be required.

Ans: Your current portfolio shows a solid mix of funds across various categories. You have SIPs in Flexi Cap, Large & Mid Cap, Emerging Equity, Small Cap, and Active funds. Additionally, you have lump sum investments in Large Cap, Index, Short Term, and Mid Cap funds. This diversification strategy is commendable as it balances risk across different market segments.

However, there are a few areas that could be optimized for better returns and lower risk, especially considering your 10-year retirement goal.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
You've invested a lump sum in an Index Fund. Index Funds track a specific benchmark, usually the Nifty 50 or Sensex. While they have lower expense ratios, they also lack the flexibility to adapt to market changes.

Active funds, on the other hand, allow fund managers to pick stocks that can outperform the market. In the long term, this can result in higher returns. Therefore, considering your retirement goal, shifting from the Index Fund to an actively managed fund might be more beneficial.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds
You haven’t specified whether your investments are in regular or direct funds. If you are considering direct funds, it’s important to know their limitations. Direct funds have lower expense ratios, but they don’t come with professional advice.

Certified Financial Planners (CFP) provide guidance, periodic reviews, and help in rebalancing your portfolio based on market conditions and your financial goals. Investing through a CFP ensures your portfolio is always aligned with your objectives.

Evaluation of Your SIPs
Flexi Cap Fund: This is a good choice, providing flexibility to invest across market caps. However, it might be wise to ensure your exposure isn't overly concentrated in any single market cap.

Large & Mid Cap Fund: This fund offers a balance between stability (large caps) and growth potential (mid caps). Continue this SIP as it aligns with your retirement goals.

Emerging Equity Fund: Mid and small caps tend to be more volatile. Consider reviewing this SIP annually to ensure it meets your risk tolerance.

Active Fund: Active funds can outperform benchmarks if managed well. Continue this SIP, but keep track of the fund’s performance.

Small Cap Fund: Small caps can offer high growth but with higher risk. Given your retirement goal, ensure this SIP doesn’t exceed 20% of your total SIPs, as it could add unnecessary volatility to your portfolio.

Assessment of Lump Sum Investments
Large Cap Fund: Large Cap funds are relatively stable, providing consistent returns. This should be a cornerstone of your portfolio.

Index Fund: As discussed, consider switching this to an actively managed fund for better returns.

Short Term Fund: This is a conservative choice, good for parking funds temporarily. However, for long-term growth, these funds may not be ideal.

Flexi Cap Fund: Diversification is key here, and the fund’s flexibility is advantageous. Continue to monitor its performance.

Mid Cap Fund: This fund offers growth potential but with some risk. Ensure this investment complements your overall portfolio strategy without overexposing you to mid-cap volatility.

Increasing Your SIP
Increasing your SIP by Rs 10,000 is a wise decision. Here’s how you might allocate it:

Allocate Rs 5,000 to a Balanced Advantage Fund: This will add stability to your portfolio by balancing equity and debt exposure. It’s a conservative choice that can offer better risk-adjusted returns.

Allocate Rs 5,000 to a Focused Equity Fund: This can potentially offer higher returns as the fund manager focuses on a limited number of high-conviction stocks.

Portfolio Rebalancing and Monitoring
Rebalancing your portfolio regularly is crucial. Markets can be unpredictable, and what works today might not work tomorrow. Review your portfolio every six months to ensure it’s aligned with your risk tolerance and retirement goals.

Final Insights
Your portfolio is well-diversified, but there are opportunities to optimize it further. By shifting from index funds to actively managed funds, and considering the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner, you can potentially achieve better returns. Increasing your SIP is a positive step towards securing your retirement, but make sure to allocate it wisely across different fund categories.

In summary:

Consider shifting from Index Fund to an actively managed fund.

Evaluate your exposure to small caps and ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance.

Invest the additional SIP amount in balanced and focused equity funds.

Regularly rebalance your portfolio and seek guidance from a CFP.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in