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New to Mutual Funds: Is My Portfolio Strong Enough for a 15-Year Investment?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8103 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 10, 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
Ashiskumar Question by Ashiskumar on Mar 08, 2025Hindi
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I am new to this mutual fund since last 6 month.i have been doing a sip of 18k per month.. parag parikh flexicap 5k uti nifty 50 5k motilal oswal midcap 2.2k nippon small cap 1.5k quant small cap 1.5k jm flexicap 1k icici prudential fund 2k is these good.i have a plan of 15 yr investment with 10 percent step up each year..kindly opine

Ans: You have started SIP investing six months ago. Your monthly SIP is Rs 18,000 across different mutual funds. You also plan to increase investments by 10% each year. A long-term plan of 15 years is a good approach.

 

Strengths of Your Portfolio
You have chosen a mix of flexi-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.

A 15-year investment horizon allows compounding benefits.

The 10% annual step-up increases the final corpus.

You are investing consistently, which is important for long-term success.

 

Areas That Need Attention
1. Too Many Funds in the Portfolio
You have seven different funds.

Some categories are overlapping, reducing diversification benefits.

A leaner portfolio can be easier to manage.

 

2. High Exposure to Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Funds
You have three funds in small-cap and mid-cap segments.

Small caps are high-risk, high-return investments.

Too much exposure can increase volatility.

 

3. Index Fund is Not the Best Choice
Index funds do not beat the market in all conditions.

Actively managed funds adjust to changing markets.

A professional fund manager can reduce downside risks.

 

Suggested Portfolio Improvements
1. Reduce the Number of Funds
Keep 3 to 4 well-managed funds instead of seven.

Choose one flexi-cap fund, one large-cap or multi-cap fund, and one mid/small-cap fund.

 

2. Balance Between Risk and Stability
Reduce exposure to too many small-cap funds.

Add a large-cap or multi-cap fund for stability.

 

3. Invest Through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Direct funds require constant tracking.

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can guide investment decisions.

Investing through an MFD with CFP credentials ensures professional fund selection.

 

Reviewing Your Plan Regularly
Check your portfolio every year.

Rebalance if some funds underperform.

Maintain discipline and avoid emotional decisions.

 

Finally
Your investment strategy is good, but reducing the number of funds can improve returns. Focus on diversification, balancing risk, and expert guidance. A 15-year SIP with step-up can create wealth, but regular reviews are essential.

 

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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8103 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir I am Praveen my monthly sip in 3 fund UTI nifty 50 index fund 2200 parag parekh flexi cap 4100 and Kotak small cap 2000 please suggest me these fund are good or any changes and our suggestion required
Ans: Praveen. Let's review your current SIP investments in UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund, Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, and Kotak Small Cap Fund to ensure they align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Current Portfolio Analysis
UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund: This fund provides exposure to the top 50 companies in India and aims to replicate the performance of the Nifty 50 Index. It offers diversification and stability.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Known for its flexible investment approach, this fund invests across market capitalizations and sectors. It emphasizes long-term growth potential and has a track record of consistent performance.

Kotak Small Cap Fund: Small-cap funds like Kotak Small Cap Fund invest in stocks of small-sized companies with high growth potential. They can offer higher returns but come with increased volatility.

Recommendations and Suggestions
Your current selection reflects a balanced approach with exposure to large-cap, flexi-cap, and small-cap segments.
UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund provides stability, while Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund and Kotak Small Cap Fund offer growth potential.
Consider reviewing your risk tolerance and investment horizon to ensure it aligns with the funds' objectives.
Potential Changes and Adjustments
Review Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance to determine if the allocation to small-cap funds is suitable for your comfort level. Small-cap funds can be volatile, so ensure you're prepared for fluctuations.

Diversification: Consider diversifying across different fund categories to spread risk. Adding a Mid-cap or Large & Mid-cap fund could enhance diversification.

Performance Evaluation: Monitor the performance of your funds regularly and compare them against their benchmarks and peers. If any fund consistently underperforms, consider switching to a better-performing alternative.

Consultation with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Seeking advice from a qualified CFP can provide personalized recommendations based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
A CFP can help optimize your portfolio and ensure it remains aligned with your objectives.
Conclusion
Your current SIP investments reflect a diversified approach with exposure to different segments of the market. Consider reviewing your risk tolerance and diversification strategy to ensure it meets your long-term financial goals. Consulting with a CFP can provide valuable insights and help fine-tune your investment strategy.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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I AM THINKING OF TAKING A LOAN OF 5,00,000 AGAINST MY CURRENT MUTUAL FUND MOTILAL OSWAL SMALL CAP FUND AND REINVEST IT IN SAME FUND FOR NEXT 3 YEARS. I DON'T WANT LIQUIDITY FOR NEXT 3-4 YEARS. SEEING THE MARKET IS LOW RIGHT NOW CAN I EXPECT A REURN? SHOULD I CONSIDER THIS OPTION?
Ans: Taking a loan against your mutual funds and reinvesting in the same fund may seem like an opportunity to maximise gains. However, this strategy carries significant risks.

Key Risks to Consider
1. Market Uncertainty
Small-cap funds are highly volatile.
A temporary market correction doesn’t guarantee strong returns in the next 3 years.
If the fund underperforms, you could face both a loan repayment burden and lower returns.
2. Interest Cost vs. Expected Returns
Loan interest rates on mutual fund pledges typically range from 9-12% per annum.
Your small-cap fund must generate higher returns than the loan rate to make this strategy profitable.
If the fund returns below 12% CAGR, your effective gains will be negligible or negative.
3. Forced Liquidation Risk
If the market corrects further, your lender may sell your pledged mutual fund units to recover the loan.
This could happen at a loss, forcing you to exit at a lower NAV.
4. Overexposure to a Single Fund
Investing additional money into the same small-cap fund increases concentration risk.
Instead, diversification across flexi-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds is better.
Alternative Approaches
Instead of taking a loan, consider:

SIP Investment Strategy

Continue SIPs in a staggered manner rather than a lump-sum reinvestment.
This reduces the risk of investing at an unfavourable price.
Diversified Portfolio Allocation

If markets recover, large-caps and flexi-caps may rebound earlier than small-caps.
Diversifying into these categories will balance returns and risk.
Rebalancing Your Current Portfolio

If you have underperforming funds, consider shifting money to stronger funds.
This avoids borrowing costs and interest rate risks.
Final Insights
Taking a loan against your mutual fund for reinvestment is not advisable due to the high risk of market downturns, interest costs, and forced liquidation. Instead, a disciplined SIP approach in diversified funds will offer better risk-adjusted returns.

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.

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