Dear Sir, I am Neeraj gupta. I do request you to please guide about Samco Active Momentum Fund NFO ( comming from June 15 -29, 2023. Shall I invest Lumpsum 5 Lakh in this NFO ? I learnt that SAMCO is not allowing any investment or SIP after closing on June 29,2023.

Ans: Thanks Shakir, everything great with us. Hope the very same with you and your family.

All NFOs will offer you only a bulk subscription facility. Typically, NFOs close in a few days and then open within a week or so and then you can set-up a SIP the way you would for any fund in a normal manner.

If you do wish to subscribe to this particular NFO (HDFC Defence Fund) only through a SIP, let’s say of Rs 5000, then you have two options:-
1. Minimum subscription amount is Rs 5000. Invest Rs 5000 in the NFO. When you get the allotment, you would also get your folio number along with it. Set up your SIP in it for Rs 5000.

2. Do not do anything during the NFO. When the NFO closes and the fund opens for regular subscription (which will be within 5 business days of NFO closing, as per the scheme documents), set up the SIP as you desire.

Above notwithstanding, I will request everybody to not confuse between an IPO of a stock (share) and NFO of a mutual fund scheme. The two are intrinsically entirely different. A NFO has just no track record and you could be investing in a new born baby hoping that he will be Amitabh Bacchan when he grows up!

We advise our clients never to invest in any NFO.

Ans: Sectoral funds, also known as sector-specific funds, are equity mutual funds that invest at least 80% of their net assets in companies operating within a specific industry or sector of the economy. Examples include banking, technology, healthcare, or infrastructure.

Lumpsum investment in NFO: Since NFO is New Fund Offer so you avail the initial NAV (Net Asset Value) of the fund, which could be beneficial if the NAV increases later. Being a new fund, it doesn't have a track record to assess its performance. The banking sector can be volatile, so you need to be prepared for potential fluctuations in the fund's value. It's important to monitor the fund's performance and periodically re-evaluate your investment based on its track record.

SIP of Rs. 2000/- per month: As Sectoral funds focus on a specific sector or industry, such as technology, commodity, banking & finance, healthcare, or energy and thereby contains the concentration risk and is very cyclical in nature and it is difficult to predict which sector will perform and how long.
Considering the risk to reward ratio, we suggest you to discontinue the investments in this fund.

Ans: Investing in mutual funds is a step in the right direction. Your portfolio showcases diversity and long-term focus. A 15–20-year horizon is excellent for wealth creation. Let’s review and refine your strategy.

Portfolio Review
Mid-Cap Funds
Mid-cap funds offer a mix of growth and risk. They outperform large-caps over the long term.

Small-Cap Funds
Small-cap funds are ideal for aggressive growth. However, they are more volatile.

Large-Cap Funds
Large-cap funds provide stability in your portfolio. They act as a cushion during downturns.

Flexi-Cap Funds
Flexi-cap funds are versatile. They allocate dynamically across market capitalisations.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
While direct funds save commission costs, they require constant monitoring.

Professional Expertise Lacking
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures a well-structured portfolio.

Market Timing Risk
Direct investors may make emotional decisions during volatility.

Portfolio Review
Regular funds offer continuous reviews by professionals.

Holistic Financial Guidance
An MFD with CFP certification provides personalised investment advice.

Suggestions for Improvement
Your portfolio is good but can be fine-tuned for better results.

Diversification Across Categories
Add a hybrid or balanced fund to reduce risk.

Sectoral Funds
If confident, allocate a small portion to sectoral funds.

Avoid Overlapping Funds
Check for duplication of holdings in existing funds.

Taxation Impact
New taxation rules make tax-efficient investing important.

Equity Funds
Long-term capital gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-Term Capital Gains
Gains from investments held for less than one year are taxed at 20%.

Plan Tax-Efficient Withdrawals
Use these rules for optimal tax management at redemption.

Benefits of Staying Invested
Compounding Benefits
Long-term investing amplifies wealth through compounding.

Mitigates Volatility
Staying invested reduces the impact of market fluctuations.

Goal-Oriented Investing
A 15–20-year horizon aligns with long-term goals.

Actionable Steps
Consolidate Portfolio
Avoid too many funds. Stick to 4–5 well-performing ones.

Periodic Reviews
Review your portfolio every year with a CFP for alignment with goals.

Reinvest in Underperformers
Switch funds only if underperformance persists for 2–3 years.

Consider Professional Advice
Switch from direct to regular funds for expert guidance.

Final Insights
Your SIP strategy is on the right track. Small adjustments can optimise it further. Focus on professional advice and consistent reviews to maximise returns.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund, a joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, recently received SEBI approval to begin operations. While the fund house is new, BlackRock brings global expertise in asset management, and Jio Financial Services offers strong digital distribution capabilities.
Is It a Smart Move for Beginners?
Investing in a New Fund Offer (NFO) can be risky since there is no historical performance data to evaluate. Established mutual fund houses like HDFC AMC, SBI Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential have a track record of managing funds across market cycles. However, Jio BlackRock aims to democratize investing with low-cost, tech-driven solutions, which could be attractive for first-time investors