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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 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
suresh Question by suresh on Jul 02, 2025Hindi
Money

Nifty 50 ETF 50 Bees , HDFC Nifty PSU bank ETF is good for investment as SIP type?

Ans: Understanding Index-Based ETFs

These ETFs follow an index like Nifty?50 or PSU Bank index.

They do not have a fund manager to actively manage the portfolio.

They simply copy the stocks and their weightage in the index.

No human judgment is involved during market ups or downs.

Major Drawbacks of Index Funds and ETFs

They fall fully when the market drops.

They cannot shift away from poor-performing stocks.

They stay invested even when some sectors are weak.

There is no active decision to reduce risk or improve returns.

This limits your chances to outperform in changing market cycles.

Why Actively Managed Mutual Funds Are Better

Actively managed funds are handled by experienced fund managers.

These managers make smart decisions based on research and data.

They reduce exposure to bad sectors and increase in good ones.

This helps manage risk and capture better returns.

They offer personal guidance when you invest through a Certified Financial Planner.

Monitoring and goal-based reviews happen regularly in this route.

Fund performance is tracked and switched if required.

Should You SIP in Nifty?50 ETF?

Benefits:

It covers India’s top 50 companies.

Low expense ratio and easy to buy/sell.

Transparent structure with low tracking error.

Risks:

You cannot avoid stocks that are underperforming in the index.

If the market falls, it will fall with the full impact.

No way to protect downside or increase in better sectors.

Should You SIP in HDFC PSU Bank ETF?

Benefits:

Gives direct exposure to public sector banks.

Suitable only if you strongly believe in this sector.

May work well for short bursts of growth.

Risks:

Too narrow. Only PSU banks are included.

Higher risk due to sector concentration.

Low liquidity can affect buying or selling.

Returns are not stable and can be very volatile.

Why Direct Funds Are Not Recommended

Direct funds may seem low-cost but lack regular tracking.

No personalised support or advice is available.

Investors may stay with poor performers without knowing.

Regular plans through MFD and CFP give reviews and action steps.

Portfolio stays aligned with your long-term financial goals.

SIP Strategy for Long-Term Goals

For Wealth Creation

Use actively managed flexi-cap and large-mid cap mutual funds.

These offer better growth over 10+ years.

Choose regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner.

For Sector Exposure

If you like a sector, use only 5–10% of your SIP amount.

Always go with an actively managed sector fund.

These allow quick exit if the sector turns weak.

For Risk Control

Mix some balanced advantage or multi-asset funds in your SIP.

This adds cushion during market falls.

Debt allocation can be increased near goal years.

For Retirement

Retirement at 50 needs a larger corpus and stable planning.

SIP in equity mutual funds through regular plans is the base.

Start adding conservative options from age 45 onwards.

Build an emergency fund of at least 6 months' expenses.

Avoid insurance-linked plans for retirement.

For Children’s Education

Start early with goal-specific mutual funds.

Target growth till the child turns 15.

From 15 to 18, reduce risk and shift to safer funds.

Track progress yearly and increase SIP as income grows.

For Marriage Planning

Use separate SIPs for each child’s marriage goal.

Plan equity-heavy till child turns 10.

After 10, rebalance slowly into hybrid and debt funds.

Keep maturity aligned with expected marriage age.

Avoid Overdependence on Sectoral or Passive ETFs

Sector funds are risky unless used tactically and for short durations.

Index ETFs are fine only as a small portion of total SIP.

Active fund management gives stronger long-term benefit.

SIP in passive funds does not adjust based on your goals.

You may miss better returns due to lack of fund movement.

Review Your Portfolio Every Year

A yearly review helps you track if goals are on course.

You can adjust your SIP amount or fund choice if needed.

This works well when done with Certified Financial Planner help.

About Mutual Fund Taxation (New Rules)

When selling equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG (below 1 year) is taxed at 20%.

For debt mutual funds:

LTCG and STCG are taxed as per your income tax slab.

Plan redemption according to these tax rules to reduce burden.

Finally

ETFs like Nifty?50 and PSU Bank are low-cost but passive.

They do not offer protection in falling markets.

They lack the support and review that active funds provide.

You should use actively managed mutual funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Direct plans and index funds do not offer a full solution.

Always align investments with goal timelines and family priorities.

SIP is powerful only when reviewed and adjusted regularly.

Sectoral and index ETFs may be used, but with care and smaller amounts.

Keep your investment plan dynamic and guided, not set-and-forget.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
Asked on - Jul 05, 2025 | Answered on Jul 06, 2025
Groww Nifty 500 Momentum 5 ETF FoF , how is this fund for investment ? i am ready to take 100% risk for high return in this , want to invest 1000/- sip in this? plz suggest
Ans: Groww Nifty 500 Momentum 5 ETF FoF is a passive, momentum-based index fund.

It lacks active fund manager oversight.

Follows a mechanical formula, not market conditions.

No downside protection in market falls.

Sector or stock risk cannot be avoided.

Returns may be high in bull runs, but volatile in bear phases.

If you're ready for 100% risk, you may still limit this to 5–10% of your SIP.

Use the rest in actively managed equity funds through regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
Asked on - Jul 06, 2025 | Answered on Jul 07, 2025
how is the investment category in this? which sector or companies they invested ?
Ans: The Groww Nifty 500 Momentum 5 ETF FoF invests in companies from the Nifty 500 index that show strong price momentum over recent months.

It is not sector-specific, but tends to have higher exposure to sectors or stocks that are rising fast.

So, allocation can change often based on price trends.

Currently, it may include companies from IT, auto, pharma, financials, etc., depending on their recent stock performance.

This fund does not select companies based on business strength, only based on past stock movement.

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  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 08, 2024Hindi
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I would like to start an SIP UNDER NIFTY 50 INDEX FUND FOR 15 YRS HAVING MONTHLY SIP AMOUNT 6000-9000. WILL IT BE THE RIGHT WAY TO PUT MY HARD EARN MONEY IN MUTUAL FUND & WILL IT BE THE INTELLIGENT WORK TO CREAT WEALTH...
Ans: Starting a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in a Nifty 50 Index Fund can indeed be a prudent way to invest your hard-earned money for wealth creation over the long term. However, it's essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision.

Benefits of Nifty 50 Index Fund SIP

Investing in a Nifty 50 Index Fund offers several advantages:

Diversification: The Nifty 50 Index comprises 50 large-cap stocks representing various sectors, providing inherent diversification to your portfolio.
Low Cost: Index funds typically have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds, resulting in cost savings over time.
Passive Management: With an index fund, you're not relying on fund managers' active decisions, which can sometimes lead to underperformance.
Long-Term Growth Potential: Historically, equity markets have shown long-term growth trends, and investing systematically can help harness this potential.
Disadvantages of Index Funds Compared to Active Funds

While index funds offer certain advantages, they also have some limitations:

Limited Potential for Outperformance: Since index funds aim to replicate the performance of a particular index, they typically don't outperform the market significantly. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, have the potential to beat the market through skilled fund management.
No Tactical Asset Allocation: Index funds follow a passive investment strategy, which means they do not make tactical asset allocation decisions based on market conditions or economic outlook. This lack of flexibility may lead to missed opportunities during market fluctuations.
Inability to Avoid Underperforming Stocks: Index funds hold all stocks within the index, including underperforming ones. In contrast, active fund managers have the flexibility to exclude or reduce exposure to such stocks, potentially enhancing returns.
Market Cap Bias: Index funds allocate capital based on market capitalization, leading to higher exposure to overvalued stocks and lower exposure to undervalued ones. Actively managed funds can adjust allocations based on fundamental analysis and market dynamics.
Conclusion

While starting an SIP in a Nifty 50 Index Fund can be a sensible way to invest for the long term, it's essential to recognize the limitations of index funds compared to actively managed funds. Consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and preference for active fund management before making a decision.

Best Regards,

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 22, 2025

Money
sir, how about NIPPON INDIA ETF NIFTY 50 BeES with monthly SIP of 2000k for investment , and which is better, this or MF ?
Ans: ? Difference Between ETF and Mutual Fund

– ETFs track index without active management.
– Mutual Funds are managed by expert fund managers.
– ETF returns follow index ups and downs.
– Mutual funds aim to beat the index.
– ETFs require demat and trading account.
– Mutual funds are easy to invest via SIP.
– ETFs lack advisory support.
– Mutual funds offer handholding through Certified Financial Planner.
– ETFs suit market-savvy investors.
– Mutual funds suit long-term goal-based investors.

? Disadvantages of ETFs

– No SIP in traditional way.
– Need stock market timing for buy/sell.
– Liquidity issues if low traded volume.
– No emotional guidance in tough market.
– Only passive growth, no goal planning.

? Disadvantages of Index Investing

– Index funds follow market blindly.
– No downside protection during crash.
– Can’t change stocks even if poor performers.
– High volatility in small or mid cap indices.
– Not ideal for serious long-term goals.

? Why Actively Managed Mutual Funds Are Better

– Fund manager handles volatility.
– Can change stock selection based on conditions.
– Gives better performance in sideways or falling markets.
– Good for SIP with financial planning.
– Suits goal-focused investment like education or retirement.

? Summary Answer to Last Follow-Up Question

Mutual Fund via Regular Plan is better than Nippon ETF for long-term wealth creation.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Naveenn Kummar  |234 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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Dear Naveen Sir, I am 55 Years old and have five more years in superannuation. My monthly take home is approx. 6 Lacs PM . I have accumulated 2 Cr. in MF , 1.5 Cr in PF , 1 Cr FD and NPS and LIC put all together will be approx 50 Lacs and payout will start from 2028 onwards. I have just booked one 4 BHK and take home loan which is construction linked plan . Possession will be in 2029. My Daughter and Son are on Marriage age but both are also earning handsomely as they are in 30% bracket of IT . Have parental property approx 1.5 Cr which i will get in due course of the time. Monthly expenses are approx 1 Lacs only . Please suggest the way forward for next 5 Years .....how and where i start investing ....
Ans: Dear Sir
For a comprehensive QPFP level financial planning and retirement assessment we request the following details. These inputs will allow financial planner to prepare an accurate inflation-adjusted roadmap covering risk protection, income stability, investment strategy and long-term financial security.
________________________________________
1. Personal and Family Details
Your age and planned retirement year.
Spouse’s age, working status and future income expectations.
Number of dependents and their financial reliance on you.
Any major medical conditions in the family.
________________________________________
2. Parents’ Health and Financial Dependence
Current health condition of parents.
Do they have their own medical insurance cover.
Sum insured and type of policy.
Any critical illness or pre-existing conditions.
Monthly financial support you provide to them if any.
Expected future medical or caretaker expenses.
________________________________________
3. Income and Cash Flow
Monthly take home income.
Expected increments or bonuses for the next five years.
Monthly household expense structure.
Existing EMIs and financial commitments.
Monthly surplus available for investments.
Any expenses expected to rise due to inflation or lifestyle changes.
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4. Home Loan and Liabilities
Sanctioned home loan amount, interest rate and tenure.
Current disbursement status under construction linked plan.
Your plan for EMI servicing and part-prepayment.
Any other loans or financial liabilities.
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5. Real Estate Profile
Is this 4 BHK your first home or do you own other properties.
Any rental income from existing properties.
Purpose of the new 4 BHK after retirement for self, parents or children.
Your plan for the parental house. Retain, sell or rent.
Where you plan to settle post retirement.
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6. Investment Portfolio
Current mutual fund corpus and category-wise split.
SIP amounts and investment horizon.
PF, EPF, PPF and other retirement scheme balances.
Fixed deposit amounts, maturity periods and ownership structure for DICGC protection.
NPS allocations Tier 1 and Tier 2.
LIC policies with surrender value and maturity year.
Any bonds, NCDs, PMS, private equity or invoice discounting exposure.
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7. Emergency Preparedness
Current emergency fund value.
Loan facility available against MF or FD.
Any credit line for medical or sudden expenses.
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8. Insurance Protection (Self and Spouse)
Term insurance coverage and policy details.
Health insurance sum assured and insurer.
Top-up or super top-up cover details.
Critical illness and accident cover status.
Adequacy of insurance after accounting for inflation.
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9. Children’s Goals and Planning
Are you contributing financially to your children's planning.
Any corpus set aside for their marriage.
Children’s own investment and insurance setup.
Any future goals involving them.
________________________________________
10. Retirement Vision and Income Planning
Expected retirement lifestyle and monthly cost adjusted for inflation.
Your preferred retirement income structure
SWP from mutual funds
Annuity or pension products
PF interest
NPS annuity
Rental income
Plans to monetise or downsize real estate if needed.
Any travel, medical or lifestyle goals post retirement.
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11. Estate and Succession Planning
Will availability and last update date.
Nominations across MF, PF, NPS, FD, LIC, demat and bank accounts.
Any instructions for asset distribution.
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Next Step
Only Once you share these details, financial planner can prepare a complete five year roadmap covering asset allocation, inflation-adjusted corpus projections, loan strategy, insurance adequacy, medical preparedness, pension and SWP planning, liquidity management and post-retirement income stability.


Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

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https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Im aged 40 years and my husband is aged 48 years. We have one son aged 8 years and daughter aged 12 years. We both are in business. What should be the ideal corpus to meet their education at the age of 18 years for both children? Present business income we can save Rs.50000 pm
Ans: You are thinking early. That itself is a smart step. Many parents postpone planning and later struggle with loans. You are not in that situation. So appreciate your approach.

You asked about ideal corpus for higher education. Education cost is rising fast. So planning early avoids financial pressure later.

You have two kids. Your daughter is 12. Your son is 8. You have around six years for your daughter and around ten years for your son. With this time frame, you need a proper structured plan.

» Understanding Future Education Cost

Education inflation in India is high. It is increasing year after year. Even professional courses are becoming costly. College fees, hostel fees, books, digital tools and transportation also add cost.

You need to consider this inflation. Higher education cost will not remain at today’s value. It will grow.

So if today a standard undergraduate program costs around a few lakhs, in six to ten years the cost may go much higher. That is why estimating corpus should consider this future cost.

You don’t need exact numbers today. You need a target range to plan. A comfortable range gives clarity.

» Typical Cost Structure for Higher Education

Higher education cost depends on:

– Private or government institution
– Course type
– City or abroad option
– Duration

For engineering, medical, management or technology courses, cost goes higher. For government colleges the cost is lower but seats are limited. Private colleges are more accessible but expensive.

So planning based only on government college assumption may create funding gaps. Planning based on private college range gives safer margin.

» Suggested Corpus for Both Children

For your daughter, considering next six years gap and inflation, a target range should be higher. For your son, you have more time. So his corpus can grow better because compounding works more with time.

For a comfortable education corpus that covers most course possibilities, many families plan for a higher number. It gives flexibility to choose better college without stress.

So you can aim for a larger goal for both children like this:

– Daughter: Target a strong education fund for next six years
– Son: Target a similar or slightly higher fund for the next ten years because future costs may be higher

You may not need the whole amount if your child chooses a less expensive route. But having extra cushion gives peace.

» Your Savings Ability

You mentioned you can save Rs.50000 monthly. That is a strong saving capacity. But this saving should not go entirely to a single goal. You will also need future retirement planning, emergency fund and other life goals.

Still, a reasonable portion of this amount can be allocated towards education planning. Some families divide savings based on urgency and time horizon. Since daughter’s goal is near, she may need a more stable allocation.

Your son’s goal is long term. So his part can stay in growth asset for longer.

» Choosing the Right Investment Style

A long term goal like your son’s education needs equity exposure. Equity gives better potential for long term growth. It beats inflation better than fixed deposits.

But for your daughter, pure equity can create risk because goal is nearer. Market fluctuations may affect final corpus. So she needs a balanced asset mix.

So investment approach must be different for both.

» Asset Allocation Strategy

For your daughter with six year horizon:

– Higher allocation to a balanced type category
– Some allocation to equity through diversified categories
– Step down equity allocation in final three years

This structure protects capital in later years.

For your son with ten year horizon:

– Higher equity allocation at start
– Continue systematic investing
– Reduce risk allocation gradually closer to goal period

This helps growth and protection.

» Avoiding Wrong Investment Products

Parents often buy traditional insurance plans or children policies for education. These policies give low returns. They lock money and reduce wealth creation potential.

So avoid purely insurance based products for education goals. Insurance is separate. Investment is separate. This separation creates clarity and better growth.

If you already hold any ULIP or investment insurance product, it may not be efficient. Only if you have such policies then you may review and consider if surrender is needed and reinvest in mutual funds. If you don’t have such policies, no need to worry.

» Role of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

For long term goals, actively managed mutual funds offer better flexibility and expert management. They are designed to outperform inflation. A regular plan through a mutual fund distributor with CFP support helps with guidance. They also track your goal and give advice in volatile phases.

Direct funds look cheaper on expense ratio. But they lack advisory support. Long term investors often make emotional mistakes in direct investing. They stop SIPs or switch wrong schemes. So advisory backed investing avoids costly behaviour mistakes.

Index funds look simple and low cost. But they only follow the market. They don’t protect during corrections. There is no strategy or research. Actively managed funds adjust holdings based on market research and valuation. For life goals like education, smoother growth and strategy are needed.

So regular plan with advisory support helps you avoid unnecessary emotional decisions.

» Importance of Systematic Investing

A fixed monthly SIP gives discipline. It also benefits from market volatility. When markets fall, SIP buys more units. In rise phase, the value grows.

A structured SIP helps both goals. For daughter, SIP should shift towards low volatility funds slowly. For son, SIP can run longer in growth-oriented funds before reducing risk.

Your contribution amount may change based on future business income. But start now with whatever comfortable.

» Protecting the Goal With Insurance

Since you both are running business, income stability may fluctuate. So ensuring life security is important. Term insurance is the right option. It is low cost and high coverage.

This ensures child’s education is protected even if income stops.

Medical insurance also matters. A medical emergency should not break education savings.

» Reviewing the Plan Periodically

A fixed plan is good. But markets and life conditions change. So review once every twelve months.

Points to review:

– Are SIPs running on time?
– Is allocation suitable for goal year?
– Any need to shift from equity to safer category?
– Any tax planning advantage needed?

But avoid checking portfolio every week. Frequent checking creates stress.

» Education Goal Withdrawal Plan

As the daughter’s goal comes close:

– Stop SIP in high risk category
– Start shifting profit to debt type fund over systematic transfers
– Keep final year money in safe option like liquid category

Same formula should be applied for your son when his goal approaches.

This protects against last minute market crash.

» Emotional Side of Planning

Education is an emotional goal. Parents feel pressure to provide the best. But planning removes fear.

Saving consistently gives confidence. Having a plan helps avoid panic decisions. It also brings clarity of future expense.

This planning sets financial discipline for your children as well.

» Taxation Factors

When redeeming funds for education, tax rules will apply. For equity fund withdrawals, long term capital gains above exemption are taxed at 12.5% as per current rules. For short term within one year, tax is higher.

For debt investments, gains are taxed as per your tax slab.

So plan the withdrawal timing to reduce tax.

Tax planning near goal year is very important.

» What You Can Do Next

– Start separate investments for each child
– Use SIP for disciplined investing
– Choose growth-oriented asset for son
– Choose balanced and phased investment approach for daughter
– Review allocation yearly
– Protect the goal with insurance cover

Following these steps helps achieve the target corpus smoothly.

» Finally

You are already thinking in the right direction. You have time for both goals. You also have a good saving frequency. So you can build a strong education fund without stress.

Your children’s future will be secure if you continue with a structured and disciplined plan.

Stay consistent with your savings. Make investment choices carefully. Review and adjust calmly over time.

This journey will help you reach your ideal corpus for both children.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 09, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, Regarding recent turmoils in global economic situation and trends, Trump's tariffs, relentless FII selling, should I be worried about midcap, large&midcap funds that I have in my mutual fund portfolio? I have been investing from last 4 years and want to invest for next 10 years only. And then plan to retire and move to SWP. I'm targeting a 10%-11% return eventually. And I don't want to make lower returns than FD's. Is now the time to switch from midcap, laege&midcap to conservative, large, flexi funds? Please suggest.
Ans: You have asked the right question at the right time. Many investors panic only after damage happens. You are thinking ahead. That is a strong habit.

You also have clarity about your goal, time horizon and expected returns. This mindset will help you handle market noise better.

» Current Market Sentiment and Global Events
The global economy is seeing stress. There are trade decisions, tariff announcements, and geopolitical issues. Foreign institutional investors are selling. News flow looks negative.
These events can cause short term volatility. Midcaps and small caps usually react faster during these phases. Even large caps show some stress.
But markets have seen many crises in the past. Elections, governments, conflicts, pandemics, financial crashes and tariff wars are not new events. Markets always recover over time.
Short term movements are unpredictable. Long term wealth creation depends more on patience and asset allocation.

» Your Time Horizon Matters More Than Market Noise
You have been investing for 4 years. You plan to invest for the next 10 years. That means your remaining maturity is long term.
For a 10 year goal, equity is suitable. Midcap and large and midcap funds are designed for long term investors. They are not meant for short periods.
If your time horizon is short, it is valid to worry about downside risk. But with 10 more years ahead, temporary volatility is normal and expected.
Short term fear should not drive long term decisions.

» Should You Switch to Conservative or Large Cap Now?
Switching based on panic or temporary news is not ideal. When you switch now, you lock the current lower value permanently. You also miss the recovery phase.
Large cap and flexi cap funds offer stability. But they also deliver lower growth potential during bull runs compared to midcaps.
Midcaps usually fall deeper when markets drop. But they also recover faster and often outperform in the next cycle.
Switching now may protect emotions but may reduce long term wealth creation.

» Target Return of 10% to 11% is Reasonable
Aiming for 10%-11% return with a 10 year investment horizon is realistic.
Fixed deposits now offer around 6.5% to 7.5%. After tax, the return becomes lower.
Equity funds have potential to generate better returns compared to FD over a long tenure. Midcap allocation contributes to this return potential.
So moving fully to conservative funds may reduce your ability to beat inflation comfortably.

» Impact of FII Selling
FII selling creates pressure on the market. But domestic investors including SIP flows are strong today. India is seeing strong structural growth.
Retail investors, mutual funds and systematic flows act as stabilizers.
FII selling is temporary and cyclical. It is not a permanent trend.

» Economic Slowdowns Create Opportunities
Corrections make valuations reasonable. This can benefit long term SIP investors.
During downturns, your SIP buys more units. During recovery, these units grow.
This mechanism works best in volatile categories like midcaps.
Stopping SIP or switching during dips blocks this benefit.

» Midcap Cycles Are Natural
Midcap funds move in cycles. They have phases of strong growth followed by correction. The correction phase is painful but temporary.
Every cycle contributes to future upside. Staying invested during all phases is important.
Many investors exit during downturns and enter again after markets rise. This behaviour produces lower returns than the mutual fund performance.

» Role of Portfolio Balance
Instead of exiting fully, review your asset allocation. You can hold a mix of:
– Large cap
– Flexi cap
– Midcap
– Large and midcap
This gives stability and growth potential.
Midcap should not be more than a suitable percentage for your age and risk tolerance. Since you are 36, some meaningful midcap exposure is fine.
If midcap exposure is very high, you can reduce slightly and move that portion to flexi cap or large cap funds slowly through a systematic transfer. Do not do a lump sum shift during panic.

» Behavioural Discipline Matters More Than Fund Selection
Market cycles test investor patience. Consistency in SIP and holding through declines builds wealth.
Most investors do not fail due to bad funds. They fail due to fear-based decisions.
Your approach should be systematic, not emotional.

» Do Not Compare with FD Frequently
FD gives predictable return. Equity gives volatile but higher potential return.
Comparing FD returns every time the market falls leads to wrong decisions.
FD is for safety. Equity is for growth. They serve different purposes.
Your retirement plan and SWP plan depends on growth. Only equity can provide that growth.

» Should You Change Strategy Because Retirement is 10 Years Away?
Now is not the time to exit growth segments. You are still in accumulation phase.
When you reach the last 3 years before retirement, then reducing equity exposure step by step is required.
At that stage, a glide path helps preserve gains. That time has not yet come.
So continue building wealth now.

» Market Timings and Shifts Rarely Work
Many investors try to predict markets. Most of them fail.
Switching based on news looks logical. But news and market timing rarely align.
Staying consistent with your asset allocation gives better results than frequent changes.

» Portfolio Review Approach
You can follow these steps:
– Continue SIPs in all categories
– Avoid stopping based on short term fears
– If midcap allocation is above comfort level, shift only small portion gradually
– Review allocation once in a year, not every month
This structured approach prevents emotional decisions.

» Tax Rules Matter When Switching
Switching between equity funds involves tax impact.
Short term capital gains tax is higher.
Long term capital gains above the exemption limit are taxed at 12.5%.
Switching without purpose can create avoidable tax leakage.
This reduces your compounding.

» When to Worry?
You need to reconsider only if:
– Your goal horizon becomes short
– Your risk appetite changes
– Your allocation becomes unbalanced
Not because of headlines or temporary corrections.

» Your Retirement SWP Plan
Once your accumulation phase is completed, you can shift to:
– Conservative hybrid
– Flexi cap
– Balanced allocation
This will support a smoother SWP.
But this transition should happen only closer to the retirement start date. Not now.

» SIP is Designed for Turbulent Years
SIP works best when markets are volatile. The hardest years for emotions are the most powerful for compounding.
Your long term discipline is your strategy.
Do not interrupt it.

» What You Should Do Now
– Stay invested
– Continue SIP
– Avoid panic selling
– Review allocation once a year
– Use a steady plan, not reactions
This will help you reach your target return range.

» Finally
You are on the right path. The current volatility is temporary. Your 10 year horizon gives enough time for recovery and growth.
Switching right now based on fear may reduce your future returns. Staying invested and continuing SIPs is the sensible approach.
Your goal of better return than FD is realistic. Equity can deliver that with patience.
Stay calm and systematic.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |6740 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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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