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Ramalingam Kalirajan |6995 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

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

Question by Narra on Apr 23, 2024Hindi

Dear Nikunj, Is it worth buying HDFC Nifty Reality Index Fund

Ans: Investing in HDFC Nifty Realty Index Fund may not be the most prudent decision for several reasons. While sectoral funds offer targeted exposure to specific industries like real estate, they come with inherent disadvantages compared to diversified funds. Additionally, index funds, including sectoral ones, have their drawbacks when compared to actively managed funds.

Disadvantages of Sectoral Funds
Concentrated Risk
Sectoral funds focus on a specific industry, such as real estate in the case of HDFC Nifty Realty Index Fund. This concentration increases the risk because the performance of the fund is closely tied to the performance of that sector. Any adverse developments in the real estate sector can significantly impact the fund's returns.

Cyclical Nature
Real estate is a cyclical industry prone to fluctuations based on economic conditions, government policies, and market sentiments. Investing solely in a real estate index fund exposes you to the cyclicality of the sector without the benefit of diversification across other industries.

Lack of Diversification
Diversification is a key principle of sound investing. Sectoral funds lack the diversification benefits offered by multi-cap or diversified equity funds, which spread investments across various sectors and companies. This diversification helps mitigate risks associated with a single sector's performance.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Limited Flexibility
Index funds passively track a specific index, such as the Nifty Realty Index in this case. They lack the flexibility of actively managed funds to respond to changing market conditions or exploit investment opportunities. As a result, they may underperform during certain market phases.

Inability to Outperform
Since index funds aim to replicate the performance of their underlying index, they cannot outperform the market. In contrast, actively managed funds have the potential to generate alpha by selecting high-performing stocks or sectors, thereby outperforming the benchmark index.

Sectoral Risks Amplified
While index funds provide exposure to a specific sector, such as real estate, they magnify the risks associated with that sector. In the case of HDFC Nifty Realty Index Fund, any downturn in the real estate sector would directly impact the fund's performance without the cushion of diversification.

Conclusion
In summary, while HDFC Nifty Realty Index Fund provides exposure to the real estate sector, it comes with inherent risks due to its sectoral focus and passive management approach. Investing in diversified equity funds offers better risk-adjusted returns by spreading investments across multiple sectors and adopting an active management strategy. Before making any investment decision, it's advisable to consult with a Certified Financial Planner who can assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and recommend suitable investment options tailored to your needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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.