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Investing Advice: How can I improve my investment portfolio?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8098 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 04, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Feb 01, 2025Hindi
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hi team, thank you for guiding on verious queries my current portfolio is distributed as below, can you please suggest for better improvement. Index funds 43.93% mid-cap 21.9% large & mid-cap 11.78% flexi cap 9.08% large-cap 7.07% sector technology 5.61% elss (tax savings) 0.3% global other 0%

Ans: Your portfolio has a good mix of equity funds. You have diversified across market caps. However, there is room for improvement. A structured approach can enhance returns and reduce risks.

Strengths of Your Portfolio
You have a strong allocation to mid-cap and flexi-cap funds. These have high growth potential.

Large-cap funds provide stability in your portfolio.

A sectoral fund can give additional growth in specific market cycles.

ELSS investment provides tax benefits. Even though allocation is low, it helps in tax savings.

Areas for Improvement
High Exposure to Index Funds
Index funds make up 43.93% of your portfolio. This is too high.

Index funds do not outperform the market. They only match it.

Actively managed funds give better returns over time.

Fund managers adjust holdings based on market trends. Index funds lack this flexibility.

Reducing index fund allocation can help improve returns.

Mid-Cap and Large & Mid-Cap Allocation
Mid-cap funds are 21.9% of your portfolio.

Large & mid-cap funds are 11.78%. This combination gives good growth.

These funds need long-term holding for better returns.

You can continue holding them, but periodic review is necessary.

Low Allocation to Large-Cap Funds
Large-cap funds are only 7.07%.

Large-cap stocks provide stability in downturns.

You may increase allocation to maintain a balanced portfolio.

Sectoral Fund Allocation
Technology sector fund is 5.61%.

Sectoral funds are high-risk. They perform well only in certain cycles.

If technology sector underperforms, it can drag your returns down.

Reducing exposure may help in risk management.

No Allocation to International Funds
Your portfolio has 0% in global funds.

International funds provide geographic diversification.

This helps in reducing risk from local market downturns.

A small allocation to international funds is recommended.

Suggested Portfolio Rebalancing
Reduce index fund exposure. Shift to actively managed funds.

Maintain mid-cap and flexi-cap allocations for long-term growth.

Increase large-cap allocation for better stability.

Reduce sectoral exposure to manage risk.

Add a small portion to international funds for diversification.

Risk Management and Portfolio Review
Equity investments need long-term commitment.

Review your portfolio every six months.

Rebalance if any fund underperforms consistently.

Ensure you have adequate health insurance for financial security.

Finally
Your portfolio is structured well, but small changes can improve returns.

Reducing index funds will enhance growth potential.

A better mix of large-cap and global funds can reduce risks.

Keep reviewing your investments and adjusting as needed.

A disciplined approach will help you achieve long-term financial goals.

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  |8098 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

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I have been investing in mutual funds like Nippon large cap 8k , HDFC Mid cap opportunities 3k, Quant small cap 3k , Nippon India small cap 2k, Parag Parikh flexi cap 4k, Aditya Birla sun life PSU 2k, HDFC Balanced Advantage fund 2k , Nippon India credit risk (Debt Fund) 2k . Need some suggestions on the overall portfolio and if any further improvements can be done on debt Fund .
Ans: Your investment portfolio reflects a well-diversified approach across various segments of the market, which is commendable. Let's delve into some suggestions for optimizing your portfolio and enhancing the debt component.

Your allocation across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, flexi-cap, and sector-specific funds provides a good balance of growth potential and stability.

Consider evaluating the performance and consistency of each fund to ensure they align with your investment objectives and risk tolerance.

As for your debt fund, given the current economic environment, it's prudent to review your exposure to credit risk.

Consider diversifying your debt allocation by exploring options such as liquid funds or short-term debt funds, which offer lower credit risk and higher liquidity.

Additionally, assessing the expense ratio and credit quality of your current debt fund can help determine its suitability for your portfolio.

Pls consult a Certified Financial Planner to assist you in fine-tuning your portfolio to better align with your goals.

Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio ensures it remains optimized to weather market fluctuations and achieve long-term growth.

Remember, investing is a dynamic process, and adjustments may be necessary to adapt to changing market conditions and personal circumstances.

Keep up the good work with your investment journey, and feel free to reach out if you need further assistance or guidance. Your dedication to financial planning is truly commendable!

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8098 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 18, 2024Hindi
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I have the following portfolio: 1. UTI nifty 50 index fund 2. Parag Parikh flexi cap 3. Nippon India Small cap please suggest if any changes are needed. Do I need to add a midcap fund? and which midcap fund would be best if i have a risk appetite?
Ans: Portfolio Review
You have a well-diversified portfolio, but let's evaluate each fund:

UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund: This fund tracks the Nifty 50 index. While index funds have low management fees, they do not provide active management. They lack the potential for outperformance in varying market conditions. Consider replacing this with an actively managed large-cap fund to potentially enhance returns.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: This is a strong flexi cap fund. It provides diversification across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. It's a good choice for long-term growth and has a strong track record.

Nippon India Small Cap Fund: This fund invests in small-cap stocks. Small-cap funds can offer high growth but come with higher risk and volatility.

Adding a Midcap Fund
Given your risk appetite, adding a midcap fund can provide a balanced exposure to your portfolio. Midcap funds offer higher growth potential than large-cap funds but are less volatile than small-cap funds.

Recommended Midcap Fund
When choosing a midcap fund, consider these factors:

Fund Performance: Look for consistent performance over various periods (1 year, 3 years, 5 years).

Fund Management: Experienced fund managers with a good track record.

Expense Ratio: Lower expense ratios can help enhance net returns.

Portfolio Composition: A diversified portfolio within the midcap segment.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Active Management: Actively managed funds can potentially outperform the market through stock selection and timing.

Risk Management: Fund managers actively manage risk through diversification and strategic asset allocation.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lack of Flexibility: Index funds strictly follow the index composition, missing opportunities for better performance.

No Downside Protection: Index funds fall as much as the market during downturns, offering no protection against losses.

Suggested Investment Plan
Equity Allocation: Continue with Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund and Nippon India Small Cap Fund.

Replace Index Fund: Consider replacing UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund with an actively managed large-cap fund.

Suggested Midcap Fund Criteria
Strong Track Record: Choose a midcap fund with consistent past performance.

Experienced Fund Manager: Ensure the fund is managed by an experienced team.

Diversified Portfolio: Look for a fund with a diversified midcap portfolio.

Final Insights
Regular Review: Periodically review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Diversification: Maintain a diversified portfolio to manage risk effectively.

Stay Informed: Keep updated on market trends and fund performance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Janak

Janak Patel  |21 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Mar 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 10, 2025Hindi
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Hi, I am 46 years old residing in a B Town in India. I have 2 daughters one 16 years old and second 7 years old. I have Savings of 25 Lakh in my account as emergency find. I have FD of 65 Lakhs. PF, PPF and NPS of 25 Lakhs, Mutual Fund and Shares of 25 Lakhs, Lic policies worth 25 Lakhs, Gold around 1.2 Crores. I have a medical insurance of 20 Lakhs for me and my family, Term insurance of 1Cr. As properties. I own 2 independent houses, 2 flats and 2 plots in Bangalore which has a current value of about 4.5 Cr. In my home town i have 2 Houses, 1 apartment and plots which has a current value of 2.75 Cr. Currently i am drawing a monthly salary of 2 Lakh rupees and get a rent of 30K/ month. I donot have any emi's and my monthly expenses is currently 75K. I am planning to retire at the age of 50. Is my financial condition stable to retire at the age of 50? Thanks for your suggestion in advance.
Ans: Hi,

Lets understand the value of your current Investments at the time of retirement. Below is the list with its current value and (expected rate of return).
Emergency Fund - 25 lakhs (3.5%)
Fixed Deposits - 65 lakhs (7%)
PF/PPF/NPS - 25 lakhs (8%)
MF/Stocks - 25 lakhs (10%)
LIC Policies - 25 lakhs (no change)
Your current investments listed above will achieve a value of 3.5 crore at the time of retirement 4 years from now.

Apart from this you have mentioned properties worth 7.25 Cr. Assuming you will only use/liquidate them if required, so excluding them from consideration for now.

You total income is 2.30 lakhs per month (includes rent) and expenses are 75k per month. So there is potential to add to the above investments for the next 4 years.

I will assume your current expenses are sufficient for the lifestyle you want to continue post retirement.
You will require a corpus on retirement after 4 years to sustain your expenses adjusted with inflation of 6% which will be close to 1 lakh per month (at the time of retirement).
With this starting point, and adjusting for inflation of 6% each year, and life expectancy of 30 years post retirement you need a corpus of approx. 2.5 crore - again assumed this will earn a return of 8% for the 30 years.
If you can invest wisely and generate a slightly higher return of say 10%, the corpus requirement will be 2 crore.

Your current investments at the time of retirement with value of 3.5 crore is sufficient to cover your expenses for the next 30 years inflation adjusted at 6%.
And this is excluding the properties you own and additional investments you can make for the next 4 years.

Summary - You are more than stable as far as your financial state is concerned. You have a strong base to meet your retirement needs and also a potential to create wealth for the generations ahead.

I want to highlight/recommend few points -
1. Increase the medical Insurance for yourself and family to 1Crore as medical expenses will only increase in future.
2. Stop the Term Life Insurance and save the premium for investment. As you have no liabilities and net-worth is high enough to cover any outcomes in life ahead, this premium is a lost cause considering your strong financial state.
3. Revisit the LIC Policies you have and consider surrendering/stopping them if they are not nearing their maturity. They are not giving you enough cover and providing below par returns. So do discuss with a trusted licensed advisor and evaluate them. If they will mature in the next 4 years, ignore this point.
4. Post retirement period is a long duration of 30 years, so do consider getting a good advisor - a Certified Financial Planner who can guide you to plan your retirement well and help you design a portfolio for additional wealth creation as a legacy for your children/dependents.


Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8098 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 11, 2025Hindi
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Hi, I have the following funds part of my SIP and the last 4 funds are my one time lump sum of 35K each and invested sometime in November last year. Are these good to hold (lump sum) and rest as SIP for another 5 years. 1 Kotak Flexicap Fund - Reg Gr 2 Kotak Flexicap Fund - Dir Gr 3 Tata Multi Asset Opp Dir Gr 4 TATA Nifty 50 Index Dir Pl 5 Technology Plan - Direct - Growth 6 Bandhan Sterling Value Fund-(Reg PIn) -Gr 7 Nifty Smallcap250 Quality 50 Index Fund - Dir - G 8 | HDFC Dividend Yield Direct Growth 9 Quant Large and Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth 10 Quant Multi Asset Fund Direct Growth 11 Groww Nifty Non Cyclical Consumer Index Fund Direct Growth 12 Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct Growth Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Ans: You have invested in multiple funds through SIP and lump sum. Holding them for the next 5 years is a good approach. However, it is important to check if your portfolio is diversified, aligned with your goals, and tax-efficient.

Overlap Between Funds
Your portfolio has multiple funds from the same category.

Too many similar funds do not improve returns but make tracking difficult.

Checking fund overlap can help avoid duplication.

Actively Managed vs Index Funds
You have index funds in your portfolio.

Index funds do not offer downside protection in market corrections.

Actively managed funds can outperform the index in volatile markets.

Switching from index funds to actively managed funds can improve growth.

Direct vs Regular Funds
You have invested in direct funds.

Direct funds may seem cheaper, but they lack expert guidance.

Investing through an MFD with CFP credentials ensures better selection and tracking.

Regular funds provide better decision-making support over time.

Sector-Specific and Thematic Funds
You hold a technology fund.

Sector funds are high-risk, as they depend on one industry’s performance.

If the sector underperforms, returns may be negative for years.

A diversified approach reduces risk compared to sector-based investing.

Smallcap and Midcap Allocation
You have smallcap and midcap funds.

These funds can be highly volatile in the short term.

Holding them for 5+ years is necessary to reduce risk.

Ensure you rebalance if the portfolio gets too aggressive.

Multi-Asset and Dividend Yield Funds
Multi-asset funds provide stability during market corrections.

Dividend yield funds are suitable for conservative investors.

These funds help in balancing the portfolio between risk and return.

Final Insights
Reduce overlapping funds and focus on fewer, well-performing funds.

Exit index funds and shift to actively managed funds for better growth.

Consider switching from direct funds to regular funds for expert tracking.

Keep sector funds below 10% of your portfolio to avoid concentration risk.

Continue SIPs in high-quality diversified funds for long-term wealth creation.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8098 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 13, 2025

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Can I run my family with 15 k exp and 20k retirement income
Ans: You have a monthly retirement income of Rs 20,000 and expect monthly expenses of Rs 15,000. On paper, this looks manageable, but there are important financial factors to consider. Let us analyse whether this income will be sufficient for the long term.

Cost of Living and Inflation Impact
Expenses will increase over time due to inflation.

If inflation is 6% per year, your Rs 15,000 monthly expenses may double in 12 years.

If income remains Rs 20,000, the gap between income and expenses will widen.

Healthcare and Medical Costs
Medical expenses increase with age.

Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket medical costs can rise.

If a medical emergency arises, your savings could be depleted quickly.

Emergency Fund Requirement
A sudden family emergency can strain finances.

Having at least 2–3 years' worth of expenses in a liquid fund is necessary.

If you do not have an emergency fund, your retirement income may not be sufficient.

Unplanned Expenses and Lifestyle Changes
New financial needs may arise, such as helping family members or home repairs.

You may want to travel, pursue hobbies, or engage in social activities.

A fixed retirement income can make such expenses challenging.

Investment Strategy for Long-Term Security
To beat inflation, invest a portion of savings in growth-oriented assets.

A mix of equity and debt funds will help generate better returns.

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from equity funds can provide a higher monthly income.

Alternative Income Sources
Consider part-time work, freelancing, or consulting if possible.

Rental income or dividends from investments can support retirement cash flow.

Final Insights
Rs 20,000 may be enough now, but inflation and rising costs can make it insufficient later.

A combination of investments, emergency funds, and alternate income sources will provide financial security.

Regularly review and adjust your financial plan to sustain your retirement lifestyle.

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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