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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8333 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 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
Vaman Question by Vaman on Jun 09, 2023Hindi
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Sir. I have one thousand units each of Kotak international REIT fund and Kotak global innovation fund . Should I hold the same or invest in Kotak flexi fund or invest the same in some funds of Kotak or new fund offers from HDFC UTI SBI? Please note iam not in need of funds. Whether should I hold or rejig the same. Kindly advice.

Ans: Considering your current holdings in international REIT and global innovation funds, if you're looking to diversify or reallocate, exploring flexible or diversified equity funds from various fund houses could be beneficial. Reassess your portfolio's overall asset allocation, risk tolerance, and investment goals before making any changes. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide personalized advice, assess suitable options from different fund houses, and guide you on whether to hold or reallocate based on your financial objectives and risk profile.
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  |8333 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Should I continue my investment of rupees 25000 each in kotak international REIT fund and Kotak global innovation fund or do you advise redeem the same and invest in Hdfc defence fund or convert the same to SIP
Ans: Let's evaluate your investments in Kotak International REIT Fund and Kotak Global Innovation Fund to determine whether to continue, redeem, or switch.

Thematic funds, such as Kotak Global Innovation Fund, focus on specific sectors or themes, which can lead to higher volatility and risk. They are susceptible to market fluctuations and regulatory changes, making them less suitable for investors seeking stable, long-term growth.

Considering Limited Exposure to REITs:

While Kotak International REIT Fund provides exposure to global real estate investment trusts (REITs), it's essential to note that REITs should only constitute a limited portion of your portfolio. Overexposure to REITs can increase portfolio risk, especially during economic downturns or changes in real estate market conditions.

Exploring Broad-Based Diversified Active Regular Funds:

Elaborating Advantages:

Diversification: Broad-based diversified active regular funds invest across multiple sectors and asset classes, reducing concentration risk. They offer exposure to a wide range of companies, industries, and geographies, spreading risk and enhancing portfolio stability.

Risk Management: Active fund management allows fund managers to adapt to changing market conditions, seize opportunities, and mitigate risks. Fund managers conduct in-depth research and analysis to select high-quality stocks, potentially outperforming market benchmarks over the long term.

Stable Growth: By investing in established companies with strong fundamentals, broad-based diversified funds aim to deliver consistent and stable growth over time. They offer a balanced approach to wealth accumulation, catering to investors' long-term financial goals.

Consultation with a Certified Financial Planner:

Engage with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to discuss your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and portfolio allocation. A CFP can provide personalized guidance on optimizing your investment strategy and selecting suitable funds aligned with your financial goals.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, considering the disadvantages of thematic funds and the need for limited exposure to REITs, it's advisable to redeem investments in Kotak International REIT Fund and Kotak Global Innovation Fund. Redirecting funds towards broad-based diversified active regular funds offers diversification, risk management, and stable growth potential, aligning with your long-term investment objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8333 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2025

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i wish to purchase new car i10, should i purchase the same through own money or should i take a vehicle loan from bank and the money own by my to be kept as FDR or liquid mutual fund
Ans: It’s a good sign that you’re thinking before buying a car. You’re not rushing into it. That shows maturity and smart thinking.

We will now evaluate own money vs vehicle loan — from every angle.

 

Understanding the Nature of a Car Purchase
A car is not an investment.

 

It is a consumption asset, not a growth asset.

 

It depreciates every year. Its value goes down, not up.

 

So the cheaper the total cost, the better for your wealth.

 

Option 1: Use Own Money Fully
Pros

No interest cost. You save on total expenses.

 

You are free from monthly EMI pressure.

 

Car becomes fully yours from day one.

 

No need to deal with bank, forms, hypothecation etc.

 

Cons

Your liquid money reduces.

 

You may not have enough cash for emergencies.

 

Opportunity loss if you had invested that money.

 

Option 2: Take Vehicle Loan & Keep Own Money in FDR or Liquid Mutual Fund
Let’s evaluate this with care.

Vehicle Loan Pros

You can preserve your savings for emergencies.

 

EMI can be budgeted monthly, if income is stable.

 

Some banks offer competitive interest rates.

 

Vehicle Loan Cons

You will pay interest on a depreciating item.

 

Loan adds to your monthly obligations.

 

You must pay insurance, EMI, fuel, and service together.

 

FDR and Liquid Mutual Funds give lower returns than loan cost.

 

So you will likely lose more in interest than you gain.

 

Let's Compare: Interest Rate vs Investment Return
Vehicle loan interest is usually 9% to 11% per year.

 

FDR gives around 6% to 7% before tax.

 

Liquid mutual funds give 6% to 7.5% on average.

 

So you pay more to the bank than you earn from investment.

 

Tax on interest or gains reduces actual return further.

 

This means taking a car loan and investing your own money leads to net loss.

 

Best Option for You: Smart Compromise Approach
Let me share a wise solution.

 

Don’t use full own money. Don’t take full loan either.

 

Instead, pay 70–80% from own funds.

 

Take a small car loan for the remaining 20–30% only.

 

This keeps EMI low and retains some liquidity.

 

You reduce interest cost and also keep Rs.50,000–Rs.1 lakh aside.

 

Park that in liquid fund for any urgent need.

 

Repay this small loan fast in 1–2 years.

 

Only Take a Car Loan If:
Your job income is stable.

 

You already have 3–6 months emergency fund ready.

 

You don’t have big loans running now.

 

You can pay EMI without affecting savings.

 

You commit to close the loan early.

 

Avoid This Mistake:
Never buy a more expensive car because loan makes it “feel affordable.”

 

Loan should not expand your car budget.

 

Whether you buy with loan or cash, pick a simple car within limits.

 

i10 is a wise, middle-ground choice. Good thought.

 

Tax Angle (If Business Use)
If you are using the car for business, vehicle loan interest may be tax-deductible.

 

But for personal use, there is no tax benefit.

 

So do not take loan just for imagined tax saving.

 

Final Insights
A car is a need, not an investment.

 

Using your own money fully keeps things simple and cheap.

 

Taking a full car loan and investing the money gives net negative return.

 

Best option is a split approach — pay major part from own funds.

 

Take small loan only if needed and close it early.

 

Always keep emergency money aside before buying.

 

Avoid emotional buying or overbudget cars.

 

Your financially balanced approach is very appreciable.

 

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

...Read more

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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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