Why Do Debt Funds Offer Lower Returns Than Equity Mutual Funds?

Ans: First of all, bonds and stocks are not comparable. You can look at investing directly in bonds VS debt mutual funds. Similarly, stocks Vs Equity Mutual Funds. If you have the expertise to invest in stocks or are able to evaluate the credit risk, you can directly invest into stocks or bonds respectively. Otherwise, you can give it to a fund manager who is likely to do a better job than most retail investors. Further, mutual funds give you benefit of diversification which you would otherwise need to do on your own. Mutual funds also offer liquidity, smaller size and it is easier to invest through STPs. Based on our experience, we find that retail investors tend to lose out much more than the fund management fees that they end up paying.

Ans: Debt funds primarily invest in fixed-income securities such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and treasury bills. These funds are less volatile than equity mutual funds but offer comparatively lower returns. They are ideal for conservative investors seeking stable returns and capital preservation.

Debt funds are best suited for short- to medium-term goals, typically within one to three years. They provide liquidity, diversification, and the potential for steady returns, making them an essential part of a well-balanced portfolio.

Key Characteristics of Debt Funds:
Lower Risk: Less volatile compared to equity funds, suitable for risk-averse investors.

Consistent Returns: Typically lower than equities but provide steady income over time.

Liquidity: Easily redeemable, offering quick access to funds when required.

Diversification: Spread across various fixed-income securities, minimizing concentration risk.

Debt funds can also be used to generate regular income through Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP). However, taxation and risk factors must be carefully considered before investing heavily in these funds.

Balanced Fund Overview
Balanced funds (also called hybrid funds) invest in both equity and debt instruments. Their aim is to balance growth and income by diversifying across these asset classes. The equity portion of the fund drives growth, while the debt portion ensures stability.

The allocation between equity and debt is crucial to understanding risk and return potential. The higher the equity exposure, the greater the risk but also the potential for higher returns. Conversely, higher debt exposure means more stability but slower growth.

Balanced Fund with 50%, 60%, and 70% Equity Exposure:
50% Equity Exposure: A moderate-risk option, where the equity portion provides growth and the debt portion offers stability. Suitable for conservative investors seeking moderate exposure to equities.

60% Equity Exposure: Leans slightly more toward growth, but with added stability from the debt component. This is a balanced option for investors with moderate risk tolerance.

70% Equity Exposure: A higher-risk option that aims for more significant growth, but comes with increased market volatility. Suitable for investors who can handle market fluctuations for better long-term returns.

Your choice should depend on your financial goals and risk tolerance. A 70% equity exposure offers higher returns in the long run, but carries more risk. On the other hand, a 50% equity exposure provides less volatility but slower growth.

Taxation of Debt Funds
Taxation on debt mutual funds differs significantly from that on equity funds. For debt funds, both short-term and long-term capital gains (STCG and LTCG) are taxed based on your income tax slab. Here’s the breakdown:

Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If you sell a debt fund within 3 years, any gains are treated as short-term and taxed according to your income tax slab.

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains from debt funds held for more than 3 years are treated as long-term and are taxed as per your income tax slab. The advantage of indexation (adjusting for inflation) is no longer available, making this less tax-efficient compared to previous years.

Debt fund taxation is generally higher than equity fund taxation, especially for long-term investments, since there is no lower tax rate for LTCG in debt funds.

Taxation of Balanced Funds with Different Equity Exposures
The taxation of balanced funds depends on their equity exposure. Balanced funds with an equity allocation of 65% or more are taxed as equity funds, while those with less than 65% equity exposure are taxed as debt funds.

Taxation of Balanced Funds with 70% Equity Exposure (Treated as Equity Funds):
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Gains from selling equity mutual funds within one year are taxed at 20%.

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): For gains exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh in a financial year, long-term capital gains are taxed at 12.5%.

This favourable tax treatment makes balanced funds with higher equity exposure more tax-efficient for long-term investors.

Taxation of Balanced Funds with 60% or 50% Equity Exposure (Treated as Debt Funds):
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Gains from selling these funds within 3 years are taxed according to your income tax slab.

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains from holding the fund for more than 3 years are also taxed according to your income tax slab.

The tax treatment of balanced funds with lower equity exposure makes them less attractive for long-term investors, as they are taxed like debt funds, which can lead to higher tax liabilities.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
While index funds might seem appealing due to their low cost, they have several disadvantages. Index funds simply track a market index, offering no potential for outperforming the market. They merely replicate market performance, limiting the potential for higher gains.

Key Disadvantages:
No Active Management: Index funds lack professional fund managers who can actively select stocks and adjust the portfolio based on market conditions. This limits their ability to generate higher returns.

Limited Flexibility: Index funds strictly follow the index, regardless of market fluctuations. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, can be more responsive to market changes, helping to avoid potential losses.

Sector Bias: Index funds often have a concentration in specific sectors, especially when the index is heavily weighted toward certain industries. Actively managed funds provide better diversification across sectors.

Actively managed funds offer the potential for superior returns, as they are managed by professionals who can adjust the fund based on market trends. Certified Financial Planners can guide you in selecting the right actively managed funds, which tend to outperform passive index funds in the long run.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Investing in direct funds may appear cost-effective due to their lower expense ratios, but they come with their own set of challenges. Many investors fail to realize the importance of expert advice when selecting direct funds.

Key Disadvantages:
Lack of Expert Guidance: Direct funds do not offer professional advice. This leaves investors on their own, increasing the chances of making uninformed decisions.

Time-Consuming: Managing your investments via direct funds requires constant monitoring and market knowledge. This can be a burden for those with limited time or financial expertise.

Risk of Poor Asset Allocation: Without expert guidance, investors might fail to create a balanced portfolio. This increases the risk of underperformance, especially during market volatility.

Investing through Certified Financial Planners provides tailored advice, expert fund selection, and ongoing portfolio management, ensuring your investments align with your financial goals. Regular funds offer access to professional expertise, which can be invaluable for long-term wealth creation.

Final Insights
Debt and balanced funds offer a range of options for investors with different risk appetites. Balanced funds with higher equity exposure tend to perform better in the long run but carry more risk. Meanwhile, debt funds and balanced funds with lower equity exposure provide stability but lower returns.

Taxation is an essential factor to consider when investing. Debt funds and balanced funds with lower equity exposure face higher taxes compared to equity funds. The new tax rules make it even more critical to understand how each investment will affect your returns.

Investing in actively managed funds offers better opportunities for growth compared to index and direct funds. Certified Financial Planners can help you navigate these options and select funds that are best suited for your financial goals.

Best Regards,

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