What are Mutual Funds?
Investments made by both individual and institutional investors are combined by an asset management company (AMC) or a fund house. An AMC creates a mutual fund using this collection of investments. On behalf of investors, fund managers at AMCs invest in stocks, bonds, and other assets. They also manage the fund’s investment amount.
Under their investment amount, mutual fund investors are given units of the fund. Investors may redeem these units at the NAV at the fund’s maturity or reinvest the proceeds.
What is a Mutual Fund NAV?
The market price of the fund is its NAV or net asset value. It is significant because it displays the value of each fund. Mutual funds are evaluated using their NAV, similar to how shares are evaluated using their share price.
How to Choose the Right Mutual Funds In India in 2022?
In the end, a mutual fund with a higher return is preferred by an investor. Three factors, including the investor’s life goals, comprehension of investment risk, and their investment horizon, can direct the entire decision process.
Investment Objective
Investors should first choose their own life goals before selecting an investment strategy that will let them achieve those goals. Each plan is distinct from the others and accomplishes a particular purpose. Therefore, the fund’s investment objective must coincide with the investor’s objectives, investment strategy, and risk tolerance to make a meaningful choice. A short-term plan cannot achieve a long-term goal. The essential scheme information documents contain all the relevant information regarding the scheme, its asset allocation, purpose, and strategy.
Fund History
The track record of a fund’s performance through time, through market ups and downs, is known as its fund history. This demonstrates the fund’s durability amid tough times.
One should check how the fund performed amid bear runs. However, the correctness of investment techniques may be seen in a fund with a solid track record of producing dependable returns.
When making a short list, an investor must review the fund’s track record for the same time frame as the chosen investment horizon. For instance, if an investor is prepared to commit funds for five years, he needs to research the fund’s five-year track record.
Expense Ratio
An annual charge for managing an investor’s funds is levied by the fund house manager. This charge is called the expense ratio and is indicated as a percentage. The total investment return for the investor is calculated by subtracting the expense ratio from the fund’s generated returns. The final sum that an investor receives is known as the net amount. Investor returns will lower with a greater expense ratio. An investor should therefore select a fund with a lower expense ratio than peer funds in the category.
Performance of Fund Management
A fund’s performance depends heavily on the engagement of the fund manager. The fund manager is in charge of making sure everything runs well. Therefore, it is crucial to know the fund manager’s history. In addition, an investor must monitor the fund’s performance during market peaks and valleys. The fund has demonstrated superior fund management when it generates steady returns and limits losses during market downturns.
Advantages of Mutual Fund Investments?
Most mutual funds in India do not carry a lock-in period. Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) is the only open-ended scheme with a lock-in period of three years. An investor investing in a mutual fund has the flexibility to redeem units whenever they are needed. Mutual funds allow for flexible investment and withdrawal terms. However, this withdrawal also carries a pre-exit penalty.
Since mutual funds have an asset allocation that is diversified among different asset classes, this diversified portfolio lowers risk for investors. In addition, it minimizes the likelihood of the fund’s overall performance fluctuating.
Due to the variety of channels and purchasing alternatives available to investors, mutual funds are simple to purchase. Mutual funds are distributed through the channels listed below and are administered by AMCs and fund houses.
- Brokerage Companies
- Registrars such as CAMS and Karvy
- Banks and agents.
- Online platforms for investing in mutual funds. A Demat account isn’t necessary to invest.
Mutual funds have offered better returns than other fixed-income investment plans. These include fixed deposits, interest on savings account balances, NSC, and PPF.
Due to the chance for tax savings provided under section 80c makes investment in ELSS Funds more alluring for a potential investor. Consequently, investing in ELSS funds offers an opportunity to reduce taxes while also earning a profit.
The best thing about mutual funds is that there is no maximum investment amount, and an investor can start with as little as INR 500. Investors can make investing decisions based on their income, expenses, risk tolerance, investment strategy, and tax situation.
What is the Best Way to Invest in Mutual Funds?
An investor can make a lump sum investment or a SIP investment. However, the best way for an individual to invest in mutual funds in India is through a systematic investment plan (SIP). It’s because this method encourages disciplined, regular savings.
An investor may experience the market’s ups and downs while making mutual fund investments. But on the other hand, maintaining an investment in a mutual fund investing strategy over the long term is the greatest way to meet your financial objectives.
You can use mutual fund SIP calculators and lump sum calculators to estimate the entire wealth gained through mutual fund investments and the maturity amount after the fund scheme’s investment horizon.
Other Investment Alternatives
It is always a good idea to consider various investment alternatives to expand your portfolio. Thus, your risk is reduced, and your rewards are maximized. You can make investments in safer options like fixed deposits and government bonds. Consider investing in stocks if you have a high-risk tolerance. One of the popular, recent investing opportunities made possible by technology, which has been expanding quickly, is P2P lending. The fixed maturity peer-to-peer lending investment plan from LenDenClub offers up to 10–12%* annual returns on your investment. You can choose different investment periods, ranging from one to five years, to invest your money.