Question 1

Then why does the disclaimer say Mutual Funds are subject to market risk?

Accepted Answer

Mutual Funds invest in securities and the nature of securities depends on the scheme’s objective. For instance, an equity or growth fund would invest in company shares. A liquid fund would invest in Certificates of Deposit and Commercial Paper. All of these securities are however traded in the ‘Market’. Company shares are bought and sold through the stock exchange, which is part of the Capital Market. Similarly, debt instruments like Government Securities, can be traded through a platform at the Stock Exchange or through specialised systems called NDS. These serve as markets to buy and sell securities and the buyers and sellers are diverse. So, the entire process of buying and selling, and price determination is done by the ‘market’. The price of any security is dependent on ‘market forces’, and the market acts on any news or development, making it difficult to predict the direction of the market, it's impossible to predict the price of a share or security in the short term. There are too many factors and players that influence its direction. Thus, every investor should know that there always exists a certain risk to security price from an all-important entity known as the ‘Market’. They should also know that Mutual Funds are designed to reduce this risk as much as possible.

Question 2

Are all Mutual Funds risky?

Accepted Answer

Every investment we make involves a risk, only its nature and degree varies. The same applies to Mutual Funds too. All Mutual Fund schemes do not carry the same risk when it comes to returns on investment. Equity schemes have the potential to deliver superior returns over the long term that can create wealth. Remember, inflation is a risk, and equities are the best asset class to beat inflation. So, in a sense, there are some risks that are worth taking. On the other hand, the risk associated with liquid funds is significantly low when compared to equity funds. A liquid fund focuses on the protection of capital by taking lower risk and generating returns in line with the risk taken.  It is also important to remember that the risk on returns is not the only risk you need to consider. There are other risks – liquidity risk for instance. Liquidity risk measures the ease in converting your investment into cash. This risk is lowest in Mutual Funds. In the end, the nature and extent of risk is best understood through proper understanding and evaluation of the scheme and by taking the guidance of a Mutual Fund distributor or an investment advisor.

Question 3

Are fund managers necessary?

Accepted Answer

The answer is a huge, resounding YES! It is important to note that experience in managing money/making investments plays a vital role in generating good performance. The more the experience, the better is the probability of making profitable investment decisions. The fund manager is similar to a surgeon in an operation theatre. Though it is the surgeon who actually does the critical operational procedure, he is assisted by assistant surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other support staff. Similarly, the fund manager is assisted by the research team, junior fund managers and an operations team. Just as a surgeon has all the latest equipment to ensure a successful operation, the fund manager has access to the latest information, reports and analysis. An experienced fund manager would have seen many economic cycles, business developments, political and policy changes. Such issues have a bearing on investment performance. Since all these issues are normally beyond the grasp of an average investor, a fund manager brings not just their own expertise and competence, but also the collective wisdom from the information and data that he has access to.

Question 4

How do I know which fund is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Once an investor has decided to invest in Mutual Funds, he has to make a decision of which scheme to invest in– Fixed Income Fund, Equity Fund or Balanced and which Asset Management Company (AMC) to invest with? First, discuss freely with a mutual fund distributor/investment advisor what your objective is, what time period you’re comfortable with, and what your risk appetite is. Decisions on which fund to invest in would be made based on this information. If you have a long term objective – say, retirement planning, and are willing to assume some risk, then an Equity or Balanced Fund would be ideal. If you have a very short term objective – say, money to be kept aside for a couple of months; a Liquid Fund would be ideal. If the idea is to generate regular income, then a Monthly Income Plan or an Income Fund would be recommended. After deciding on the type of fund to invest in, a decision on the specific scheme from an AMC would have to be made. These decisions are usually made after ascertaining the AMC’s track record, suitability of scheme, portfolio details, etc. Scheme Factsheets and Key Information Memorandum are two documents that every investor needs to peruse before investing. If one needs detailed information then one should look at Scheme Information Document. All of these are easily accessible at every Mutual Fund’s website.

Question 5

How do Mutual Funds help manage risk?

Accepted Answer

Risks appear in many forms. For example, if you own a share of a company, there is a Price Risk or a Market Risk or a Company Specific Risk. The share of just that company may dip or even crash due to any of the above reasons or even a combination of these reasons. However, in a Mutual Fund, a typical portfolio holds many securities, thus offering “diversification”. In fact, diversification is one of the biggest benefits of investing in a Mutual Fund. It ensures that the dip in price of one or even a few securities does not affect portfolio performance alarmingly. Another important risk to bear in mind is Liquidity Risk. What is liquidity? It is the ease in converting an asset into cash. Suppose an investor has an investment that is locked in for say 10 years, and she requires money in the 3rd year. This presents a typical liquidity problem. Her priority at this point is access to cash and not returns. Mutual Funds by regulation and structure, offer tremendous liquidity. Portfolios are designed to offer an investor, ease of investing and redemption.

Question 6

What are the Scheme Related Documents? What information do these documents provide?

Accepted Answer

All mutual fund ads contain a message: “Read all scheme related documents carefully.” What are these documents? There are 3 important documents: Key Information Memorandum (KIM), Scheme Information Document (SID) and Statement of Additional Information (SAI). These are prepared by the Asset Management Company (AMC) about a particular scheme, and submitted to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for approval. The SID has information like: All Fundamental Attributes like Investment Objective and Policies, Asset Allocation Pattern, Fees and Liquidity Provisions. Fund Management Team details All Risk Factors in the scheme as well as risk mitigation mechanisms. Scheme details like load, plans and options, past performance, benchmark. General Unitholder information. Other details like list of AMC branches, Investor Service Centres, Official Points of Acceptance.   The SAI has information like: The constitution of the Mutual Funds – Sponsors, Asset Management Company and Trustees. All information on key personnel of the AMC and associates such as Registrars, Custodians, Bankers, Auditors and Legal Counsel. All Financial and Legal issues. The concise version of  SID  is the KIM, that is attached with the application form. As the name suggests, it contains all the Key Information that an investor must know before investing in the scheme. The KIM must be made available with every application form.

Question 7

What is the co-relation between risk and return?

Accepted Answer

In Mutual Funds, one often hears, ‘more the risk, more the return’. Is there truth in this? If ‘risk’ is measured as either, probability of loss of capital or as swings and fluctuations in investment value, then asset classes like equity are undoubtedly the riskiest, and money in a savings bank account or in a government bond is of course least risky. In the Mutual Funds universe, a liquid fund is least risky and an equity fund is most risky. So, the only reason to invest in equity would be an expectation of higher reward. However, higher returns come to those who invest in equity after careful study and adopting a patient, long term time horizon. In fact, risk in equity can be mitigated by adopting diversification as well having a longer term time horizon. Every category of mutual fund schemes have different types of risks – credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, market/price risk, business risk, event risk, regulatory risk, etc. The knowledge of financial experts like your mutual fund distributor / investment advisor and the fund manager, along with diversification, can help mitigate them.

Question 8

Choosing a Mutual Fund is too confusing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are several types of Mutual Fund schemes – Equity, Debt, Money Market, Hybrid etc. And there are many Mutual Funds in India managing several hundreds of schemes amongst them. So it may appear that zeroing on a scheme is actually a very complex and confusing affair. Choosing the scheme to invest in should be the last thing in an investor’s mind. There are several more important steps before that, which will help remove much confusion later. An investor should first of all have an investment objective, say retirement planning or renovating one’s house. The investor has to arrive at two figures – how much would this cost and how long it would take, while also knowing how much risk can be taken. In other words, based on an investor’s goals and objectives and risk profile, a type of fund is recommended, say equity or hybrid or debt, and only then specific schemes are selected, based on track record, , portfolio fit etc. In essence, if there is clarity of investment purpose in the beginning, there would be a lot less confusion about choice of fund in the end.

Question 9

Do I need to understand stock, bond or money markets before I invest?

Accepted Answer

Imagine you have to fly to a country far away and a plane is the only choice. Under what circumstances do you need to understand the various controls for flying the plane? Or the various signals that the pilot receives from the different control towers? Or how to operate the radio system? Not unless you’re a pilot or co-pilot. If you are just a passenger, you only need to understand is whether your need is being served, and for that you need to understand what you need in the first place. In the context of investing, when you are managing your investments yourself, you need to understand the stock, bond and money markets. However, if you decide to use the Mutual Funds for the purpose of investing to reach your financial goals, you need not understand how stocks, bond and money markets work. You only need to know what kind of Mutual Funds serve various purposes. Use Mutual Funds and let an expert fund management team take over the various controls of the vehicle. You just select the vehicle based on your journey and relax.

Question 10

What is the difference between Mutual Fund Distributor and Investment Advisor?

Accepted Answer

In a way, both are supposed to help with your investment decisions, which may include selection of Mutual Fund schemes. However, as the name itself suggests, a Mutual Fund distributor is more likely to be focused on Mutual Fund products, whereas an investment advisor may have a broader basket of products and services. Does it mean that a Mutual Fund distributor would sell any Mutual Fund scheme to the investors just to earn commission? Well, the regulations are very stringent in this regard. If a Mutual Fund distributor sells a Mutual Fund scheme that is not suitable for the investor that would qualify as “mis-selling”, which is an offence. A Mutual Fund distributor is required to understand the investor’s situation/risk profile and recommend products suitable for the investor’s needs at the time of recommendation. On the other hand, an investment advisor may look at a broader picture, which may include assessment of the investor’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses and recommend products. Both are registered entities and hence regulated, too. While investment advisors are registered directly with SEBI, the Mutual Fund distributors are registered with AMFI – the Association of Mutual Funds in India, which is the association of the Mutual Fund industry.

Question 11

What is the risk of investing in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

We have all heard: “Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks.” Ever wondered what are these risks? The image on the left talks about the various types of risks. Not all risks impact all the fund schemes. The Scheme Information Document (SID) helps understand which risks apply to your selected scheme. So how does the fund management team manage these risks? It all depends on what type of investments the Mutual Fund has invested in. Certain securities are more sensitive to certain risks and some are exposed to some other. Professional help, diversification and SEBI’s regulations help mitigate risks in Mutual Funds. Finally, and the most important question that many investors have asked: Can a Mutual Fund company run away with my money? This is just not possible given the structure of Mutual Funds as well as the strong regulations.

Question 12

When should I start investing in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

There is a beautiful Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” There is no reason why one should delay one’s investments, except, of course, when there is no money to invest. Within that, it is always better to use Mutual Funds than to do-it-oneself. There is no minimum age when one can start investing. The moment one starts earning and saving, one can start investing in Mutual Funds. In fact, even kids can open their investment accounts with Mutual Funds out of the money they receive once in a while in form of gifts during their birthdays or festivals. Similarly, there is no upper age for investing in Mutual Funds. Mutual Funds have many different schemes suitable for different purposes. Some are suitable for growth over long periods, whereas some may be for those in need of safety with regular income, and some provide liquidity in the short term, too. You see, whatever stage of life one is in, or whatever one’s requirements, Mutual Funds may have solutions for each one.

Question 13

What are some mistakes people make when investing in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Making a mistake while investing happens across all investments, and Mutual Funds are no different. Some of the common mistakes while investing in Mutual Fundsare: Investing without understanding the product: For example, equity funds are meant for the long term, but investors look for easy returns in the short term. Investing without knowing the risk factors: All Mutual Fund schemes have certain risk factors. Investors need to understand them before making an investment. Not investing the right amount:  Sometimes people invest randomly, often without a goal or plan. In such cases, the amount invested may not yield the desired result. Redeeming too early: Investors sometimes lose patience or do not give the requisite time for an investment to provide the desired rate of return, and hence redeem prematurely. Joining the herd: Very often, investors do not exercise individual judgement and get carried away by the buzz in the ‘market’ or ‘media’, and thus make the wrong choice. Investing without a plan: This is perhaps the biggest mistake. Every single rupee invested needs to have a plan or goal.

Question 14

What is KYC Process?

Accepted Answer

KYC is an acronym for Know Your Customer and is a term used for Customer Identification Process as a part of Account Opening process with any financial entity. KYC establishes an investor’s identity & address through relevant supporting documents such as prescribed photo id (e.g., PAN card, Aadhar card) and address proof and In-Person Verification (IPV). KYC compliance is mandatory under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and Rules framed there under, read with the SEBI Master Circular on Anti Money Laundering (AML) Standards/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) /Obligations of Securities Market Intermediaries. A Know Your Customer (KYC) is generally divided in 2 parts: Part I contains the basic and uniform KYC details of the investor as prescribed by the Central KYC registry (Uniform KYC) to be used by all registered financial intermediaries and Part II additional KYC information as may be sought separately by the financial intermediary such as a Mutual Fund, stock broker, depository participant opening the investor’s account (Additional KYC).

Question 15

What happens when a Mutual Fund company shuts down / gets sold off?

Accepted Answer

When a Mutual Fund Company shuts down or gets sold off, it is a serious matter to note for any existing investor. However, as Mutual Funds are regulated by SEBI, events of such kind have a prescribed process. In the case of a Mutual Fund company shutting down, either the trustees of the fund have to approach SEBI for approval to close or SEBI by itself can direct a fund to shut. In such cases, all investors are returned their funds based on the last available net asset value, before winding up. If a Mutual Fund is acquired by another fund house, then there are usually two options. One, the schemes continue in their original format, albeit with a new fund house overseeing it. Or, the acquired schemes are merged with schemes in the new fund house. SEBI approval is required for all Asset Management Company (AMC) Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as scheme level mergers too. In all such cases, investors are given an option to exit the schemes with no load being levied. Any action by investor or fund house is ALWAYS done at prevailing Net Asset Value.

Question 16

Do Mutual Funds invest only in stocks?

Accepted Answer

Do you visualize roller-coasters or toy trains first when you think of an amusement park? Probably the former. These rides are usually the biggest attractions in such parks which create a certain perception about amusement parks. ‘Mutual funds’ too carry a similar perception that they invest only in stocks and hence are risky. There are many types of Mutual Funds meant for the varying investment needs of people. Some investors want high returns which only stocks can deliver. Such investors can invest in Equity Mutual Funds which are among the best long-term investment options available for achieving such objectives. But these Mutual Funds have risk of higher volatility   because of their exposure to stocks of various companies. There are other types of Mutual Funds that do not invest in equity but in bonds issued by banks, companies, government bodies and money market instruments (bank CDs, T-bills, Commercial Papers,) which have lower risk but also offer lower returns compared to equity funds. These funds are better suited as alternatives to traditional options like bank fixed deposits or PPFs.  Hence if you are looking to invest your money that can give you better  returns than a bank or post office FDs and still be more tax efficient, Debt Mutual Funds are a great way to achieve such financial goals.

Question 17

Does one need an account in a Bank to invest in its Mutual Fund?

Accepted Answer

If you are wondering how to invest in a Mutual Fund, remember it is mandatory to have an account with any bank, KYC / CKYC, PAN and Aadhaar cards. This has been made mandatory to ensure Mutual Funds are not used for money laundering purposes by few unscrupulous investors. Some Mutual Funds and banks have a common parent company i.e. they belong to the same corporate conglomerate. However, banks are governed by the RBI and Mutual Fund businesses are regulated by SEBI. While you may come across a Mutual Fund company that carries the same brand name as a well-established bank, remember that they are two different companies which are being run independently. You don’t need to have a savings account with the bank to invest in the funds of its sister concern, i.e. the Mutual Fund company in this case. Banks also work as distributors of various Mutual Funds and cross-sell these funds to their customers. While they may not sell all the Mutual Funds available in the market, they’ll pitch funds from those Mutual Funds with whom they have a distribution tie-up. You can invest in these Mutual Funds which are not related to the bank selling them, i.e. your bank where you have an account.

Question 18

Are Mutual Funds offered by Banks?

Accepted Answer

Banks are in the business of savings and loans while Mutual Funds are for investments. When you put your money in a savings account or in a fixed deposit, you are making savings whereas when you put your money in Mutual Funds, you are making investments. Banking and Mutual Funds are two completely different businesses, requiring specific domain and organizational expertise. Banks are governed by RBI while Mutual Funds are regulated by SEBI. If some corporate wants to be in the business of banking and Mutual Funds, it must seek separate license permits from the respective regulators and run these two businesses as different companies. You may come across some banks that also have a Mutual Fund business. But both are two different companies with no functional linkages and does not guarantee returns just because the bank has a sound track record. Most banks today function as distributor of many financial products including Mutual Funds. They operate as a sales channel for the Mutual Funds that have tied up with them (banks) for distribution. Hence, if you are wondering how to invest in Mutual Funds and want to approach a bank, remember that the bank may not be selling all the funds available in the market.

Question 19

Which Mutual Fund should I choose for mid-term investment?

Accepted Answer

4-6 years is considered medium-term in savings and investment decisions and hence capital appreciation should be your objective here. Corporate bond funds and hybrid funds are best suited for capital appreciation as they are less volatile compared to equity funds which are ideal for wealth creation over long-term. Corporate bond funds invest in high quality bonds with 3-5 years average maturity, becoming less sensitive to interest rate changes. Hybrid funds invest predominantly in debt with some equity exposure thus providing a safer investment option with potential for capital appreciation. While evaluating funds for medium-term investments, look beyond the recent 3-5 years returns for the fund’s long-term performance. See if it has been a consistent performer through all phases of a market cycle. Most funds will perform well during a secular bull run i.e. when markets are trending upwards, but a fund giving superior return during market downturn will exhibit consistent returns over time. Since you want to invest for 3-5 years and if the market happens to be in a bearish mood during this time, you would benefit from investing in the consistent performers. Choose a fund from a trusted fund house with good pedigree or seek help from a financial expert to choose the right fund.

Question 20

What happens when the market falls midway while you have invested for a longer term?

Accepted Answer

Mutual Fund investors with long-term investments through SIPs constantly worry about market falls during this period. SIPs are well-designed to overcome some of the Mutual Fund risks like market timing and volatility. You can beat market volatility through rupee-cost averaging, by investing regularly in Mutual Funds through SIPs. Here you buy more units when NAV is low and vice versa. The cost per unit is averaged out over the long run if NAVs move both ways. For example, if you invest INR 1,000/- per month, you get 100 units if the NAV is INR 10 and 200 units if NAV drops to INR 5. Over longertime period, the average price per unit will fall if markets move in both directions thus helping to lower volatility of returns as well. If you invest in lump sum, number of units would remain the same during the entire holding period, but their value would go down with falling NAV during market downturns. If you hold your lumpsum investment in an equity fund for long (say over 7-8years), the occasional blips shouldn’t impact your returns as markets usually move up over the long-term. You might end up with a far higher NAV than what you started with.

Question 21

What happens when you miss SIP payments in-between?

Accepted Answer

Many investors worry about loss in Mutual Funds if they are unable to make SIP payments during its tenure. Such situations can arise due to many reasons like you are undergoing some financial difficulty or uncertainty about job or business income. It’s natural that under such situations you may not be able to continue with your regular SIP payments. Since SIPs are a long-term investment option, it’s fine if you skip a few payments in-between. Unlike an insurance policy where non-payment of annual premium can lead to policy inactivation, here your investments made so far will continue to earn a return and you can withdraw it anytime. However, you would accumulate lower wealth than what you had initially expected and may miss your financial goals if you are too irregular with your SIP. While Mutual Fund companies don’t penalize for non-payment of SIP instalments, your SIP will automatically be cancelled if you fail to make the payments for three consecutive months.Also your bank will penalize you for dishonoring the auto debit payments. Hence,it is advisable to stop the SIP by sending a request atleast 30days in advance if you foresee a cash crunch in future. Start a fresh SIP later whenever you feel financially comfortable.

Question 22

What happens to Mutual Fund Investments after the investor passes away?

Accepted Answer

Mutual Fund schemes usually don’t have a maturity date unless you have invested in a close-ended ELSS or other close-ended schemes like FMPs. Even in case of a SIP, there is a term for which investments need to be made regularly. If the investor passes away while the SIP term is on or before the maturity of a close-ended scheme, there are defined procedures to be followed by the nominee, survivors in case of joint holding or legal heirs to claim the proceeds. This process is called transmission. For someone to request for a transmission, the person must be aware of your Mutual Fund investments in the first place, else it can just remain unclaimed forever. Hence, it is advisable to always add a nominee to your Mutual Fund investments just like any other investments and keep the nominee informed about it. If you have a joint account holding, the survivors mentioned in your account can claim for transmission. But if you have neither got nominees nor surviving joint holders mentioned in your folio, your legal heirs can still request for transmission by submitting all the necessary documents and proofs including a death certificate. The person requesting for transmission needs to be KYC registered.

Question 23

Diversify risk, for potential rewards

Accepted Answer

Risks could be controlled. And Mutual Funds can be rewarding! When we say “RISK” in investments, a few questions immediately arise in the mind of the investor… “Is my money safe?”  ”How much return will I get?” “Will I get my money back when I want it?”… While, all these are very valid questions, let’s look at them from three angles to understand Mutual Funds better Professional Fund Management - Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers and as an investor, you benefit from their research and expertise. While this may not completely eliminate risk, it certainly lowers it. Diversification – Mutual Funds invest in a basket of securities. Diversification helps in minimizing the risk from a specific security’s under-performance. Select a Scheme In Line With Your Investment Objective - If the time horizon of the investment is in sync with the fund selected, you protect yourself from very short term fluctuations. For example, if you have invested in an Equity Fund, you may be affected by short term fluctuations, but over a longer term, you would be more likely to get the long term returns associated with equities. Most people believe that Mutual Funds are risky possibly because of the standard disclaimer they come across in the Mutual Fund advertisements. It’s important to remember that the stringent regulations that ensure investor protection, professional fund management and diversification mitigate it to a large extent.

Question 24

What are the benefits of investing in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Many of us dread the thought of managing our own investments. With a professional fund management company, people are put in charge of various functions based on their education, experience and skills. As an investor, you can either manage your finances yourself, or hire a professional firm. You opt for the latter when: You do not know how to do the job best – many of us hire someone to file our income tax returns, or almost all of us get an architect to do our house. You do not have enough time or inclination. It’s like hiring drivers even though we know how to drive. When you are likely to save money by outsourcing the job instead of doing it yourself. Like going on a journey driving your own vehicle is far costlier than taking a train. You can spend your time for other activities of your choice / liking Professional fund management is one of the best benefits of Mutual Funds. The infographic on the left highlights all the others. Given these benefits, there is no reason why one should look at any other investment avenue.

Question 25

What is a Mutual Fund?

Accepted Answer

To many people, Mutual Funds can seem complicated or intimidating. We are going to try and simplify it for you at its very basic level. Essentially, the money pooled in by a large number of people (or investors) is what makes up a Mutual Fund. This fund is managed by a professional fund manager. It is a trust that collects money from a number of investors who share a common investment objective. Then, it invests the money in equities, bonds, money market instruments and/or other securities. Each investor owns units, which represent a portion of the holdings of the fund. The income/gains generated from this collective investment is distributed proportionately amongst the investors after deducting certain expenses, by calculating a scheme’s Net Asset Value or NAV. Simply put, a Mutual Fund is one of the most viable investment options for the common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified, professionally managed basket of securities at a relatively low cost.

Question 26

How will I evaluate my risk profile?

Accepted Answer

Every individual investor is unique. Not only with regards to investment objectives but even in approach and view of risk. This is what makes Risk Profiling absolutely crucial before investing. A Risk Profiler is essentially a questionnaire that seeks an investor’s answers to questions about both “ability” and “willingness”. It is highly recommended that investors contact their Mutual Fund distributor or an investment advisor to complete this task and get to know their Risk Profile.

Question 27

Who keeps a record of my investments?

Accepted Answer

All Mutual Funds in India are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Mutual Fund regulations clearly define the roles and responsibilities of Asset Management Companies (AMC) and Custodians. It’s vital to remember that every investor has to complete an effective KYC process before investing. Therefore, only bonafide investors with a valid PAN card can invest in Mutual Fund schemes. Such investors also provide bank details so that all redemption proceeds are directly credited to an investors own account. SEBI also ensures that all AMCs are supervised by a board of trustees, some of whom, have to necessarily be independent individuals. These trustees ensure one more level of safeguards and compliance. Regulations and safeguards ensure that it can never ever be misappropriated and diverted, and that, no one will run with your money.

Question 28

What are the indicators of risk in a Mutual Fund Scheme?

Accepted Answer

You must properly evaluate before picking up the right Mutual Fund scheme to invest your hard-earned money. While investors often go by scheme category and top performing schemes in the category, they ignore risk indicators for these schemes. When you are comparing schemes to choose from, don’t miss out comparing their riskiness. While there are many risk indicators like Standard Deviation, Beta, and Sharpe Ratio provided in the factsheet of every scheme, product label is the most basic thing to look for. The riskometer in the label shows the risk level of the fund. This riskometer is a mandatory requirement by SEBI and represents the underlying risk associated with the fund. The six levels of risk ranging from low, low to moderate, moderate, moderately high, high, and very high have been linked to various categories of mutual funds depending on the level of risk in their portfolio. Since this kind of risk categorization has been defined by SEBI, all Mutual Funds are bound to categorize similar kinds of funds into the same risk category. Apart from the riskometer which gives an overview of the fund’s riskiness, one can also look at more specific risk indicators provided in the factsheet. Standard Deviation measures the range of a fund’s return. A scheme with a higher standard deviation of return indicates its range of performance is wide, implying greater volatility.  Beta measures a fund’s volatility with respect to the market. Beta >1 implies the scheme will be more volatile than the market and Beta<1 means it’ll be less volatile than the market. Beta of 1 indicates the scheme will move in tandem with market volatility. Sharpe Ratio measures the excess return provided by the fund per unit of risk undertaken.  It is a good indicator of risk-adjusted return. Next time you research on which scheme to invest in, don’t forget to evaluate them on the above risk parameters.

Question 29

Are Debt Funds risk-free?

Accepted Answer

It’s a misconception that Debts Fund have no risk just because they don’t invest in equities. It’s true that Debt Funds are less risky compared to Equity Funds but that doesn’t mean Debt Funds guarantee that your money will never face any loss. Debt funds invest in debt and money market securities that are prone to different kind of risk factors as compared to equity funds that invest in stock market.  Debt Funds are exposed to interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk that are quite different from the stock market risk we all are familiar with. While these risk factors are not as pronounced as stock market risk on an everyday basis, they can’t be ignored completely. Interest rate risk arises due to changes in interest rates that affect the prices of bonds the Debt Fund has invested in. Credit risk arises when there is a financial crisis in any of the companies whose bonds the debt fund has invested in because this makes the payment of interest and principal due on these bonds extremely uncertain. Liquidity risk arises in case of debt securities that are not frequently traded and hence the fund may be forced to sell these securities in its portfolio at a loss under unfavourable circumstances. Hence investing in Debt Funds may be relatively less risky as compared to Equity Funds but not completely risk-free.

Question 30

How to choose a fund basis your risk appetite

Accepted Answer

Mutual Funds are market-linked products that carry various kinds of risks and their returns are not guaranteed. Choosing the right mutual fund involves not only looking at its investment objective, return potential but also an evaluation of its riskiness. Since every investor has a unique personality including risk preference, the choice of mutual funds will be unique to each investor. Apart from risk preference, every investor will have a certain goal in mind that would be unique in its value and time horizon. Hence choosing the right Mutual Funds requires one to evaluate various funds along with the risk-return-time horizon metric. Let’s understand this with an example. A 30 year old and a 50 year old may both be investing for retirement, but their choice of funds will be different. The 30 year old can take a much higher risk as he/she has 25-30 years left but the 50-year old has to be very cautious in his/her selection because he has just 8-10 yrs left for this goal.  Select a fund whose risk profile matches your risk appetite. If you prefer less risk, choose a debt fund. If you don’t mind taking risk, look for a suitable equity fund. If you prefer moderate risk, look for a hybrid fund. Thus, the starting point for fund selection should be how much risk you are willing to take.

Question 31

How is the Riskometer for a scheme is derived?

Accepted Answer

The riskometer attempts to give you a complete ‘risk’ picture for the mutual fund scheme. It does this by putting a risk score on every asset class held by the mutual fund scheme. Each debt or equity instrument and other assets, such as cash, gold, and other financial instruments found in mutual fund portfolios, is assigned a particular risk value. In the case of equities, each position in the portfolio is assigned a risk score based on three main factors: Market Capitalization: Small-cap stocks pose more risk than mid-cap stocks, which in turn are riskier than large-cap stocks. The risk value for each is updated every six months. Volatility: Stocks with substantial daily price fluctuations are assigned a higher risk value. This is calculated from a stock's price behaviour over the past two years. Impact Cost (Liquidity)1: Stocks with low trading volumes experience significant price shifts in large transactions. This raises the impact cost and corresponding risk value. This risk value is based on the three-month average impact cost, including the current month being evaluated. For debt securities, risk assessment involves the following factors: Credit Risk2: The risk value is lower for higher credit ratings (e.g., AAA/G-Sec/SDL/TREPS) and increases for securities with below-investment-grade ratings. This shift happens due to the rising likelihood of default in unrated and below-investment-grade securities. Interest-Rate Risk: This risk is determined by using the Macaulay Duration of the portfolio. Bonds with longer maturity period have higher risk values due to their heightened sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates. Liquidity Risk3: Liquidity risk assessment considers factors like listing status, credit rating, and debt instrument structure. Additionally, SEBI has issued comprehensive guidelines for assigning risk values to other asset classes such as cash & net current assets, derivatives, gold, foreign securities, REITs & InvITs and more. The total risk score is calculated by averaging each asset's risk value in a mutual fund portfolio. Lastly, this risk score is used to map the fund scheme to a certain risk level (i.e. Low, Moderately Low, Moderate, Moderately High, or High) on the riskometer . Risk Label Fund’s Average Risk Score Low 1 Low to Moderate 2 Moderate 3 Moderately High 4 High 5 Very High 6 or more It is important to note that the riskometer for each mutual fund scheme is evaluated monthly. Mutual Funds/AMCs will display the updated riskometer and portfolio information on their website and the AMFI website within ten days of each month's conclusion. 1. Impact Cost relies on how much the stock price changes when a large purchase or sale occurs. 2. Credit risk indicates the likelihood of a borrower defaulting. 3. Liquidity risk is a bond's ability to be sold before maturity due to market demand. Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 32

What is Systematic Risk?

Accepted Answer

Systematic risk is the risk that impacts the whole market or a big part of it. It's also known as market risk,. It is known as market risk. It is the risk inherent to the entire market, attributable to a mix of factors including economic, socio-political, and market-related events. While the chance of such an event is low, you must consider it while investing as it highlights the uncertainty associated with factors that could have a cascading effect.  Types of Systematic Risk 1) Market Risk Market risk refers to the potential impact of general market conditions on investment performance, including market volatility, investor sentiment and supply/demand trends. These general market factors may influence the performance of different types of investments. 2) Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk refers to the likelihood that interest rate changes will affect the investment's performance. For instance, fixed-income products like bonds often lose value when interest rates rise and vice versa. 3) Inflation Risk A sharp inflation rise could trigger higher interest rates and a selloff in equity and bond markets.  4) Political Risk Political risk is the possibility of sudden changes in governmental policy or even political unrest. It will affect the performance of investments.  5) Currency Risk Cross-border investing comes with currency risk. The value of your investment could fluctuate with the volatility in the foreign exchange markets.     Disclaimer  Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 33

What are Balanced Advantage Funds?

Accepted Answer

Balanced Advantage Funds, also known as Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds, belong to the category of Hybrid Mutual Funds. These funds invest in both equity and debt without being constrained by a fixed allocation. Fund managers have the flexibility to adjust the allocation between equity and debt based on prevailing market conditions.  Unlike other hybrid mutual funds, Balanced Advantage Funds can dynamically change their mix of equity and debt in response to market fluctuations, subject to scheme offer documents and SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996.   The key features of Balanced Advantage Funds are > Flexible Asset Allocation Funds: These funds actively change their stock-to-bond ratio in view of market conditions and are aggressively managed.

Question 34

Money doesn’t get locked up. It gets invested!

Accepted Answer

In Mutual Funds, money doesn’t get locked up. It gets invested! When investing in Mutual Funds,one of the most common questions is, ‘Does my money get locked up?’ It is important to note two facts: a. In a Mutual Fund scheme, the money is Invested and not Locked, and the money always stays yours. It is simply being managed by a professional fund manager. b. Your money is always easily accessible. The structure of a Mutual Fund ensures that there is flexibility in accessing it. You may redeem your investment either partially or entirely. You can even pre-specify the redemption dates, by giving standing instructions to the Mutual Fund company to transfer a fixed amount into your bank account on a specified date every month or every quarter, as you choose. You can also choose to transfer your investment from one Mutual Fund scheme to another managed by the same Mutual Fund company. And you always get a comprehensive /easy to understand account statement that neatly documents it. Go ahead and invest in a Mutual Fund scheme of your choice and enjoy the flexibility, transparency and liquidity. In other words, a superior investing experience, while being in the care of professional managers.

Question 35

What is the benefit of staying invested in the long term?

Accepted Answer

Invest for long term – an advice routinely given by many Mutual Fund distributors and investment advisors. This is especially true in case of certain Mutual Funds – such as equity and balanced funds. Let us understand why the professionals give such advice. What really happens in the long term? Is there a benefit of staying invested for long term? Consider your Mutual Fund investment as a good quality batsman. Every good quality batsman has a certain style of batting. However, each good quality batsman would be able to accumulate lots of runs, if he continues to play for years. We are talking about the record of a “good quality” batsman. Every good batsman would go through some good and poor performances. On average the record would be impressive. Similarly, a good Mutual Fund would also go through some ups and downs – often due to factors beyond the control of the fund manager. An investor would benefit if one stays invested through these funds for long periods of time. So, as long as you can afford, stay invested for long periods of time – especially in equity and balanced funds.

Question 36

Does long term Investment mean less risk?

Accepted Answer

Investments in Mutual Funds require the appropriate time horizon. Having the right time horizon, not only provides a better chance of getting expected, investment returns, but also lowers the risk in the investment. Now what is this “risk” we are talking about? In simple terms, it is volatility of investment performance, as well as chances of eroding investment capital. By staying invested over the long term, some years of low/negative returns and some years of impressive returns will make the average returns quite reasonable. Therefore, the investor can ‘average out every year’s widely fluctuating returns’ to get a more stable long term return. The recommended time horizon, differs for every asset class as well as Mutual Fund category. Please consult a financial expert and read the scheme-related documents before making an investment decision.

Question 37

How do I withdraw my money from Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest advantages of Mutual Funds is liquidity – the ease of converting an investor’s units into cash. Mutual Funds, being regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), have well laid out norms to ensure liquidity. Open end schemes, which comprise of a large majority of schemes, offer liquidity as a major feature. Liquidity is ease of access or conversion of an asset into cash. Once the redemption is complete, funds are transferred to the designated bank account of the investor, within 3 business days after the redemption was lodged. However two issues need to be kept in mind. One, there may be an exit load period in certain schemes. In such cases, redemptions before a certain specified period, say 3 months, may attract a nominal load like 0.5% of Asset Value. Fund Managers impose such loads to deter short term investors. Secondly, AMCs may indicate what the minimum amount for redemption is. Investors are advised to read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Question 38

Can I remove money on all days or only on particular days?

Accepted Answer

An open end fund permits redemptions on all business days. If a redemption request is handed over at an Investor Service Centre on a non-business day, or after a specified cut-off time, say 3:00 p.m., then it is processed on the next business day. Redemptions are processed at that particular day’s Net Asset Value (NAV). All redemption proceeds are credited to the investor’s bank account within a specified time, usually within 10 business days. Redemptions may be done by handing over a signed redemption request clearly mentioning the scheme’s folio number. Redemptions may also be made on approved on-line platforms, where investors have the necessary security codes. Investments made in Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), however have a lock-in of 3 years, after which they can be redeemed on any business day. Redemptions may be restricted only in extraordinary circumstances. Under approval from the board of trustees, the AMC may impose restrictions when there is a liquidity issue, capital market closure, operational crisis or when directed by SEBI. It is important to note that these occurrences are extremely rare.

Question 39

How much of my investment can I withdraw?

Accepted Answer

Majority of Mutual Fund schemes are open end schemes, which allow an investor to redeem the entire invested amount without any time restrictions. Only under few instances  schemes impose a restriction on redemption, under extraordinary circumstances, as decided by the Board of Trustees. All Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), that offer tax benefits under Sec 80C, are required to ‘lock-in’ investments for a period of 3 years. However, any dividend declared by these schemes during this period is available as a pay out without restrictions. No other category of schemes can impose such a lock-in. Some may impose an exit-load for premature redemptions, to prevent short term investments from entering a scheme. AMCs may specify minimum amounts that may be submitted. All such information is contained in scheme related documents which is important for an investor to read before investing. Closed end schemes have a fixed tenure and the AMC does not fund or permit any redemption until termination/conclusion date. However, all closed end funds have their units listed in the stock exchange and an investor seeking liquidity needs to sell units to another buyer at a market determined rate.

Question 40

How often can I remove my money?

Accepted Answer

An investor has no restriction on redeeming money from an open ended scheme. While there may be an exit load in certain cases, which impacts final amount realised, all open end schemes offer liquidity as a great benefit. The decision to redeem is totally at investor’s discretion. There are no restrictions on the number of redemptions, or on the amount to be redeemed. There have to be sufficient units in the account to fund redemptions. Scheme documents usually indicate minimum amount that can be redeemed. Units under lien to a bank or institution cannot be redeemed, unless the lien is removed. Redemptions may be restricted only under extraordinary circumstances, as decided by the Board of Trustees. Closed end schemes may be redeemed from the AMC only on maturity. However, they do provide a route to liquidity – any time before maturity - by selling units in a recognised exchange. Redemptions can be made at; Investor Service Centres (ISCs) AMC offices Official Points of Acceptance of Transaction (OPAT) Through an authorised on-line platform.

Question 41

When can I withdraw my investment?

Accepted Answer

An investment in an open end scheme can be redeemed at any time. Unless it is an investment in an Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), wherein there is a lock-in of 3 years from date of investment, there are no restrictions on investment redemption. Investors need to keep in mind any applicable exit load on their investment. Exit loads are charges deducted at the time of redemption, only if applicable. AMCs usually impose an exit load to deter short term or speculative investors from entering a scheme. Closed end schemes do not offer this, as all units are automatically redeemed on the date of maturity. However, units of closed end schemes are listed at a recognised stock exchange, and investors can sell their units to others only through the exchange. Mutual Funds are one of the most liquid investment avenues in India, and are an ideal asset class for every financial plan.

Question 42

Are there funds that need me to stay invested for a stipulated time?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest advantages in a Mutual Fund scheme is Liquidity, i.e. ease of converting investment into cash. Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), which offer tax benefits under Sec 80C, are required by regulation to ‘lock-in’ units for a period of 3 years, after which, they are free to be redeemed. There is another category of schemes popularly called as “Fixed Maturity Plans” (FMP’s) where investors need to stay invested for a stipulated period which is pre-defined in the offer document of the scheme. These schemes have an investment duration of anywhere between three months to a few years. A few open end schemes may however, specify an exit load period. For instance, a scheme may specify that units redeemed with 6 months would attract an exit load of 0.50% at applicable NAV. One should bear in mind that while there be may some rules and regulations on the minimum time horizon. So, it is best to take the advice of a financial expert to know the appropriate or ideal time horizons for every type of scheme.

Question 43

Is there an advantage in investing in funds with an exit load?

Accepted Answer

Let’s consider a Balanced Fund, which aims to provide growth and capital appreciation from the equity portion, and income and stability from the debt portion. This scheme still carries considerable risk, as the portion of equity could be as high as 60%. This is recommended only for investors with a healthy risk appetite and long term time horizon. The fund management team of such a scheme would ideally want only long term investors who share their conviction of staying invested for a long period, of a minimum of 3 years. Thus the fund may impose an exit load of 1% for all redemptions done before 3 years. In such a case, the fund is not impacting liquidity directly, but is discouraging investors from exiting before a period of 3 years. The advantage for the scheme would stem from the fact that all investors are aligned to a longer time horizon. This would be a comforting factor for the fund manager, enabling him to pick securities with such a thought in mind. In the fund manager’s view such a strategy would enable better fund performance, as there would be no short term investors and redemptions impacting a long term strategy.

Question 44

How do I choose a Mutual Fund?

Accepted Answer

Imagine asking a travel agent, “How should I choose my mode of transport?” The first thing he/she will say is, “Depends on where you want to go.” If I were to travel to a distance of 5 kms, an auto rickshaw might be the best option, while for a journey from New Delhi to Kochi, a flight might be the best. A flight would not be available for a short distance and an auto rickshaw would be highly uncomfortable and slow for a long-distance journey. In Mutual Funds too, the starting point must be- What are your requirements? It begins with your financial goals and risk appetite. You’ve got to identify your financial goals, first. Some Mutual Fund schemes are suitable for short term requirements or goals, whereas some might be better for long term goals. Next comes your risk appetite. Different people would have different risk appetite. Even husband and wife may have joint finances but different risk profiles. Some are comfortable with high risk products, whereas some are just not. You can get help from financial experts like investment advisors or Mutual Fund distributors to assess your risk appetite.

Question 45

What kind of returns should one expect from Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Imagine asking: At what speed do vehicles run? Can you generalize the answer for the whole category? Different vehicles run at different speeds – even within one category, e.g. cars, while a car made for city roads may run at a certain maximum speed, the one made for racing can run much faster. There is not one product called Mutual Fund, there are many types of different Mutual Funds. The investment returns from the different categories could vary and then there are certain fund categories that exhibit higher level of uncertainty in performance. If the fund invests in a market where prices fluctuate a lot, the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund is likely to witness huge fluctuations (e.g. growth funds investing in equity market); however, if it invests in a market where prices do not fluctuate much, the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund would be quite stable (e.g. liquid funds investing in money market). In other terms, a liquid fund would exhibit far lower uncertainty in comparison to an equity fund. An investor would be advised to focus on the characteristic nature of the fund and match the same with one’s own requirements.

Question 46

What are the expenses incurred in a Mutual Fund scheme?

Accepted Answer

There are so many elements involved in providing an investor various services so that he/she can achieve their financial goals. All these elements need to be paid their remuneration for the services provided. For this, there is an expense charged to each Mutual Fund scheme, as a percentage of the scheme’s corpus. SEBI regulations impose certain limits beyond which the charges are not allowed, even if the expenses are higher than the expenses charged. As per the said SEBI regulations, as the fund size grows, the maximum expenses that can be charged as percent of the Assets Under Management (AUM) come down. The offer document indicates the maximum-allowed expense ratio for each scheme you are considering to invest in. The monthly fact sheet and the half-yearly mandatory disclosures allow you to see the actual expenses charged per scheme.

Question 47

What are loads?

Accepted Answer

On a long-distance road journey, sometimes a toll is charged when you enter the road or the bridge, and sometimes when you exit. In many cases, the toll bridge company is allowed to charge the toll only for a certain number of years to recover the building costs. After that period is over, the company is not allowed to charge the passengers any toll. Investment in Mutual Funds also may be subject to some loads, but they’re different from the example of the tolls you just read. Until 2009, there used to be a charge levied at the time of entry into a Mutual Fund, but that doesn’t exist anymore. Some schemes levy a charge on exiting the scheme, under certain conditions, which is called “exit load”. In most cases, even when an exit load is charged, it applies to exit within a certain period. If you stay invested longer than this period, no exit load would be applicable. In other words, most often, the exit load serves the purpose of discouraging an early exit from a scheme. Even on an “exit load”, SEBI, the mutual fund regulatory authority, has set a limit on the maximum exit load that can be charged.

Question 48

What is Mutual Fund Dividend?

Accepted Answer

A Dividend is a distribution of earnings from a stock or a Mutual Funds . In Mutual Fund schemes, dividends are distributed when the fund has booked profits on the sale of securities in its portfolio. As per regulation, a fund can declare dividends only from the gains it has made from the sale of securities in the portfolio, or through any current income in the form of interest or dividends. Such gains are transferred to a Dividend Equalization Reserve, and at the discretion of the trustees, a dividend is declared. Dividends are declared as a percentage of the scheme’s face value (FV), and not the NAV. If FV per unit is Rs. 10 and dividend rate is 20%, every investor in the dividend option gets Rs.2 as dividend. However, the NAV, of the scheme falls by an equivalent amount after dividend declaration. Investors in the growth option are not entitled to the dividend, and the profit from the scheme is ploughed back into the scheme in this case. Thus, NAV of growth option increases in contrast to dividend option. With effect from 01 Apr 2020, dividends from mutual fund schemes have been made taxable in the hands of investors. Investors opting for dividend payout will now have to pay income tax on any dividend income received in a financial year at the highest income tax rate applicable to them. Investors opting for dividend reinvest will not have any implication on their taxes since they receive the profit in terms of additional units allotted in their folio.

Question 49

How soon can I withdraw my money from Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Mutual Funds are one of the most liquid assets, i.e. it is one of the easiest to convert into cash. In order to redeem funds through offline mode, the unit holder needs to submit a signed Redemption Request form to the AMC's or the Registrar’s designated office. The form requires details like unit holder’s name, folio number, scheme name, and number of units to redeem. The proceeds from the redemption will be credited to the registered bank account of the first named unit holder. Mutual Funds can also be purchased and redeemed on the concerned fund’s website. You simply have to log-on to the ‘Online Transaction’ page of the desired Mutual Fund and log-in using your Folio Number and/or the PAN, select the Mutual Fund Scheme and the number of units (or the amount) you wish to redeem and confirm your transaction. In addition, registrars like CAMS (Computer Age Management Services Pvt. Ltd.), Karvy, etc. offer the option of redeeming Mutual Fund bought from several AMCs. You can download the form online or visit the nearest office. Please note that these agencies might not service all the AMCs.

Question 50

What is Net Asset value (NAV)?

Accepted Answer

The performance of a particular scheme of a Mutual Fund is denoted by Net Asset Value (NAV). In simple words, NAV is the market value of the securities held by the scheme. Mutual Funds invest the money collected from investors in securities markets. Since market value of securities changes every day, NAV of a scheme also varies on day to day basis. The NAV per unit is the market value of securities of a scheme divided by the total number of units of the scheme on any particular date. The video on the left explains how NAV is calculated. The NAVs of all Mutual Fund schemes are declared at the end of the trading day after markets are closed, in accordance with SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations.

Question 51

How do I get my returns in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Like other asset classes, Mutual Funds returns are calculated by computing appreciation in the value of your investment over a period as compared to the initial investment made. Net Asset Value of Mutual Fund indicates its price and is used in calculating returns from your Mutual Fund investments. Return over a period is calculated as the difference in sale date NAV and purchase date NAV upon  purchase date NAV and converted to percentage by multiplying the result by 100 . Any net dividend* or other income distribution by the fund during the holding period is also added to the capital appreciation while computing total returns. Capital appreciation in Mutual Funds is reflected by increase in NAV over time. This happens because NAV of a fund is derived from stock prices of companies included in the portfolio of the fund, and the prices fluctuate every day. Change in NAV of a fund over time contributes to the capital appreciation or loss in your holding. View the return performance of your investments in the account statement provided to you by the fund house. This statement captures both your transactions and the return on your investments. Note: *NAV of a Fund falls to the extent of dividend payout and statutory levy, if any.

Question 52

Investor risk profile and suitable Mutual Funds schemes

Accepted Answer

When it comes to investing, people have different financial goals and risk appetites. The choice of your investments depends on your idea of long-term and short-term goals. These factors deeply influence your investment choices and approach. A risk-o-meter serves as a tool to narrow your search for a suitable scheme. Understanding the new risk-o-meter The risk-o-meter's innovative aspect lies in its risk grading approach. Unlike the previous risk-o-meter, which merely associated fund categories with varying risk grades, the new risk-o-meter derives its risk assessments from the specific assets held within a fund. This means that the risk grade assigned to a particular fund scheme is based on that scheme's underlying assets and their concentration. This shift brings risk evaluation closer to reality as it considers the actual risks linked to the assets the fund owns. Selecting a suitable Mutual Funds scheme In conjunction with your investment goals, risk appetite and time frame, the risk-o-meter's readings pinpoint investments that best match your criteria. For example, low-risk mutual funds like Overnight and Arbitrage Funds may be suitable for investors prioritising capital preservation with minimal risk exposure in the short term. On the other hand, investors striving for maximum returns over the long term, even if it means risking their capital, align well with mutual funds schemes that fall under the ‘very high’ risk category. For more information, refer to the table provided on the left side. However, the key takeaway is not to select an investment based solely on its risk category. Instead, diving deeper and carefully evaluating the specific schemes within each category is crucial. Remember, not all funds within the same risk category are identical. They may have distinct strategies, holdings, and potential outcomes. Therefore, it's recommended to thoroughly analyse and choose the investment scheme that aligns most effectively with your financial goals and risk tolerance. If you need help, do not hesitate to seek help from a financial expert. Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 53

Five reasons to start investing at an early age

Accepted Answer

People often wait until later in life to start investing, even though it is the most effective way to safeguard their financial future. It is more common for first-time jobbers to upgrade their lifestyle than to plan for their future. In other words, they don't start investing until later in life. Even though it's never too late to start investing, there are many benefits to starting early. Besides, investing early in life can help young investors save more than investing later in life since they have fewer commitments at the beginning of their professional journey.   Let’s look at the five main reasons to start investing at a young age: Enjoy the Power of Compounding  The most significant benefit of investing early is having additional time at your disposal. With the help of compounding, there is a better possibility of you being able to grow your investment over time. When your returns compound, the interest you earn on your investments is reinvested to generate more returns. Let’s look at an example: Say you start a Systematic Investment Plan at the age of 25 when you get your first salary. You start with a SIP Amount of Rs 1000 at an average return of 10% per annum. At the age of You’ve Invested for Invested Amount (Rs) Earned Total Corpus of (Rs) 35 10 years 1.2 lakh 2.05 lakh 45 20 years 2.4 lakh 7.59 lakh 55 30 years 3.6 lakh 22.6 lakh 60 35 years 4.2 lakh 37.97 lakh *This is strictly as an example. The returns shown in the table are purely hypothetical and for illustration purpose only. Mutual Funds do not offer any assured rate of return. As you observe, even a Rs 1,000 investment may help you build substantial wealth over time. Here, it's important to note that the power of compounding also applies to lumpsum investments. Improve Your Risk-Taking Ability There is no doubt that risk has a direct correlation with reward. A long-term investment might help you manage your risk better. When you are young, you have the choice to invest in relatively risky avenues and decrease that risk as you age. As you grow older, you may find it harder to take high risks due to mounting responsibilities such as EMIs, children’s education, mortgage, etc. Investing early gives you a chance mitigating risks and building wealth without any financial stress. Makes It Easier to Manage Losses When you start early, you have time on your side. Losses could be because of ill-informed decisions, or market volatility. You can review your investment approach if required and manage losses better. For example, in case of volatility in the markets, you may be better equipped to manage it with SIPs in mutual funds. When you start investing in Mutual Funds via SIPs, you are basically averaging out your investment cost by buying more units when the market is low and fewer units when the market is high. This is known as rupee cost averaging. If you start investing early, rupee cost averaging may help you manage your losses better.  Make Informed Decisions When you have more time on your hands, you can compare different investment options and even rebalance your portfolio whenever necessary, giving your investments time to mitigate the risks and enhance your returns. Besides, investing early helps you understand the nuances of the market with more time for trial and improvement and reduce your stress or fear of investing later in life. Fulfil An Early Retirement Goal Reaching your retirement goal faster may be possible if you invest early and in the right investment avenues. Say you wish to reach a Rs 1-crore mark to retire early. Started investing at the age of 25 Started investing at the age of 35 SIP Amount (Rs) 10,100 SIP Amount (Rs) 10,100 Assumed Rate of Return 12% Assumed Rate of Return 12% Invested Amount (Rs) 24.24 lakh Invested Amount (Rs) 12.12 lakh Final Corpus at the age of 45 (Rs) 1 crore Final Corpus at the age of 45 (Rs) 23.5 lakh *This is strictly as an example. The returns shown in the table are purely hypothetical and for illustration purpose only. Mutual Funds do not offer any assured rate of return. As illustrated in the above example, investing early may help you reach your target amount faster and may even help you get an early retirement (or any other goal). Conclusion There are many benefits to starting your investments early. As a young investor, you can take advantage of time spent in the market, that helps manage risk and build an emergency fund while reaching your financial goals faster. Thus, if you want to increase your chances of growing your investments, it's totally worthwhile to begin investing at a young age. Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 54

Why you should start investing at a young age?

Accepted Answer

Two friends, Lata and Neha , started investing in mutual funds at different ages. When Lata was aged 25, she began investing Rs 5,000 each month, and  Neha did the same when she was aged 35. Assuming an average annual return of 12%, here’s what their investment portfolios would look like at age 60: By age 60, Lata’s investment portfolio will have a total invested amount of Rs. 21 lakhs, and the value of her portfolio will be Rs 3.22 crores Neha’s investment portfolio at age 60 will have a total invested amount of Rs. 15 lakhs, and the value of her portfolio would be Rs 93.94 lakh. As you can see, Lata’s portfolio grew significantly more because she started investing earlier than Neha. The advantage of investing early is that it gives the power of compounding and a chance for increasing the returns on your investments over the years. Note that the calculations mentioned in the article are for illustration purposes only. Importance of Savings and Investment The financial practices of saving and investing have the potential to aid individuals in accomplishing their financial objectives and ensuring their future security. Saving allows you to accumulate funds for emergency situations, unexpected expenses, or future expenses such as buying a house or planning for retirement. Investing, on the other hand, allows you to put your money to work and generate returns over time, which can help build wealth and achieve long-term financial goals. By saving and investing, you can build a strong financial foundation, manage your finances effectively, and ensure a comfortable and secure future. It is important to start early and be disciplined and consistent in these habits to reap the maximum benefits in the long run.   Five Benefits of Early Investing The advantages of early investing cannot be emphasised enough. Here are the top five reasons why you should start investing right now: Power of Compounding The earlier you start, the longer your investments have time to grow and compound. The power of compounding means that your returns generate more returns, and over time, even small investments can grow into a significant sum. For instance, even if you start investing Rs 500 a month in a SIP at a return of 12% p.a. for 30 years, you would have accumulated a corpus of Rs. 17.47 lakhs. More Time to Recover from Market Fluctuations Investing early gives you more time to recover from market downturns or fluctuations and reach your financial goals. By starting early, you can afford to take more risks with your investments and still have time to recover if your investments don’t perform well. Building Financial Discipline Investing early requires financial discipline and regular contributions to your investment portfolio. This habit can help you develop good financial habits and make it easier to achieve your financial goals. For instance, you can automate your investment habit by investing a small sum in SIPs every month. Better Financial Security Early investing can help you achieve your financial goals and secure your future. By investing early, you can accumulate a significant amount of wealth over time, which can provide you with economic stability and peace of mind. Can Invest More With Fewer Responsibilities When you start investing at a young age, you most likely have fewer responsibilities to take care of. This means you can allocate more money towards investing. As you grow older, you may have more financial responsibilities such as taking care of a family, paying for children’s education and healthcare needs, etc. This may not leave you with too much room to invest a higher amount. How to Start Investing?   Investing in mutual funds is a great way to build wealth over the long term. Here are the steps you can follow to get started with investing in mutual funds in India:   Before you start investing, it is important to know your investment goals. This will help you determine the type of mutual fund you should invest in. Once you know your investment goals, you can choose a mutual fund that fits your needs. There are many mutual fund options in India, so do some research and choose a fund that has a good track recordand is aligned with your investment goals. Regular monitoring of Mutual Funds allow investors to stay informed about their fund's performance and make timely adjustments to their investment strategy. This will help investors ensure their investment aligns with their financial goals and time horizon. You could also choose to consult a financial expert or a professional to help you invest wisely and in line with your financial goals.   Conclusion If you start investing early, you can benefit from time being on your side, and the power of compounding kicking in. Now that you know the benefits of early investing and how to start investing, don’t wait any longer. Start investing in mutual funds now! Disclaimer The information disseminated on AMFI website about various categories of mutual fund schemes is for informational purposes for creating awareness about mutual funds as a financial product category and not for sales promotion nor solicitation of business.  The content herein has been prepared by AMFI on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, AMFI cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant that such information will not be changed.  The content herein does not take into account individual investor’s objectives, risk appetite or financial needs or circumstances or the suitability of the mutual fund products described herein. Hence, investors are advised to consult their professional investment adviser/ consultant/ tax advisor for investment advice in this regard.  A mutual fund scheme is NOT a DEPOSIT product and is not an obligation of, or guaranteed, or insured by the mutual fund or its AMC. Due to the nature of the underlying investments, the returns or the potential returns of a mutual fund product cannot be guaranteed. Historical performance, when presented, is purely for reference purposes and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 55

How 2 years delay in SIP can cost you dearly

Accepted Answer

Stock market investing can be intimidating, especially if you are a beginner. However, there's a tried and tested investment strategy that not only makes investing in the stock market simple and easy but can also help you build long-term wealth: SIPs or Systematic Investment Plans.  Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) allow you to invest a small sum in mutual funds at regular intervals. By contributing a small amount of money on a regular basis, SIPs can help you harness the power of compounding to achieve your financial goals.  A small amount of money invested in mutual fund schemes each month has the potential to grow into a significant investment portfolio over time. SIPs are an excellent investment option for those who are looking for a hassle-free and disciplined approach to investing. If you have any uncertainties regarding the suitability of the product/scheme, it is advisable to seek guidance from a mutual fund expert. Often, people are thrown off from investing in SIPs or mutual funds because they think it is too complex. They have difficulty understanding the mechanism of how it works, so they put off their investments.  However, the cost of delaying your investment can be huge! Even if you invest just Rs 1,000 a month in a SIP, a delay of two years can cost you dearly!  Don’t believe it? Let’s look at the numbers!  Let’s assume at 25, you want to invest Rs 1,000 in an equity SIP that earns you a return of 12% p.a. with a plan to stay invested for 30 years. Owing to some reason, you decide to start with the plan after two years. Your investment horizon then becomes 28 years. The table below demonstrates the potential returns you may encounter. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that these returns are subject to risks:   Details Start at 25 Start at 27 Investment horizon 30 28 Amount invested per month Rs 1,000 Rs 1,000 Assumed Return on Investment 12% 12% Invested amount Rs 3,60,000 Rs 3,36,000 Total corpus accumulated with returns Rs 35,29,914 Rs 27,58,585 Cost of delayed investment - Rs 7,71,329 * The above calculations are for illustration purposes only and are subject to risks. SIP in debt fund for that long a period is doubtful. Can consider maybe a hybrid fund As you can see, a delay of just two years can cost you more than Rs 7 lakh! Now, even if you invested in a hybrid fund with an average return of 10% p.a., your cost of delayed investments would be in lakhs.    Details Start at 25 Start at 27 Investment horizon 30 28 Amount invested per month Rs 1,000 Rs 1,000 Assumed Return on Investment 10% 10% Invested amount Rs 3,60,000 Rs 3,36,000 Total corpus accumulated with returns Rs 22,79,325 Rs 18,45,849 Cost of delayed investment - Rs 4,33,476 * The above calculations are for illustration purposes only and are subject to risks. The Power of Compounding The power of compounding is a force in investments that allows you to earn interest on your principal investment as well as on the accumulated interest. This means that your earnings would have the potential to grow at an accelerating rate over time which may help you earn significant returns on your investment. If you start early, the compounding effect will be much more powerful, helping you meet your financial goals with ease. As the examples above explain, just a two-year delay can have a huge cost of delayed investments. This is why you should start investing as soon as you can. Even if you have just Rs 1,000 to invest a month, you should find a good mutual fund to invest in. Investing in mutual funds is easy and hassle-free. You can automate your investments online without having to worry about making monthly investments. Final Word As you know, slow and steady wins the race. Even if you can make only a small investment, start today to become financially secure in the future. Disclaimer The information disseminated on AMFI website about various categories of mutual fund schemes is for informational purposes for creating awareness about mutual funds as a financial product category and not for sales promotion nor solicitation of business.  The content herein has been prepared by AMFI on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, AMFI cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed.  The content herein does not take into account individual investor’s objectives, risk appetite or financial needs or circumstances or the suitability of the mutual fund products described herein. Hence, investors are advised to consult their professional investment adviser/ consultant/ tax advisor for investment advice in this regard.  A mutual fund scheme is NOT a DEPOSIT product and is not an obligation of, or guaranteed, or insured by the mutual fund or its AMC. Due to the nature of the underlying investments, the returns or the potential returns of a mutual fund product cannot be guaranteed. Historical performance, when presented, is purely for reference purposes and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 56

What is a Gold ETF, and how do you invest in it?

Accepted Answer

A gold ETF is an exchange-traded fund with the objective of tracking the domestic physical gold price. It is a passive investment instrument that invests in gold bullion according to current gold prices. Therefore, in simple terms, Gold ETFs represent physical gold (in paper or dematerialized form).  1 Unit of Gold ETF = 1 Gram of Gold. Gold ETFs are traded on the Indian stock exchanges - like any other stock of a company. Just like how an investor would trade stocks, you can also trade Gold ETFs. Gold ETFs are primarily listed and traded on the NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). They are traded in the cash segment and could possibly be bought and sold continuously at market prices.  The direct route to buy gold ETFs will require you to open a demat account through a stockbroker. After this, similar to purchasing shares, you can buy units of gold ETFs directly.  The process is explained here in detail: Consult a stockbroker and open an online trading and demat account.  On your trading portal, log into the account with the required credentials.  Now, choose the gold ETFs you wish to purchase.  Once you have purchased your desired amount of gold ETFs, you will get a confirmation message.  In case an investor does not wish to invest in gold ETFs through the demat manner, they could also invest in gold mutual funds that indirectly invest in these ETFs.  This means the investor is investing in gold mutual funds, whose underlying assets are gold ETFs.    Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 57

How to Invest in Mutual Funds?

Accepted Answer

Investing in mutual funds is already convenient at your fingertips. They are easy to invest in instruments, they are flexible, and investors can even start with as little as Rs. 500 through the systematic investment plan method. There are also a few methods through which one could start investing in a mutual fund.  The various ways to invest in a mutual fund: By visiting the nearest branch office of the mutual fund, ISCs (Investor Service Centres), or RTAs (Registrar & Transfer Agents).  Through a fund distributor who is registered with AMFI. The distributor can be either an individual, a bank, a broker, or more.  Through online platforms or portals of the fund houses.  Since every investor’s preference and skill differ, there is no one-size-fits-all. But these methods can broadly be classified as - online and offline.   a) Online: The investor can open mutual fund accounts online through the portal of fund houses and online platforms.  b) Offline: Investors can also contact a mutual fund distributor or the closest Mutual Funds branch office to open an offline account.  We can explain the process of investing in a mutual fund in simple terms: Choose a platform or fund house.  Register yourself on that chosen platform with your details.  Complete the KYC.  Choose the fund aligning with your goals, and further link your bank account.  Initiate the investment by specifying the amount and choosing the investment mode.  Transfer the funds, and you can start tracking your fund's performance.  The best way to invest in a mutual fund will depend on the investor's choice. For instance, a tech-savvy investor will choose to invest online.  Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 58

Know the Differences Between NPS and Mutual Funds

Accepted Answer

The National Pension Scheme, or NPS, is a retirement benefit scheme introduced by the Indian government in 2004. A mutual fund, on the other hand, is an investment tool that consists of a portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities and is overseen by a professional fund manager.  NPS Vs. Mutual Funds - Understanding Both the Investments NPS: The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary pension scheme the Government of India launched to provide retirement income to Indian citizens. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority regulates the scheme. It's a market-linked product that allows investors to invest in a combination of equity, corporate debt, government debt, and alternative assets.  NPS offers two different types of accounts, Tier I and Tier II. Tier I account remains locked until the investor is 60 years of age. Meanwhile, Tier II is voluntary, and to be eligible to avail of this account, the investor will need to hold a Tier I account. Unlike Tier I, in Tier II accounts, the investor can withdraw funds anytime.  The National Pension Scheme is an investment open for all citizens in the country, including unorganized sector workers. It is a structured retirement saving plan to provide financial security in old age. The contributions made in NPS are spread across different asset classes like Equity, Corporate Bonds, Government Securities, and more. However, the scheme offers flexibility in asset allocation through active choice and auto choice. On reaching 60, the NPS account matures, and the investor can withdraw up to 60% of the maturity value as a lump sum payment. The balance of 40% can be used to purchase a regular pension annuity.  Mutual Funds: A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment vehicle that pools money from various investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of assets, including stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. It simple terms, it is a pooled investment vehicle, where money is collected from investors who share a common investment objective. Various categories of mutual funds cater to diverse investment preferences, including active, passive, equity, fixed income, balanced funds, and more. Each fund type comes with its unique set of features, potential rewards, and associated risks. Notably, the majority of mutual funds offer flexibility by not imposing a lock-in period. This flexibility allows investors to align their choice of funds with their specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon, empowering them to make informed and personalized investment decisions. Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 59

Know the Differences between PPF and Mutual Funds

Accepted Answer

Two famous investment options are PPF (Public Provident Fund) and Mutual Funds. Both these investment choices have their own sets of differences.  A public provident fund (PPF) is a long-term investment option, and it is backed by the Indian Government. PPF offers guaranteed returns to investors. This rate of interest is set by the Indian Government every quarter. It has a fixed investment period, with the minimum amount of investment per year as Rs. 500 and a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh for each financial year.  The principal amount, the interest earned and the maturity amount of PPF is completely tax-free. PPF has a lock-in period of 15 years, in some cases premature withdrawals are possible only from the 7th year of making the investment.  PPF is a low-risk investment option. Mutual funds - on the other hand, are professionally managed investment funds that pool money from different investors. A mutual fund invests in various classes, such as - stocks, bonds, and other securities. Mutual funds are set up and managed by AMCs (asset management companies), and the returns of the investment would depend on the performance of the underlying assets in which it is invested.  PPF vs Mutual Fund - The Major Differences are: PPF offers a guaranteed return, while mutual fund returns are based on market movements.  PPF has a lock-in period, while some Mutual Funds come with an exit load if the investor redeems the investments before a specific period. And there are some types of Mutual Funds with a lock-in period. PPF has a tax relief under Section 80C, and the interest on PPF is tax-free. Only ELSS Mutual funds have tax relief under Section 80C, However, returns from Mutual Funds attract capital gains tax.  Returns in PPF are guaranteed, and they are backed by the government. Returns on Mutual funds are not guaranteed and are subject to market risks.  However, the determination of which investment is more suitable relies on the investor's financial goals and objectives. Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Question 60

Don’t let money go. Let it grow!

Accepted Answer

Do different types of Mutual Fund schemes offer different kinds of returns? “Why should one invest in Mutual Funds? We keep hearing about poor performance of many Mutual Funds. And Mutual Funds offer no guarantees. Given these limitations, is there any reason why someone should consider investing in Mutual Funds at all? Do they perform at all?” Well, often there are versions of this question, asked by existing as well as potential Mutual Fund investors. Whereas the question might be similar in many cases, the origin of the question, the reason why such a question arose could be very different across different individuals. In one of the cases, the investor thought that the scheme he had invested in was not delivering investment returns as much as what he had expected. However, when probed, it was found that the investor was comparing two completely different schemes. This is like comparing apples with oranges – not the right approach. In another case, the investor had invested in a scheme, where the overall market was going through turmoil. When someone is stuck in a traffic jam, however great a driver or however great a car, there is no way to speed up. Exactly the same thing happens when the overall market is not good. In such a case, as in case of a traffic jam, one has to wait till things clear out. In most situations, the Mutual Funds are perceived to be not performing well when the way of looking could be incorrect.

Question 61

Are there particular funds that help create wealth over the long term?

Accepted Answer

What is wealth? What purpose does it serve? Many answer these questions as “living a life of one’s dreams”, or “not having to worry about money”, or “having financial freedom”. Being wealthy means having enough money to spend for one’s responsibilities and dreams. However, for all the long term expenses, one must never forget one major factor – “Inflation”. As the name suggests, inflation is a phenomena that inflates the cost that you will incur to fulfil your life goal when the time arrives to fulfil it.   Diversified equity funds offer the opportunity to create wealth over the long term at reasonable levels of risk. The risk associated with equities gets controlled with equity Mutual Funds due to three factors The expertise of the professional fund manager who manages the fund Diversification of risks due to the investments made in a basket of securities Investing for the long term which lowers the impact of short term volatility   Although it’s true that equities as an asset class offer investors the opportunity to create wealth, it is important to keep in mind that equities as an asset class is volatile over shorter time frames. Therefore, you need to invest for the long term.

Question 62

Can Mutual Funds help create wealth?

Accepted Answer

Business and commerce allows us to create wealth by investing our money with those who are on the path to creating wealth. We can be investors in businesses of entrepreneurs, by investing in stocks of various companies. As the entrepreneurs and the managers run their businesses efficiently and profitably, the shareholders get the benefits. In this regard, Mutual Fund are a great way to build wealth. But how do we know which stocks to buy, and when? That is where taking professional help counts. They also take the advantage of a large corpus to explore more opportunities simultaneously. Like a balanced diet – we all need proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, etc. Eating only one type results in some nutrient deficiency. Similarly, in a diversified equity fund you’re exposed to different segments of the economy, and also protected from the potential downside. Invest in a professionally managed, diversified equity fund and stay invested for long period to create wealth for yourself and your next generation.

Question 63

Aren’t RDs and FDs enough to secure the future?

Accepted Answer

Recurring Deposits (RDs) and Fixed Deposits (FDs) are some of the most popular savings instruments in our country. They are safe and offer a guaranteed rate of return.   That really depends on what an investor expects from the future. If the investor wants her capital to be safe and earn some reasonable fixed rate of return, irrespective of inflation and taxes, then these may be good enough. However, if the investor wants to earn a positive return even after factoring inflation and taxes, then these may not be good enough. If an investor has a large enough corpus to start with and is really not worried about enhancing purchasing power, then RDs and FDs are safe and useful savings and income generating options. If an investor is more concerned about safety of principal and receipt of timely and predictable income, a FD may be ideal.

Question 64

Why don't Mutual Funds give a fixed rate of return like a saving account or FD?

Accepted Answer

The returns in a Mutual Fund portfolio are a function of many things, like the avenues one has invested in, the way various markets move, the ability of the fund management team, and the investment period. Since many of these factors are uncertain, the returns cannot be guaranteed, unlike a fixed deposit where these factors are absent, at least to some extent. With a fixed deposit – the returns are FIXED only for a FIXED period. These returns and the period, both are decided by the issuer company and not by the depositor. Hence, if one wants to invest money for six years and a deposit is available for five years, the returns are known only for the first five years, but not for the entire six-year period. Thus, the investment returns are known only in case of guaranteed return products, where the product maturity and investor’s time horizon are matching perfectly. In all other cases, the investment returns are unknown over the investor’s investment horizon.

Frequently asked Questions about Mutual Funds