While Indians have historically been investing in physical assets like gold, real estate, etc., the millennials are reflecting an increasing preference towards investing in financial assets. Mutual funds are steadily emerging as a preferred investment option, as also being reflected by steady monthly SIP inflows (Source – Association of Mutual Funds in India, AMFI).
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows you to invest a fixed amount into mutual fund schemes on a pre-determined periodic frequency. You can instruct the bank to auto-debit the from your account specified dates and invest in the pre-specified mutual fund scheme. This investment cycle happens automatically on a recurring basis irrespective of the market condition. This helps an individual to consistently move towards creating an investment corpus and take a step closer to achieve his/ her financial goals.
Just as it is important to start investing early, it is paramount to review your portfolio periodically. Regular assessment allows you to review the performance of the various funds and accomplish your financial goals. Here are four crucial parameters against which you may compare your mutual fund portfolio
A diversified investment portfolio holds the key to long term financial prosperity. The investors must plan to allocate their investments across different asset classes such as equity, debt, gold, etc. Since the investors don't rely on a single asset class for their portfolio performance, the returns may be expected to be stable across market cycles. While equity renders the potential of higher returns over the long term, the debt investments may impart with stability to the portfolio.
Financial advisors will generally advise you, “do not keep all your eggs in one basket.” Such an investment action is denoted as diversification in the parlance of personal finance. Diversification refers to making an investment portfolio across different investment segments and asset classes to reduce the overall investment risk.
Mutual funds have been instrumental in channelising the household savings into financial markets, as the investors need not have expert knowledge about the financial markets to invest in mutual funds. Investors may rely upon professional fund management for their investments in mutual funds. Further, with the availability of a wide range of mutual fund schemes, investments in mutual fund schemes can be made as per personal risk appetite and financial goals.
The year 2020 has just started, and probably you have made your new year resolutions. But have you decided on financial resolutions for the new year to improve your financial habit and create wealth? Your financial resolutions should be more prudent and long term in nature.
While there is no text-book definition
Retirement is often seen as the second innings of life. That is the time when you enjoy the luxury of time, while you do not have any official meetings to attend or timelines to meet. While it may be an extended vacation, you may be in for many surprises, if you have not planned for it. Retirement planning must be done prudently and systematically so that you don't have any financial constraints while planning to fulfil your pending dreams and aspirations after retirement.
We are already in the last quarter of the financial year, and most of the employers will be pushing for the proofs of your tax-saving investments. With the increasing awareness of mutual funds as an investment option, Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) funds are also emerging as the preferred option for tax savings.
