Intermediate

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. 

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) has clearly emerged as preferred investment route for investing in mutual funds especially for investing in equity-oriented funds. This trend is visible from the relatively stable monthly SIP inflows. As per AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds in India) data, monthly SIP flows have continued to stay above Rs. 8,000 crores for the last 11 months and the SIP inflows during November 2019 were Rs. 8,273 crore.

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.  

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.

A wise man once said, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is Now.” This quote not only gains its relevance in the World which is getting warmer every year but is equally relevant in the financial world. 

Investment in Equities is the vehicle to participate in the long-term India growth story. Investment in Index fund is the simplest way to invest in Equities and can be core part of Equity allocation due to simplicity of investment and low cost. 

Having a diversified portfolio with investments across different securities and asset classes is always desirable, as it helps you to manage risks to a great extent. However, while diversifying your portfolio, one often ends up investing in multiple mutual fund schemes. Wouldn’t that be great if you can invest in multiple asset classes through one fund itself? Hybrid funds help you precisely do the same.

We are already into the last month of the financial year 2019-20, and it is that time of the year when everyone starts thinking about filing taxes. Income tax laws provide for certain tax benefits under different provisions, including Section 80C (tax-saving investments and payments), Section 80D (payment towards medical insurance premium), Section 80G (donations to eligible charitable funds and trusts) etc. of the Indian Income Tax Act.