When planning to invest in markets, investors often find themselves in a dilemma of choosing whether to invest in stocks directly, or through Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Some investors may find direct stock investments interesting and exciting since there is more control over investment decisions, and they can track the stock prices over stock exchanges.
The MPC voted 5-1 to raise the policy repo rate by 50bps to 5.90% while maintaining its stance as “withdrawal of accommodation” which was broadly in line with expectations. The MPC statement noted that the “Emerging market economies (EMEs) are facing intensified pressures from retrenchment of portfolio flows, currency depreciations, reserve losses, and financial stability risks, besides the global inflation shock. As external demand deteriorates, their macroeconomic outlook is becoming increasingly adverse.”
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort”
— John Ruskin, English writer and critic
Usually, when someone speaks about the quality of life, they refer to the quality of sleep, meals, exercise and work-life balance. The better invested they are in the above factors, the higher their quality of life can be. And, when someone describes the quality of the city they live in, they attribute it to the quality of infrastructure, housing, conveyance and the overall standard of living.
The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) is an industry association dedicated to nurturing and developing the Indian Mutual Fund Industry professionally and ethically. To protect and promote the interest of the mutual fund industry, Asset Management Companies (AMCs), and investors, AMFI aims to enhance and maintain professional standards for the AMCs and distributors through the Code of Conduct.
A type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund, index funds are designed to follow certain pre-set rules. They are passive strategies, wherein the objective of the fund is to replicate the performance of underlying indices such as the Sensex, Nifty 50 or Nifty Next 50.
UTI Value Opportunities Fund is an open-ended equity scheme that follows a value investment strategy. The Fund follows the principle of intrinsic value — instead of the traditional multiple-based definition of value for portfolio management. Intrinsic value is ‘the discounted value of cash generated by a business during its remaining life’. The Fund has a flexible approach in terms of investing across the market cap spectrum based on available opportunities.
Mutual funds are increasingly becoming the preferred option for retail investors, as reflected by the consistent monthly SIP inflows. As per the latest data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), mutual funds received Rs. 12,976 crores through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in September 2022 alone and Rs. 74,234 crores total in FY 2022-23 so far. (Source: AMFI)
Investors can choose from various mutual fund schemes depending on their financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Diversifying one's investment portfolio to achieve better stability in a volatile market is always advised. Besides equity and debt instruments, commodity funds help investors diversify their portfolios across different asset classes.
Commodity funds: Meaning
Investing may be considered more of an art than a science. Amidst a wide range of investment options, products may be selected basis individual risk profiles, financial goals and investment horizons. Within an investment portfolio, the focus should also be on diversification and optimal asset allocation.
Diversification of investment portfolio across different asset classes
Rate action: The monetary policy committee today voted 5-1 to raise the policy repo rate by 35 bps to 6.25%, in line with the market expectations. The external member Prof. Jayant Varma dissented against the decision & voted against the rate hike. The policy corridor floor, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate, was also hiked by 35 bps to 6.00%, while the ceiling Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate was hiked to 6.50%.
