Investing Insights

Mutual Fund Investment Traps to Avoid Right Now

Vibrant markets tend to spawn many a self-advising ‘expert’, and that’s a phenomenon that proliferated widely in the years between 2012 and 2017. Equity markets rose (albeit with its share of jitters in between!) prolifically in this period, with the bellwether NIFTY index more than doubling from 4,800 to 11,000 levels. At the same time, bond markets delivered excellent returns in the 3 years between 2014 and 2017, on the back of multiple tailwinds such as low inflation, falling crude prices and global economic weakness.

4 Basic Mutual Fund Investment Rules

Whether you’re a short-term investor or a long-term one, a high-risk taker or risk averse; there’s a Mutual Fund out there to suit your needs. Mutual Funds Sahi Hai, but only if you follow a few basic principles while investing in them. Here are four important rules for you to follow while making mutual fund investments.

How to invest into Mutual Funds using STP’s

Despite their widespread proliferation, many investors remain confused about how to invest in mutual funds using STPs or ‘Systematic Transfer Plans’. This article will present a few simple rules for you to make your STP-led mutual fund investments a whole lot more effective. But first – the basics.

3 Debt Mutual Fund Investment Myths to watch out for

While debt funds offer a safer option compared to equities, it's important to debunk these myths before diving in. Remember, terms like 'income' or 'fixed' don’t guarantee what they may seem to promise. Always do your due diligence and be aware of the risks involved, especially with GILT funds and FMPs. Debt funds are about managing risk, not avoiding it entirely!

Should you book profits in your Mutual Funds before March 31st?

Mutual Funds Sahi Hai”, says the impactful awareness campaign that has built up significant momentum in the past year.

How to invest in SIP’s or Systematic Investment Plan

Mutual Fund SIP’s (Systematic Investment Plans) have caught the fancy of many an investor in recent times.

Five things You Need to Know About Tax Saving Mutual Funds

As we enter the last month of the Fiscal Year, there’s bound to be an increased interest in tax saving investments. One such investment avenue which helps you save taxes under Section 80C is a tax saving mutual fund, or ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme). If you’re thinking about investing into a tax saving mutual fund this year, here are five things for you to keep in mind.

The question most investors are asking: Abhi Kaunsa Mutual Fund Sahi Hai?

AMFI’s impactful “Mutual Fund Sahi Hai” Campaign has been extremely successful in drawing new investors into the fold. The industry AUM recently went past the 23 Lakh Crore mark, with the folio count looking all set to cross 7 crores this year.

Liquid Funds vs Arbitrage Funds – Which of These Works Best for You

Arbitrage Funds, on account of their superior tax efficiency when compared to liquid mutual funds, gained quite a bit of popularity after the Union Budget 2014. It was during this budget that the minimum holding period for all debt oriented mutual fund investments to qualify for long-term capital gains was increased from 1 year to 3 years.

Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) Tax – Simplified

If you’ve made a mutual fund investment recently, you may be confused about the recent Union Budget announcement that brought back long-term capital gains taxes on equity oriented mutual funds. Until the budget, any profits booked in equity oriented mutual funds after a year of holding the units, were deemed tax free. If you’re confused about how the new rules will impact the future post-tax profits from your mutual fund investments – read on.

Liquid Funds 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Short Term Debt Funds

Liquid Funds are debt mutual funds that invest into debt securities with very short maturities. The residual maturities if bonds held by liquid funds cannot exceed 90 days, as per the rules defined by the regulator. In fact, most liquid mutual funds hold securities that are due to mature in the next 30 days or so. Bonds maturing within two months need not be ‘marked to market’ – only their interest component needs to be factored in while calculating NAV’s (net asset values).  Hence, the NAVs of Liquid Funds remain relatively steady compared to other debt funds.

6 Mutual Fund Investment Myths You Should Watch Out For

The AMFI has done some great work of late to promote awareness about Mutual Fund Investments among the masses, with their catchy “Mutual Funds Sahi Hai” campaign. And yet, with the Mutual Fund industry’s assets zooming past the 23-lakh crore mark across nearly six and a half crore folios, it’s a surprise that so many investors steadfastly continue to harbor these misconceptions about Mutual Fund investments!