Investing Insights

Infographic featuring mutual fund unit certificates alongside a loan document and cash icons, illustrating the option of taking a loan against mutual fund investments during a financial emergency.

Financial Emergency: Is Taking a Loan Against Mutual Fund Units Better Than Redeeming Them?

Sometimes, we face financial emergencies and the only option left is to sell our assets or take a loan against them. In this article, we will discuss whether taking a loan against mutual fund units is better than redeeming them.

Successful Investing – 5 Incredible Learnings From the Past 20 Years

The year was 2001 and Atul, an avid investor, was all geared up to secure his retirement. He was 40 years old then and his retirement was 22 years away. He started investing Rs. 25,000/- every month systematically in an equity mutual fund… Before I reveal the outcome of Atul’s investing journey, let us dive into some valuable investing lessons of the past 20 years.

Ways of Repaying a Home Loan Early and Saving Interest

Everybody aspires to buy their dream home at some stage in life. But, for most people, a dream home purchase with their own money is not possible due to the huge amount involved. Hence, most people have to resort to taking a home loan.

10 Things to Consider when Buying a Term Life Insurance Policy

If you are the sole earning member or one of the earning members of your family, you need to buy term life insurance. Your life insurance policy is a financial backup for your family in the event of your untimely demise.

Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections: Do They Warrant Any Change in Your Portfolio And Strategy?

India will be heading to Union Elections in the months of April and May. The results will be announced on 4th June 2024.

Person writing “Systematic Investment Plan” in a notebook beside a blue piggy bank and calculator, symbolizing planning and investing in SIPs for financial goals.

How Much to Invest in SIP's to Reach Your Goals? How Can Step-up SIP Boost the Process?

You must have heard the famous sayings like: "Good things take time", "Good things happen to those who wait", or "Good things come in small packages".

Stacks of gold coins and gold bars with an upward-pointing arrow, symbolizing rising gold prices and strong investment returns. The scene has a rich golden-brown background, emphasizing wealth and growth.

Gold: Why Do Indians Buy Gold, Its Returns, How To Buy, And Is Buying Gold A Good Investment?

On 22nd March 2024, the 24-carat gold prices in Delhi hit an all-time high of Rs. 67,985/tola. The price rose after the US Federal Reserve, in its monetary policy meeting on 20th March, indicated that it will cut interest rates in the second half of 2024.

Stacks of coins arranged in ascending order, each with a small green plant sprouting from the top, symbolizing financial growth, investment, and wealth accumulation over time. The background is softly lit, emphasizing the theme of sustainable or long-term

Small-Caps Are Correcting: Should Investors Be Worried? What Should They Do?

In the last few months, small-cap funds have been the most favoured segment of retail investors. Small-cap mutual fund schemes have been attracting a lot of fund inflows from retail investors. On 7th February 2024, the Nifty Smallcap 250 Index hit an all-time high of 15,489. Since then, the index has corrected a little over 10% as of March 2024. Some individual small-cap stocks that are a part of the index have corrected even more in the 15-25% range or higher. As a retail investor in small-cap mutual funds should you be worried about a further correction? What should you do? Let us discuss.

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Is Insurance a Good Investment?

You invest regularly to achieve your financial goals. While doing so, you should buy life insurance as it is your family's financial backup in the event of your untimely death. It is recommended that you keep the two (investments and insurance) separate, as each has a distinct purpose. However, many people end up mixing the two in a single product in the form of a participating life insurance policy or a ULIP (unit-linked insurance plan). Is it a good idea to keep insurance and investments separate or buy a bundled product? Let us discuss.

A man in a suit wearing a face mask sits on stairs with his head in his hand, appearing distressed, against a backdrop of a declining stock market graph—symbolizing financial crisis or market downturn.

Why the ‘Stress Test on Mid and Small Cap’ Funds Should Not Stress You Out

Looking at the high returns of mid and small-cap mutual fund schemes in the last one year, retail investors have been pouring big money into these schemes. Recently, SEBI and several market experts have been raising questions on the valuations of mid and small-caps and the froth building up.

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Passive Income: What Is It, Sources, Benefits, and How to Build It?

Legendary investor Warren Buffett is well known for his financial quotes. Let us list two of his quotes. He said: "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die". He also said: "Never depend on a single income. Make investment to create a second source".

Factor-Based Funds: What Are They, and Should You Invest in Them?

Till about a few years back, investors could choose from either active or passive funds. The proponents of active funds say they have the flexibility of selecting stocks and the potential to generate alpha over the benchmark index. The proponents of passive funds say they are low-cost solutions for market returns, specifically as active funds will find it increasingly difficult to beat the benchmark index in future. But what if you could combine the benefits of active and passive funds in a single scheme? That is what factor-based mutual funds in India offer. Recently, many AMCs have started offering factor funds. So, what are these and should you invest in them? Let us explore.