Namaste! Welcome to Coverfox’s dedicated page on Mutual Funds. These investment tools help you grow your wealth depending on financial market conditions so that you and your loved ones remain financially protected. However, there is a lot of confusion regarding the types, features, benefits, and investment amount needed to be input into Mutual Funds for excellent returns.
Are you worried about investing without proper knowledge? Don’t fear, Coverfox is here! Our experts will resolve all your queries to make a quick, hassle-free investment on our platform.
Have you ever invested in a recurring deposit? Well, you should know Mutual funds aren’t much different. A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that allows you to invest in multiple tools - like Equities, Debt, and liquid assets, to name a few.
Okay, so to your next question - Do I manage Mutual funds on my own? No, you don’t. A fund manager manages your investment in these funds. Their job is simple enough - they distribute the money you’ve decided to invest in multiple fund options to give you - the investor - the maximum gain in wealth.
Do professional Mutual Fund managers handle only my investment? No. Funds managers pool money from different investors toward a fund - managed by them. According to the extent of their investment, sharing of the rewards, profits, risks, and losses is also proportional. So, how do you decide to separate your investment amount into different Mutual Fund options? Simple. You choose how much ‘risk’ you want to take with your investment. If you invest in highly volatile market options - you stand to make huge gains or huge losses. It is always advisable to mix risky investments with stable and safe ones.
If you get the basics of Mutual Funds now, you will want to ask who regulates all the Mutual Funds in India. The answer is The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI). You have to ensure any fund you pick follows SEBI’s guidelines before investment. Now that you know the basics of a Mutual Fund, let’s get to the big question on your mind: Is a Mutual Fund fit for me? It depends. Mutual funds are ideal for investors who either do not want to invest large sums, or don’t have the inclination nor the time to study the market, but still want their wealth to grow.
Mutual Funds have certain unique features that make them the ideal form of investment. Some of the best features of these investment tools are below.
Liquidity: Exit Mutual Funds immediately, hassle-free to get money back in your hands - unless there’s a lock-in period.
Affordability: Invest sums as low as Rs. 500, through SIPs.
Choice of Investment: Depending upon your financial goals, you can choose to invest in the appropriate category of mutual funds available mentioned below:
In today’s day and age, investment options are necessary to ensure financial security for you and your family. Here are some advantages of Mutual funds.
Easy to Understand: They are an ideal option for investors who may not know much about investing.
Easy to Buy: Thanks to online technology today, buying, managing, and selling funds has become a hassle-free convenient task for investors. Through online mode, you can also manage your investment by getting updates on your fund’s performance daily.
| Mirae Asset Hybrid Equity Fund | L&T Emerging Businesses Fund |
| Axis Bluechip Fund | HDFC Small Cap Fund |
| ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund | ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund |
| L&T Midcap Fund | Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 Fund |
| HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund | Kotak Standard Multicap Fund |
Source: The Economic Times
There are certain charges that investors will have to incur when investing in mutual funds. Asset management companies charge investors for professional fund management as well as regular operational expenses. Returns are taxable by the government. The investor also has to pay for transaction charges plus the cost incurred towards maintaining the fund. Some riskier funds can involve higher management fees levied on them.
If you’ve got here, then it’s safe to say you’re interested in investing in Mutual Funds.
Did you know? Financial institutions offer investors the convenience and flexibility of investing in mutual funds online and offline. Yes! Now, sit at the comfort of your house and spend away! However, before you begin that journey, here are some factors for you to consider:
Analyze your investment objective
Assess your risk appetite
Research about the Mutual Fund Investment House
Get assisted by Mutual Fund Agents.
Direct online purchase - Over Websites, Mobile Apps
Mutual fund companies purchase plenty of stocks or bonds, according to the recommendations of the professional advisor. A third-party firm or individual, known as a fund manager, manages the funds portfolio of investors. Fund managers may either belong to third-party firms or be the owners of funds. The board of directors of a mutual fund company hires a fund manager who has the necessary skills and industry knowledge to assign and manage the investments, aiming at optimum growth and returns for the investors of their funds. There are also other expert professionals, each of them specialized with a distinct skill set to manage various aspects of fund investments like tracking fund performances and identifying the right time for selling the assets for greater returns.Some fund managers are the owners of these funds, while some others are not.Fund managers collect the investment amount from investors and invest the same on their behalf in various funds, as per their individual financial objectives and risk appetites, to build a robust portfolio.
Mutual funds divide themselves into two categories – Direct and Regular Fund, usually managed by the same Fund Manager. However, there are specific differences between them. Let’s discuss these differences below:
Just like any other investment tool, Mutual Funds are subject to their limitations. Some of them may seem more severe than others. It is essential to maintain the perspective of your investment goals. Here are a few disadvantages of Mutual Funds.
Exit Load: Exit load is payable by an investor at the time of redemption of a fund or withdrawing from a fund scheme.
Portfolio: Collection of financial instruments or assets like stocks, shares, bonds, government securities, money market instruments, etc. through which the fund house generates profit for its investors.
Let’s take the case of HDFC Balanced Fund, renamed as HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund.
What are the risks involved?
MFs are dependent on the market returns and thus possess the risks of volatile market conditions.
How is an MF set-up?
Mutual fund is set up in the form which includes trustees, sponsor, custodian and asset management company (AMC).
How to choose the right MF?
Open Ended
Debt/Income: If your objective is to get a stable income from your MF investment, then debt/income funds are an ideal choice for you.
Money market/liquid: If you want to invest your money for a shorter duration, then money market/liquid funds are the ones for you.
Equity/growth: If your financial goal is to make good returns over a long-term period and a good appetite for risk taking, then equity/growth funds are the best choices for you.
Balanced: If you want a balance of equity and debt-related investment in your portfolio, then you should go for balanced funds, which give you moderate capital growth and decent returns on your investment.
Close Ended
Capital Protection: As the name suggested, the objective of these funds is to safeguard the investor's capital during the downtime of the market.
Fixed Maturity Plans: Fixed maturity funds plan are closed-ended debt funds having fixed maturity period. These are like conventional bank FDs. The fixed maturity plans are not open for subscription on a continuous basis like open-ended funds plans.
What are the drawbacks?
Cost, Taxes, and Fees
A mutual fund has a cost associated with the returns it produces. There are prices charged not only for the price of the fund but also for additional fees depending on the commission charges. A fee also goes towards the fund management charges.
Mutual funds returns get taxed by the government. The investor also has to pay for transaction charges plus the cost incurred towards maintaining the fund. Some riskier mutual funds can have more management fee levied on them.
Unpredictability
Mutual funds returns can be quoted hypothetically but it is impossible to give a written guarantee on the returns as they are linked to the performance of an industry. Some mutual funds carry a high amount of risk, some others carry a moderate amount of risk. It all depends on how well the mutual fund portfolio is diversified.
Who can invest in MFs?
What is the process to make an investment?
Agents: You can buy mutual funds through an agent/broker. The agent/broker will get his commission from the fund house on your purchase. They will also receive a percentage of your portfolio value which is created by them as commission.
Direct: Mutual fund companies offer mutual funds online for purchase and you can directly purchase them from their websites. Why to Apply for Mutual Funds Online?
Convenience: Online platform gives you ease of investing the mutual funds at the convenience of your home at any time.
Easy Comparison: You can compare features of different mutual funds online and review the fund performance and its current value.
Affordable: As you buy the mutual funds directly, agent commission is saved. This makes it cheaper to buy mutual funds online.
Independence: Online platform gives you the independence to login to the portal and review your mutual funds anytime. You can also redeem or buy new mutual funds at your convenience.
Know more about How to Invest in Mutual Funds
Will there be TDS when I redeem my MFs?
Yes, there is a TDS applicable for resident Indians when selling/redeeming units, be it of debt mutual funds, Equity mutual funds, tax saving mutual funds or ELSS mutual funds. A Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) Tax at the rate of 10% is applicable on capital gains from equity mutual fund redemptions.
Are MFs a safe investment option?
Mutual fund investments are not devoid of risks arising from capital market fluctuations. The returns may vary from your initial estimates due to market volatility. However, you can be assured that your investments are in safe hands, irrespective of the fund house that you have invested in. This is because all mutual fund investments in India are under the strict regulation and supervision of government entities like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). What’s more, there are mutual fund options that not only aim for generating returns, but are also tax-efficient. Hence, they serve the dual purpose of an investment-cum-savings tool.
How much should I invest?
There is no maximum limit for the amount you would like to invest towards mutual funds. Its flexibility is further emphasised with the fact that mutual fund investments through SIP or ELSS can be started with an amount as meagre as Rs. 500. You can decide on the amount you would like to invest in mutual funds as per your financial ability and investment objectives.
Are all MFs tax exempt?
The only mutual fund that offers tax benefits is Equity Linked Savings Scheme or ELSS. It offers tax exemptions of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh annually under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Can you lose your money in a mutual fund?
Mutual fund investments are vulnerable to volatile capital market conditions. However, not all mutual funds are exposed to the same risks. Short-term mutual funds generate comparatively higher returns while being exposed to high risks. On the other hand, medium to long term investments like debt mutual funds remain invested for a longer time and may not offer as much returns as equity funds, but they are susceptible to lower market risks. Expertise in mutual fund investments enable investors to switch between funds before inflation sets in. However, unpredictable inflationary effects lead to losses.
Do mutual funds pay dividends?
Yes, mutual fund investments paying dividends has become an emerging trend in the last couple of years. Fund houses pay dividend payoutsat regular intervalsto create a positive impression about their mutual fund. Further, Indian investors often equate mutual fund dividends with company dividends and interpret them as net gain. Besides, distributing dividends ina rising economy like India minimizes the risk of equity mutual fund schemes.
How do I choose a mutual fund?
Not all mutual funds are suitable for every investor. It depends on factors like existing fund performance and other parameters that are unique to every individual such as investment objective, risk appetite, etc.
How is expense ratio calculated?
The Total Expense Ratio or TER is calculated by dividing the totalexpense incurred for a mutual fund in a certain year by the total assets of the mutual fund averaged throughout that year. It is denoted in the form of a percentage.
How is the expense ratio charged?
The Total Expense Ratio (TER) is the evaluation of the total cost of a mutual fund incurred by the investor. The final charges may involve various fees for purchase, repurchase, auditing, redemption, etc.
Is demat account required for SIP?
No, you do not require to open a demat account for any mutual fund investment, including SIP. You only need to fill up and submit the KYC or Know Your Customer Form for investing in mutual funds. Demat accounts are compulsory for trading in the stock market.
What are the risks of MF investments?
One of the primary risks that mutual fund investments are exposed to are the fluctuations and volatility of capital market conditions. While certain inflationary situations can be foreseenand funds can be switched to safeguard the portfolio against risks, inflation sometimes can be unpredictable too.Another risk to mutual fund investment is investing in the wrong mix of diversified mutual funds. Investing in mutual funds of the same asset class, sector and company cap does not help in achieving the diversity that a portfolio requires to avert avoidable capital market risks. Lack of clarity in mutual fund policy document can be another risk, misleading investors regarding their salient features and benefits.
What are 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD?
The provisions laid down in Sections 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD of the Income Tax Act, 1961 are:
Section 80C – Under this section of the Income Tax Act, 1961, an investor can enjoy tax deductions of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh annually from his/her annual income on specific investments like mutual funds, PPF, LIC, etc.
Section 80CCC–This section of the Income Tax Act, 1961 focuses on tax deductions on premium paid towards certain annuity plans as referred to in Section 10(23AAB). Pension received from annuity or the amount received after surrendering the annuity plan, along with the interest or accrued bonus, is taxable on the year of receipt.
Section 80CCD – This section of the Income Tax Act, 1961 pertains to tax deductions eligible by individuals contributing towards pension accounts. The maximum deduction that can be availed is 10% of annual income for taxpayers who are salaried professionals and 20% of annual income for taxpayers who are self-employed, or Rs. 1.5 lakh, whichever is lesser. This section is further classified into two categories:
Section CCD(1B)–Under this section, additional deductions of up to Rs. 50,000 can be claimed by taxpayers on deposits made towards savings schemes like NPS (National Pension Scheme) account and Atal Pension Yojana.
Section 80CCD (2)–This section includes provision for additional deductions for employers contribution towards pension accounts of their employees and accounts for 10% of the employee’s salary. There is no maximum limit applicable on this deduction.
What is a good expense ratio?
The expense ratio of mutual fund varies from time to time, based on the performance of your fund in a year. It is the percentage of the number of assets that a fund house takes back in lieu of the services offered by it. Hence, the lower the percentage, the better it is for an investor.
What is a good ROI?
A good marketing ROI is considered to be 5:1. A ratio beyond 5:1 is considered to be a strong ratio for businesses, while a 10:1 ratio is exceptional. Achieving a ratio higher than 10:1 ratio is way beyond expectations though it can become a reality.
What is a good turnover rate?
Turnover rate for a mutual fund portfolio is measured on a scale between 0% and 100%. 0% turnover rate implies the holdings of the mutual funds have remained unchanged in the previous year. On the other hand, a rate of 100% indicates that the fund has a completely new portfolio that is different from what it was a year back. This is because all the funds in the previous portfolio have been sold and new investments have been made in its place. Certain very aggressive funds can have turnover rates even beyond 100%.
What is difference between MF and SIP?
A mutual is not a category of securities but rather a scheme that enables the purchase of securities. On the other hand, SIP or Systematic Investment Plan is a mode of mutual fund investments that enables investors to make premium payments in easy instalments as opposed to lump sum payments.
What is the 10-year average return that I can expect on the S&P 500?
The 10-year average return on the S&P 500 index return is generally 0.66%, more than returns on mutual funds over the same period of time.
What is the average rate of return?
The average 10-year return on mutual funds is about 0.66% lesser than the S&P 500 index return over the same tenure. For instance, if a mutual fund offers a return of 4.23%, the S&P 500 will generate an average return of 4.895%.
What is the average rate of return on a retirement account?
There are different types of retirement schemes that you can opt for and each of them has their own interest rates that vary from time to time. For instance, the interest rate for Senior Citizen Savings scheme is 8.7%, as per the Oct-Dec 2018 quarter, whereas it was 8.3%, according to the previous quarter of July-Sept 2018.
What is the total expense ratio?
The Total Expense Ratio (TER) is the percentage of the total expenditure made towards a mutual fund in a specific year to the total mutual fund assets averaged throughout that year.
When can I expect to receive the proceeds of the repurchase of my investment?
Regulated by government agencies like SEBI, it is mandatory for the MF to dispatch the dividend warrants to the investors within 30 days of the declaration of the dividend. Redemption or repurchase proceeds have to be dispatched within 10 working days from the date of redemption or repurchase request issued by the investor. If the fund house fails to dispatch these proceeds within the stipulated deadlines, they are liable to pay interest at the current rate of 15%, as per SEBI regulations.
What are some of the leading MF investments in India?
Here are some of the best performing fund houses:
What is the ideal scheme for a 19 year old investor?
It is always wise to start investing at an early age so as to gain good returns later. As a 19 year old investor who wants to inculcate the habit of saving with merely Rs. 1000-2000 per month, multi cap funds are a good idea. These funds offer the liberty to switch market caps depending on the situation of the market.
