Risk takers by their very nature, would not be averse to investing in high-risk avenues. Capital markets find their fancy more often. Though the risk associated is generally on the higher side of the spectrum, the return-potential compensates for the risk attached. However, a single person can’t invest in multiple high-priced stocks for the sole reason that his pockets are not likely to be deep enough. This limits investor from diversifying investor’s portfolio as well as benefiting from multiple investments. Stock picking requires great skills including thorough understanding of the corporate world and the economy. Here again, investing through the Mutual Fund route enables an investor to invest in many good stocks and reap benefits even through a small investment. This not only diversifies the portfolio and helps in generating returns from a number of sectors but reduces the risk as well. The investor also gets the benefit of professional fund management. Even within the equity funds category, we have various types of funds to catering to the varying risk appetite of the investor. Starting from lowest spectrum, one can go in for index funds, large cap funds, multicap funds and sector funds. The industry would soon be able to offer Commodity funds and real estate funds as well.
Moving down the risk spectrum, we have people who would like to take some risk and invest in equity funds/capital market. However, since their appetite for risk is also limited, they would rather have some exposure to debt as well. For these investors, balanced funds and MIPs provide an easy route of investment. Armed with the expertise of investment techniques, they can invest in equity as well as good quality debt thereby reducing risks and providing the investor with better returns than he could otherwise manage. Since they can reshuffle their portfolio as per market conditions, they are likely to generate moderate returns even in pessimistic market conditions.
Moving further down, investors who are not willing to take any risks with their investments. The low risk – low return products suit them well. The industry offers host of products in the form of Liquid schemes, Floaters and Debt funds. Though debt funds may give negative returns in case of rising interest rate regime, floaters and liquid funds are zero-risk investments. Banks and corporate find these funds highly useful for parking their funds for a short term.
This risk of default by any company that one has chosen to invest in can be minimized by investing in mutual funds as the fund managers analyze the companies’ financials more minutely than an individual can do as they have the expertise to do so. They can manage the maturity of their portfolio by investing in instruments of varied maturity profiles. Since there is no penalty on pre-mature withdrawal, as in the cases of fixed deposits, debt funds provide enough liquidity. Moreover, mutual funds are better placed to absorb the fluctuations in the prices of the securities as a result of interest rate variation and one can benefits from any such price movement.
Other than the classification based on risk-return framework, mutual funds also offer funds focused at a particular section of the society. Specific goals like career planning for children and retirement plans are also catered to by mutual funds. Children funds have found their way in a big way with many of the fund houses already having launched a children fund. Essentially debt oriented, these schemes invite investments, which are locked till the child attains majority and requires money for higher education.
Besides this, if the objective was to save taxes, the industry offers equity linked savings schemes as well. Equity-based funds, they can take long-term call on stocks and market conditions without having to worry about redemption pressure as the money is locked in for three years and provide good returns. Some of the ELSS have been exceptional performers in past and cater to equity investor with good performances.
The appeal of mutual funds cuts across investor classes. It is time that investors assess their risk appetite and make intelligent decisions to generate better returns and mutual funds are definitely one of the ways to go about it.
Moving down the risk spectrum, we have people who would like to take some risk and invest in equity funds/capital market. However, since their appetite for risk is also limited, they would rather have some exposure to debt as well. For these investors, balanced funds and MIPs provide an easy route of investment. Armed with the expertise of investment techniques, they can invest in equity as well as good quality debt thereby reducing risks and providing the investor with better returns than he could otherwise manage. Since they can reshuffle their portfolio as per market conditions, they are likely to generate moderate returns even in pessimistic market conditions.
Moving further down, investors who are not willing to take any risks with their investments. The low risk – low return products suit them well. The industry offers host of products in the form of Liquid schemes, Floaters and Debt funds. Though debt funds may give negative returns in case of rising interest rate regime, floaters and liquid funds are zero-risk investments. Banks and corporate find these funds highly useful for parking their funds for a short term.
This risk of default by any company that one has chosen to invest in can be minimized by investing in mutual funds as the fund managers analyze the companies’ financials more minutely than an individual can do as they have the expertise to do so. They can manage the maturity of their portfolio by investing in instruments of varied maturity profiles. Since there is no penalty on pre-mature withdrawal, as in the cases of fixed deposits, debt funds provide enough liquidity. Moreover, mutual funds are better placed to absorb the fluctuations in the prices of the securities as a result of interest rate variation and one can benefits from any such price movement.
Other than the classification based on risk-return framework, mutual funds also offer funds focused at a particular section of the society. Specific goals like career planning for children and retirement plans are also catered to by mutual funds. Children funds have found their way in a big way with many of the fund houses already having launched a children fund. Essentially debt oriented, these schemes invite investments, which are locked till the child attains majority and requires money for higher education.
Besides this, if the objective was to save taxes, the industry offers equity linked savings schemes as well. Equity-based funds, they can take long-term call on stocks and market conditions without having to worry about redemption pressure as the money is locked in for three years and provide good returns. Some of the ELSS have been exceptional performers in past and cater to equity investor with good performances.
The appeal of mutual funds cuts across investor classes. It is time that investors assess their risk appetite and make intelligent decisions to generate better returns and mutual funds are definitely one of the ways to go about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment