By Ramalingam K
What is the best way to optimize my investment portfolio? How can I survive when the equity market is going down? Is there any fixed income scheme available better than the traditional FDs or RDs?
Fixed income investment schemes, which are characterised by low risk and predictable returns, are preferred by all kinds of investors. Safety, security and low risk are the key factors people look out for while choosing any investment option; right?
Let us look at the benefits of investing in Mutual Fund SIP in debt funds.
Mutual fund SIP in Debt Fund – How do they work?
Debt fund is a type of mutual fund, which in turn will invest in fixed income yielding instruments like Govt. securities, debentures, commercial paper, treasury bills and the like. As they are not invested in the stock market, the risk is very low in debt funds. Mutual fund SIP in debt fund is the systematic approach of investing in debt mutual funds by a fixed sum of money periodically.
Gaining from falling interest rates:
You will be amazed to know, that even during the 2008 global economic crisis, debt funds like long-term gilt government sector funds gave up to 28% return on investments.
When the interest rate falls, the reduced interest rates will be applicable only to the fresh investments. So, the existing fixed income investments held by the debt funds will carry the old higher rate than the current market rate. As the debt fund portfolio has got a higher rate than the market rate, the debt securities in the portfolio will be traded at premium. Because of this premium, you will gain as a debt fund investor.
Gaining from raising interest rates:
If the interest rate goes up and you have locked your funds in long-term fixed deposits or RDs, you will continue to get the prevailing lower rate. With Debt Mutual Fund SIP, your fresh investments will have better returns.
Investment time horizon and Duration of the Fund:
Choose a debt fund which will not change the duration vastly and frequently. You need to choose a fund which maintains the duration in a particular range at any given point of time.
Also match your investment time horizon with the duration of the fund.
If you follow the above 2 steps, it will help you avoid the interest rate risk. A debt fund selected this way is most likely to beat similar FD returns.
Using mutual fund SIP in debt fund to save on tax:
There are tax free dividends offered while investing on mutual fund SIPs in debt fund. For example, FD interest is taxable at the rate of 10/20/30% slab rate but the CG tax on debt funds is 10% flat or 20% with indexation, seen as highly beneficial for people in higher tax brackets.
Suitability of the Debt Mutual Fund SIP:
- ?Debt Mutual fund SIPs are suitable for short term investments.
- Debt Mutual fund SIPs are suitable for maintaining liquidity.
- Debt Mutual fund SIPs are suitable for risk-averse investors.
- Debt Mutual Fund SIPs are better alternatives to FDs and RDs.
- Debt Mutual Fund SIPs are the right place to build our emergency reserve.
Remember a key point here: Do not limit your investment to the equity market only. By doing so, your investments are susceptible to more risks attached to the unpredictable nature of the equity market. Consider investing on mutual fund SIPs in debt funds along with equity funds to reduce and diversify your overall risk.
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The author is Ramalingam K, an MBA (Finance) and Certified Financial Planner. He is the Director and Chief Financial Planner of Holistic Investment Planners (www.holisticinvestment.in) a firm that offers Financial Planning and Wealth Management. He can be reached at [email protected]
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