Mutual funds
were an unfamiliar form of investing to many Indian individuals a few years ago. Today, however, the situation is entirely different.
Mutual funds are now considered a simple and uncomplicated option to invest in to help develop wealth in India. Most alternative investment solutions do not allow you to contribute as little as Rs 500 which a mutual fund does using a SIP. You can invest in mutual funds with financial goals and risk profiles that match your risk profile.
How do mutual funds work?
An asset management company (AMC) creates a mutual fund by pooling contributions from diverse individuals and institutional investors with similar investment goals. A fund manager is a professional who manages a pooled investment by carefully investing in assets to maximize returns for investors while staying true to the fund’s investment objectives.
Professionals with a proven track record of managing funds and a thorough understanding of markets are fund managers. The cost ratio is the annual fee charged by the fund houses to operate the mutual fund.
Benefits of investing in mutual funds
Convenience:
Mutual fund
schemes could be a simple and hassle-free process. The entire procedure is paperless, and it could be completed from the comfort of your own home. And after you’ve started investing, you can monitor your portfolio and make adjustments as needed using your computer or smartphone.
Modes Of Investment: Depending on your financial circumstances and needs, you can either invest a flat sum through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) or Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).
Tax Benefits: Mutual funds are a tax-advantaged investing option. Short-term capital gains are taxed at 15%, whereas long-term capital gains are tax-free up to Rs. 1 lakh per fiscal year and taxed at 10% thereafter. Short-term capital gains were taxed at your marginal rate, whereas long-term capital gains were taxed at 20% after indexation advantages in non-equity funds.
Interest earned on most classic fixed-income investments is taxed at the investor’s marginal tax rate. Compared to conventional fixed-income investments, mutual funds offer a significant tax advantage to investors in terms of higher tax rates.
Low Initial Investment: By investing as little as Rs 500 per month in mutual funds of your choice through SIP, you can construct a diversified mutual fund portfolio. You could also invest in a lumpsum or a systematic investment plan (SIP). Compared to lumpsum investments, however, a SIP can reduce the total cost of acquisition while maximizing the potential of compounding.
Professional Fund Management: The mutual fund investments are handled by a professional fund manager with the assistance of a research team. The fund manager creates the asset allocation investment plan. The research team selects appropriate securities according to the fund’s investment objectives.
Diversification: Diversifying your investment is critical if you want to reduce your chance of losing money. A well-diversified portfolio can withstand the underperformance of a particular stock or sector, protecting your overall investments. Mutual funds are created with proper diversification in mind.
A mutual fund that duplicates the S&P BSE 100 index, for example, may allow you to invest in as many as 100 shares in a single fund. This is an easy and affordable approach to diversifying your portfolio.
How can you invest in mutual funds?
Before investing in any financial instrument, such as mutual funds, you must comply with the Know Your Client (KYC) regulations. The following documents are required to be KYC-compliant:
- A recent passport size photograph.
- Identity proof (e.g., Passport, PAN card)
- A copy of your PAN card
- Address proof (e.g., Aadhaar card)
- Congratulations! KYC paperwork has been completed to the letter. The KYC form is available through Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) and Asset Management Companies (AMCs). You can also contact a mutual fund provider or financial advisor for assistance in meeting KYC requirements.
A regular plan is another way to invest in mutual funds through a mutual fund distributor. The mutual fund house could pay a commission to the mutual fund distributor or middleman. You might invest in mutual funds offline by going to the mutual fund house, filling out an application form, and submitting KYC documents.
Final Thoughts
Investors have recently been provided the facility to trade mutual funds online. However, the criteria for selecting a corporation to invest in are very standard: What is the company’s track record? What kind of amenities, services, and products do they offer? How simple is it to work with them and their trading platform? When it comes to selecting a mutual fund, the fundamental things to consider are how its purpose aligns with your investment objectives, the level of risk it poses compared to your risk tolerance, and the magnitude of its fees.
Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
