Crafted for those new to the world of mutual funds and investing, FundsIndia’s Back to Basics series covers the basic facts about mutual funds you need to know. In this Back to Basics article, we discuss the benefits of investing in mutual funds.
Investors are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the best investment avenue – bank deposits, money market securities, shares, bonds, etc. Mutual Funds, owing to their well regulated structure and higher yield potential, offer a great opportunity for investors to invest and build wealth.
Before we answer the ‘why’ of mutual funds, let’s go back to the fundamental question:
What are mutual funds?
A mutual fund is an investment product that pools money from many people and invests it in a wide variety of stocks, bonds, and other investments. They are managed by ‘fund managers,’ who are experts at managing money and investments. To know more, read What is a mutual fund and why should you invest in it?
Whether the objective is higher returns, convenience, or tax saving, mutual funds present the following benefits to investors:
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Diversification
Investors enjoy the benefit of asset diversification, when they invest in mutual funds. Diversified portfolios invest in a variety of instruments, from low to high risk, such as bonds, stocks, international securities, etc. Underperformance of one fund can be balanced out by the performance of other funds in the portfolio. Having a diversified portfolio increases the chance of earning higher returns, while minimizing risks.
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Liquidity
One of the biggest advantages of mutual funds is the ability to invest and redeem with relative ease, compared to other instruments. Investors have the advantage of getting their money back almost instantly in case of mutual funds, based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) at that time. The only thing to watch out for is exit load, which may apply to some funds. However, we do not recommend redeeming your investments unless your fund underperforms or you’ve reached your goals. Speak to your personal financial advisor when it comes to redemption of assets. -
Flexibility
Unlike the traditional investing instruments, mutual funds come with less or even zero lock-in period, depending on the kind of fund you pick. This means you can redeem your investments in times of utmost need. While most of the funds do not have a lock-in period, tax-saving ELSS funds come with a lock-in period of 3 years, which is relatively lesser compared to bank deposits.
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Higher return potential
Mutual funds, in general, have the potential to generate higher returns compared to traditional investment instruments, as they invest in a variety of market-linked instruments. So, those having a low risk-appetite could invest in debt mutual funds, which tend to deliver FD-beating returns. Equity mutual funds have delivered 11-15% over the last 10 years. Hence, for investors with moderate to high risk-appetite, investing in equities through mutual funds would help them earn superior returns, while minimizing risk, thanks to rupee-cost averaging. At FundsIndia, our expert advisors can help you pick and invest in the right funds based on your requirements and risk-tolerance levels.
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Professionally managed and secure
Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers, who are qualified experts in this field. They identify the best stocks in the market, and track their performance on a regular basis to ensure that they deliver high returns to the investors. They also help investors make an informed choice, when it comes to picking the right funds. What’s more? Mutual funds in India are moderated by the industry body, SEBI, which ensures transparency and security. So, to answer the question “is it safe to invest in mutual funds?” – yes, it is perfectly safe to invest in mutual funds because of it’s well regulated, transparent structure.
Now that you know the benefits of mutual funds, it’s time to get you started with India’s friendliest investment platform! Sign up with us to get started on your journey to prosperity!
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“Mutual funds are a favorite when it comes to investing in the marketplace. This is because of their stoic structure, optimum yields, and providing investors with the opportunities to grow their capital. They are the most popular option in the marketplace because of the various aid they provide.
Benefits of mutual funds:
Higher Returns
Compared to traditional investment options, mutual fund schemes provide a higher return to investors. Evaluating your goals and choosing the right scheme, you can yield better returns through mutual funds than other options.
Flexibility
Unlike other traditional investment options, mutual funds provide investors with the luxury of less to zero lock-in period. This makes transacting your investments during the time of need convenient.
Multiple Options
There are various types of mutual funds, which each cater to the different types of goals that investors have. With the availability of a plethora of options on hand, investors can choose the best mutual funds according to their needs with ease.”