What are Best Mutual Funds?
Mutual fund selection is based on several parameters. These include return expectation, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. When selecting a fund, it’s important to keep in mind some key criteria such as the expense ratio, past performance, fund manager expertise and assets under management. These factors can contribute to an informed decision.
Once you, as an investor, do your research, you will have a clear idea as to where you want to invest.
Types of mutual Funds
Equity Mutual Funds:
These funds’ portfolios are primarily comprised of equities. As a result, the returns on an investor’s equity mutual fund investments are heavily reliant on the performance of the fund’s equity holdings. Because of market volatility, equities carry some risk. The risk is subsequently reflected in equity mutual funds. However, the volatility in mutual fund returns is only temporary. In terms of long-term returns, equity-based mutual funds have a strong track record.
Debt Mutual Funds:
These funds invest primarily in fixed income instruments such as corporate and government bonds, money markets, and so on. They are less risky, but this comes at the expense of lower average returns. Debt funds are appropriate for conservative investors with a low risk tolerance. Debt mutual fund returns are more stable than equity mutual fund returns.
Hybrid Mutual Funds:
Hybrid mutual funds are a hybrid of equity and debt mutual funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of equity and debt securities. People with a moderate risk tolerance who want a diversified portfolio should invest in hybrid funds rather than individual securities.
Confused about where to begin? Here are few point you can keep in mind while choosing Best Mutual Funds to invest in India (2023)?
Below are some factors, which if considered, you will know how to choose a good mutual fund considering your financial goals, risk appetite and asset allocation –
Investment horizon: It will be determined by how much time you have to reach your financial goal. If you know how to choose the right mutual fund, you will understand that equity funds are best suited for long-term goals and debt funds are best suited for short- to medium-term goals. Overnight funds, liquid funds, ultra-short duration funds, and other funds are appropriate for very short investment tenures (less than one year).
Investment goal: Before you can learn how to choose the best mutual fund, you must first determine your investment goal! Do you prefer growth or consistent income? Equity funds are best suited for long-term capital appreciation, whereas debt funds are best suited for regular income.
Risk profile: If you understand your risk tolerance, you can easily select the best mutual fund! To ensure that you are taking the appropriate amount of risk, you should be aware of a scheme’s risk profile. Equity funds are appropriate for investors with moderately high to high risk appetites, whereas bond or debt funds are appropriate for investors with low to moderate risk appetites.
Taxation: Taxation is one of the most important criteria to consider when determining how to choose a good mutual fund, as you must be aware of the tax implications of your investments before you begin. Short term capital gains (held for less than 12 months) in equity funds, for example, are taxed at 15%, while long term capital gains (held for more than 12 months) are tax exempt up to Rs 1 lakh and taxed at 10% thereafter (in excess of Rs 1 lakh of capital gains). Short-term capital gains (held for less than 36 months) in non-equity funds are taxed at your marginal rate, while long-term capital gains (held for more than 36 months) are taxed at 20% after indexation.
Lump sum or SIP: If you know how to choose the right mutual fund, you should determine whether you can invest in a lump sum or through a systematic investment plan (SIP). You can benefit from rupee cost averaging and the power of compounding by investing through SIPs. If you have available funds, you can invest in a lump sum in accordance with your optimal asset allocation.
Fund manager and fund house track record: Before investing, you should look into the scheme’s, fund manager’s, and fund house’s long-term track record.
Expense Ratio: Your returns will be used to cover fund expenses. For some investment types, such as exchange traded funds or index funds, expense ratio is crucial (ETFs). High expense ratios in actively managed funds may be offset by the fund manager’s capacity to provide large alphas. On the other hand, index funds or ETFs merely monitor the index and do not attempt to produce alpha. Consequently, expense ratio is crucial for index funds and ETFs.
Final verdict
Selecting a mutual fund may appear to be a difficult task, but doing some research and understanding your objectives can help. You will increase your chances of success if you conduct this due diligence before selecting a fund.
Mutual funds offers products that can address a wide range of financial objectives, investment horizons, risk tolerances, and liquidity requirements. You will understand how to choose mutual funds in India if you consider the variables covered here. Before choosing the best mutual funds, take the time to consider these variables and make educated investment choices. If you are having trouble comprehending the mutual fund investment characteristics, you should always seek the assistance of a financial professional.
