SIP and Mutual Funds
A Mutual Fund is a trust that pools together the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal. The collected money is then invested in capital market instruments such as shares, debentures and other securities. Each mutual fund has a pre-defined objective, so you can choose a fund that is more suitable to your requirements.
The income earned through these investments and the capital appreciation realized is shared by its unit holders in proportion to the number of units owned by them. Thus a Mutual Fund is the most appropriate investment option for the common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified and professionally managed basket of securities at a relatively low cost.
Mutual funds have many advantages compared to direct investing in individual securities. These include:Diversification :
An investor’s money is invested by the mutual fund in a variety of shares, bonds and other securities thus diversifying the investor’s portfolio across different companies and sectors. This diversification helps in reducing the overall risk of the portfolio.Liquidity :
In mutual fund you can invest or redeem any time, there is no restriction. But this happens only in open ended funds not in close ended.Professional investment management :
Mutual Funds are managed by professional investment managers, along with the needed research into available investment options, which ensure a much better return as they are in a better position to understand the markets than individual investor.Service and convenience :
It becomes very convenient to invest in Mutual Funds as it is managed by the expert and you get to choose the schemes available. Funds also offer additional benefits like regular investment and regular withdrawal options.Large Investments :
Here you are able to participate in investments that may be available only to larger investors.Minimization of risk :
The potential losses are also shared with other investors.Reduction of transaction costs :
You get the benefit of economies of scale; because of larger volumes the funds pay lesser costs and it is passed on to the investors.Transparency :
Fund gives regular information to its investors on the value of the investments in addition to disclosure of portfolio held by their scheme, the proportion invested in each class of assets and the fund manager's investment strategy and outlookChoice of schemes :
You can choose the fund based on their risk tolerance and expected returns.Flexibility :
You can easily transfer you holdings from one scheme to other and get updated market information.Government oversight :
Mutual funds are subject to government regulations.Tax Benefits :
Dividend income from mutual fund units is exempted from income tax with effect from July 1, 1999. Investors can get rebate from tax under section 88 of Income Tax Act, 1961 by investing in Equity Linked Saving Schemes of mutual funds. Further benefits are also available under section 54EA and 54EB with regard to relief from long term capital gains tax in certain specified schemes.
The income earned through these investments and the capital appreciation realized is shared by its unit holders in proportion to the number of units owned by them. Thus a Mutual Fund is the most appropriate investment option for the common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified and professionally managed basket of securities at a relatively low cost.
Mutual funds have many advantages compared to direct investing in individual securities. These include:Diversification :
An investor’s money is invested by the mutual fund in a variety of shares, bonds and other securities thus diversifying the investor’s portfolio across different companies and sectors. This diversification helps in reducing the overall risk of the portfolio.Liquidity :
In mutual fund you can invest or redeem any time, there is no restriction. But this happens only in open ended funds not in close ended.Professional investment management :
Mutual Funds are managed by professional investment managers, along with the needed research into available investment options, which ensure a much better return as they are in a better position to understand the markets than individual investor.Service and convenience :
It becomes very convenient to invest in Mutual Funds as it is managed by the expert and you get to choose the schemes available. Funds also offer additional benefits like regular investment and regular withdrawal options.Large Investments :
Here you are able to participate in investments that may be available only to larger investors.Minimization of risk :
The potential losses are also shared with other investors.Reduction of transaction costs :
You get the benefit of economies of scale; because of larger volumes the funds pay lesser costs and it is passed on to the investors.Transparency :
Fund gives regular information to its investors on the value of the investments in addition to disclosure of portfolio held by their scheme, the proportion invested in each class of assets and the fund manager's investment strategy and outlookChoice of schemes :
You can choose the fund based on their risk tolerance and expected returns.Flexibility :
You can easily transfer you holdings from one scheme to other and get updated market information.Government oversight :
Mutual funds are subject to government regulations.Tax Benefits :
Dividend income from mutual fund units is exempted from income tax with effect from July 1, 1999. Investors can get rebate from tax under section 88 of Income Tax Act, 1961 by investing in Equity Linked Saving Schemes of mutual funds. Further benefits are also available under section 54EA and 54EB with regard to relief from long term capital gains tax in certain specified schemes.