Mutual Funds Based on Investment Goals
1.
Growth
Funds
Growth funds usually put a huge
portion in shares and growth sectors, suitable for investors who have a surplus of idle money to be
distributed in riskier plans or are
positive about the scheme.
2.
Income
Funds
This belongs to the family of debt
mutual funds that distribute their money in a mix of bonds, certificate of
deposits and securities among others. Helmed by skilled fund managers who keep
the portfolio in tandem with the rate fluctuations without compromising on the
portfolio’s creditworthiness, Income Funds have historically earned investors
better returns than deposits and are best suited for risk-averse individuals
from a 2-3 years perspective.
3.
Liquid
Funds
Like Income Funds, this too belongs
to the debt fund category as they invest in debt instruments and money market
with a tenure of up to 91 days. The maximum sum allowed to invest is Rs 10
lakhs. One feature that differentiates Liquid Funds from other debt funds is
how the Net Asset Value is calculated – NAV of liquid funds are calculated for
365 days (including Sundays) while for others, only business days are
calculated.
4.
Tax-Saving
Funds
ELSS or Equity Linked Saving Scheme
is gaining popularity as it serves investors the double benefit of building
wealth as well as save on taxes – all in the lowest lock-in period of only 3
years. Investing predominantly in equity (and related products), it has been
known to earn you non-taxed returns from 14-16%. This is best-suited for
long-term and salaried investors.
5.
Aggressive
Growth Funds
Slightly on the riskier side when
choosing where to invest in, Aggressive Growth Fund is designed to make steep
monetary gains. Though susceptible to market volatility, you may choose one as
per the beta (the tool to gauge the fund’s movement in comparison with the
market). Example, if the market shows a beta of 1, an aggressive growth fund
will reflect a higher beta, say, 1.10 or above.
6.
Capital
Protection Funds
If protecting your principal is your
priority, Capital Protection Funds can serve the purpose while earning
relatively smaller returns (12% at best). The fund manager invests a portion of
your money in bonds or CDs and the rest in equities. You will not incur any
loss. However, you need a least 3 years (closed-ended) to safeguard your money
and the returns are taxable.
7.
Fixed
Maturity Funds
Investors choose as the FY ends to
take advantage of triple indexation, thereby bringing down tax burden. If
uncomfortable with the debt market trends and related risks, Fixed Maturity
Plans (FMP) – investing in bonds, securities, money market etc. – present a
great opportunity. As a close-ended plan, FMP functions on a fixed maturity
period, which could range from 1 month to 5 years (like FDs). The Fund Manager
makes sure to put the money in an investment with the same tenure, to reap
accrual interest at the time of FMP maturity.
8.
Pension
Funds
Putting away a portion of your income
in a chosen Pension Fund to accrue over a long period to secure you and your
family’s financial future after retiring from regular employment – it can take
care of most contingencies (like a medical emergency or children’s wedding).
Relying solely on savings to get through your golden years is not recommended
as savings (no matter how big) get used up. EPF is an example, but there are
many lucrative schemes offered by banks, insurance firms etc.
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