Professional Investment Management
Mutual funds hire full-time,
high-level investment professionals. Funds can afford to do so as they manage large
pools of money. The managers have real-time access to crucial
market information and are able to execute trades on the largest and most
cost-effective scale.
Investments that will make you grow.
"AMFI-Registered Mutual Fund Distributor"
FAQs on Mutual Funds
Why should I consider investing in a Mutual Fund?
Diversification
Mutual funds invest in a broad range of securities. This limits investment risk by reducing the effect of a possible decline in the value of any one security.
Low Cost
A mutual fund let's you participate in a diversified portfolio for as little as Rs.5,000/-, and sometimes less. And with a no-load fund, you pay little or no sales charges to own them.
Mutual funds invest in a broad range of securities. This limits investment risk by reducing the effect of a possible decline in the value of any one security.
Low Cost
A mutual fund let's you participate in a diversified portfolio for as little as Rs.5,000/-, and sometimes less. And with a no-load fund, you pay little or no sales charges to own them.
Convenience and Flexibility
You own just one security rather than many; yet enjoy the benefits of a diversified portfolio and a wide range of services. Fund managers decide what securities to trade, collect the interest payments and see that your dividends on portfolio securities are received and your rights exercised. It also uses the services of a high quality custodian and registrar in order to make sure that your convenience remains at the top of our mind.
You own just one security rather than many; yet enjoy the benefits of a diversified portfolio and a wide range of services. Fund managers decide what securities to trade, collect the interest payments and see that your dividends on portfolio securities are received and your rights exercised. It also uses the services of a high quality custodian and registrar in order to make sure that your convenience remains at the top of our mind.
Liquidity
In open-ended schemes, you can get your money back promptly at net asset value related prices from the mutual fund itself.
In open-ended schemes, you can get your money back promptly at net asset value related prices from the mutual fund itself.
Transparency
You get regular information on the value of your investment in addition to disclosure on the specific investments made by the mutual fund scheme.
You get regular information on the value of your investment in addition to disclosure on the specific investments made by the mutual fund scheme.
What exactly is a Mutual Fund... ?
Mutual fund is a mechanism for pooling the resources by issuing units
to the investors and investing funds in securities in accordance with objectives as
disclosed in offer document. It is an entity wherein people / institutions
pool small amounts of money into larger amounts for investment and achieve returns
with minimum risk, which otherwise is not possible by a common man.
Suppose you want to read a book, which costs Rs.1000/-. However, you
do not have Rs.1000/- to spare for that book. The best alternative you can resort
to, other than obviously borrowing it from somebody, is to make a group
of friends who are interested in reading that same book. Then, the group can
contribute some amount each and purchase the book, which you can read it in turn.
Thus, you are able to get the benefits out of the book and
that too by paying only a part of the price. Moreover, the book would always remain
with you unlike the case if you had borrowed it from someone.
This same logic goes into investing in a mutual fund, where small
amounts from large investors are pooled together to create a diversified portfolio
of assets for "mutual" benefits of all investors.
How are my interests protected in a Mutual Fund?
SEBI being the apex body for Protection of Investor Interests ensures
that the Mutual Funds comply with all its Regulations. The Trustees of the Fund are
responsible for monitoring its performance and compliance of SEBI
Regulations.
How is NAV Calculated?
For example, if the market value of securities of a mutual fund
scheme is Rs 200 lacs and the mutual fund has issued 10 lacs units of Rs. 10 each to
the investors, then the NAV per unit of the fund is Rs.20
What is the difference between Open-ended and Close- ended funds?
Open-ended funds do not have a fixed maturity whereas close-ended
schemes have a stipulated maturity period. In an Open-ended Scheme, the investors
can purchase and redeem units anytime. New investors can join this kind
of scheme by directly applying to the mutual fund at applicable NAV-related prices,
whereas in the case of Close-ended Schemes new investors can either invest at the
time of the Initial Issue and thereafter units can
be bought or sold from the stock exchange where it is listed. As a result, the
number of units in an Open-ended Scheme may keep fluctuating on a daily basis, while
this is not the case in Close-ended Schemes.
A. How do I define my investment goals?
You need to clearly identify the investment horizon with which you
are investing in mutual funds. For instance, if you need your money back only after
a year or so, then you can invest in diversified equity schemes since
for an horizon of less than this, diversified equity schemes would be too risky and
thus are not recommended.
B. What is exactly is the Risk-Return Relationship?
Risk-Return relationship refers to the correlation between the two.
The cardinal rule of investments is "Higher the Risk - Higher the Returns". The
larger the risks you are willing to take; higher would be the returns that
you would earn from the investments.
C. How should I allocate mutual funds on the basis of my risk profile?
As a thumb rule, your allocation to high risk-high returns
investments should be (100 less your age). For instance, if your age is 30 years,
then you should allocate 70% (100-30) of your portfolio to high risk-high returns
investments like equity funds, etc. The balance amount could be invested in low
risk-low returns investments like debt funds.
D. Please explain to me what are the different Mutual Fund Categories.
By investment objective, following are types of mutual fund schemes:
Growth/Equity Schemes:
These schemes invest predominantly in equity stocks. Stock markets are known to be volatile, but in a rising stock market, these investments yield more returns than any other investment.
These schemes invest predominantly in equity stocks. Stock markets are known to be volatile, but in a rising stock market, these investments yield more returns than any other investment.
Debt/income funds:
These are funds that invest predominantly in income bearing instruments like bonds, debentures, government securities, commercial paper etc. Income bearing instruments are much less volatile, although they do carry credit risk. The objective of these schemes is to provide a regular and steady income to the investors.
These are funds that invest predominantly in income bearing instruments like bonds, debentures, government securities, commercial paper etc. Income bearing instruments are much less volatile, although they do carry credit risk. The objective of these schemes is to provide a regular and steady income to the investors.
Balanced funds:
Such funds invest both in equity shares and income-bearing instruments in the proportion indicated in their offer document. The objective is to provide both growth and income by periodically distributing a part of the income and capital gains they earn.
Such funds invest both in equity shares and income-bearing instruments in the proportion indicated in their offer document. The objective is to provide both growth and income by periodically distributing a part of the income and capital gains they earn.
Liquid Funds:
These schemes invest mainly in liquid instruments such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and inter-bank call money. Liquid Funds are generally very safe. The returns on these schemes may depends upon the short-term interest rates prevailing in the market. These are ideal for investors looking to park their surplus funds for short periods.
These schemes invest mainly in liquid instruments such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and inter-bank call money. Liquid Funds are generally very safe. The returns on these schemes may depends upon the short-term interest rates prevailing in the market. These are ideal for investors looking to park their surplus funds for short periods.
Floating Rate Funds:
Floating rate funds invest in floating rate securities whose coupon rates are linked to a benchmark rates are aligned to any movements in the market rates. These funds carry low interest rate risks.
Floating rate funds are of two types:
Floating rate funds invest in floating rate securities whose coupon rates are linked to a benchmark rates are aligned to any movements in the market rates. These funds carry low interest rate risks.
Floating rate funds are of two types:
Short-Term Floating Rate Fund:
These funds invest in
floating rate securities that are linked to shorter-term benchmarks like the
overnight inter-bank or the call market rates, etc.
Long-Term Floating Rate Fund:
These funds invest in
floating rate securities that are linked to longer-term benchmarks like the
1-year Reuters rate, etc and such funds are suitable for investment
with a longer horizon.
Gilt Funds:
These schemes invest mainly in central and state government issued securities, commonly known as Government Securities. Gilt Funds, do not carry any credit risk as investments in Government papers have sovereign rating. However, such funds carry interest rate risk since the returns from government securities depends upon the interest rate scenarios.
These schemes invest mainly in central and state government issued securities, commonly known as Government Securities. Gilt Funds, do not carry any credit risk as investments in Government papers have sovereign rating. However, such funds carry interest rate risk since the returns from government securities depends upon the interest rate scenarios.
Equity linked saving schemes (ELSS):
These are growth schemes with a mandatory 3-year lock- in period on investments. Investments made up to Rs. 1 lac in these schemes would be eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
These are growth schemes with a mandatory 3-year lock- in period on investments. Investments made up to Rs. 1 lac in these schemes would be eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Specialty Schemes:
These schemes cater to the investment objectives not covered by the other schemes:
These schemes cater to the investment objectives not covered by the other schemes:
Index Schemes:
Index schemes replicate the performance of the stock Index such as BSE SENSEX or NSE Nifty.
Index schemes replicate the performance of the stock Index such as BSE SENSEX or NSE Nifty.
Sector Schemes:
Sector schemes are specialty mutual funds that invest in stocks that fall into a certain sector of the economy. Here the portfolio is dispersed or spread across the stocks of a particular sector.
Sector schemes are specialty mutual funds that invest in stocks that fall into a certain sector of the economy. Here the portfolio is dispersed or spread across the stocks of a particular sector.
E. How do I go about choosing a Mutual Fund scheme?
There are certain things you must keep in mind to help you choose the scheme:
Investment philosophy
The investment objective of the scheme must match with your own objective. Thus if you are looking at capital appreciation over a long period of time, then you should consider a diversified equity scheme rather than a money market scheme.
The investment objective of the scheme must match with your own objective. Thus if you are looking at capital appreciation over a long period of time, then you should consider a diversified equity scheme rather than a money market scheme.
History of the scheme
The scheme you are considering investments in should have a good track record and a considerable period of existence to prove its merit.
The scheme you are considering investments in should have a good track record and a considerable period of existence to prove its merit.
Fund Size
A scheme with a higher corpus tends to be more stable than a low corpus one and hence the former should be preferred for investments. But this should not be taken as a rule.
A scheme with a higher corpus tends to be more stable than a low corpus one and hence the former should be preferred for investments. But this should not be taken as a rule.
Costs involved
Most of the mutual fund schemes carry some loads and charges to cover their expenses. Such costs could be in the form of Entry/Exit loads that are charged to you when you invest or redeem from the scheme respectively. Schemes also charges expense ratios, which reduce your returns from the scheme. Schemes with lower expense ratios and entry/exit loads should be preferred. However, this should not be the primary basis of selecting a scheme for investments.
Most of the mutual fund schemes carry some loads and charges to cover their expenses. Such costs could be in the form of Entry/Exit loads that are charged to you when you invest or redeem from the scheme respectively. Schemes also charges expense ratios, which reduce your returns from the scheme. Schemes with lower expense ratios and entry/exit loads should be preferred. However, this should not be the primary basis of selecting a scheme for investments.
Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover means the number of times the fund manager churns the portfolio. Generally, the portfolio turnover is higher in an equity fund than a debt or a money market fund. A scheme with a very high portfolio turnover should not be preferred since it translates into higher costs through brokerage and other transaction costs.
Portfolio Turnover means the number of times the fund manager churns the portfolio. Generally, the portfolio turnover is higher in an equity fund than a debt or a money market fund. A scheme with a very high portfolio turnover should not be preferred since it translates into higher costs through brokerage and other transaction costs.
Performance against Appropriate Benchmarks
The performance of the scheme must be compared with appropriate benchmarks to verify whether the scheme has been performing well in the past. For instance in the case of Equity schemes the performance should be compared with the Sensex/ Nifty; in case of Income Schemes performance should be compared with 5 year AAA bonds and so on.
The performance of the scheme must be compared with appropriate benchmarks to verify whether the scheme has been performing well in the past. For instance in the case of Equity schemes the performance should be compared with the Sensex/ Nifty; in case of Income Schemes performance should be compared with 5 year AAA bonds and so on.
What parameters should I use for comparing different Mutual Fund schemes within the same category?
Point-to-Point Returns
represent the average percentage growth in NAV of a scheme over several past periods. Returns are computed by comparing the NAV at the beginning and the end of the period. For example, the NAV of a scheme is Rs 10.0000 today, and was Rs 9.5500 one month ago, then the one-month trailing returns today will be computed as (10.00 - 9.55) * 100 / 9.55 = 4.71%. To annualise this, we will multiply by number of months in a year, that is, 4.71 * 12 = 56.52% annualised returns. Similarly, point-to-point returns can be calculated for any period required by the investor.
represent the average percentage growth in NAV of a scheme over several past periods. Returns are computed by comparing the NAV at the beginning and the end of the period. For example, the NAV of a scheme is Rs 10.0000 today, and was Rs 9.5500 one month ago, then the one-month trailing returns today will be computed as (10.00 - 9.55) * 100 / 9.55 = 4.71%. To annualise this, we will multiply by number of months in a year, that is, 4.71 * 12 = 56.52% annualised returns. Similarly, point-to-point returns can be calculated for any period required by the investor.
Rolling Returns:
Calculate returns on a rolling basis for a given time period; a type of moving average which better reflects the volatility in returns
Calculate returns on a rolling basis for a given time period; a type of moving average which better reflects the volatility in returns
Standard Deviation:
measures the volatility in returns of a particular scheme; the higher the standard deviation, the greater the risk component
measures the volatility in returns of a particular scheme; the higher the standard deviation, the greater the risk component
What investmen strategy should I follow to survive/thrive on the fluctuations in the stock/debt mar
Rupee-cost averaging through Systematic investment plans
Securities markets can be volatile; some markets can be more volatile than others. As a smart investor, you should make sure that you buy more investments while the prices are low, and avoid paying inflated prices when the markets are at the peak. However, predicting the time of lows and peaks of a market is next to impossible.
Securities markets can be volatile; some markets can be more volatile than others. As a smart investor, you should make sure that you buy more investments while the prices are low, and avoid paying inflated prices when the markets are at the peak. However, predicting the time of lows and peaks of a market is next to impossible.
Hence, the concept of Rupee Cost Averaging comes into play. An
investor who invests a fixed sum of money at periodic intervals, regardless of
market movements or trends, ends up buying fewer securities when prices are high
and more securities when prices are low. Using this strategy, you can reduce the
Average Cost per unit, and in the long run, build a portfolio that will yield added
returns.
Please note, however, that this strategy does not work when prices
are on a permanent downslide. Hence, this strategy does not make sense while
investing in individual stocks. But for portfolios comprising securities across
companies, sectors, issuers or maturities, Rupee Cost Averaging Strategy usually
gives good results. With regular investments, you can thus effectively use market
fluctuations to your advantage.
What is the commission paid to the distributor?
As per SEBI circular: SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/ 168230/09, following are the
details of the comparative commission earned by Sampradaa Invest from various
fund-houses, whose products are being distributed:
| Commission, Brokerage and trail from Mutual funds | Top 30 cities | Beyond 30 cities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Schemes | Trail | Trail | |||
| Equity Schemes | |||||
| Equity Funds | 0.35% to 1.90% | 0.35% to 3.35% | |||
| ELSS Funds | 1.00% to 1.95% | 1.50% to 3.25% | |||
| Hybrid Schemes | |||||
| Asset Allocation Funds | 0.10% to 1.50% | 0.10% to 3.40% | |||
| Arbitrage Funds | 0.35% to 0.75% | 0.35% to 0.75% | |||
| Hybrid Funds | 0.75% to 1.85% | 0.75% to 3.25% | |||
| Debt Schemes | |||||
| Gilt Funds | 0.20% to 1.15% | 0.20% to 2.65% | |||
| Income & Bond Funds | 0.15% to 1.60% | 0.15% to 1.60% | |||
| Short Term Funds | 0.05% to 1.25% | 0.05% to 1.25% | |||
| Liquid & Floating Rate | 0.02% to 0.60% | 0.02% to 0.60% | |||
| Other Schemes | |||||
| Index Funds | 0.04% to 0.50% | 0.04% to 0.50% | |||
This is on a best effort basis and rates are updated as and when actual rates are
received from AMCs. Sampradaa Invest could also get reimbursements towards promotion
and marketing related activities conducted by Sampradaa Invest on behalf of AMCs.
These
reimbursements are event based and the same may or may not be received from.
AMCs in a particular period. Further, since such activities may be carried out at
AMC level, reimbursement amount received cannot be attributed to any specific scheme
being offered by such AMC.
Details of Scheme level commission on Mutual funds are available with the
Relationship Managers and would be produced on demand.
Note: With effect from 1st November 2011, Sampradaa Invest has
"opted-out" for transaction charge as per the SEBI circular no. Cir/ IMD/ DF/13/
2011 dated August 22, 2011.