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How to Choose The Right Balanced Advantage Fund?

Balanced Advantage Funds bring the best of both worlds- The thrill of equity and the safety of debt. 

BAFs are hybrid active funds that distribute your money into equity, debt, and cash. These funds dynamically shift allocation between equity and debt for superior returns with downside protection.

If you are wondering how to choose the balanced advantage fund, this blog holds the RIGHT answer.

Spoiler alert: Past performance is not the only criteria for selecting funds.

Let’s unwind the strategy.

Balanced Advantage Funds invest about 65-80% of total assets into equity and 35-20% in debt. These funds also hold a small percentage of cash for liquidity or capitalizing on market conditions.

Fund managers strategically and dynamically move the allocation from stocks to bonds. 

For example, if the markets are going through a correction, fund managers can increase equity exposure. Similarly, if the markets are overvalued, they can sell off equity and reallocate that money to debt instruments. 

These funds deliver superior returns over the horizon of 3 to 5 years or more. Investors with moderate risk appetite can consider hybrid funds instead of pure equity funds. BAFs are the perfect way to introduce instant diversification to your portfolio. 

Now, let’s answer your question…

Many investors believe that past performance is the only way to evaluate mutual funds. While past performance can help you understand the consistency of the fund against the benchmark. It’s not the only, or the primary, criteria to evaluate funds. 

The most effective way to evaluate any fund is to compare it with benchmark and other funds from the same category. To do so, you can refer to the factsheet of funds to compare key measures.

The key measures AKA key ratios are the technical aspects of the funds. The numbers are always easy to read and they project accurate expectations.

Now, coming back to Balanced Advantage Funds. 

Apart from benchmark comparison, one of the important ways to choose BAF that fits your requirements is to compare Cash vs Equity Exposure. You can find this information in the factsheet of the fund. 

Let’s take a few BAF examples. 

Fund Name

Equity Exposure

Debt Exposure

Cash Holdings

HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund Direct-Growth

59.74

26.07

14.19

ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Direct-Growth

46.96

22.38

30.66

Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct-Growth

60.56

27.51

11.93

Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund Direct-Growth

71.97

14.69

13.35

The values were fetched on 3 Jan 2023. Click on the hyperlink on each fund to view current values. 

Balanced Advantage Funds hold a small percentage of cash for liquidity or to benefit from market movements.

If you think the markets are expensive at the moment and may fall- choose BAFs with higher cash holdings as they can buy more equity.

The more cash holdings, the more you can benefit by increasing equity exposure.

In the above table, ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund has cash holdings of 30.66%. 

Compared to the other funds, ICICI pru BAF will be able to buy more equity when the markets fall.

Contrary to the above filter, if you think the market may rally further, choose the BAF with maximum equity exposure.

When the market boosts, BAF with more equity exposure will naturally deliver superior returns. 

In the table above, Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund has 71.97% equity exposure. That fund will deliver higher returns compared to other funds during a market rally.

Equity exposure vs Cash holdings is one of the important criteria to consider before investing in Balanced Advantage Funds.

However, as mentioned above, you must also evaluate the fund’s factsheet for more insights. The fund should fit your risk appetite and financial goals.

Now, if you don’t have a view of the market to filter BAFs, you can always contact your financial advisor. They can keep you informed about the market movements and also plan your investments.

Or, you can get in touch with experts at VNN Wealth. If you are looking for financial advisors in Pune, we can meet in person (write to us). Not to worry if you’re not from Pune as you can schedule a virtual meeting with VNN Wealth at your preferred time slot. 

Follow @vnnwealth for more insights into the world of finance.

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7 Myths & Facts About Mutual Funds You Must Know

At what age did you realize mutual funds can grow your wealth over the years? And if you haven’t realized it yet, the reason could be the lack of information.  Despite diverse options and ease of investment, mutual funds are surrounded by many misconceptions. Investors are still confused and, hence, are missing out on opportunities. In this blog, we will shed light on the facts about mutual funds to debunk the myths. 

Mutual Fund Myths Busted

Myth #1: You Need a Demat Account to Invest in Mutual Funds

Fact: A demat account is not required to invest in mutual funds.  All you need is a bank account, PAN card, and KYC details. The online interface that you use to invest in mutual funds is not a demat account. Unlike stocks, mutual funds do not have a dematerialized form.  Your existing bank application also has a mutual fund section. You can invest in a mutual fund of your choice without any hassle. It’s an easy way to automate the investments from your savings account to the mutual funds. You will only need a Demat account if you plan to invest in direct stocks. 

Myth #2: You Need Financial Expertise to Invest in Mutual Funds

Fact: Investors do not have to be financial experts to invest in mutual funds.  Mutual funds are designed to make investments easy for anyone. Choosing direct stocks requires knowledge, constant awareness, and time to monitor the investments. Mutual funds, on the other hand, offer instant diversification. Each fund distributes your money in various asset classes such as stocks and bonds as per the category of the fund.  Mutual funds are already managed by an expert, so investors don’t have to. However, it’s always better to be informed about mutual fund categories and scheme objectives which can be found on a fund factsheet. You can consider taking inputs from your wealth planner/relationship manager. They can guide you with the suitable asset allocation.

Myth #3 You Need a Large Sum to Invest In Mutual Funds

Fact: Again, incorrect. A large sum is not required to invest in mutual funds.  You can start an SIP of as little as Rs. 100 per month and gradually increase the amount. A lump sum investment can also be made with a minimum of Rs. 5000. 

Myth #4 You Can Invest in Mutual Funds Only For a Long Term

Fact: Mutual funds are available for short, medium, and long-term tenure.  The investment horizon depends upon your financial goals and risk appetite. There are various categories of equity mutual funds, debt mutual funds, and hybrid funds. Based on your investment horizon, you can choose the category of mutual fund you want to invest in. The longer your time horizon, the more you can invest in equity or equity-related instruments (if your risk appetite allows). For a shorter horizon, you can choose from debt funds. Debt funds have 15 different categories with variable investment horizons. Liquid funds (7 days), Ultra-short duration funds (up to 3 months), and low duration funds(3-6 months) can help you achieve short-term goals. Medium and long-duration debt funds are suitable to achieve long-term goals. 

Myth #5: A Mutual Fund with a Lower Unit Price (NAV) is Better Than One with a Higher Unit Price

Fact: The unit price (NAV) is not relevant to compare two mutual funds. Two mutual funds with identical portfolios will deliver similar returns irrespective of the NAV. The unit price is nothing but the value of all the underlying assets in a fund. These assets include stocks, bonds, and money market securities.  Let’s take an example: You have 5000 to invest in a mutual fund. The NAV of a fund ABC is Rs. 50 and of a fund XYZ is Rs. 100. Both schemes have similar composition.  If you invest in ABC, 100 units will be allotted to you. Whereas, if you invest in XYZ, you’ll get 50 units. Now, let’s assume the underlying assets of both funds appreciated by 12%. Since both funds hold the exact same stocks and bonds, both funds will deliver 12% returns. Fund ABC’s NAV will become 56 and fund XYZ’s NAV will become 112. In both cases, your 5000 will increase to 5600 irrespective of the NAV. 
Fund Name Unit Price Investment Amount Units Allotted Return Rate p.a Total Value of Investment
ABC 50 5000 100 12% 5600
XYZ 100 5000 50 12% 5600
Therefore, while comparing two mutual funds, check the key ratios instead of NAV. 

Myth #6: Mutual Fund’s Past Performance Guarantees Future Returns

Fact: The past performance of a fund is just a way to evaluate the fund’s consistency over the years. It does not guarantee anything for the future.  A fund that performed well in the past may not perform the same in the future. Similarly, a poorly performing fund may show promising outcomes in the future. There are various other factors apart from past performance that can offer better insights about a fund. For example, the underlying assets, the fund manager’s strategy, economic changes, etc. If you still want to check the past performance, analyze the rolling returns of a fund. Rolling returns suggest how the fund has performed in changing economic cycles.   

Myth #7 Equity Funds are Riskier than Other Funds

Fact: Every investment instrument has a risk associated with it. The decision to invest depends upon the time horizon, investor’s risk appetite and financial objectives. Would you buy a house and sell it within 6 months or a year? No! Real estate investment is meant for a longer horizon.  Similarly, equity investments also deliver risk-adjusted superior returns over 5 or more years. For a short horizon, equity investments are not ideal. Instead, you can invest in debt funds with a suitable tenure. Additionally, you must choose investment options based on your risk appetite. That way, you can choose different asset classes to diversify your portfolio and balance the risk. 

Final Verdict

Mutual funds have become a popular investment avenue for many investors. Not only does it offer hassle-free diversification but also significant wealth growth. A Systematic Investment Plan is a consistent way of investing in mutual funds. That way, you can achieve your financial goals in a given timeframe.  Don’t let any misconceptions stop you from becoming financially independent. Craft your investment portfolio and enjoy the benefit of compounding. If you are based in Pune and are looking for a financial advisor in Pune, experts at VNN Wealth can meet you in person to discuss your portfolio. If you’re not based in Pune, you needn’t worry as you can schedule a virtual meeting at your convenience. For more information, follow @vnnwealth and explore investment insights here.
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8 Biggest Investing Mistakes to Avoid Before It’s Too Late

Do you ever feel like your portfolio is not growing as expected? That could be because you may have, unknowingly, made investing mistakes.

I have encountered plenty of portfolio blunders in my clients’ portfolios that go unnoticed by them. If kept unfixed, these errors can slow down your wealth creation journey. 

Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. Even the savviest investors stumble at times.

In this blog, I’m sharing some of the most common investing mistakes in India and how to fix them. Let’s dive headfirst into it…

Mistake #1: Not Comparing The Mutual Fund to its Benchmark

You know how you love the butter chicken from that one particular restaurant? If you eat butter chicken anywhere else after that, you’ll compare it to the one that you loved. Nah! It’s not the same. Or, Yes! It’s pretty close to that one.

You start treating your absolute favourite butter chicken as a benchmark to compare butter chicken from every other restaurant.

Benchmark comparisons are a part of our life, especially while investing. 

Yet, the majority of investors that I have met, beginners or experienced, ignore the benchmark comparison. 

I’d say, benchmark comparisons are the easiest way to evaluate your mutual fund investments. Indices are clear reference points to review any fund’s performance.

You must compare funds with benchmarks such as BSE 200, NSE Nifty 50, Sensex, etc before investing and periodically evaluate them after investing.

If your fund is beating the benchmark- Great!

But a fund consistently underperforming its benchmark can be a concern. It might be a sign of poor strategy or lack of management. Keeping that fund in your portfolio will slow down your growth.

Fix: Dive deeper into why the fund is not beating the benchmark. And if required, re-allocate that money to funds in the same category that are beating the benchmark. 

Mistake #2: Being Too Hands-Off as an Investor

Imagine this. You build a nice garden in the backyard of your house. It’s gorgeous. Everyone is talking about it. 

But will it stay gorgeous if you forget to water it and take care of it? No! It will soon start to wilt. 

Similarly, not taking care of your portfolio, and being too hands-off with it, can be damaging. 

Your portfolio shows enough symptoms to determine what’s going wrong. For example: multiple fund manager changes, significant asset outflows, and prolonged periods of poor returns.

Fix: Don’t ignore the above symptoms of a fund. You might miss out on better opportunities elsewhere. Periodically review your portfolio’s health and proactively make decisions. Make sure your portfolio is always aligned with your financial goals, risk appetite, and market conditions.

Mistake #3: Long Tail of Underperforming Stocks

This is the most common mistake I notice while reviewing client portfolios. Stocks purchased due to some trend or a friend’s recommendation lead to too many stock holdings

Most times, the investors are unaware of the impact this may cause. It’s one of the reasons for over-diversification, which is as bad as under-diversification. 

You are lowering liquidity and losing out on investing in stocks that may deliver higher returns. 

Let’s say you have invested INR 1,00,000 in 50 stocks. For the sake of example, we’ll assume the average value of each stock is INR 20,000.

Now, say, one of the stocks doubles in value (INR 40,000) with a 100% return. Amazing, right?

Wrong! Despite the 100% return on a single stock, the overall portfolio returns would only be 2%. 

The ‘long tail’ of underperforming stocks can significantly lower the overall returns. Sooner or later, you’ll lose track of all the stock holdings. 

Fix: Discard underperforming stocks and invest that money in stocks or mutual funds that align with your long-term goals. 

Mistake #4: Buying Mutual Funds Based on Past Performance

I cannot stress this enough- past performance is not the only criteria to judge mutual funds. 

The economy keeps changing and so does the market. The fund that performed well in the past may not deliver similar returns in the future.

Fix: Instead of only relying on past performance, focus on the key ratios of the fund mentioned in the factsheet. Look at the rolling returns. It showcases how the fund performed in changing economic cycles. Additionally, always focus on YOUR financial goals and risk appetite before choosing investment instruments.

Learn how to read a mutual fund factsheet here

Mistake #5: Not Focusing on The Right Asset Allocation

I’ve met multiple investors who believe only equity delivers superior returns. Having an equity-heavy portfolio makes sense to them.

Yes. Equity does deliver superior returns over a longer term. However, like any other asset class, equity is also cyclical in nature. In order to be a savvy investor, you must invest in various asset classes to ensure that your entire portfolio is constantly growing. 

Take a look at the table below.

importance of asset allocation across stocks, bonds, gold, international equity, mutual funds

Each asset class has had its own ups and downs over a decade.

An equity-heavy portfolio would have delivered significant returns in 2017 and 2021. But the same portfolio would have underperformed in 2016, 2018, and  2022.

Fix: Invest across various asset classes. A balanced allocation towards multiple asset classes can deliver superior returns with downside protection. This way, when equity performance drops, gold or debt can reduce the downside risk in your portfolio and vice versa.

Read more about asset allocation here

Blunder #6: Accidentally Falling For Schemes with Low IRR

Have you ever been lured in by an insurance scheme that promises guaranteed returns? ‘Invest xyz per month for 7 years and earn this much for the next 8 years.’ Well…something like that. 

Let me tell you, these sales pitches are amazing. They know how to make you believe in those numbers. They throw in the words like minimum risk, guaranteed earnings, and whatnot.

The best of the best have fallen for similar schemes that are nothing but slow torture. If you calculate the IRR (Internal Rate of Return) of the scheme, the overall returns are never attractive considering you’re committing to the product for a really long duration. 

Fix: Don’t blindly invest in such schemes without calculating the actual IRR. You can use a simple Excel formula to calculate the IRR before you make a decision. 

Mistake #7: Investing in Multiple Mutual Fund Schemes from the Same Category

You might create a redundant investment if you invest in more than one mutual fund scheme within the same category.

In most cases, the underlying assets in two funds from the same category might be the same. 

Let’s say, you’ve invested in two large-cap funds. We’ll take ICICI Prudential Bluechip and Kotak Bluechip fund as an example.

These are some of the underlying assets in both the funds:

comparing two mutual funds. ICICI Prudential Bluechip fund, Kotak Bluechip fund

You’ll notice that the majority of the assets in both funds are identical. This can also be viewed as a co-relation matrix, which shows that 97% of the stocks in both funds are exactly the same. 

Here’s a snapshot of the correlation between multiple large-cap funds-

The degree of correlation between these funds ranges from 88% to 99%, which indicates similar underlying assets. 

Fix: To ensure true diversification, invest in different categories of mutual funds or asset classes with low correlation. You can compare the factsheet of the two funds to get an idea of their top holdings. For a more detailed mutual fund comparison and an accurate correlation matrix, contact VNN Wealth advisors via our official email, Instagram Channel or LinkedIn Page

Mistake #8: Panic Selling

Another common mistake many investors make is panic selling. Market volatility may cause anxiety. Understandable!

However, selling off your investments in panic is the last thing you want to do. 

Let’s take the example of the 2008 global economic crisis. The Sensex had fallen by 63% from its all-time high of 21,207. 

Many investors sold their investments in a panic, causing a huge loss. 

If these investors had resisted the urge to panic sell and stayed invested for the next 5 years if not more; their capital would have appreciated by 115%. And about 286% in the next 10 years. 

The point is, you cannot time the market. Instead of looking at small wins, focus on long-term investments. 

Market volatility is inevitable but so is a market rally when the economy stabilizes. Mutual fund returns can beat inflation when you stay invested for a longer horizon. 

Fix: Hold your investments for a longer horizon, especially when the markets are volatile. If you panic during a market crash, talk to your financial advisor. They will provide the necessary reassurance and guide you through the changing economic cycles.

So, there you have it- the top 8 investment portfolio mistakes you must avoid at any cost. 

Building wealth is a journey that takes years. In fact, the more years you spend invested, the larger the wealth you generate.

Invest wisely. Diversify your portfolio across asset classes. Let your investments grow on auto-pilot but don’t forget to rebalance your portfolio periodically. 

Reach out to VNN Wealth if you have any questions.  

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Impact of Elections on the Indian Stock Market

The Lok Sabha elections are right around the corner and the stock markets are already experiencing the impact. If the historical data is any indication, the bull run of the stock market leading up to the general election is inevitable. Many events influence stock market movements. And the Lok Sabha elections are probably the biggest event to move the market before and after the results. In this article, we will shed light on how elections can spark jumps in the stock market. 

History of Market Movements Before and After Elections (Between 1999 to 2019)

The election period is often the time when the market sentiments change. It’s an uncertain period of change causing volatility in the stock market. Indian economy and the policies may shift during these times.  The average returns a year prior and a month prior to the elections are 29.1% and 6% respectively. This indicates the market returns boost a year before the elections. Below is a snapshot of how the market performed before and after the elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 1999 (Took place between Sept 1999 to Oct 1999)

  • The controversy around PM Rajiv Gandhi and his assassination in 1991 took the market by storm. The market instability amplified. However, PV Narasimha Rao regained economic conditions with liberalization policies thereby restoring stability.
  • From 1996 to 1998, the market confidence struggled due to the unstable Coalition Government and the Asian Financial Crisis. Indian prime ministers changed three times during this course of time. 
  • NDA came to power in 1999, prior to which, the market delivered 57.07% returns between Sept’98 to July’99. However, the market corrected by 7.67% a year after the victory. The structural changes and sectoral reforms caused GDP growth of 6-7%.

Lok Sabha Elections 2004 (Took place between April 2004 to May 2004)

  • A year prior to the 2004 election, the market delivered 82.70% returns between April 2003 to Feb 2004. The market declined by 7% following the elections but soon rallied up until 2007.

Lok Sabha Elections 2009 (Took place between April 2009 to May 2009)

  • The market dropped by 41.73% a year before the 2009 election. This was the year when a financial meltdown dramatically changed the worldwide economy. The market delivered 12.92% returns a month before the election. UPA’s second term saw policy uncertainties, scams, a high inflation rate and a struggle to stabilize the economy, which resulted in an economic slowdown.

Lok Sabha Elections 2014 (Took place between April 2014 to May 2014)

  • NDA, led by the BJP, returned with a victory in the 2014 election, reducing market volatility to 9.1%. The market delivered 10.02% gains a year before the win and 10.48% a year after the win, with 37% 2-year returns.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019 (Took place between April 2019 to May 2019)

  • BJP continued governing the nation after the 2019 election, aiming for economic stability. However, COVID-19 made all the nations suffer, causing the markets to drop significantly. The market corrected by 19.12% a year after the election, which was the COVID period. The bull phase was seen when the impact of COVID-19 was fading in 2021-22. 
As BJP won the assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chattisgarh, both Nifty and Sensex climbed up the new lifetime highs. The election wave will see the market rally until the elections in April-May 2024. Only the time ahead will tell where the market eventually stands before and after the election. 
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Mutual Fund Taxation for NRIs in India

Mutual funds are a popular investment avenue among investors. Similar to Indian residents, NRIs can also explore mutual fund opportunities.

With the right balance of equity mutual funds and debt mutual funds, one can achieve financial goals. However, it is important to know that the capital gains on mutual funds are taxable. Both Indians and NRIs have similar tax implications with slight exceptions for NRIs.

In this blog, we will understand the NRI mutual fund taxation.

NOTE: Tax rules on Mutual funds have been changed after April 1, 2023. Read along to find more details. 

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can invest in Indian mutual funds as long as they follow the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). A PAN card and KYC via eligible documents allow NRIs to invest in mutual funds, fixed-income securities, or even real estate. However, the tax rules for each investment avenue will be different for NRIs.

Tax on the capital gains earned from mutual funds depends on the type of the fund and the holding period.

1. Short-Term Capital Gains tax will be applicable on investments redeemed before 12 months for equity funds and 36 months for debt funds. 

2. Long-Term Capital Gains tax will be applicable on investments redeemed after 12 months for equity funds and 36 months for debt funds.

3. Dividends are considered as income. Hence, the tax implications on dividends earned from mutual funds are different from capital gain taxation.

4. The asset management firm may also deduct TDS (tax deducted at source) on the capital gains. 

Now, let’s dive into the tax implications.

Equity Mutual Funds allocate the majority of the assets into the stocks of different companies. There are 7 different types of equity funds that you can explore based on your risk appetite and financial goals. 

Tax on capital gains on equity and equity-oriented funds are as follows:

Short-term capital Gains Tax (STCG)Short-term capital Gains Tax (STCG)Tax on Dividend (Income through mutual funds)
15%10% above INR 1 LakhAs per the investor’s tax slab

Non-equity mutual funds are either Debt funds or Hybrid funds with a combination of both equity and debt. Debt funds allocate your money to debt instruments such as government bonds, corporate bonds, T-bills, commercial papers etc. Debt funds have 15 different categories to explore based on the tenure and associated risk. 

Funds with less than 35% exposure to equity will also have debt fund taxation. Whereas funds with 35% exposure to equity will have the old taxation rule with indexation. 

Taxation on Gains on debt or other than equity funds:

Mutual Fund TypeShort-Term Capital Gains Tax (STCG)Long-Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG)Tax on Dividend (Income through Mutual Funds)
Non-Equity Funds invested before April 1, 2023As per the investor’s tax slab20% (for listed securities) and 10% above INR 1 Lakh (for unlisted securities)As per the investor’s tax slab
Non-Equity Funds invested on or after April 1, 2023As per the investor’s tax slabAs per the investor’s tax slabAs per the investor’s tax slab
Funds with 35% exposure to equityAs per the investor’s tax slab20% (for listed securities with indexation benefit)

10% above INR 1 Lakh (for unlisted securities)
As per the investor’s tax slab

Indian residents do not have to pay TDS on capital gains. However, the asset management firm will deduct TDS on capital gains for NRIs. 

TDS depends upon the type of the fund and the holding period. 

Mutual Fund TypeTDS on Short-Term Capital Gains TDS on Long-Term Capital GainsTDS on Dividend
Equity and Equity Oriented Funds15%
(Holding period less than 12 months)
10%
(Holding period more than 12 months)
20%
Debt Funds or Non-equity Funds
(Invested before April 1, 2023)
30%20% with indexation for listed securities.
10% for unlisted securities. 
20%
Debt Funds or Non-equity Funds
(Invested after April 1, 2023)
30%30%20%

Question 1: Do NRIs have to pay tax in their current residence country after paying capital gains tax in India?

Answer: No. NRIs do not have to pay the double tax if their country falls under Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with India.

Question 2: Can NRIs set off capital gains with losses?

Answer: Yes. NRIs can also set off capital gains with losses. For example, if an NRI gained profit via one mutual fund but made a loss in another, he/she can set off the gains against losses to reduce the overall gains, thereby reducing the tax on it. 

Understanding taxation rules is crucial to plan your investments accordingly. If you are a non-resident Indian wanting to invest in the Indian stock market, keep this blog in handy. Taxation rules for mutual funds are pretty much the same for both Indians and NRIs, with TDS as an exception.

If you have any questions regarding mutual funds or its taxation, feel free to reach out to us. DM us on Instagram or LinkedIn.

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When Should You Consider PMS: Choosing a Portfolio Management Service

Portfolio Management Service (PMS) offers customized portfolio management for high-net-worth individuals and Non-individuals such as HUFs, partnerships firms, sole proprietorship firms and body corporate.

A skilled portfolio manager handles your portfolio, which can be crafted as per your financial goals and objectives. 

When you invest in a mutual fund, your money goes to the fund house and then into the fund. However, in PMS, the transactions take place through your demat account. Therefore, you can see all the transactions happening on your behalf. 

You may like to read- Basics of Portfolio Management Service before moving ahead.

When is the Right Time to invest via Portfolio Management Service?

1. More than 50 Lakhs of Portfolio to Manage

PMS caters to HNIs with a minimum of 50 lakhs (as per SEBI guidelines) of investment. 

After spending years with mutual fund investments, you may have gotten comfortable with the risk associated with it. Now, if you don’t mind a slight more risk for even better rewards, PMS can be your next step.

Pro Tip- Entrust a PMS house with 50 lakhs only if that amount is not more than 20% of your overall portfolio. 

2. Managing a Large Number of Stocks

Recently, especially right after COVID, we reviewed a lot of portfolios with a large number of stock holdings. 

At a certain point, losing track of all these stocks is bound to happen. Investors may not have enough time to study the performance of each company in the current market. This leads to a long tail of underperforming stocks. 

The declining performance of multiple stocks creates a significant dent in your overall portfolio return. 

Instead, you could invest in stocks that align with your risk appetite and goal by selling underperforming stocks. 

Experts at PMS House can help you manage all your stock holdings. You can convey your buy/sell preferences and the portfolio manager will re-shape your portfolio accordingly. 

3. ESOPs Holdings

Salaried individuals may have ESOP holdings over the years. 

While reviewing client portfolios, we’ve often noticed that the biggest holding in their overall portfolio belongs to ESOP. Sometimes 90% of the portfolio consists of a single ESOP.

This leads to high-concentration risk. The returns will depend on the performance of a single ESOP. Your portfolio may not beat the benchmark. 

With PMS, you can filter out the stocks you want to keep or sell. You can set your preferences and invest accordingly.

For example, if you already hold an ESOP of Infosys, you can avoid buying more stocks of the same company. That way, you can truly optimize your portfolio. 

A well-balanced and diverse PMS commonly holds 20-30 concentrated stocks. Portfolio managers will readjust your portfolio accordingly by buying/selling stocks. The right asset allocation can minimize the risk and maximize returns. 

4. Flexibility

PMS offer more flexibility compared to mutual funds. 

Mutual fund categories have to follow SEBI regulations on asset allocation. But also, there are many norms regarding the capping on the underlying stocks, bonds and cash holdings. Additionally, mutual funds do not have exposure to the unlisted stocks.

PMS can choose the asset composition as per investor’s preferences and market opportunities. You can have a concentrated portfolio of 20-30 stocks. 

If you are someone who follows Sharia law, you can avoid investing in alcohol, tobacco, gambling, gold, and silver trading, banking and financials, pork and non-vegetarian, advertising, media, and entertainment industries.

It is possible to invest beyond equity, debt, and gold. PMS can open a door towards alternative assets and sectors to invest as per your choice.

How to Select a Good Portfolio Management Service? 

Launching a PMS in India is much easier than launching a mutual fund. Therefore, there are a lot more PMSs to choose from. 

Without a wealth manager by your side, it would be difficult to narrow down your choices. A certified wealth manager/relationship manager can recommend a list of suitable PMSs. Get in touch with VNN Wealth to know more.

Once you have a bunch of options ready, here’s what to review in a PMS.

1. Evaluate the Credibility of a PMS

Make sure the PMS is registered with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India). Head to their website to review their team’s experience and track record. 

Delivering successful results in various economic cycles is a sign of a good PMS.

2. Communication and Transparency

The whole point of having a custom portfolio is knowing what’s happening with it. Having an active communication right from the start is the key to assessing the PMS provider. 

Make sure you read the client testimonials on their site. Ask questions about strategies. See the response time and quality. As an informed investor, it is your duty and right to know everything. 

3. Fee Structure

PMSs either charge a fixed management fee and an exit load or a profit participation fee. Each PMS has a different fee structure. To give you an idea, the fixed management fee could be between 2 to 2.5% of the total asset value. The exit load depends on the holding period and withdrawal value and could range from 1 to 2.25%. 

The profit participation fee depends on the agreement you have with the portfolio manager. For example, the portfolio manager will share a small part of your profit if it crosses a hurdle rate of 10-12% p.a. return. 

It is crucial to understand the fee structure before you hand over your portfolio.

4. Strategies and Risk Management

As mentioned above, PMS customizes your portfolio as per your financial goals and the timeframe in which you want to achieve them.

Therefore, the investment strategy and risk management changes as per the investor’s risk appetite.

Similar to mutual funds, PMS also offers large-cap, mid-cap oriented investment options. You can build a strategy to meet your financial requirements and preferences. 

Your wealth manager will be able to guide you through the entire process. If you don’t have a wealth manager yet or want to hire a new one, VNN Wealth is just a phone call away.

Final Words

According to SEBI data, the assets under management of PMS have increased to 28.50 lakh crore by 2023, with 14% year-on-year growth. 

Many investors are actively seeking personalized investment opportunities to align with their financial goals. If planned right, PMS can offer superior returns compared to conventional investment avenues. 

If your portfolio meets the criteria mentioned in this article, you can definitely go for PMS. 

Take a complimentary portfolio analysis with VNN Wealth to know where your portfolio stands and which PMS to choose. Contact us to know more. 

Follow @vnnwealth for more insights in the world of finance. 

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What is Portfolio Management Service and How Does it Work?

A Portfolio Management Service (PMS) is a financial offering where an experienced portfolio manager handles your investments in stocks, bonds, debt instruments, and individual assets. 

Unlike Mutual Funds, the portfolio handled by PMS can be customized as per the investor’s goals and objectives to some extent.

Asset management or Wealth Management firms offer PMS catering to high net-worth individuals (HNIs) with a minimum investment value of 50 lakhs. 

Here’s everything you need to know about it.

How Does Portfolio Management Service (PMS) Work?

A tailor-stitched suit will always look better on you than a readymade suit. Similarly, an investment portfolio created for your goals will deliver ideal outcomes. 

Mutual funds can deliver superior returns over the years, but investors cannot customize the underlying assets. And, retail investors may not have the ideal resources to create their own custom portfolio by investing in direct stocks. 

That’s when PMS comes into the picture.

Unlike mutual funds, PMS is flexible. You get to have more control over your investments and shape your portfolio as per your choices. 

Types of Portfolio Management Services

1. Discretionary Portfolio Management

Here, the portfolio manager takes investment decisions and actions on your behalf. It includes choosing what and when to buy/sell the asset and how to distribute your money across various asset classes.

These decisions are made keeping your goals in mind. Most PMSs in India operate with this model. 

2. Non-Discretionary Portfolio Management

In this model, the portfolio manager will first lay the suitable suggestions in front of you. Once you approve the advice, the manager will go ahead and make the transaction on your behalf.

3. Active Portfolio Management

Active management will focus on maximizing the returns by investing in various asset classes. Portfolio managers will adjust your portfolio as per market conditions to ensure suitable risk-reward.

4. Passive Portfolio Management

Passive management focuses more on safety by investing in avenues that replicate the benchmark-such as index funds. Here, the returns may not be as superior, but the portfolio will carry lower risk. 

Why Should You Choose Portfolio Management Service?

1. Freedom to Create a Custom Portfolio

PMS opens up a gateway for you to build your own portfolio. 

You can choose:

  • The allocation across various asset classes such as equity, debt, gold, etc.
  • Increase exposure to stocks/sectors/themes you want to explore.
  • Decrease exposure or exclude the stocks/sectors/themes you don’t want to invest in.
  • Maintain liquidity for emergencies. 
  • Periodically re-shape your portfolio.

2. Having an Expert to Act on Your Behalf

You may not have the time or resources to execute all the customizations on your portfolio. With portfolio management services, a certified expert handles all your transactions.

The portfolio managers have the required knowledge to minimize the risk and maximize returns. They analyze the market, revisit your financial goals, and adjust your investments accordingly. 

3. Flexible Cash Holdings

Portfolio managers have the freedom to hold up to 100% cash to use it when the opportunity arises. This flexibility comes in handy to turn the market conditions in the investor’s favour. 

4. Direct Communication with the Portfolio Manager

Having an option to directly communicate with the portfolio manager ensures transparency and increases your awareness.  

You can discuss the investment strategy with the portfolio manager and seek performance insights at your convenience. Your account statement will highlight all the necessary information regarding your portfolio. 

Factors to Consider Before Investing via PMS

1. Minimum Investment Value

PMS has a high minimum investment threshold of 50 lakhs. It is not easily accessible by the majority of the retail investors.

As a thumb rule, investors should go for a PMS only when 20% of their overall net portfolio or net worth is equal to or less than 50 lakhs and they have a prior experience in products like Mutual Funds.

2. Associated Risk

Unlike mutual funds, PMS hold a concentrated portfolio of investments. 

Mutual funds usually have a small allocation to about 50 to 60 stocks. PMS, on the other hand, prefers to hold 20 to 30 stocks with high concentration, enabling high-risk-high-reward opportunities for investors.

3. Fee Structure 

Every portfolio management service has a different fee structure. You may have to pay fixed maintenance fees, audit fees, exit load, and profit participation fees. 

The fixed maintenance fees can be about 2 to 2.5% of the asset value. Exit load may range between 1 to 2.25% of the withdrawal value based on the holding period. And many PMSs also follow profit-sharing fees above 10% returns.

Make sure you review and understand the fee structure of the PMS before investing. 

4. SEBI Norms

Before April 2023, PMSs didn’t have as strict norms as mutual funds. Now, SEBI has issued new regulations for PMS houses. 

As per new norms, investors can know specific situations in which the transactions will take place from the investor’s account or pooled from the portfolio manager’s account. 

SEBI has also set rules to protect investor’s information. As a well-informed investor, you are allowed to seek this information from the PMS house. 

Who Should Opt for Portfolio Management Services?

PMS is for sophisticated investors who can comfortably invest 50 lakhs for a longer horizon. As mentioned above, those 50 lakhs shouldn’t be more than 20% of your portfolio. 

Investors who possess a long tail of stocks or ESOPs can transfer their portfolio to PMS. That way, you can customize your portfolio as per your preference. For example, skipping the stocks you already hold ESOPs of or investing in companies that fit under Sharia law. Your entire portfolio can be reshaped by an expert portfolio manager. 

Investors who have prior experience in the equity market via mutual funds and have an appetite for a higher risk can look into PMS. 

Non-individuals such as HUFs, partnership firms, sole proprietorship firms and body corporations can also invest via PMS. 

Also Read- When is the right time to invest via PMS

Conclusion

Opting for a Portfolio Management Service is the next step after your mutual fund and stock investments. 

As your income and portfolio grow over the years, you can start exploring PMS. Make sure you compare multiple PMSs before choosing the one that works best for you. Understanding how the portfolio manager works is worth looking into.

A wealth manager with years of experience can help you choose the right PMS. If you don’t have a financial planner, VNN Wealth is just a call away. Reach out to us for more information on Portfolio Management Services. 

Explore more personal finance tips here. 

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Importance of Asset Allocation to Create a Balanced Portfolio

Asset Allocation plays a vital role in the overall performance of your portfolio.

You know how a balanced mix of spices makes a delicious biryani? Similarly, a combination of various asset classes optimizes your investment portfolio. 

Market conditions dynamically change with time. No one can predict the accurate performance of a single asset class. 

The right asset allocation can hold your portfolio together during changing markets. 

Read along to know more.

Asset allocation refers to distributing/allocating your money to different asset classes. 

The allocation strategy ensures diversification. That way, the poor performance of one asset class can be recovered by another well-performing asset class. 

Different Asset Classes Include:

  • Equity: Stocks or equity-oriented mutual funds invest in companies listed on the stock exchange. This asset class is riskier compared to others but has the potential to deliver superior returns in the long-term. 
  • Fixed Income: Government bonds, corporate bonds, FDs, debt mutual funds, and money market instruments come under fixed-income securities. Safer than equity, this asset class can generate regular income.
  • Gold: Works as a hedge against inflation, currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainties, and global economic ups and downs. Gold/Silver ETFs can deliver superior returns compared to physical gold/silver and are easy to manage.
  • International Equity: Some selective mutual funds also offer exposure to international markets by investing in companies across the globe. 
  • Real Estate: Purchasing residential buildings, commercial buildings, and lands delivers returns via property appreciation or rent. This asset class is less liquid and may take a lot of time to deliver attractive returns. Investors can alternatively explore Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) which do not require buying a physical property. 

1. Balancing Risk

Asset allocation avoids dependence on a single asset class. Refer to the image below and you’ll notice that every asset class performs differently in changing economic conditions. 

importance of asset allocation across stocks, bonds, gold, international equity, mutual funds

[Data Source: Bloomberg]

In the year 2021, equity delivered 26.53% returns, debt delivered 1.4% and gold was underperforming. 

But in 2022, gold picked up pace and equity, debt declined by a large margin. 

An equity-heavy portfolio would have delivered significant returns in 2021 but would have underperformed in 2022.

Which is why, allocation across multiple asset classes can together balance the returns. 

2. Ideal Returns

Multiple asset classes can significantly improve your chances of earning superior risk-adjusted returns. Explore the above table again. Each asset class goes through its ups and downs every year. 

An equity-heavy portfolio would have suffered in 2016, 2018, and 2019 when gold was delivering superior returns. However, a portfolio with a mix of equity, debt, and gold would deliver ideal returns considering the state of the economy at the time. 

You can invest in different asset classes with variable horizons to keep your portfolio moving. 

3. Adequate Liquidity

You can enter and exit mutual funds as per your preference. However, an investment horizon plays a vital role in receiving the returns you are aiming for.

Equity mutual funds usually deliver superior returns over a longer horizon. Every savvy investor would suggest you stay invested for 5-7 years or more. 

And while equity investments are catering to your long-term goals, you need something liquid to withdraw quickly. Liquid funds, short-duration debt funds can be included in your asset mix for liquidity. So that, you can redeem them during an emergency.

4. Tax Optimization

Every asset class has different taxation rules. Asset allocation strategies also focus on lowering tax implications to maximize returns. 

For example, the ELSS mutual fund is a popular tax-saving instrument offering a deduction of up to 1.5L under section 80C of the IT Act. 

Hybrid debt funds with more than 35% exposure to equity still have the old indexation benefit which pure debt funds don’t have anymore. 

Explore taxation on all categories of mutual funds here. 

5. Financial Goals Accomplishment

Your financial goals are easier and faster to achieve by asset allocation. It avoids confusion, prevents panic-selling during market volatility, and simplifies decision-making.

1. Risk Profile

Your risk appetite, tolerance, and capacity assessment are crucial to plan asset allocation. 

The risk you can comfortably manage depends upon your age, family dependency, monthly income, expenses, and more.

Evaluate your risk profile for FREE with VNN Wealth to know which asset classes fit your profile.

2. Investment Horizon

Asset classes may have a lock-in period or a time-frame in which they deliver ideal returns. It is crucial to ensure the expected investment horizon before entering any asset class. 

3. Your Financial Goals

All your investments essentially cater to your financial goals. You can align your investments with goals such as buying a house, funding children’s education, planning for your retirement, etc.

1. Strategic Asset Allocation

Strategic investments maintain a core static mix of assets. For example, if an investor wants to maintain a 65:35 ratio of equity:debt, they will periodically balance the assets to the static ratio.

Let’s say you have distributed 1,00,000 into equity:debt as 65:35%, which will be 65000 in equity and 35000 in debt.

Now assume that your equity investment went up to 1,00,000 and debt went up to 40,000 bringing the total amount to 140,000. The asset ratio became 71.4% equity and 28.5% debt. 

In order to bring it back to 65:35, the equity and debt investment amount should be 91,000 and 49,000 respectively. Therefore, you’ll have to sell equity worth 9000 and allocate it to debt. 

Note- You can take advantage of market opportunities to rebalance the portfolio. For example, buying more equity when equity markets are down. 

2. Tactical Asset Allocation

Tactical asset allocation also follows a core asset mix but with opportunistic expectations. 

This strategy takes advantage of market trends and timing, to maximize returns. For example, including gold/silver in your portfolio when there’s an opportunity to earn higher returns on the precious metal investments. 

Another scenario is- a portfolio of 65-35% equity:debt can go to 80:20% if there’s the possibility of earning superior returns through equity for a short time. The allocation adapts to the market changes and can go back to the original formation when markets are steady.

3. Dynamic Asset Allocation

Dynamic Asset Allocation is more of a fund-level strategy. It changes the asset mix based on the market conditions. 

Counter-cyclical is a common dynamic allocation strategy in which- portfolio managers buy more equity when the markets are cheaper and sell it off at a higher price when markets correct. The debt allocation changes accordingly. 

Unlike the above two strategies, here you do not have to predefine the ratio of asset mix. It can go beyond rage if the opportunity presents itself. 

  • Evidently, Balanced Advantage Funds follow dynamic asset allocation.  
  • Multi Asset Funds offer exposure to equity, debt, gold and international stocks all in the same fund. 

You can explore various categories of mutual funds before sketching asset allocation for your portfolio.

Now that you know the importance of asset allocation, you can choose the strategy as per your risk appetite. Many investors like to stick to the core asset mix while others explore dynamic allocation. 

A lot of investors also go with the thumb rule of age i.e. (100 – your age)% of equity allocation.

However, you must take your risk tolerance and financial goals into account. 

It’s always better to start with a set of goals and plan your investments accordingly. Connect with VNN Wealth experts for more insights on asset allocation. Rebalance your investment portfolio with us. 

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Blogs Personal Finance

Stocks vs Mutual Funds: Where Should You Invest?

Every investor’s investment journey eventually comes down to one question- Stocks vs Mutual Funds, what to choose? There’s no correct answer. It all depends upon your financial goals and preferences. 

Which is why, you should carefully curate your investment portfolio. A balanced portfolio should be your ultimate goal. But…for the sake of understanding, let’s get to know both investment avenues a little better. Shall we?

Stocks aka shares are the units of a company. Upon buying them, you officially become a shareholder of a company. Stocks deliver returns in terms of gains and sometimes dividends when the company performs well. 

When you invest 1,00,000 in a company with a stock price of 1000, you will get 100 shares of the company. You need a demat account to invest in stocks. 

Mutual funds are a collection of stocks of various companies. Apart from company stocks, funds also invest in other asset classes such as debt and money market securities.

Now, if you invest those 1,00,000 in a mutual fund of a NAV 1000, you get 100 units of a fund. These 100 units are a combination of multiple companies, enabling instant diversification. You do not need a demat account to invest in mutual funds.

Read along for a detailed comparison below…

1. Portfolio Diversification

Diversification is important to ensure a stable and sustainable portfolio. 

Diversification Via Stocks: You cannot invest all your money in one company. Having stocks from multiple companies is one way to introduce diversification. When one company underperforms, the other companies will keep the portfolio moving.

In order to achieve that, you have to study the market, analyze the performance of all the companies, time the investment, and keep track of all your stocks. It can surely be achieved with the right resources and knowledge, which individual investors may not have. 

Result? A long tail of underperforming stocks. Poor returns. 

Watch a quick overview of why too many stocks can slow down your overall portfolio growth. 

Diversification Via Mutual Funds: Mutual funds offer instant diversification. The fund managers use their expertise and resources to analyze the market trends. Therefore, the fund comes with a collection of stocks carefully picked by the experts. 

You can further diversify your portfolio by investing in various categories of equity and debt funds. 

The only drawback is, you do not get to choose the underlying stocks. However, you can compare the performance of a mutual fund to decide which fund aligns with your goals. 

2. Associated Risk 

No investment is safe. You cannot avoid the risk but you can balance it. Stocks carry higher risk compared to mutual funds. The returns on your portfolio depend on the performance of the specific stocks that you have bought. 

Mutual funds, on the other hand, have fairly diversified, well-researched stock holdings and can also balance the risk by asset allocation across equity and debt. The underlying assets keep moving up/down with the market. You can beat both volatility and inflation by staying invested for a longer horizon. 

3. Investment Amount

Let’s take a simple example- you have 10,000 to invest in. With 10,000, you’ll be able to acquire a limited number of good stocks, probably 3 to 4. Or, you may not be able to buy even a single stock of expensive companies. 

For example, MRF’s stock price is more than 1 lakhs. Honeywell Automation- 37256. Nestle India- 24000. P&G-17649. 

Even if you end up buying a couple of stocks, the entire performance of your portfolio will depend upon those stocks. 

However, if you invest those 10,000 in a mutual fund, you will be able to invest across market cap without worrying about the stock price. The corresponding units of your investment value will be allocated to you. 

You can either invest a lumpsum amount or start a monthly SIP. Usually, the minimum threshold of a lumpsum investment is INR 5000 and the minimum SIP amount starts from INR 100 per month. 

4. Taxation on Stocks vs Mutual Funds

You have to pay tax on gains earned via stocks and mutual funds. Stocks aka listed equity have the same tax rules as equity mutual funds. Investments redeemed before 12 months will attract a 20% Short-Term Capital Gain tax. Long-Term Capital Gains (investments redeemed after 12 months) are taxed at 12.5% above 1.25 Lakhs. 

Returns on debt mutual funds are considered as income. Both long and short-term capital gains are taxed as per investors’ tax slab.

You can benefit from the tax deduction of up to 1.5 Lakhs (under section 80c of the IT act) in a financial year by investing in ELSS mutual funds. Stocks do not offer any tax deduction benefits.

Who Should Invest in Stocks?

Stocks are for investors who want to have complete control over their investments. They can pick the companies they want to invest in. 

However, picking stocks is not as easy as it sounds. Say you have 1,00,000 to invest. How would you distribute them among multiple companies? You’ll have to keep track of market trends, performance updates on companies, and a lot more. 

Stocks can be risky and you may not know how to balance that risk. And even if you keep investing in stocks, soon it’ll become difficult to keep track of. 

So, if you have time, research capability and knowledge to monitor all your stock holdings, only then consider buying individual stocks. 

Who Should Invest in Mutual Funds?

Mutual funds are for everyone. From beginners to savvy investors, anyone can craft a portfolio as per their risk tolerance and financial goals. 

You can choose the funds aligning with your risk appetite and instantly diversify across various asset classes.

Investors looking to invest a small amount each month can create an SIP. You can also consider investing in ELSS mutual funds for tax optimization.

Let your investment in mutual funds grow over a longer horizon so you can even withdraw a fixed income via SWP. 

It all narrows down to what your preferences are and how much time you have. Both investment avenues have their benefits and limitations.

You must wisely choose where you want to invest your hard-earned money. 

The first step would be to craft your financial goals and the time in which you want to achieve them. Work backwards to plan your investments accordingly. 

Consider talking to your wealth manager. If you don’t have one, VNN Wealth experts can review your portfolio and guide you through the process. 

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Types of Returns in Mutual Funds: CAGR, XIRR, Rolling Returns

Ever wondered what 12% returns on mutual funds mean?  Returns on mutual funds depend on capital appreciation, compounding, investment tenure, dividend payouts, and more. Therefore, that 12% holds more meaning than you think.  In this article, we will explore all the different types of returns on your mutual fund investment with an example. 

Types of Returns in Mutual Funds

1. Annualized Returns aka CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate)

As the name suggests, CAGR indicates the returns earned by investors annually including the effect of compounding. It is calculated as- Annualized Returns (CAGR) = [((Current NAV / Purchase NAV) ^ (1/number of years)) – 1]*100 Let’s say, you invested INR 1,00,000 in a mutual fund with NAV of INR 100. 
  • If the NAV increased to 110 in one year, the CAGR would be = [((110/100)^(1/1))-1]*100 = 10%
  • If the NAV increased to 115 in two years, the CAGR would be = [((115/100)^(1/2))-1]*100 = 7.24%
  • If the NAV increased to 130 in three years, the CAGR would be = [((130/100)^(1/3))-1]*100 = 9.13%
  • And so on…
Tip: CAGR is a useful measure to compare the returns on two mutual funds over a specific period of time. 

2. Absolute Returns

Absolute returns are the percentage growth/decline in a mutual fund between any two points. The duration could be two months, a couple of years, or two and a half years, the percentage will show the growth/decline in your total assets.  To put it simply, these are the non-annualized returns over a specific tenure.  The formula to calculate absolute returns is- Absolute Returns = [(Final investment value-Initial investment value)/Initial value]*100 Your investment of 1,00,000 increased to 1,50,000 at any given point; The Absolute Returns would be= [(150000-100000)/100000)]*100 = 50%

3. Extended Internal Rate of Return(XIRR)

The annualized returns (CAGR) formula works only for the lumpsum or one-time investment. But in case of multiple regular/irregular cash in-flows/out-flows, the calculation will change. One such scenario is the SIP.  Let’s say you start a SIP of INR 10000 on the 3rd of every month for 12 months, so your total investment will be 120000. The first 10000 that you invest will compound over 12 months. The next month’s installment of 10000 will compound over 11 months and so on. The XIRR formula captures the time each investment has spent in the market and calculates the returns accordingly.  Assume that your 120000 became 135000 on the 13th month. Now, to calculate the returns, you will have to use the XIRR formula.  You can use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to use the inbuilt XIRR formula = XIRR(values, dates, [guess]). The guess returns can be kept blank, in which case, the formula will by default assume 10%. The negative sign in front of each investment indicates cash outflow.  Your monthly investment amount and dates could vary. In such cases, the XIRR formula gives the accurate calculation of returns.

4. Trailing Returns aka Point-to-Point Returns

Trailing returns indicate the returns earned during a specific horizon. Here, you can choose the two points between which you want to calculate the returns. For example, the NAV of a fund on 1 January 2021 was 100 which became 145 on 1 January 2023. The Trailing Returns would be= [(Current NAV/NAV at the start of the trailing period)^(1/Trailing period in years) -1] x 100 Trailing returns =[(145/100)^(½) – 1] x 100 = 20.41%
You may also like to read- Mutual Fund Factsheet: How to Read The Technical Aspects

5. Rolling Returns

Rolling returns calculate returns on your investment for a particular period on a continuous basis. If you calculate trailing returns on a daily, monthly or quarterly basis, you’ll get the rolling returns. Let’s simplify it. For example, you want to calculate 2-year rolling returns on a mutual fund over the 6-year period, say between 2018 and 2023.  Now, if you choose to calculate the trailing returns on a daily basis, you will have to calculate the trailing returns of each day between 2018 and 2023 in sets of 2 years. I.e. 1 Jan 2018 to 1 Jan 2020, 2 Jan 2018 to 2 Jan 2020 and so on.  Repeat the same by calculating the daily trailing returns between 2019 and 2021, 2020 and 2022, 2021 and 2023.  Rolling returns gives you the range of returns the fund has earned over the year in a specific duration. So, if you are planning to invest in a fund for 2 years, the above data will give you an idea of the returns you can expect for that duration. Rolling returns provide accurate insights as they are not biased towards any investment period. This data is more valuable to understand the fund’s performance. 

6. Total Returns

Total returns are the overall gains on a mutual fund including the capital appreciation, interest earned, and dividends. Let’s say you bought 1000 units of mutual fund with NAV 100 by investing 1,00,000. You also received a dividend of INR 10 per share, which would be 10000. After two years, if you sold the mutual fund at a unit price of 120, your capital gains would be (120-100)*1000= 20,000. Your total returns = [(Capital Gains + Dividend)/Total Investment]*100 = [(20000+10000)/100000]*100 = 30%.

Final Words

A mutual fund factsheet usually has all the data you need to understand the performance. Numbers can be confusing but never vague.  You can make your investment decisions by trusting the numbers. Next time you analyze two mutual funds, make sure you have this blog in handy. You can always reach out to VNN Wealth for more guidance on investments. Take a look at our Instagram @vnnwealth for more insights. 
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