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Most of our parents and grandparents have invested their hard-earned money into trusted FDs, and PPFs and relied on gold for wealth creation. That was a good option a long time ago, but today, that's a way to lose wealth than make wealth. A bank deposit earns 6% per annum. The interest earned on the principal is taxed according to the tax bracket. If the tax bracket of the individual is 20%, the net interest earned is 6%*(1-20%) = 4.8%. The current inflation ranging from 4% to 6%, erodes the wealth that is created by the bank deposit. Hence, in the current economic scenario, these instruments are not sufficient for beating inflation and creating wealth with reasonable returns over the years. Debt as an investment vehicle has always been trusted as there is a fixed promised return and a guaranteed principal payment, giving a sense of comfort to the investor. The debt market is a platform that enables the purchase and sale of loans in exchange for a rate of interest and periodic payments of the coupon. These markets are lesser risky than their equity counterparts, and hence also have lower returns when compared to equity instruments. In the following article, we explore various facets of this financial instrument.  What is a Debt Mutual Fund? A debt fund is a mutual fund that invests in fixed-income instruments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, government bonds, corporate bonds/debentures, money market instruments, etc. All the instruments that the fund invests in have a maturity and a fixed coupon or interest rate payment that the buyer/investor can rely on – hence have the name - fixed-income instruments. These funds are also known as bond funds or fixed-income funds. As the returns are pre-decided, they are not affected by market fluctuations when the instruments are held until maturity. Hence, these funds are low-risk options for an investor. Every debt security is assigned a credit rating which indicates the risk/probability of default, based on which the fund managers take a decision to either include or exclude them in their portfolios. If a paper or debt security has a high credit rating, it implies a low probability of default i.e., the borrower has a high propensity to pay back the principal and interest. Fund managers sometimes also choose a lower-quality debt to earn higher returns by taking a calculated risk. A debt fund with a higher amount of high-quality debt is more stable and less prone to market fluctuations however, earns a lower return. The fund manager also has the flexibility to choose long-term or short-term debt based on the existing yield curve or interest rate regime in the economy.  Types of Debt Funds Debt funds are classified based on the maturity period as follows - Liquid Fund: This fund invests in money market instruments that have a maturity of fewer than 91 days (3 months). The returns earned by these funds are greater than the savings accounts. These are considered one of the best alternatives for liquid and short-term investing. Gilt Fund: These invest over 80% of the assets into Government securities over a range of maturities (10 years, 5 years, etc). These funds are credit risk-free (as one is lending to the Government of India, which cannot default on its payments), however, are highly vulnerable to interest rate risk. Dynamic Bond Fund: These invest in debt securities with a range of maturities, adjusting for the interest rate regime or yield curve prevailing in the economy. These funds are ideal for investors seeking moderate risk with an investment horizon of 3-5 years. Money Market Fund: The fund invests in debt securities with a maturity of less than 1 year. These are sought after by investors looking for short-term investment options in low-risk vehicles. Corporate Bond Fund: This fund invests over 80% of the assets in corporate bonds with the highest credit rating (implying a low risk of default). These are suitable for investors seeking low risk and provide exposure to corporate bonds which provide higher returns than the G-secs. Banking and PSU Fund: The fund invests over 80% of its assets in Banks and PSU bonds. Credit Risk Fund: These funds are mandated to invest over 65% of their assets in bonds with a credit risk rating below AA+. They aim to generate a return higher than the funds invested in G-secs and other high credit-rating debt securities, by taking on more risk in their portfolios. However, these funds only thrive in a credit conducive environment where the economy is booming. These funds are very volatile and are suitable for investors seeking moderate-high risk. Floater Fund: These funds invest over 65% of their assets in bonds with a floating interest rate. One should consider investing in floater funds when there is a rise in interest rates in the economy to reap the maximum benefits. Short-term floater funds typically invest in Government securities with a tenure of less than one year. Longer-term floater funds invest in corporate bonds, debentures, and government bonds. Flexibility in tenure makes it an attractive investment to all investors in the market. Despite these funds providing higher returns (lower than equity funds), they are heavily reliant on market conditions, implying uncertainty in the prediction of returns that can be expected from these funds. Investors looking to make gains from the interest rate fluctuations, dilute the interest rate risk factor in their portfolio, or have their wealth unaffected by the volatile market fluctuations prefer to invest in these funds. Overnight Fund: These invest in securities with a maturity of 1 day. Due to the extremely small-time horizon, the interest rate and credit risk are almost negligible (SEBI also mandates these funds to invest in low-risk debt securities). The returns earned from these funds are also lower ranging from 3-5%. These funds do not charge exit loads even when the units are redeemed in a day, which was the primary reason for their popularity among investors. What is Macaulay's duration? This financial jargon indicates how many years it would effectively take for the bond to repay back to the investor with its periodic cash flows. It can also be considered as the time at which the investor’s investment reached a breakeven. It is also used as an indicator for the interest rate sensitivity of the bond, the higher the duration, the higher the sensitivity. The following table indicates the type of bonds that the funds would invest in depending on their fund type. FUND TYPEMacaulay DurationUltra-Short Duration Funds3-6 monthsLow Duration Fund6-12 monthsShort Duration Fund1-3 yearsMedium Duration Fund3-4 yearsMedium – Long Duration Fund4-7 yearsLong Duration Fund>7 years What type of Investor should invest in Debt Funds? Debt funds are considered ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to generate a regular income out of their investments. The funds diversify across various securities and ensure a stable return to their investors. If an investor has been saving in bank deposits for their stability, then he/she could prefer debt mutual funds and earn similar or higher returns in a tax-efficient manner. The funds are available for short-term (3-12 months) and medium-term investors (3-5 years). As an investor, if you are looking for a more liquid investment, you could prefer a short-term fund over a savings account and earn 7-9%. Monthly Income Plans (MIPs) also provide an option for the investor to receive a monthly payout, similar to FDs. Risks in debt funds We are not suggesting that debt funds are risk-free. That tag only belongs to the Government of India (Sovereign Debt). The underlying risks that one must consider while investing in debt funds are as follows - Liquidity Risk: In an economic downturn, the fund house could receive an umpteen number of redemption requests from the pool of investors. There is a possibility that the fund may not have enough cash and cannot sell/reverse their positions due to the economic conditions to oblige to all the requests. This risk is known as liquidity risk. Interest Rate Risk: When the interest rates increase, the NAV of the fund falls. In case of the interest rate decline, the value of bonds in the portfolio increases, due to their higher pre-decided coupon rates. This also pushes the NAV of the debt funds in an upward direction. Hence, the NAV of the fund is prone to interest-rate fluctuations in the economy. Credit Risk: The probability of default, i.e., the event when the borrower does not pay the principal and interest.  Expense Ratio: It is the fees paid to the fund house for managing your money. One should also consider this expense while investing in a debt fund. These funds earn lower returns than their equity counterparts. If the expense ratio is high, it could dent future returns/earnings. Hence, it is always advisable to stay invested for a longer duration and to choose funds with a lower expense ratio. Benefits of debt funds High Liquidity: Debt funds are typically considered alternatives to fixed deposits. Along with providing recurring returns, debt funds (especially liquid funds and overnight funds) have high liquidity where investors can redeem their investments in the shortest time frame. Investment Horizon: There are umpteen options available for any type of investment horizon that is preferred by the investor – a large number of options to choose from and hence make a portfolio customized for yourself. Higher Returns: The debt funds provide a higher return than the typical FDs, and savings accounts. Tax Efficiency: The interest rate earnings are taxed every year in the case of FDs. However, in the case of debt mutual funds, the investor reaps the benefits of indexation after a holding period of 3 years. Flexibility: The funds also provide an option to transfer the units to equity schemes if the investor is ready to take on additional risk for higher returns. Such options or alternatives are absent in the traditional route of FDs and bank deposits. FAQs What are debt funds? A debt fund is a mutual fund that invests in fixed-income instruments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, government bonds, corporate bonds/debentures, money market instruments, etc. What are the benefits of debt funds? High Liquidity Investment Horizon Higher Returns Tax Efficiency Flexibility Is it good to invest in debt funds? Yes, debt funds are a great investment option for investors. These offer higher returns over a long investment horizon and are tax efficient as well. Is a debt fund better than FD? Both are great investment options. FDs are more secure and offer fixed stable returns. A debt mutual fund offers high returns and has a risk factor involved.

Which is better: SIP vs SWP vs STP? Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), and Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) are the plans offered by the fund houses which are strategized in a way to suit the need of each of the investors. A parent aiming to regularly save for his/her child’s education could choose a SIP. A retiree who has received lumpsum earnings from his PF could invest in SWP and receive regular income. An employee who received a large bonus could invest in a debt fund, but also could reap the benefits of an equity fund by putting their money into STP. SIP: Systematic Investment Plan By investing in equity funds that are more volatile, you reap the maximum benefits from the structure of the plan - compared to debt funds which are relatively stable. Since you are investing at regular intervals irrespective of a market up/downturn, you receive the benefits of Rupee cost averaging – your cost of purchase is average over the time horizon. Also, as the investment is in small amounts, you do not feel the burden of investing or your future goals forming a hindrance to your present commitments and expenses. There are no tax implications in these plans, and ELSS schemes also provide provision for tax deductibility under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961. Types of SIPs 1. Flexible SIP   Flexi SIP allows the investor to change the SIP amount according to market fluctuations. The predetermined formula enables the investor to invest more when the market is low and reduces the investment when the markets perform well.   2. Step Up SIP An investor can increase the investment amount or percentage at fixed intervals. Step Up SIP is perfect for investors who fail to regularly increase their SIP amount when their income rises.    3. Perpetual SIP   When an investor begins a SIP, the SIP mandate requires them to enter the start and end date of the investment tenure. In some cases, investors fail to enter the end date. Every SIP that does not have an end date becomes a perpetual SIP, and it will go on till 2099.   4. Trigger SIP  Trigger SIP allows investors to set a trigger value for the SIP investment. It can be when NAV falls to a particular level, specific dates, or even levels of an index like Nifty or Sensex. You can decide when a certain amount should be withdrawn from your bank and utilized to purchase units of a selected plan.    Benefits of SIP 1. Financial discipline    When you opt for a SIP, you indirectly get into the habit of keeping aside an amount of money from your income for investment.   2. Fund managers    Mutual fund investments are supervised by professional fund managers who have proven experience in managing portfolios. They observe market trends and make wise decisions in order to grow your money and minimize major losses.   3. Benefit from compounding  Compounding means you don’t just get the return on what you spend out of your pocket but also what you earn from it. This basically leads to your corpus getting richer with time.   4. Rupee cost averaging     When you invest an amount through SIP, you do not need to worry about timing the market. You buy a high number of units when the NAV is low due to the markets, and on the other hand, you buy a lesser number of units when the NAV is high. The cost of purchasing funds averages out over the period of investment.   STP: Systematic Transfer Plan This plan allows you to transfer amounts from one fund to another (within the same fund house). There is typically a transfer of amount from Debt to Equity Fund and is suitable for risk-averse investors who fear market risks and fluctuations. For example, if you have received a lump sum amount on account of your retirement or as a large bonus, you could invest in a liquid fund or debt fund. At fixed intervals, as an investor, one could give instructions to shift small amounts into an equity fund. Using this strategy, one eliminates the risk of investing a large amount at the wrong time in the market, thus averaging the cost of purchase. It also obtains the advantage of constant reallocation of the portfolio with debt and equity, earning consistent returns (greater than the amount earned in a bank deposit). The plan is similar to a SIP, but the amount is invested from your previous SIP instead of deducting the amount from your bank account. These plans do have tax implications. Every transfer from one fund to another is considered as redemption from the fund and is charged capital gains tax (the investor enjoys the benefit of being initially invested in a debt fund but is charged capital gains tax for an equity fund – which is lower). Compounding effects - as returns get reinvested at periodic intervals and rupee cost averaging are also the advantages of this plan similar to a SIP. Types of STPs 1. Fixed STP  Fixed STP allows an investor to transfer a specific amount at a fixed frequency   2. Flexi STP An investor can transfer an amount from a source to a specific fund according to market performance.   3. Capital Appreciation STP   The investor can choose to transfer only the returns from the source plan to a targeted plan and not the entire invested amount.    Benefits of STP 1. Rupee cost averaging  Similar to SIP, rupee cost averaging is also applicable for STP. Investors transfer fixed amounts to different funds at different price points, and hence the investor buys more units when the markets are low and buys a lesser amount when the markets are high. Eventually, the purchase price averages out over the period of investment.    2. The returns are consistent   STPs give investors consistent returns. As the money is invested in debt and equity funds, the returns are better than fixed deposits provided by banks.   3. Diversification Portfolio rebalancing happens naturally in STP as an investor can transfer a portion of the invested amount from a debt fund to an equity fund on a regular basis. As a result, they earn more returns during their investment tenure.   SWP: Systematic Withdrawal Plan  This plan could be considered an opposite of a SIP, where instead of investing fixed small amounts at regular intervals, one withdraws fixed amounts from the fund. The investor initially invests a large/lumpsum amount into the plan. One can choose to receive fixed amounts at an instructed frequency (monthly, quarterly) known as fixed income withdrawal, or can choose to only receive the gains (ROI or returns) on the invested amount, which is known as appreciation withdrawal. One can keep redeeming the amount until the balance with the fund reaches zero which can be considered as the maturity of the plan. SWP provides the freedom of choosing the amount that an investor wants to receive calibrated according to his/her expenses, as opposed to a dividend plan of a mutual fund where the fund manager decides the dividend.  Each withdrawal attracts a capital gains tax as it is considered to be a redemption. However, this plan is considered the most tax-efficient route when compared to the dividend plan of mutual funds and fixed deposit interest accruals.  NAV30Number of units held1000Invested Amount30000Withdrawal Amount2000NAV at Withdrawal (assumed)32Units withdrawn62.50 Cost1,875.00 Gain 125.00  Consider the example (as shown in the table). An investor has 1000 units in the ABC fund and has purchased them at a NAV of 30. Hence, his cost price per unit of the fund is Rs 30. The investor has fixed instructions for withdrawing Rs 2000 every month. In the first month of withdrawal, the fund made good profits and saw an increase in the NAV to 32. The units hence withdrawn would be Rs 2000/Rs 32 (current NAV) which is 62.5 units. The cost price of these units was Rs 1875 (62.5 *30). The gain made on the transaction is Rs 2000 – Rs 1875 = Rs 125. In an SWP the investor pays tax on the gains from the withdrawal or redemption. Hence, in the above example, one would be paying a capital gains tax of Rs 125. However, if the investor had invested the same in an FD, he/she would have to pay tax on the interest income with the tax rate according to the individual’s tax slab (which is greater than capital gains tax). Types of SWPs 1. Fixed amount SWP The investor selects a particular amount and a specific date on which the amount will be withdrawn.    2. Appreciation SWP   The investor can withdraw only the returns on investment and not the principal amount.   Benefits of SWP 1. Financial discipline  An investor automatically receives a predetermined amount from their investment periodically. This can make them financially disciplined as they learn to live life with a limited amount per month. It also protects them from withdrawing large amounts from their portfolio during a poor market performance.    2. Steady Income They receive a steady income periodically, which can be a huge advantage to the investor in case of retirement or if they depend on a steady income to pay for their financial needs.   3. Achieve financial goals The second mode of income can always be helpful if you are looking to achieve a financial goal, especially when you have monthly commitments.     SIP vs SWP vs STP FactorsSIPSTPSWPTypeRegular InvestmentTransfer from one fund to anotherWithdrawal planGoalLong-term investment to gain from the appreciation of the marketCapital Appreciation of the lump sum money received (idle money)Regular income – SourceProcessInvesting fixed amounts at a regular frequency Asset reallocation by shifting a small amount between funds (Debt ? Equity)Withdrawal at periodic intervals from the fund (opposite of SIP)Tax implicationsInvestments do not attract tax capital gains are taxable (depending on the equity of debt and time period)Every transfer is taxed and is considered a redemption from the fundGains from the withdrawal are taxed. Considered Tax efficient over FDs and other recurring income optionsTypical Investor Profile/SuitabilityInvestors looking to save every month for a long-time horizonRisk-averse Investors who have idle money (large corpus – retirement money or bonus)Investors who would want a regular source of income and have a lump sum corpus in hand.  FAQs Is SWP better than SIP?   SIP helps you invest money on a regular basis, while SWP ensures you receive a portion of your invested money regularly. You can opt for SWP when you have a big corpus. Choose the best option based on your financial status and long-term goal.    Are SIP and SWP the same?   SWP is a systematic withdrawal plan that helps investors regularly withdraw a portion of their money from their funds. SWP is completely opposite to SIP, as, in the latter, the investor invests a predetermined amount of money at regular intervals.  Is STP a combination of SIP and SWP?   The systematic investment plan, Systematic withdrawal plan, and Systematic transfer plan are all systematic methods of investing and withdrawing money. Each has its own advantages and purpose. STP allows investors to transfer investment amounts from one fund to another. SWP allows investors to withdraw money regularly, and SIP allows investors to invest money in regular intervals.    Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

There are enormous options available when it comes to investing, right from mutual funds to cryptocurrency. But which investment avenue is suited for you is different from other people. Your risk appetite is different, you have different cash flows, and you have your own financial goals. All these vary from individual to individual. Some investment options will help you provide regular income, some will help in capital protection, and some will help you generate wealth. Which one is the right choice for you, is the question? Financial instruments will provide you with returns, but you also need to evaluate their risk. A financial advisor will guide you through all this evaluation and help you make the right choice. Who is a financial advisor?  A financial advisor provides consultation or guidance on how, where, and when to invest. They will help you with the financial plan, strategy, how to save tax, etc.  Source: pexels Why should you hire a financial advisor? Now, you might think that why should you consider one, when there is plenty of knowledge available on the internet about investing because a financial advisor brings the right expertise in the financial market and the products available in the market. Financial advisors have the right tools to evaluate different products based on certain conditions. First, you need to ask these questions yourself: Do you have adequate financial market knowledge? Do you have expertise in financial products and instruments? Do you have enough time to track, manage, evaluate and rebalance your portfolio? Do you enjoy reading about finance topics like wealth management, derivatives, etc.? Do you have the skills to research and evaluate financial instruments? If you have answers to the above questions, you don’t need a financial advisor. But, if you don’t have the answers to these questions, you need a financial advisor. Read more: A parent checklist to send a child abroad Benefits of having a financial advisor Financial expertise: A financial advisor undergo several training and certifications which help them gain knowledge about the financial world. So, having a financial advisor in your planning will help you build a portfolio for your needs and help you keep track of it. Budgeting: A financial advisor helps you to create a budget so that your unwanted expenses can be minimized and you can save for your financial freedom. Financial plan: A financial advisor will help you to create the right financial plan, which will help you to achieve your financial goal effectively and efficiently. Investment strategy: A financial advisor will not only build a financial plan for you but also help you create investment strategies that will help you choose the right investment option for your targets with the right amount to invest in. Regular monitoring: You might not have enough time to track your portfolio. Here comes the financial advisor to keep track of your portfolio. Regular portfolio monitoring is required so that the investment remains aligned with your financial goals. Rebalancing of the portfolio: The portfolio requires rebalancing from time to time or depending on market conditions. There are situations when the selected investment option might underperform or outperform the expected required rate of returns; then, a rebalancing might also be needed in such situations. A financial advisor will help you to make the right choice. Helps in tax savings: A financial advisor helps you consult or provide guidance on saving taxes by investing in different options. Conclusion: Having a financial advisor in your financial journey could help to manage your finances properly with better investment strategies. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Diversification is the foundation of any good portfolio. Diversification provides a cushion to unforeseen volatilities from the future.   In today's integrated world, getting hold of foreign stocks, bonds, and mutual funds has become much easier. New-age investors can now have a balance of domestic and international securities in a portfolio.   An international portfolio is a collection of stocks and other assets focused on global markets rather than home markets. An international portfolio, if well-designed, provides exposure to emerging and developed economies and diversification.   Buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on foreign equities is the most cost-effective approach for investors to own an international portfolio.  Let's now look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of having international exposure in the portfolio.   Advantages  Reduced risk It is possible to lessen investment risk by having an international portfolio. Gains in the investor's global holdings help increase profits if domestic stocks underperform.   Risk can be further lowered by diversifying the international portfolio with stocks from developed and emerging markets.  Varied currency exposure When investors purchase stocks for a global portfolio, they also buy currencies in which stocks are denominated.  As a result, currency fluctuations might help the investor offset losses or raise gains depending on the currency movements. It does, however, come with its own set of dangers.  Market cycle An investor with a global portfolio can take advantage of several countries' market cycles.  Accessing the entire supply chain International investing provides opportunities across industries as well as up and down the value chain often missed in domestic portfolios.   Manufacturing, services, and technology are all tiers in the supply chain. These companies benefit the most from the multiple stages of the global supply chain.  Innovation Beyond the home market, there is world-class innovation in industrial automation, payments, and renewable energy.  Source: freepik Disadvantages   Political and economic risk Many emerging countries lack the same political and economic stability as industrialized economies. Instability can drive already invested or budding investors away from the market.   Enlarged transaction costs When buying and selling international equities, investors often pay higher commissions and brokerage fees, lowering their overall returns.   Taxes, stamp charges, levies, and exchange fees may be required, further diluting gains. Many of these fees can be eliminated or reduced using ETFs or index funds to get exposure to a foreign portfolio.  Regarding assets, two ETFs stand out above the rest for individuals seeking broad exposure to international markets. With $110.3 billion in assets under management, the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is the largest.   The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), benchmarked to an MSCI index rather than an FTSE Russell-managed index, has amassed $104.34 billion in assets. These ETFs are best placed only to get the investor an upper edge over the developed markets.   The most significant distinction between the two funds is the nations they provide exposure to. South Korea is a developed market in the FTSE index tracked by VEA, accounting for approximately 5% of the fund.   South Korea is not included in the IEFA's MSCI index because it is listed as an emerging market by MSCI. Canada is also not included in IEFA because the fund ignores North America, even though it is VEA's third most significant country exposure.  ETFs like the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) contain both developed and exposure for those who want their international exposure to include emerging markets.   IXUS currently has around 12.5 percent of its portfolio invested in developing market companies, while VEU has 13.1 percent. It is a bit riskier than the developed markets due to the very structure of the emerging economies, which inculcates volatilities in the business environment.  Over the last decade, investors have done well while investing in the United States. This is particularly true when comparing U.S. equities returns against international equity returns.   However, trends change, and given the challenges in the United States and the opportunities that may exist elsewhere, investors may be more open to channeling funds outside of the United States to more countries for international exposure.   However, international exposure may win or lose, and investors should do their due diligence before investing. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Why do we invest in mutual funds? The fairly obvious answer would be to earn returns on our investment and to have enough corpus for our future goals. We need tangible numbers on our screens which give us a good night’s sleep that we have invested in the right fund. However, there are multiple measures for the returns earned by the mutual fund, and we see multiple percentage numbers flashing on our screens. These measures are explained with examples in the following paragraphs - 1. Absolute Returns This represents the growth of your investment in absolute terms without considering the time period. For example, if you had invested Rs 10,000 in a mutual fund and it grows to Rs 15,000, the gain earned would be Rs 5000. Absolute returns would be Rs 5000/Rs 10,000 = 50%. Even if your investments grew to Rs 15,000 in 10 years the absolute returns would still be 50%. 2. Annualised Returns (also known as CAGR) This measures the increment in the value of your investment on a yearly basis. The effect of compounding is included in this return (Compounding in simple terms is earning returns on the profits earned from your investment). For example, if the initial investment is Rs 10,000 and the value of the investment after 5 years is Rs 15000, then the annualised returns would be 8.4% and if the time period was 3 years, the returns would be 14.5%. This measure takes the time period into consideration and gives a measure of y-o-y returns on your investment in the fund. 3. Annual Returns This is computed by considering the return earned by the scheme from January 1st (first day of business) to December 31st (Last business working day). If the NAV of a fund was Rs 100 on January 1st and the NAV on December 31st was 120, the gain would be Rs 20 and the annual return would be 20%. This is the most simplistic measure which is used for communication to the investor. Market conditions play a significant role in the returns earned by mutual funds. Hence, it is advisable to compare annual returns across time periods with respect to category average or the benchmark as declared by the fund. 4. Point to Point Returns This measures the annualised returns between two points in a given time period. For example, you would want to look at the performance of a fund in the pre-Covid years i.e., 2017-2019, one would consider the point-to-point return to compute the same. The NAVs at the start and end dates are required to compute these returns. 5. Total Returns Initial ValuesNAV Initial50Initial Investment10000Units Purchased = Investment/NAV200After 1 yearNAV 52Value of investment = Units * NAV10400Capital Gains400Assuming Dividend is declared by the fund in this 1 yearDividend Declared/ unit2Dividend earned (Units * Dividend/Unit)400Total Returns800Total Return % (Total Return/Initial Investment)8% Total return includes the returns earned from capital gains and dividends and is expressed as a percentage of the initial amount invested. Consider that you had invested Rs 10,000 into a fund whose NAV was Rs 50. Total Returns % = Capital Gains + Dividend earned / Initial Investment Here, the total return earned would be 8%. 6. Trailing Returns It is the annualised return of the period that ends on the date of calculation (or today or latest NAV). Trailing returns of 1, 3, 5 or 10 years (etc) can be calculated. For example, a 1-year trailing return from today (27th Feb 2020) would be calculated by taking the latest NAV and the NAV of the fund 1 year ago. This measure is used by most of the mutual funds and pages which analyse the past performance of the funds.  Initial NAV (27th Feb 2018)40Final NAV (27th Feb 2021)70Years3Returns 20.5% For example, if the NAV of a fund today is Rs 70 and the NAV of the fund 3 years ago was Rs 40, the trailing 3-year return would be 20.5%. Returns = [Final NAV / Initial NAV] (1/Years) - 1 As an investor, this measure aids in screening the fund's performance and analysing the consistency of the fund manager in providing the returns to their pool of investors. However, one should note that these returns could offer a biased perspective as they are based on relative market conditions – current vs past conditions. Hence, an investor should consider 3,5 and 10 years to understand the consistency in earnings and the fund's ability to sail over market tides. In bull markets, where there is high optimism in the market, the trailing returns are high, as the Final NAV would be soaring high, whereas, in the bear markets, these returns would be on the low. 7. Rolling Returns These are annualised returns (CAGR) but are computed using overlapping periods. They give the measure of the growth of an n-year return over a period of m years.  For example, if you would like to invest in an equity mutual fund for 5 years, you would look at the data in 5-year blocks and compute the 5-year return over a 10-year period (say). As shown in the table below, we have considered a period from 2005-2020 to calculate the 5-year rolling returns (n=5, m=20). Aligning with our objective, to calculate the return of 2010, we consider the NAV that was 5-years ago which is 2005. The exercise is performed for all the years to obtain the range of returns that the fund has given to the investors. One can also calculate the Rolling Return Average, by calculating the average of all the returns computed in the previous step = 7.4% (in this example). Yearly DataNAV5years agoNAVReturns (CAGR)01-01-201010001-01-2005785.1%01-01-201110301-01-2006805.2%01-01-201211001-01-2007874.8%01-01-201312001-01-2008905.9%01-01-201415001-01-2009959.6%01-01-201516101-01-201010010.0%01-01-201617201-01-201110310.8%01-01-201719001-01-201211011.6%01-01-201819801-01-201312010.5%01-01-201921001-01-20141507.0%01-01-202020001-01-20151614.4%01-01-202120801-01-20161723.9% The rolling returns give a perspective of the maximum and minimum ranges of returns that the fund has offered over a period of time, instead of only the point-point or annual returns, which could become biased measures based on the market conditions. These can be calculated on a daily/weekly/monthly basis till the latest NAV for a fixed period of time. It gives a more accurate picture of the fund’s performance in various market conditions, eliminating the bias that could be associated with calculating the return at a fixed point in time.  8. SIP Returns All the above measures are suitable for lumpsum investing where one considers the returns between two points. However, in the case of SIPs, there is a systematic flow of amounts into the fund at different points in time. This return can be calculated using the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), which is a financial metric used to compute the return of a series of cash inflows and outflows. Conclusion The measures for calculating returns have been highlighted above which are to be used in conjunction with the objective to obtain the accurate measurement of the performance. You could get started with your investment journey by analysing funds on the EduFund app or this website.