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Bond ETF vs Bond Mutual Funds. Which is better?

Bond ETF vs Bond Mutual Funds. Which is better?

Before proceeding to the comparison between Bond ETFs vs. Bond Mutual Funds, let's quickly brush up on our knowledge of bond ETFs and Mutual Funds.  Bond Mutual Funds For many years, mutual funds have been investing in bonds. Balanced funds, including stock and bond allocations, have been around since the late 1920s.  As a result, there are many bond funds available that provide a wide range of investment alternatives.   Passively managed funds, which strive to duplicate various benchmarks while not attempting to surpass those benchmarks, and actively managed funds that seek to outperform their benchmarks are the two types of bond mutual funds available in the market.  There are two types of bond mutual funds available  Open-ended funds can be purchasable directly from fund providers. The brokerage commission cost does not exist if the item is purchased directly.  Bond funds can be redeemed by resale to the fund house, making them liquid and easy to buy and sell.  Open-ended funds are valued and exchanged once a day. Furthermore, each fund's net asset value (NAV) is determined when the market closes.   The NAV is reflected in the trading price. Since open-ended funds do not trade at a markup or a discount, determining how much a fund's shares will yield if sold is simple and predictable.  Daily, bond mutual funds do not disclose their core holdings. They report their holdings semi-annually in most cases, with specific funds reporting every month.   Investors cannot ascertain the specific makeup of their portfolios at any given time due to a lack of transparency.  A closed-end fund is a form of mutual fund that raises cash for initial investments by selling a limited number of shares in a single initial public offering (IPO).   Its shares can then be purchased and sold on a stock exchange, but no new shares or money will flow into the fund.  Bond ETFs  Compared to mutual funds, bond ETFs are new to the market, with iShares establishing the first bond ETF in 2002.   Although a rising number of actively managed products are available, most of these offers strive to mirror various bond indices. Ceteris paribus, ETFs often have lower fees than their mutual fund counterparts, potentially making some investors the more attractive choice.  Trading of bond ETFs on a secondary market and the provider is not involved in the day-to-day transactions of the investors. ETFs are traded continuously throughout the day.   Share prices can change dramatically from one minute to the next and throughout a trading session. Shares can also be bought and sold at a premium or discount on their underlying net asset value.  Bond ETFs have no minimum holding time, so there are no penalties for selling soon after making a purchase. They can also be purchased on the margin and sold short, giving them far more trading flexibility than open-ended mutual funds.  Bond ETFs, unlike mutual funds, divulge their underlying holdings daily, providing complete transparency to investors. Bond ETFs provide several advantages over traditional bond mutual funds.   Bond ETFs are tradable to a considerable extent because of their listing on the stock exchange, and they can be quickly sold off without the involvement of the fund house, as in mutual funds.   Mutual fund trading is done only once a day after the market closes. Bond ETFs are highly transparent of their holdings due to regular holdings publishing regulations.  The ETF method reduces paperwork, record-keeping, and distribution costs, among other things. As a result, the overall expense ratio of an ETF is typically lower than a matching mutual fund.  However, not everything is rosy; Bond ETF investors need to shell out commissions to the broker for every trade carried out in the stock market, which can amount to a sizeable sum in the long run.   The ask spreads can become pretty broad in the bond market, thus eliminating potential returns coupled with the possibility of having the market price of the ETF available at a discount or premium from the NAV, making the ETF proposition less lucrative.  During extreme volatility in the market, bond mutual funds may be worse off as individual bond values are difficult to calculate. Certain bonds can go without trading for several weeks, making such holdings' value judgment challenging.   On the other hand, ETF prices are kept in check by the power of arbitrage held by the APS. The very organic process of creation and redemption of ETFs makes this a breeze and helps in maintaining the market price of the ETF near the NAV.   Whether to buy a bond fund or a bond ETF is usually based on the investor's investing goals. Bond mutual funds provide more options if the investor desires active management.   Bond ETFs are a smart alternative if the investor plans to trade regularly. Bond mutual funds and bond ETFs can suit the needs of long-term, buy-and-hold investors, but it's best to do some homework on the holdings in each fund.  If transparency is vital to the investor, bond ETFs are suitable. If the investor is worried about liquidity and trading volume, a bond fund can be a better option because one can sell the holdings back to the fund provider.  It's crucial to conduct due diligence and consult with a broker or financial advisor before making any investment decisions. FAQs Which is better - bond mutual funds vs. bond ETFs? Both are good investments. If you are looking for active management then go for bond mutual funds, if you achieve to sell and buy frequently then bond ETFs are ideal for you. What is the difference between bond mutual funds and bond ETFs? The main difference between the two lies in trading. Bond ETFs are cheaper, easily tradable, and transparent. bond mutual funds. What are bond mutual funds? Bond mutual funds are funds that collect money from investors to invest in bonds. The mutual funds can either be passive funds tracking indices or actively managed funds. TALK TO AN EXPERT
Saving vs Investing. Which one is better? Understand the difference

Saving vs Investing. Which one is better? Understand the difference

In the previous article, we discussed Mutual funds vs. FD to find out which is a better asset for your child's future. In this article, we will talk about Saving vs. Investing. Savings and investing involve different goals and functions in your financial strategy.   Saving money entails depositing money in secure, liquid accounts, whereas investing entails purchasing assets, such as stocks, to make a profit.   Before you start your journey to riches and financial independence, you must understand this fundamental difference.   Difference between Saving vs Investing   Saving money implies putting away money by depositing it in highly secure securities or accounts. The money is also liquid, which means it can be turned into cash quickly.   Above all, your cash reserves must be there when you need them. They must be ready for use to meet all your immediate needs and wants. Some examples are: keeping money in cash form, in a savings account, etc.  Investing money refers to utilizing your cash or capital to purchase an item you believe has a fair chance of creating an acceptable return over time.   Investing is to increase your wealth, even if it means going through significant volatility for months or even years. Actual investments have the backing of a margin of safety, usually in assets or earnings from the owner.  Stocks, bonds, and real estate are some of the best investment instruments.   Basis of Distinction Investing  Saving Definition The exercise involves investing the money saved so as to generate profits and capital appreciation The income or money left at hand after meeting all expenses Purpose The purpose of investing is capital appreciation and wealth creation. Investing in your alpha tool, which fights increasing inflation and helps you create wealth. The purpose of saving is to meet short-term and long-term requirements. And also, to tackle unforeseen events. Saving is the foundation of your investment portfolio. Returns The biggest advantage of investing in high returns is that it provides some exposure to market volatility as well. If you are a risk-averse investor or have a little risk appetite, you can choose to invest in debt funds. Saving is not done with the view to generating returns. Since there is negligible or little risk involved with the money, there is very little return - generally, a percentage or two on the instruments where you save your money. Risk Investing has its fair share of risks involved because of the market volatility, the risk and return depend on the mood of the market in general. Saving money has no volatility risk. The thing that can possibly happen with your money is that it can diminish in value owing to rising inflation. Liquidity Investments vary in liquidity depending upon the instruments.  Liquidity is the primary purpose of saving.  An important difference   The most significant distinction between saving and investing is the Risk Factor. When you place your money into a savings account, such as a money market account or a certificate of deposit, you are saving.  It has a very low danger of losing money but has very little chance of making money. When you save money, you have access to it as and when you need it.   When you invest money, you have the chance to make higher long-term profits or rewards. But you also have an opportunity to lose money. You can take on more risk for a higher return, but your potential loss is also more significant.   It is critical to assess your objectives to determine which alternative is ideal.    Making the wrong decision can cost you a lot of money in fees or even result in a loss of future investment revenue. Another distinction is interest or profit.   The primary purpose of investing is to make money, whereas the motive of saving is to keep money secure while earning relatively little.  Saving vs. Invest: Which comes first?   Almost often, saving money comes before investing money. Saving is the foundation upon which your financial dreams are based.  The logic is simple - unless you possess a certain sum of money, you will need to rely on your savings to fund your investments.   In rough times when you need money, you'll probably have to sell your investments at bad possible times, and that is not a prescription for financial success.  As a rule of thumb, your savings should be able to cover at least three to six months of your expenses - usually known as an emergency fund.   You can start investing until you have things in place, such as an emergency fund, health insurance, and life insurance.   You will benefit from significant tax cuts with the help of these instruments like insurance. You will also have a safety net to bear volatility even in your investments.   Which one is for you?   There is no particular answer to this question because saving is a means to your investment journey. If you have good savings and if you can generate a safety net around your wealth, you can start investing that day itself.   It all depends on your planning, your needs, and your future goals. Make your decision wisely and choose the instruments carefully. FAQs Which is better, investing or saving? Savings and investing involve different goals and functions in your financial strategy. There is no particular answer to this question because saving is a means to your investment journey. If you have good savings and if you can generate a safety net around your wealth, you can start investing that day itself. What are the benefits of investing? Investing money refers to utilizing your cash or capital to purchase an item you believe has a fair chance of creating an acceptable return over time. The returns an investment generates are the biggest advantage of investing, but investing involves some amount of risk. Which comes first, investing or saving? Almost often, saving money comes before investing money. Saving is the foundation upon which your financial dreams are based. The logic is simple – unless you possess a certain sum of money, you will need to rely on your savings to fund your investments. What is the difference between saving and investing? The most significant distinction between saving and investing is the Risk Factor. When you place your money into a savings account, such as a money market account or a certificate of deposit, you are saving. It has a very low danger of losing money but has very little chance of making money. When you save money, you have access to it as and when you need it. When you invest money, you have the chance to make higher long-term profits or rewards. But you also have an opportunity to lose money. You can take on more risk for a higher return, but your potential loss is also more significant. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT
ABSL Flexi Cap Fund 

ABSL Flexi Cap Fund 

Established in 1994, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC) is co-owned and backed by Aditya Birla Capital Limited and Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc.   ABSLAMC is one of the leading asset managers in India, servicing around 8.01 million investor folios with a pan India presence across 290 plus locations and a total AUM of over Rs. 2,930 billion for the quarter ending 31st December 2022 under its suite of a mutual fund (excluding our domestic FoFs), portfolio management services, offshore and real estate offerings.  https://youtu.be/i1guXHG0TAc ABSL Flexi Cap Fund  Investment Objective:The objective of the scheme is long-term growth of capital through investment in equity & equity-related instruments across market cap (large, mid & small) companies.  Investment Process:A diversified portfolio having disciplined large-cap bias is followed because the inclination towards large-cap ensures focus on quality companies with solid management & sound balance sheet. Also, the Top-Down approach is used for sector selection.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in large-cap stocks at 52.97%, and significant sectoral exposure is to Banks, which account for 25.64% of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold more than 50% of the portfolio.  The fund has 98.02% investment in domestic equities, of which 52.97% is in Large Cap stocks, 22.89% is in Mid Cap stocks, and 5.5% is in Small Cap stocks. Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: ABSL MF, Value Research Top 5 Holdings Name Weightage % ICICI Bank Limited 10.10 HDFC Bank Limited 7.42 Infosys Limited 6.11 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited 4.30 HCL Technologies Limited 4.21 Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: ABSL Performance since inception  If you had invested 10,000 at the time of the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs. 1088640, whereas the benchmark (Nifty 500 TRI) would have fetched you Rs. 347773.  The following table depicts the fund's performance vis-à-vis its benchmark (returns in %).  Particulars 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years Since Inception ABSL Flexi Cap Fund -4.15 26.46 9.58 21 Nifty 500 TRI -1.22 28.97 11.52 15.51 Nifty 50 TRI 0.59 27.80 12.72 14.42  Fund Managers  Mr. Anil Shah (Total Experience: 30 years)  Mr. Anil Shah is a Co-Head of Equity with Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC). Anil brings nearly three decades of rich professional experience in Indian equity markets.As a Senior Fund Manager, Anil executes and regularly reviews the investment strategy for Equity portfolios. Before joining ABSL AMC in 2012, Anil was a part of RBS Equities (India) Limited (formerly known as ABN AMRO Asia Equities (India) Limited) for around 15 years. He is a CA and Cost Accountant by qualification.  Mr. Dhaval Joshi (Total Experience: 15 years)  Mr. Dhaval Joshi has an overall experience of 15 years in equity research and investments. Before joining Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, he was associated with Sundaram Mutual Fund (India) Ltd. for around five years. He has also worked as a research analyst with Emkay Global Financial Services and Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd.  Who should invest?  An investor looking for an equity fund that would be a suitable investment proposition across market cycles and with at least three years investment horizon  Looking at a 3–5-year investment horizon perspective.  Why invest?  Investing in this fund exposes investors to all types of stocks such as large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap. This type of fund can help create wealth over the long term.  Horizon  Ideal for investment with a time horizon of, preferably, five years or above   Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  ABSL Flexi Cap fund has underperformed than its benchmarks over 1, 3, and 5 years. However, it has outperformed both benchmarks since its inception. Hence investors need to remain invested for the long term so that the alpha can be generated.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 
How to withdraw money from mutual funds?

How to withdraw money from mutual funds?

Investments are made so that you can sell off your investments and get the funds from them when you need money. So, knowing how you would get back the money from your investments when you need it is essential. In this article, we will discuss when you should sell your mutual funds, how to withdraw money from mutual funds, and what points must be kept in mind while selling your mutual funds. When should you sell your mutual funds? First, we must understand that mutual fund investments should be held for the long term. Selling your mutual fund units is only recommended if you have achieved the goal for which you had invested money. But other than that, there can be some reasons why you can consider withdrawing the money from your mutual funds. These include reasons such as continuous underperformance of the scheme, change of fund manager, no or significantly fewer growth prospects of the sector in case of a thematic fund, in case of unforeseen financial need, etc. Apart from that, it would be best if you do not sell your investments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNz8r98xaK8 How to withdraw money from mutual fund? The procedure for withdrawing money from mutual funds depends on the mode of holding. Suppose you are holding the units in physical form. In that case, you can withdraw the money through CARVY or CAMS or even through AMCs by filling out a physical form or an online application on the respective institutions' websites. If the units are dematerialized and are in your D-Mat account, then you can sell those investments through your broker. The process is straightforward in case you invest through the EduFund App. You can go to your portfolio, select the fund you wish to sell, and just press redeem from the three-dot button in the top right corner. After that, mention the number of units you wish to sell or the amount you wish to withdraw. To sell all the units, check the box ‘Redeem All’. Then continue to select the reason for redemption. After selecting the reason, continue to generate the OTP which you will receive on the registered mobile number, enter the OTP, and after successful verification, the process will be complete. Depending on the settlement, you will get the funds in your bank account, which varies from T+1 to T+2 days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqYR1IWgbZo Points to be kept in mind while withdrawing money from mutual funds: It is crucial to consider the following factors while withdrawing from mutual funds. 1. Cut-off timings: The NAV applicable for your withdrawal is determined per the cut-off timings. The cut-off timing differs for different types of schemes. If you request to redeem your units before the cut-off time, you will get the same day's NAV otherwise next day's NAV will be applicable. 2. Exit Load: Generally, an exit load of 1% is applicable in case of redemption of equity mutual funds before one year. This discourages investors from short-term investing or trading in mutual funds. So, if you sell your equity mutual funds before the completion of one year, you will have to pay an exit load of 1% of your redemption amount.
Can you beat inflation by investing in mutual funds?

Can you beat inflation by investing in mutual funds?

In the previous article, we discussed the dos and don'ts of saving for your child's education in 2022. This article will discuss how to beat inflation by investing in mutual funds.  You might be the type of person who prefers to delegate some of the tasks of growth to your finances. You can lose money if your investments aren't making enough to outpace inflation.   Your savings may be deflated in value as the gradual increase in the cost of goods and services is inevitable.    For most people, the most excellent method to beat inflation is to generate returns that, on average, are higher than the average inflation rate while still leaving some tax space.  Source: pixabay The most typical way to achieve that is to invest in a mutual fund that combines stock and bond holdings.   Beat inflation with a good portfolio: A good portfolio consists of a mutual fund and an exchange-traded fund. It is diversified in nature with numerous options to maintain a healthy balance.   Everybody has their preferred building materials, tools, designs, and tactics. Ultimately, all structures tend to function similarly and share some fundamental characteristics.   It would be beneficial if you went beyond the good advice to build a mutual fund portfolio in order to increase the value of your assets. A clever design and a solid foundation are necessary for a structure to endure the test of time and inflation.   Diversify: Putting your eggs in different baskets is just one aspect of diversification with mutual funds and ETFs.   Many investors make errors in believing that diversifying their portfolio by distributing funds among many mutual funds is equivalent to doing so. Diverse does not equate to different, though. Make sure you have exposure to several mutual funds and ETFs kinds.   Choose growth or foreign stocks and ETFs: Growth stock mutual funds and ETFs often perform at their peak during the mature stages of a market cycle when the economy is expanding at a steady clip.   The growth strategy depicts what businesses, consumers, and investors are doing at once during a prosperous period. They spend extra money to ensure that future growth is higher than anticipated.   Increased inflation may result in a decline in the value of the currency. As money invested in overseas assets can eventually transform into more money at home, international stock funds and ETFs can serve as a hedge (an asset that seeks to limit total losses).   Use inflation-beating bond funds: Bond prices move in the opposite direction of interest rate movements; bonds can lose value when inflation increases.   With inflation, interest rates typically increase. When inflation rises, there are ways to invest in bonds, bond funds, and ETFs.   Find funds that pay dividends: Over time, dividends can significantly boost the total return that investors experience and they typically work in tandem with capital gains to outperform inflation.   The expansion of mutual funds that invest in dividend-paying stocks is well known. These funds are good purchases for investors looking to generate income from their portfolios.   The best-performing mutual funds have outperformed inflation over the long run, even though they cannot guarantee the return of your principal.   In conclusion, taking the time to think about some of the numerous investments may help you eventually avoid the harmful effects of inflation. FAQ What is the best investment to beat inflation? For most people, the most excellent method to beat inflation is to generate returns that, on average, are higher than the average inflation rate while still leaving some tax space.   The most typical way to achieve that is to invest in a mutual fund that combines stock and bond holdings.   Can SIP beat inflation?   A systematic investment plan is a vehicle to invest in mutual funds. Your investment’s potential to beat inflation depends on the type of mutual fund you choose to put your money into.   What is the easiest way to beat inflation?   Beat inflation with a good portfolio: A good portfolio consists of a mutual fund and an exchange-traded fund. It is diversified in nature, with numerous options to maintain a healthy balance.    Everybody has their preferred building materials, tools, designs, and tactics. Ultimately, all structures tend to function similarly and share some fundamental characteristics.    It would be beneficial if you went beyond the good advice to build a mutual fund portfolio in order to increase the value of your assets. A clever design and a solid foundation are necessary for a structure to endure the test of time and inflation.  How do you escape money from inflation?   Diversify: Putting your eggs in different baskets is just one aspect of diversification with mutual funds and ETFs.    Many investors make errors in believing that diversifying their portfolio by distributing funds among many mutual funds is equivalent to doing so. Diverse does not equate to different, though. Make sure you have exposure to several mutual funds and ETFs kinds.    TALK TO AN EXPERT
HDFC Small Cap Fund

HDFC Small Cap Fund

Incorporated on December 10, 1999, HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd. is among India's most popular fund houses. HDFC Mutual Fund launched its first scheme in July 2000, and ever since it has been ambitious about offering a stable performance of funds across all the variants of schemes it offers.   The HDFC Mutual Fund is managed by HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC) Limited. HDFC Trustee Company Limited is the trustee of the mutual fund. The HDFC Mutual Fund is sponsored by the Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC Ltd.) and Standard Life Investments Limited.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1nfBwXH15M HDFC Small Cap Fund  Investment Objective: The primary objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation /income by investing predominantly in Small-Cap companies.   Investment Process:   The stock selection entirely focuses on quality companies with good financial strength and reasonable return on equity.  Investment is made at sensible valuations in companies trading at reasonable multiples (P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA, etc.)  The scheme aims to maintain a reasonably diversified portfolio at all times. The scheme may also invest some of its corpus in debt and money market securities. Credit quality, liquidity, interest rates, and their outlook will guide investment in debt securities.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in equity & equity-related stocks at 92.01%, and significant sectoral exposure is to Banks, which account for roughly 9.75% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of March 31, 2023. Source: HDFC MF Top 5 Holdings for HDFC Small Cap Fund  Name Weightage % Sonata Software Ltd 5.25 Bank of Baroda 4.16 Bajaj Electricals Ltd 3.89 Firstsource Solutions 3.34 Green Eastern Shipping Co Ltd  2.87 Note: Data as of March 31 2023. Source: HDFC MF  Performance  Note: Data as of March 31, 2023.  Source: Value Research Fund manager  Mr. Chirag Setalvad (Since June 28, 2014) has over 25 years of experience, of which 18 years in Fund Management and Equity Research and three years in Investment Banking. Before HDFC, he worked at New Vernon Advisory Services and started his career at ING Barings in India.   Mr. Priya Ranjan (Since May 01, 2022) does have a Collectively over 15 years of experience. Senior Equity Analyst and Fund Manager for Overseas Investments. He also holds eight years of experience in Credit Cards and Consumer Finance Collections, Client Relationship Management & Team Management.  Who should invest in HDFC Small Cap Fund?  Investors looking to generate higher returns by taking exposure to small-cap equities can consider this fund. However, investors need to understand the aggressive risk exposure of this fund.  Why invest in this Fund?  This high-risk, high-return strategy offers the potential to 'earn big' returns.  It can help you beat the impact of rising prices over the long term.  The fund allows investors to earn good returns as they confer more growth  Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least 3-4 years or even more.  The fund is an open-ended fund. One can invest any time in this fund.  Conclusion  The HDFC Small Cap Fund has a proven track record of over 15 years, with an Asset Under Management of ₹14,962.63 Cr. The fund holding a significant portfolio in equity provides a much higher rate of return in the long run.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 
ABSL Frontline Equity Fund

ABSL Frontline Equity Fund

One of India's leading asset management companies, ABSL offers its clients a wide range of investment solutions and has had a strong presence in retail and institutional segments for over 28 years. ABSL AMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited which is backed by Aditya Birla Group, a large conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of businesses.  The Aditya Birla Group is one of India's leading business houses, with a strong presence across various sectors in India and around the world. ABSL AMC benefits from the financial strength and stability of Aditya Birla Capital Limited and the Aditya Birla Group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-GleayI2w ABSL Frontline Equity Fund  Investment objective: The primary investment objective is to seek to generate long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio with a target allocation of 100% equity by aiming at being as diversified across various industries and/or sectors.  Investment process: ABSL Frontline Equity Fund aims to achieve sectoral diversification as its benchmark index.  The scheme will track the same sectoral weights within its equity portfolio as the benchmark index but with the flexibility of selecting stocks from a more expansive investment universe within a particular sector.  Portfolio composition:  The portfolio holds roughly 98% equity, of which the significant sectoral exposure is to Financials, which account for roughly 38%. The top five sectors hold more than 50% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Mar 2023. Source: ABSL MF Top 5 Sector Holdings for ABSL Frontline Equity Fund  Name Weightage % ICICI Bank 9.07 HDFC Bank 7.47 Infosys 7.12 Reliance Industries 5.49 L&T 4.70 Note: Data as of 31st Mar 2023. Source: ABSL MF  Performance  Given below is the Return over time:    CAGR of this fund CAGR of S&P BSE 100 TRI 1 Year 1.74 1.48 3 Years 24.57 25.65 5 Years 10.42 11.82 7 Years 12.59 13.78 10 Years 14.63 13.70 Note: Data as of 31st Mar 2023. Source: Valueresearch.com  Since its inception, the fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 18.68%.  Fund Manager  Mahesh Patil is Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited's Chief Investment Officer (CIO), overseeing over INR 3 lakh crore of assets under management. He has over thirty years of experience in fund and investment management and leads the entire investment team. He is personally managing this fund. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a Master's in Management Studies from the University of Bombay and has qualified for the Chartered Financial Analysts examination.   Dhaval Joshi has an overall experience of 15 years in equity research and investments. Before joining Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, he was associated with Sundaram Mutual Fund (India) Ltd. for around five years. He has also worked as a research analyst with Emkay Global Financial Services and Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd.  Who should invest in this Fund?  Investors looking to generate wealth over the long term without taking the risk aggressively can consider this fund. This fund can provide Investment avenues that can help you capitalize on the growth potential of equity yet provide you with the possibility of stable returns that can help you gain confidence about the market.  Why Invest in this Fund?  This high-risk, high-return strategy can earn significant returns.  It can help you beat the impact of rising prices over the long term.  Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least three years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The ABSL Frontline Equity Fund has a proven track record of over a decade, delivering a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14.63%. Thus, it is a suitable investment option for investors with a long-term investment horizon, a moderate to high-risk appetite, and looking to potentially invest in large-cap stocks to generate capital appreciation.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 
HDFC Focused 30 Fund

HDFC Focused 30 Fund

One of the longest-running AMCs in India, HDFC AMC has been helping investors make sound investment decisions responsibly and unemotionally for over 23 years. It is one of the biggest AMCs in India, with more than 4,53,635 crores of average AUM from January to March 2023.   HDFC Focused 30 Fund  Investment ObjectiveTo generate long-term capital appreciation/income by investing in equity and equity-related instruments of up to 30 companies.   Investment Process   An open-ended equity scheme investing in a maximum of 30 stocks in large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap categories (i.e., multi-Cap)   It follows a focused approach to investing in a portfolio of up to 30 high-conviction stocks, which are expected to outperform the market over the medium to long term.  The Stock selection is focused on growth at reasonable valuations.   It aims to generate better risk-adjusted returns through a focused portfolio backed by extensive in-house research conviction.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in large-cap stocks, and major sectoral exposure is to Banks, which account for more than a quarter of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 50% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: HDFC MF Top 5 Holdings for HDFC Focused 30 Fund  Name Weightage % ICICI Bank Limited 9.24 HDFC Bank Ltd. 8.07 Infosys 5.01 Bharti Airtel Ltd 4.54 HCL Technologies Limited 4.35 Note: 31st March 2023. Source: HDFC MF  Performance Over the Years   Scheme Returns (%) S&P BSE 500 TRI (%) 1 Year 12.83 1.12 3 Year 33.26 26.66 5 Year 11.93 11.31 7 Year  14.06 13.77 10 Year 14.96 14.93 Note: Data as of 18th April 2023. Source: Valueresearch Since its inception, the fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14.94%.  Fund Manager  Ms. Roshi Jain has been the fund manager of HDFC focused 30 Fund since January 2022. She has a total of over 17 years of experience.  Mr. Priya Ranjan has been a co-manager of the fund since May 2020. He has more than 15 years of total experience.   Who should invest in the HDFC-focused 30 Fund?  HDFC Focused 30 primarily invests in large-cap stocks where the number of stocks is restricted to 30. This fund is suitable for investors looking to invest in large-cap companies for a long-term time horizon.   Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least five years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The HDFC-focused 30 Fund has a proven track record of corporate governance, ESG sensitivity, and transparency. The company has a disciplined approach to investing, focuses on good quality companies, and emphasizes reasonable valuations. It has delivered a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14.94%. As we can see, the fund has outperformed the benchmark over the long term. Investors can witness wealth creation by staying invested for the long term.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.
UTI MNC FUND

UTI MNC FUND

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is among the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The UTI Mutual Fund offers products across asset classes.   UTI MNC Fund  Investment Objective The scheme's primary objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of multinational companies.  Investment Process   The fund manager will invest primarily in shares of multinational companies. A Multi-national company is a company where there is a shareholding of a multi-national parent or such company that forms part of Nifty MNC TRI or any other publicly available MNC Index. Parameters such as cash flow generation, earnings growth prospects, valuation, market leadership, etc., along with the other relevant parameters from time to time, will be used to select stocks.  Source: UTI MF Portfolio composition  The fund allocates a minimum of 80% in equity and equity-related instruments of multi-national corporations or companies, with a risk ranging from medium to high. A maximum of 20% will be allotted in Debt and Money Market instruments, including securitized debt. In addition, the fund may allocate a maximum of 10% in Units issued by REITs & InvITs. Note: Data as of February 28, 2023. Source: UTIMF Performance Since Inception  A one-time investment of Rs. 10,000/- made at the time of the scheme launch, i.e., May 29, 1998, would now be valued at Rs. 3,27,624, whereas the benchmark (Nifty 500 TRI) would have fetched you Rs 2,00,438. Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception Date – May 29, 1998. Source: UTIMF Fund Manager  Mr. Karthikraj Lakshmanan ably manages the fund. Mr. Karthikraj Lakshmanan is Senior VP and Fund Manager of equity at UTI AMC Ltd. He is a B.Com Graduate, Chartered Accountant, holds a post-graduate degree in Business management (PGDBM) from SPJIMR, Mumbai, and has Cleared CFA (CFAI, US). He has a total work experience of around 17 years. Before joining UTI in July 2022, he worked as a Senior Fund Manager, at Equities with Baroda BNP Paribas Asset Management. He has previously worked with ICICI Bank, Goldman Sachs, and ICICI Prudential AMC.  Who Should Invest?  Investors looking to diversify their core equity portfolio by adding exposure to quality MNC stocks.   Investors looking for a market cap agnostic fund and willing to bear the short-term divergence in returns compared to the general indices.  Investors are willing to increase the risk spectrum of their portfolio with exposure to a thematic portfolio philosophy.  Why Invest?  The fund provides a differentiated portfolio of quality MNCs, typically not commonly held by pure diversified equity funds.  The Fund endeavors to invest in companies with low financial leverage and has a high potential to lead pricing in their respective sector.  The fund exhibits a long-term performance track record, outperforming the benchmark, with relatively lower volatility.  Horizon  Ideal for investment with a time horizon of five years or above.  Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The scheme primarily invests in stocks of multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in India. These companies have a significant presence and market share in India and are subsidiaries of global corporations. It has generated a CAGR of over 15% since inception and has outperformed the benchmark. Hence this fund can be considered for long-term wealth creation with high risk. Disclaimer:This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 
DSP World Mining Fund

DSP World Mining Fund

One of the largest AMCs in India, DSP has been helping investors make sound investment decisions responsibly and unemotionally for over 25 years. DSP is backed by the DSP Group, an almost 160-year-old Indian financial giant.  The family behind DSP has been very influential in the growth and professionalization of capital markets and the money management business in India over the last one-and-a-half centuries. DSP World Mining Fund DSP World Mining Fund Direct Plan-Growth is an International Fund of Funds. It primarily invests in leading international companies in the mining and metals sector. It does this by investing in BGF World Mining Fund.  Investment Objective The primary investment objective of the world mining fund Scheme is to seek capital appreciation by investing predominantly in the units of BlackRock Global Funds & World Mining Fund (BGF - WMF).   Investment Process This Fund of Fund scheme invests in the units of the BGF World Mining Fund.  BGF World Mining Fund invests in the equity securities of mining and metals companies worldwide, predominantly in producing base metals and industrial minerals.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in copper stocks at 17.60% and Gold, which accounts for roughly 15.30% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 75% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th February 2023. Source: DSP MF Top 5 Holdings Name Weightage % Bhp Group Ltd 8.80 Vale Sa 7.60 Glencore Plc 7.60 Teck Resources Ltd 5.20 Freeport-McMoRan Inc 4.90 Note: Data as of 28th February 2023. Source: DSP MF Performance If you had invested 10,000 at the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs 16,093.  Note: Data as of 31st March. 2023. Source: DSP MF Since its inception, the fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 4.75%.  Fund Manager at DSP World Mining Fund Jay Kothari  Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist - Jay has been with DSP Asset Managers since May 2005 and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Jay joined the firm as a Sales team (Banking) member in May 2005. He has a total work experience of 19 years and has been managing this scheme since March 2013. Before joining DSPAM, Jay worked for Standard Chartered Bank for a year in the Priority Banking division. Jay completed his Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance & International Finance) from Mumbai University and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Jay is currently the Dedicated Fund Manager for overseas investments for the following schemes of DSP Mutual Fund.  Who should invest in DSP World Mining Fund?  Consider this fund if you:  Strongly believe in the future growth potential of international mining, metals & industrial companies.  Have the sectoral understanding to 'extract value' from changing international mining, metals & industrial sector cycles.  Value international diversification & want to hedge your bets.  Informed investors who can take a tactical view of the sector & know when to enter & exit.  This scheme is suitable for investors seeking Long-term capital growth and investment in units of overseas funds that invest primarily in equity and equity-related securities of mining companies.  Why invest in this Fund?  Offers the potential to grow your wealth by investing in the global mining sector.  Get access to sector-leading companies that are difficult to invest in directly for Indian investors.  It can generate high returns in the short term if the investor can take tactical bets & know when to enter & exit.  Time Horizon:  One should look at investing for at least ten years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion The DSP World Mining Fund has existed for more than ten years and has delivered a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 16.63% over the last five years. Thus, it is the best option for investors seeking long-term capital growth and investment in units of overseas funds that invest primarily in equity and equity-related securities of mining companies with high risks. Investors need to stay invested long-term to witness the benefits of compounding.  Disclaimer:This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.
UTI Small Cap Fund

UTI Small Cap Fund

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is among the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The UTI Mutual Fund offers products across asset classes.   UTI Small Cap Fund Investment objective The scheme aims to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of small-cap companies.  Investment process   The fund would follow a bottom-up approach for stock picking following a value investment style, and it is an open-ended equity scheme predominantly investing in small-cap stocks. The fund is well-diversified and aims to exploit the potential growth opportunities of small-cap and select mid-cap companies. Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in small-cap stocks at 77%, and significant sectoral exposure is to Capital Goods, which accounts for 17.10% of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold more than 60% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: UTIMF Top 5 Holdings for UTI Small Cap Fund  Name Sector Weightage % Karur Vysya Bank Ltd. Financials 2.71 Carborundum Universal Ltd. Metals & Mining 2.49 Brigade Enterprises Ltd. Construction 2.22 Timken India Ltd. Capital Goods 2.08 Cera Sanitaryware Materials 2.01 Note: Data as of 28th February 2023. Source: UTIMF  Performance Since Inception  The UTI Small Cap Fund has given a return of -2.94% in one year, whereas the Nifty Small-cap 250 TRI has given a return of -6.03% for the corresponding period. The fund has generated a CAGR of 18.72% since inception in December 2020, whereas the Nifty Small-cap 250 TRI has given a return of 21.91% for the same period. Hence the fund has performed better in the last year but underperformed its benchmark over the long term.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GWdNlDgVEIk Fund Manager  Mr. Ankit Agarwal manages the UTI Small Cap Fund. Mr. Ankit Agarwal joined UTI in August 2019. He has been designated as Fund Manager, managing UTI Mid Cap Fund. He has more than 12 years of experience. Before joining UTI, he worked with Lehman Brothers and Barclays Wealth and was associated with Centrum Broking Ltd. as Sr. Vice President. He graduated from the National Institute of Technology (B.Tech.) with a postgraduate degree in Management (PGDM) from IIM, Bangalore.  Who should invest?  Suitable for:   Investors looking for investment in a portfolio that invests predominantly in small-sized companies.  Investors with a high risk-taking ability and seeking to benefit from the potential high growth opportunity from a portfolio predominantly investing in small caps.   Why Invest?  The fund aims to exploit the potential growth opportunities of small-cap and select mid-cap companies.  A well-diversified portfolio of scalable businesses with a long growth runway.  Pursue a bottom-up stock selection approach to pick businesses with healthy financials and potential for the sustenance of margins over some time   UTI covers a large cross-section of companies in the small-cap universe. Coupled with robust investment processes, enables this fund to benefit from such opportunities.   The fund maintains a well-diversified portfolio and follows a patient approach toward companies in the portfolio.  Time Horizon  Ideal for investment with a time horizon of, preferably, five years or above   Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The UTI Small Cap Fund has underperformed against the benchmark over the long term, but it has performed better than the benchmark in the last year. So, investors should remain invested for a longer investment horizon to see the fund outperforming the benchmark. Hence, investors willing to take exposure to small-cap companies having strong growth potential can consider this fund with a long-term time horizon to see the fund outperforming the benchmark and witness the alpha generation. 
UTI Hybrid Fund

UTI Hybrid Fund

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is among the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The UTI Mutual Fund offers products across asset classes.   UTI Hybrid Equity Fund  Investment objective The scheme's primary objective is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of companies across the market capitalization spectrum. The fund also invests in debt and money market instruments to generate regular income.   Investment Process   The scheme proposes to invest in equity and equity-related instruments across market capitalization and follow a blend of growth and value-based approaches. The equity portfolio of the scheme shall be constructed around companies evaluated based on though not limited to, cash flow generation, RoCEs/ RoEs, and good management track record. The fund uses a bottom-up and top-down approach with an emphasis on the microeconomic factor of the underlying business.  Source: UTI MF Portfolio Composition  As a hybrid fund, the funds are allocated to equity, long-term debts, government securities, NCA, and INVIT. The equity fund allocated 68% to large-cap funds, 21% to mid-cap, and 11% go into small-cap.   Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: UTIMF Top 5 Holdings for UTI Hybrid Equity Fund  Name Sector  % HDFC Bank Ltd. Banking 6.5% ICICI Bank Ltd Banking 5.67% Infosys Ltd IT 4.68% Larsen & Toubro Ltd Construction 3.95% ITC Ltd IT 3.77% Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: UTIMF  Performance Since Inception  Note: Fund performance since launch; Inception Date – 2nd Jan. 1995. Source: UTIMF Fund Manager  V Srivatsa: Mr. V. Srivatsa is an Executive Vice President & Fund Manager of equity at UTI AMC Ltd. He is a B. Com graduate, C.A., CWA, and has a PGDM from IIM, Indore. He has been with UTI AMC since 2002. Before joining UTI, he worked with Ford, Rhodes Parks & Co., Chartered Accountants for two years, and as an Officer-Audit in Madras Cements Ltd. He started in the securities research department at UTI AMC, covering varied sectors such as Information Technology, Capital goods, and metals. He was promoted as fund manager offshore in December 2005 after a three-year stint in the DOSR. He was given additional responsibilities for the equity portion of hybrid funds in October 2009. He reports to the Head – Of equities for both the domestic & hybrid equity schemes.  Who Should Invest?  Investors who are seeking long-term capital appreciation.  Investors looking to diversify through a portfolio mix of equity (for growth) and debt for (limiting downside)  UTI Hybrid Equity Fund suits investors with a moderate risk appetite and a long-term investment horizon.  Why Invest?  Around 27 years of Performance track record  Portfolio diversification with a Distinct asset class of equity & debt helps attain diversification for the portfolio.  Quality Portfolio mix of equity & debt Focus on established large-cap names & quality debt papers.  Horizon  Ideal for investors with a time horizon of five years and above.   Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The equity portion of the fund's portfolio is managed actively with a bottom-up stock-picking approach, while the debt portion is managed with a focus on credit quality and liquidity. The fund has performed consistently with a CAGR of more than 14% with moderate risk. Hence, investors looking to generate wealth without aggressive risk can consider this fund. 
DSP Top 100 Equity Fund

DSP Top 100 Equity Fund

One of the largest AMCs in India, DSP has been helping investors make sound investment decisions responsibly and unemotionally for over 25 years. DSP is backed by the DSP Group, an almost 160-year-old Indian financial giant.  The family behind DSP has been very influential in the growth and professionalization of capital markets and the money management business in India over the last one-and-a-half centuries.   DSP Top 100 Equity Fund  Investment Objective The primary investment objective is to seek to generate long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio substantially constituted of equity and equity-related securities of large-cap companies.  Investment Process   Top 100 Equity Fund invests in companies from among the top 100 in India- large, well-known leaders in their respective sectors.  These companies have proven business models with solid track records of performance.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds significant exposure in large-cap stocks at 89.5%, and major sectoral exposure is to Banks, which account for more than 23% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 70% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: DSP MF Top 5 Holdings  Name Weightage % ICICI Bank Limited 9.82 Axis Bank Limited 7.53 Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited 6.77 Power Grid Corporation of India Limited 5.03 Cipla Limited 4.78 Note: 31st March 2023. Source: DSP Mutual Fund Performance  If you had invested 10,000 at the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs 27,245. Note: Data as of 31st March 2023. Source: DSP M Since its inception, the fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 10.27%.  Fund Manager  Abhishek Singh has been managing this fund since June 2022 as a Co-Fund Manager. Abhishek has a total work experience of 11 years. Abhishek joined DSP investment managers in January 2021. His prior experience includes working in Kotak Mahindra Investments Limited and EdelCap Securities Limited. He has done B-Tech from IIT Kanpur and PGDM from IIM Lucknow  Jay Kothari has been managing this fund since August 2018 as a Co-Fund Manager. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist -Jay has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005 and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Before joining DSPIM, Jay worked for Standard Chartered Bank for a year in the Priority Banking division. Jay completed his Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance & International Finance) from Mumbai University and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Who Should Invest in DSP Small Cap Fund?  Consider this fund if you -  Are a first-timer or a relatively new equity market investor?  Accept that equity investing means risk exposure.  Have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  Recognize market falls as good opportunities to invest more.  Why Invest in this Fund?  Fund offers the potential to grow your wealth by owning a quality portfolio of businesses.  It can help you beat the impact of rising prices over the long term.  It can be a suitable choice for your portfolio.  Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least five years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Top 100 Equity Fund has a proven track record of more than 18 years, where it has delivered a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 10.27%. It has underperformed the benchmark over the long term. Hence, investors need to remain invested longer in seeing the fund outperform the benchmark. Thus, investors looking to invest in large-cap funds for at least five years to generate high returns can consider this fund. 
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