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HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd. (HDFC AMC) is one of the largest mutual fund companies in India. It is among one of the most profitable asset management companies (AMC) in the country. The company manages assets worth Rs. 4,32,084.97 crores as of Mar 31, 2022. Let us talk about the consumer product – HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund. HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund Investment objective To provide long-term capital appreciation/income from a dynamic mix of equity and debt investments. Investment process The fund follows the following investment strategy 1. Equity Portfolio Construction Active management of equity portfolio focusing on stock selection. The process is based on the troika of quality assessment, earnings outlook, and valuations, with equal importance to each criterion. Additionally, positioning across sectors/market capitalization is given due importance and risk mitigation is achieved through appropriate sizing of exposure 2. Debt Portfolio Construction Active management of debt portfolio focusing on managing credit risk. The fixed-income investment philosophy emphasizes Safety, Liquidity, and Returns (SLR) in that order. Portfolio Composition The portfolio holds the major exposure in equity at 60% and the sectoral major exposure is Financials which accounts for roughly one-fifth of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 43% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Jan 2023.Source: Value Research Online Top 5 Holdings for HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund NameWeightage %HDFC Bank4.87State Bank of India4.57Coal India4.31ICICI Bank4.31NTPC3.46Note: Data as of 31st Jan 2023.Source: Value Research Online Performance Fund name1Y3Y5Y7Y10YHDFC Balanced Advantage Direct-Growth (%)17.7720.6412.5615.4715.33VR Balanced TRI* (%)7.4415.2511.3613.0712.13Hybrid: Dynamic Asset Allocation* (%)6.9611.688.6510.4711.69Data as on 03-Mar-2023; *As on 05-Mar-2023Note: Returns over 1 year are annualizedSource: Value Research Online Fund managers Mr. Srinivasan Ramamurthy (Since July 29, 2022) - Fund Manager – Equity - Collectively over 15 years of experience in equity research and fund management. Mr. Gopal Agrawal (Since July 29, 2022) - Collectively over 17 years of experience in Fund Management and 2 years in Equity Research Mr. Anil Bamboli (Since July 29, 2022) - Senior Fund Manager - Fixed Income - Collectively over 27 years of experience in Fund Management and Research, Fixed Income Dealing. Mr. Priya Ranjan (Since May 01, 2022) - Collectively over 15 years of experience. Senior Equity Analyst and Fund Manager for Overseas Investments Mr. Arun Agarwal (Since October 06, 2022) - Senior Fund Manager - Collectively over 23 years of experience in equity, debt, and derivative dealing, fund management, internal audit, and treasury operations. Mr. Nirman S. Morakhia (Since February 15, 2023) - Fund Manager and Dealer – Equities Who should invest in HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund? Investors looking to invest in an equity portfolio without the very high risk and with a differentiated portfolio strategy that is well diversified in terms of asset class, and can take bets depending on the overall macro-economic environment. Why invest in this Fund? BAFs are multi-dimensional in nature. When a market is overvalued, it inherits the qualities of a hybrid mutual fund scheme, with the ability to minimize equity exposure to up to 30%. Whereas, when a market is undervalued, BAFs can raise equity exposure to up to 80 percent. In stock, picking funds emphasizes earnings growth prospects, management, valuation, macro trends, etc., and is agnostic to market capitalization and does not have sectoral bias. Lastly, investors experience the optimum advantages of both asset classes ─ equity and debt. Horizon One should look at investing for a minimum of three years or more. Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market. INVEST IN THE FUND Conclusion The HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund is one of the oldest funds with a track record of nearly three decades and has delivered over 15% CAGR since its launch. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take some additional risk for good returns over a long-term spectrum. DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.

With the rising demand and value of knowledge, education is getting expensive every year. The inflation in education is possibly higher than household inflation which is deterring the financial preparedness of parents for an aspirational and defined event like education. Talking of the primary school, per the data of NSSO (National Sample Survey Office), the annual expenditure on the private child has increased by a whopping 200% over the last ten years. In contrast, the higher education expense has been more amplified during the period. Thus, it is essential to have a dedicated financial strategy in place for education as one has it for retirement. It would help if you base your strategy on the basis of needs, and implement it with a sound investment portfolio so that over the long term, during your child's education (India or abroad), the cash flow doesn't become difficult in your pocket. Plan for your child's future needs 1. Know the cost The most fundamental problem for a parent is not knowing or understanding the total cost that will be incurred in his/her child's education. Given that education inflation is much higher than household inflation, it is crucial to assess the cost of education as the necessary first step. To estimate the cost, a parent should look out for an answer to the following questions - Which country do you want to study in? (for example, US, UK, Canada, etc.) What degree are you targeting – bachelors or Master's? What type of college are you targeting? (example, rank between 1-5, 5-25, etc.) Which course/discipline are you looking at? (for example, Management, Engineering, etc.) What is the tuition fees currently of the selected college? What will be the future value of the tuition fees when your child goes for education? To give a simple estimate, a post-graduate program in IIMs during 2010 was in the range of Rs 4-6 Lakhs. A decade later, the program is costing around Rs 22-25 Lakhs. The same program is likely to cost nearly a fortune a decade from now. Even if the rise in the cost is pegged at 5%, the cost increases to 40 Lakhs for your child's education at a premier university. Now, another essential cost that parents tend to miss is the cost of living. The living cost has been rising exponentially, and thus it would be useful to add to the tuition cost provided the accommodation is not likely to be provided by the university. While the dynamics of the universities may change in a decade or two from now but it is always better to be over-prepared than to be under-prepared and scout for funding options at the eleventh hour using illiquid assets such as real estate. Thus, it is advisable to add the cost of living that is likely to be incurred should your child go to another city/country for his/her bachelor' and/or Masters' degree. 2. Investing in mutual funds for a child's education It goes on without saying that mutual funds have been gaining traction over the past few decades and the burgeoning size of the assets under management has made people think of the investment vehicle. Also, with declining or unfavorable returns on instruments such as fixed deposits, provident funds, and the like, the most lucrative option remains - mutual funds. However, not all mutual funds would be able to help you achieve your target. Thus, you need to plan as per your risk appetite so that you do not derail from the track of your defined event. The following are some tips to get started Make investment your habit. Similar to how you would pay your EMI and bills on time every month, put aside a small amount every month for different goals. The method is called a systematic investment plan. A SIP works best for both - salaried and business class. Now, how do you get how much to invest? Well, it is not very complicated as you may think and neither every number will help you get there. All you need is an investment advisor who can analyze and plan your personal finance. Similar to how Doctor is for a patient, the advisor is for an investor. The advisor focuses on your income, expenses, dependents, liabilities, time horizon, goal amount, and the like to arrive at a risk profile. Based on the risk tolerance, the advisor helps you shortlist the funds that will suit your risk profile. Benefits of investing by way of SIP By investing through SIPs, you will do away with the burden of timing the market as you could then avail the benefit of Rupee Cost Averaging. By investing through SIP, you will tend to invest in the up-market and the down-market. This helps you shy away from the volatility of the market. Additionally, you will benefit from the power of compounding, which fundamentally generates returns not only on capital but returns also. How do you choose the funds for your Child's Education? Deciding to invest in mutual funds is only the first step. Selecting which fund to invest in is a broader choice to make. Hence, you must research how to invest in mutual funds, which funds have delivered remarkable historical returns over the long term, how much risk you can afford, and what your investment horizon is. The choice must be made depending upon your specific requirements of generating adequate corpus in the long term to fund your child's education. You must carefully keep a check on the following before you make your decision- Look at the time that you have to stay invested in a fund to achieve your target amount. If you have more than ten years in hand, you can consider investing fully in equities as it offers the highest growth potential. However, if you have between 5 and 10 years in hand, it might be more suitable to opt for a balance between equity and hybrid funds. Instead of investing in just a single fund, diversify your investments across at least two or three different funds. Closer to the horizon, consider shifting from equity to debt funds and lastly when you reach very close to the goal, consider capital protection as objective and not appreciation and look for safer funds such as liquid funds. When should you plan? “I made my first investment at age eleven. I was wasting my life up until then” -    Ace Investor Warren Buffet When it comes to investing, starting early is the key to ensuring that you're financially secure. For instance, if you start saving at the birth of your child, in 18 years by investing only 21K per month, you can accumulate as much as Rs 1.5 crore which should suffice for the global education of your child (assuming 12% annual returns). To sum up, the following are the key points on how to put mutual funds in the task of your child's education planning - The cost of education is rising. Thus, it is crucial to start saving at an earlier date to avoid a future financial burden. Do not mix insurance with investment - as you would have seen in multiple cases. Insurance provides risk management, whereas mutual funds provide returns. The financial strategy of investing in a mutual fund is a combination of time, risk appetite, income level, and target amount. Investing regularly helps keep the market volatility at bay and inculcates investment discipline in your savings plan. FAQs How to invest in mutual funds for child education?   Deciding to invest in mutual funds is only the first step. Selecting which fund to invest in is a broader choice to make. Hence, you must research how to invest in mutual funds, which funds have delivered remarkable historical returns over the long term, how much risk you can afford, and what your investment horizon is.   Where can I invest money in education?   It goes on without saying that mutual funds have been gaining traction over the past few decades, and the burgeoning size of the assets under management has made people think of the investment vehicle. Also, with declining or unfavorable returns on instruments such as fixed deposits, provident funds, and the like, the most lucrative option remains – mutual funds. However, not all mutual funds would be able to help you achieve your target. Thus, you need to plan as per your risk appetite so that you do not derail from the track of your defined event.  What is the best investment for kids?   By investing through SIPs, you will do away with the burden of timing the market as you could then avail the benefit of Rupee Cost Averaging. By investing through SIP, you will tend to invest in the up and down markets. This helps you shy away from the volatility of the market. Additionally, you will benefit from the power of compounding, which fundamentally generates returns not only on capital but also on returns.   Is SIP good for child education?   With the rising demand and value of knowledge, education is getting expensive yearly. Make investment your habit. Similar to how you would pay your EMI and bills on time every month, put aside a small amount every month for different goals. The method is called a systematic investment plan. A SIP works best for both – salaried and business class.   Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) are close-ended debt funds that are investible for pre-defined lock-in periods. The tenure for different Fixed Maturity Plans can vary based on the time horizon for which the investment is made, ranging from 30 days to 5 years. Many investors, especially those who are just starting their investment journey, are on the lookout for low-risk instruments that provide consistent returns. For individuals who are risk-averse, Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) might be an option worth considering. To invest in FMPs, the way to go is through NFOs (New fund offers) or via companies that provide asset management services, making their investment at NFO. Fixed Maturity Plans mainly consist of debt instruments like treasury bills, corporate and government bonds, commercial papers, non-convertible debentures, securitized debt instruments, and certificates of deposit. The main purpose of this plan is to shield investors from interest-rate fluctuations and provide consistent returns. Moreover, FMPs are known for offering better returns than bank fixed deposits (FDs). Characteristics of Fixed Maturity Plans The silent features of Fixed Maturity Plans are as follows: Close-ended scheme: The schemes are close-ended because individuals can invest in these plans only by subscribing to NFOs where a given number of Net Asset Value (NAV) units are issued against the funds. These NAV units are tradeable in the stock market like any other script/share.  Portfolio composition: Fixed Maturity Plans are curated to alleviate the effects of stock market volatility and the interest rate risk on the portfolio. This is possible mainly in the case of debt securities. Interest-rate sensitivity: FMPs are less susceptible to interest-rate fluctuations because extended maturity periods stabilize interest rates in the long run. Quality of assets: The debt instruments issued by big and reputable companies play a significant role. Given their command in the market, these companies can offer good returns on their tools. Besides, fund managers and portfolio managers also have the incentive to choose from the available investments to maximize the returns on FMPs. Lock-in period: Fund withdrawal during the tenure of the investment scheme is not possible. Apart from this, investments in Fixed Maturity Plans are made only once, i.e., a flat sum. The main aim of such rules and regulations is to ensure ample time for the returns to exhibit the magic of compounding. Advantages of fixed maturity plans There are multiple benefits that are associated with investing in Fixed Maturity Plans Lower-risk: The risk associated with FMPs is considered to be lower than several other investment options. The investment is deemed secure because FMPs primarily target the debt securities that well-known listed companies issue in the market. FMPs are backed by high ratings given by renowned credit rating institutions. Investment in highly rated instruments also reduces the risk of default. These plans provide a balance to investors by protecting their capital and acting as defensive investments. Stability: Due to less exposure to equity volatility and lower interest rate risk, these funds fluctuate less than the markets. These plans become attractive to investors in recessionary times because of the safety of capital and the returns offered under the circumstances. Disadvantages of Fixed Maturity plans Lower yields: By now, we all know that higher rewards are linked with higher risks. The returns on these plans are lower than the equity benchmarks as the rate of interest stays the same for the entire timeframe of the investment. Less liquidity: The lock-in period of FMPs means that the investments cannot be withdrawn before maturity. This lack of liquidity might prove to be an inconvenience for some investors. Tax liabilities on FMPs FMPs attract STCG (Short Term Capital Gains) or LTCG (Long Term Capital Gains) tax depending upon the time horizon of the investment. Any investment in FMP is short-term if the lock-in is less than three years and investors are liable to pay STCG based on the income tax slab they belong to. Returns on investments with a lock-in period of more than three years attract LTCG at 20% after indexation adjustments. Indexation incorporates rising prices in the economy, thereby resulting in tax benefits for the investors. Other than the taxes on the appreciated value of the investments, the FMPs with dividend options also require investors to bear the DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) on the dividends that they receive during their investment. Who should consider investing in FMPs? Every investment option has some characteristic that makes it suitable for particular groups of people. In the case of FMPs, their low-risk feature makes them ideal for investors who are unwilling to take risks associated with the stock market. The comparatively stable returns and capital protection give the investors a sense of comfort. Additionally, the total returns are usually known beforehand because the interest rates of the underlying funds are known at the time of issuance itself. The security of these returns also allows investors to plan financially for these investments. Those who are highly risk-averse often put their entire capital into FMPs, whereas the investors looking for portfolio diversification allot a certain percentage of their capital to such funds. FMPs work well for those looking to mitigate the risk without compromising too much on the returns. FAQs What are Fixed Maturity Plans? FMPs are close-ended debt funds that are investible for pre-defined lock-in periods. The tenure for different Fixed Maturity Plans can vary based on the time horizon for which the investment is made, ranging from 30 days to 5 years. Who should consider investing in FMPs? In the case of FMPs, their low-risk feature makes them ideal for investors who are unwilling to take risks associated with the stock market. What are the advantages of fixed maturity plans? Lower-risk: The risk associated with FMPs is considered to be lower than several other investment options. The investment is deemed secure because FMPs primarily target the debt securities that well-known listed companies issue in the market. FMPs are backed by high ratings given by renowned credit rating institutions. Investment in highly rated instruments also reduces the risk of default. These plans provide a balance to investors by protecting their capital and acting as defensive investments. Stability: Due to less exposure to equity volatility and lower interest rate risk, these funds fluctuate less than the markets. These plans become attractive to investors in recessionary times because of the safety of capital and the returns offered under the circumstances. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Families should know how they can use scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid to reduce the amount of abroad education loan debt they have taken so that the pressure to repay the loan diminishes to a certain extent.  These are challenging times for students and their parents regarding education costs, especially if the child wants to pursue a study course in an overseas college. Although most families in these circumstances have to take out an abroad education loan, they can get the help of generous financial aid that can later reduce the amount of the loan debt. What are the different Financial Aids available to Students? Financial aid refers to the funding that does not come from a student's or his family's personal savings and earnings. It includes scholarships, grants, and work-study jobs from community organizations, high schools, colleges, state agencies, corporations, foundations, etc. 1. Grants Grants are financial aid given by a government, foundation, or company to a student to felicitate a specific goal, such as funding overseas education. Grants are monetary awards or gifts based on financial need and generally do not have to be paid back.  2. Scholarships Scholarships are similar to grants in terms of repayment because you do not have to pay them back. Scholarships, however, are based on several factors besides financial need, which is undoubtedly an important reason.  Scholarship eligibility, in most cases, is based on the goal or objective of the individual or the entity funding this monetary reward. Most student-related scholarship programs look for a strong academic record, specific artistic skills, career goals, sports prowess, ethnic background, entrepreneurial interests, and voluntary experience.  The Indian government provides financial aid through scholarships to interested candidates who want to study abroad. Check the official website to know whether you qualify for the scholarship program and how much money this financial aid will offer. 3. Work-study Programs / Student Employment All students can work reasonable hours during their academic year, irrespective of their financial background. They have to take prior permission and inform the universities beforehand.  Work-study Program is a type of financial aid that helps students to get a job on campus or college-sponsored jobs. It is a need-based financial help that allows students to earn additional money.  All the wages earned are paid directly to the students, which they can use for any additional or personal expenses.  4. Banks, Universities, Private Organizations, or Non-Profits Financial institutions, private institutions or non-profits, and the universities where the student has applied for the study course also offer scholarships and grants to students who have done exceptionally well or need additional monetary support.  Important scholarship funds attached to prominent universities are in the form of federal and state grants, endowment funds, and gifts from alums. There are also scholarship programs established by generous donors and alumni for students who are doing exceptionally well in specific fields of study or sports etc. How to use Financial aid alternatives to reduce loan debt amount? Students should keep on making inquiries about the various financial aid that they are eligible for and visit the websites of both private and government organizations along with the university they want to study.  Grants are a kind of free money without any strings attached, whereas scholarships might be merit-based, and the students would have to fulfill the terms of the set criteria. Both of them can be applied towards academic bills like tuition money and study materials etc. so that the student has to use considerably less loan amount.  The student often uses the work-study amount for additional expenses that need to be covered, like study tours, food expenses, or travel costs. A student can spend this money on things he deems fit.  Once the student becomes eligible for financial aid and is offered a monetary reward, he should inform the loan officer about the money. Both need-based and merit-based aid given to the student will go a long way in reducing the actual amount that must be paid as the abroad loan debt.  Conclusion Hope this blog answers your queries about how to reduce the abroad education loan debt with help of scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid.  Counselors at the Edufund App offer expert advice that can prove a blessing in managing the loan debt by getting access to the necessary financial aid and thus minimizing the actual loan amount that has to be paid eventually. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Every year, schools increase their annual fees in India. The average school fees in India range between Rs. 50,000 to 1,00,000 per annum. The increase in response to the rising cost of all goods and services (that is the result of education inflation!). It’s tough to keep up with these costs, especially in a competitive world where your child deserves all the advantages they can amass. Since education is unavoidable and an integral aspect of a child’s development, here are some tips to save for your child’s school fees. 5 ways to save for your kid's dream college! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N6RKPu_zoY8 1. Cut costs and budget Cost cutting and budgeting is the first step to saving. Create a monthly budget, and find out how much you need to cover your major expenses like rent, utilities, emails, travel, and food. Once you know where your money is going, you will be able to control your expenses and figure out the areas where you overspend and where you can cut costs! Removing small expenses from your budget can make a huge difference in your overall budget. Cost of School Education in India Read More 2. Government schemes and scholarships Another way to deal with the rising school fees is to make use of government scholarships and schemes. Schemes like the PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme (Yasasvi), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao schemes, and Girls Hostel Scheme for available for young children and encourage them to access quality education. There are other schemes like sibling discounts that private schools may offer if you enroll more than one child at their schools, this can either be in the form of fee waivers or concessions. Apply for Scholarships 3. Passive income Creating passive income is a great way to save up for your child’s school fees. Passive incomes can help you take care of small and big expenses Some quick ways to generate a passive income stream is by renting a spare room, apartment floor, or your car. Take up consultancy jobs or freelancing to create a secondary income that can over time become a passive income for you and your family. 4. Stocks: Indian and US Investing is another option for parents whose children are in school. Investing in stocks can help you expand your savings and beat inflation. Investing in us stocks offers even more benefits – it is an opportunity to invest in big companies with global reach and get returns in dollars. Stocks are risky instruments and the potential to gain is as high as loss – understand the risk and consult professionals before investing your life savings. 5. Mutual Funds Mutual funds are a great way to save up for the future education is a definite event and you need to save for a child’s fees. Mutual funds offer great returns and are highly liquid-able which means you can withdraw your money whenever you want but be aware of the exit fees that may be charged on premature exit. Consult a professional to find out the best mutual funds, and explain your time horizon, risk appetite, and how much you can spare monthly. Once you know these answers, you can invest in the funds based on your financial goals! Start Investing in Mutual Funds 6. Public provident funds It's always good to balance your portfolio. If you are investing in risky instruments then consider tools like PPF, FDs, or RDs to save up some school fees or other expenses. You can use the interest generated on these instruments to pay for certain expenses. These are risk-free investments with fixed interest rates which makes them ideal for long-term risk-averse individuals! To avoid financial worries later, start saving sooner! Connect with the best advisors from EduFund to make saving and investing easier for your child’s higher education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQlg-E5rhBM&t=4s FAQs How to save for your kid's school fees? There are many ways to save for your kid's school fees. Some of them are investing for your child's education expenses, you can use mutual funds, US stocks, and Indian stocks, and even opt for FDs and PPF schemes. Another is to look for schemes and scholarships that can help you reduce the cost of studying at schools and colleges. Why are school fees increasing rapidly? The reason why school fees are rising is due to education inflation, privatization, lack of government control, demand for private schools, and high competition. As Ashneer Grover said, the demand for coveted schools is higher than the current supply, which gives existing schools an advantage in terms of raising their fees and demanding high annual tuition every year. What is the best way to save for your child's school? The best way is to start a SIP in a mutual fund that can help you manage the costs of your child's education. EduFund offers class-wise buckets for saving for school fees. So if your child is in 5th grade and you want to invest then you can choose the 5th grade investment bucket designed by experts and start saving.

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   Let us talk about the consumer product: DSP World Agriculture Fund.  About the DSP World Agriculture Fund  Investment objective The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to seek capital appreciation by investing predominantly in units of BlackRock Global Funds - Nutrition Fund (BGF - NF).  The Scheme may, at the discretion of the Investment Manager, also invest in the units of other similar overseas mutual fund schemes, which may constitute a significant part of its corpus. It shall be noted, similar overseas mutual fund schemes shall have investment objectives, investment strategies, and risk profiles/considerations similar to those of BGF-NF. The Scheme may also invest a certain portion of its corpus in money market securities and/ or money market/liquid schemes of DSP Mutual Fund, in order to meet liquidity requirements from time to time.   Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds major exposure in ingredients that account for roughly 15% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 53% of the portfolio Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Top ten holdings DSP World Agriculture Fund Name Weightage % Deere & Co 4.9% FMC Corporation 4.8% Graphic Packaging Holding Co 4.7% Agco Corporation 4.4% Symrise AG 4.2% Salmar ASA 4.2% Zoetis Inc 4.2% Barry Callebaut AG 4.2% Grocery Outlet Holding Corp 4.1% Koninklijke DSM NV 4.1% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF Performance Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 6% since its inception.  Fund manager  Mr. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist has been managing the fund since March 2013. He is the dedicated Fund Manager for overseas investments and has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005, and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Jay joined the firm as a member of the Sales team (Banking) in May 2005. Prior to 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, followed by an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Who should invest in DSP World Agriculture Fund?  Experienced Investors with a well-set core portfolio, looking to diversify no more than 10-15% of portfolio internationally.  Investors who strongly believe in the future growth potential of international agriculture-related companies and also have the sectoral understanding to 'extract value' from changing international agriculture sector cycles.   Investors looking for international diversification, especially in US companies & wanting to hedge portfolios.  Investors have the patience and mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more and not look to chase the highest returns.  Why invest in this fund?  Offers the potential to grow your wealth by investing in the global agriculture & agri-related sectors.  Get access to sector-leading companies that are difficult to invest in directly for Indian investors like Koninklijke DSM, Tractor Supply Company, Costco Wholesale Corp, Kerry Group, Nestle, etc.   Time horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 10 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 Agriculture Fund was launched in October 2011, and in its track record of eleven years, the fund has delivered ~6% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take international equity exposure in the portfolio with an agriculture bias and wants to remain invested for a longer period.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

I came across a folklore about Mahabharat some time ago about how did Draupadi come to have 5 husbands. The story told that Draupadi had asked Shiva for a husband who was noble and strong, skilled with the bow, handsome and wise. Since no single man could possess all five traits, Shiva gave her five husbands, each with one trait. Just like it’s hard to find all your favorite qualities in one person, it is impossible to find them in one single stock. The solution here is mutual funds! It is the only investment option that gives you multiple benefits such as higher returns, lower risk, professional management, no lock-in, and low-ticket size.   What is a Mutual Fund?  The concept of mutual funds is very simple. Suppose I am a person who has a small investible amount but I do not know how to invest and generate good returns. Hence, I need some professional help. But the amount with me is so little that I won’t be able to get any professional help because the professional fees themselves would exceed the returns.   Like me, there are many people who have small amounts available with them but either doesn’t know how to invest or they don’t have resources such as time or information. In that case, such potential investors come together, collect their money, give it to a professional manager, and ask him to invest it on their behalf so that it can generate good returns and promise to pay him his fees from the return so generated. In order words, they make investments in mutual funds to get a profit.   A mutual fund is a trust that pools the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal. It manages the investor's money by investing in securities to generate a return and charges its fees from that return generated and the remaining return is passed on to the investors. The only difference between the actual concept and the example given above is that instead of many people coming together and selecting a professional fund manager, the mutual fund collects the money from all the investors in real life. Types of Mutual Funds  There are different types of mutual funds based on various criteria. But on the basis of securities in which the funds are invested, there are broadly 3 types viz. Equity Mutual Funds, Debt Mutual Funds, and Hybrid Mutual Funds. In equity mutual funds, the funds are invested in the shares of various companies. This is suitable for long-term investments to generate higher returns. On the other hand, in debt mutual funds the funds are invested in debt securities of various corporations, government bonds, etc, that carry relatively lesser risk but also have very little potential for returns. And hybrid mutual funds invest in both equity and debt mutual funds so that you get returns better than debt mutual funds and take risk lesser than equity mutual funds Benefits of Mutual Funds  Higher Returns: Equity Mutual Funds have the potential to beat inflation and offer returns higher than FD, Gold, and Real Estate over the long term.  Lower risks: Since one mutual fund invests small amounts in various securities, your risk reduces because your money is not invested in a single security. This is called as reduction of risk through “Diversification”.  Professional Management: In mutual funds, the money is managed by professional fund managers who have the experience, knowledge, and skills to manage large amounts of money.  No Lock-In: Most mutual funds do not have any lock-in period. However, in the case of equity mutual funds, an exit load of 1% is applicable if the units are redeemed within 1 year.  Low Ticket Size: Minimum amount for mutual fund investments can be as low as Rs.500 p.m. Risks and disadvantages of Mutual Funds  Market Risk: Since the amounts are invested in securities, there would always be a market risk howsoever small.  No Guarantee: There is no guarantee that you would get a minimum of this much return or that your principal is protected.  Management Risk: There is a risk that the fund manager may not perform well and would not be able to generate the requisite return.  Points to be considered while deciding Mutual Fund Schemes  AUM of the Mutual Fund and the Scheme: Check the AUM of the scheme and the mutual fund house. It is better to go with a mutual fund having a higher AUM than a smaller one.  Expense Ratio: Check the expense ratio of the scheme. The lower the expense ratio better it is to invest.  Experience of the Fund Manager: Consider the professional qualifications and experience of the fund manager in managing the funds as it plays a crucial role in the management of your investments.  The objective of the Scheme: Decide whether the objective of the mutual fund scheme is in line with your goal other wise you will have to suffer a financial loss.   Investments in mutual funds are an easy and apt way to enter the market. It helps investors grow their wealth without the added stress of additional payments or monitoring the market for gains. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Deciding which category of mutual funds to invest in can be tricky especially when there is a number of options available. But if you are someone who is looking for stable growth and unwilling to take too much risk at once, then high-dividend-yielding mutual funds are the category you should definitely have a look at!  What is High Dividend Yield Mutual Funds?  Before getting into what is high dividend yield mutual fund, let us first understand what dividend yield actually means. Companies distribute their profits to the shareholders by way of dividends. So, if I were to invest in any company, I need to know how much return I would generate if I invest today. That’s exactly what dividend yield is. It is nothing but a dividend paid per share as a percentage of the current market price of the share. High dividend yield mutual funds are basically funds that are looking to invest in those companies well known for such high dividend yield.  The objective of these funds is to predominantly invest in dividend-yielding stocks and generate regular income for its investors. Hence these are also known as Income Funds. These are open-ended equity funds which mean they are compulsorily required to invest a minimum of 65% of the total assets in equity. And generally, fund managers prefer those companies that have relatively stable earnings and higher dividend payout. Benefits of Investing in Dividend Yield Funds  Investing in Companies that generate profits: Since dividends can be paid only if the company has earned distributable profits, these schemes invest only in such companies that have a good track record of generating high profits and distributing them. Also, generally but not compulsorily, these are the large companies that pay consistent dividends such as ITC, HUL, Infosys, etc.   Regular Income: Investors can get steady income flows by investing in Dividend Yield Funds as companies generally maintain their range of dividend payments.  Capital Appreciation: While primarily the fund is focused on high dividend yield stocks providing regular income, it also has the potential for capital appreciation.  Reduced Volatility: Since the funds are invested in companies that generate high and consistent profits, the prices of the shares are relatively less volatile as compared to growth stocks and hence Dividend Yield Funds provide a good option to reduce the volatility of your portfolio.  Risks or Limitations of Dividend Yield Mutual Funds  Limited Capital Appreciation: Since the funds are invested in companies that give higher dividends, there is a limited scope of capital appreciation as compared to funds that invest in growth stocks.  Taxation of Dividend: Currently the dividend is taxed in the hands of investors but if in the future the same is taxed in the hands of companies then the returns of the Dividend Yield Funds would be impacted as companies would be reluctant to pay dividends.  Market Risk: Like all mutual fund investments, dividend yield mutual funds are subject to market risk.  Who should invest?  Considering the structure, benefits, and risks of the Dividend Yield Funds, it can be said that a person who is looking for steady income flows with limited growth potential and who does not want to take risks aggressively by investing in small companies such as pensioners or retired people can consider these funds.  List of High Dividend Yield Mutual Funds Following is the list of Dividend Yield Funds in India  *Data as on 03rd Feb. 2023, Source – AMFI, EduFund Research Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Education has become very expensive in India. SIP plans for child education are the solution! Statistics show that educational inflation is around 11% in the country today, and the cost of education is expected to soar in the future. A report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) during the period of 2008-14 stated that the annual cost of education burgeoned by 2.75 times when compared to 2008, whereas the per-capita income had only increased by 2.49 times, indicating the mismatch in the income growth and the increase in the cost of education. High tuition fees coupled with the difficulty of paying bills and staying independent cause highly qualified and bright minds to even refrain from applying to colleges. Tuition rates are increasing all over the world and are rising faster than the growth in per capita income. Looking at these expenses from an exchange rate perspective, rupee owners will always have a disadvantage in terms of the cost of overseas education due to our country’s current account balance, relative interest rates, and inflation which cause a weakening of the Rupee. In the near future, the trend would continue hence ballooning the fees even further. Investing is a mantra that can be followed to rise above the tide of this soaring educational inflation. A wealthy corpus is accumulated and the effects are more prominent when the investor starts saving at an earlier stage owing to the compounding effect. What is SIP?  SIP is a Systematic Investment Plan. It is a facility offered by mutual funds to investors to invest in a fund properly. With a SIP facility, investors can invest a fixed amount of money in pre-defined intervals.  SIP is the perfect method of investment for newcomers and risk-averse investors – it allows you to participate in the market without timing it or worrying about its highs & lows.   Note that the fixed amount of money can be as low as INR 500. The SIP route to investment is necessary as it helps you to invest in a time-bound manner. There is no need to worry about market dynamics when you are investing via SIPs.  Calculate Investment using SIP Calculator Reason to invest in Mutual Fund Scheme for child education 1. Reduce the financial burden This forms a habit of investment discipline by debiting a fixed amount from your bank account at every periodic interval. This also prevents a lump sum or a sudden outflow of money from your pocket, hence maintaining financial stability. 2. Start investing in small amounts Most SIPs start at a minimal amount of Rs 500, which enables the investors to save for their child’s future – one penny at a time. 3. Rupee cost averaging By investing through SIP, one can also benefit from rupee cost averaging – where the cost of purchasing a unit of the fund is averaged over the time horizon thus protecting its investors from volatile market conditions and price fluctuations. 4. Compounding effect Investors also benefit from the compounding of returns, where the returns earned on the invested capital are re-invested into the fund. Best SIP Mutual Funds Read More 5 Benefits of SIP Plans for Child Education   1. Compounding can help you become financially stable  SIP helps everyone make the best of their savings and lets one make the most of compounding. Compounding is when the initial interest earned on your investment starts earning interest over the years. It helps people with small sums of money generate a sizeable amount over the years. Compounding is a great way to meet your financial goals and retire with a healthy sum of money in your pocket.   2. Make the most of rupee cost averaging  Staying invested for long and consistently have its benefits. This benefit is called rupee cost averaging when your overall investment is protected from market fluctuations.   3. A common’s man way of investing  SIP is a method that is suitable for every investor. Whether you are a seasoned or a new investor, you can start a SIP and invest in funds that can help you with your financial goals. It is a common’s way of ensuring their future and helps them invest small sums of money.   4. SIP can help you stay financially disciplined  SIP makes investing easier and affordable for everyone. It is an EMI for your future funds and helps you consistently contribute to it. You can set up an auto-debit from your account so that you continue to invest. SIPs can be paused and even stopped based on your needs. It is a great way to contribute towards your financial goals without worrying yourself out.  5. SIP can be as little as Rs. 100  You can start a SIP for Rs. 100 or even Rs. 500. The choice is yours! Based on your needs and financial goals, your investment can be as little or as big as you want. You can gradually increase your SIP investments. Some mutual funds offer a Step-up option above a certain investment amount which means that as your salary grows, you can increase your investments as well.   How does the SIP calculator work? Read More Tax benefits of Mutual Fund Scheme for a child's future There are certain benefits when you invest via SIP. Starting a SIP in a tax saving like ELSS. This tax-saving fund has certain tax benefits. It also has a lock-in period of three years.   SIP plans in an ELSS fund from April to March (financial year) are eligible for Section 80C benefits for that fiscal year up to Rs.1.50 lakhs.  Top 10 SIP plans (mutual fund scheme) for child education Scheme Name1-Yr ReturnAUMProsConsAditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity FundExpense Ratio: 1.08%Min SIP Amount: Rs 10014.85% Rs 18,897.76 CrLower expense ratioAssets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 15,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. The investors should monitor the performanceAxis Long Term Equity Fund Expense Ratio:0.72%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50014.85% Rs 28,556.83 CrFund has higher 3-year and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.ELSS fund – Tax haven for 80CAssets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 20,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor their performance.Parag Parikh Flexi Cap FundExpense Ratio: 0.96%Min SIP Amount: Rs 100021.11%Rs 8,701.65 CrFund has higher 1-year, 3 years, and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.Low expense ratio.NoneSBI Equity Hybrid FundExpense Ratio: 0.97%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50012.20%Rs 38,080.12 CrFund has higher 1year, 3-year, and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.Low expense ratio.Assets Under Management (AUM) of the fund is greater than Rs 20,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor their performance.SBI Focused Equity FundExpense Ratio: 0.97%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50013.08%Rs 14,533.37 CrFund has higher 3-year 5 year and 10-year returns as compared to the category average.The fund has been in the market for over 10 years.High expense ratioAxis Bluechip FundExpense Ratio: 0.55%Min SIP Amount: Rs 500Rs 25,134.85 CrFund has higher 1-year 3-year and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.The expense ratio is on the lower end and the fund has no lock-in period.Assets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 20,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor their performance.L&T Midcap FundExpense Ratio: 0.77%Min SIP Amount:Rs 50067.18% ( 3 year = 7.25%)Rs 6,258.04 CrFund has higher 5-year returns as compared to the category average.The expense ratio is on the lower end.Assets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 5,000 Cr.When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor the performance.HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities FundExpense Ratio: 1.04%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50075.85% ( 3 year = 7.94%)Rs 25,779 CrFund has higher 5-year returns as compared to the category average.The expense ratio is on the lower endAssets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 5,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor their performance. Axis Small Cap FundExpense Ratio: 0.38% Min SIP Amount: Rs 50074.30% (3 year = 17.37%)Rs 4,724.14 CrFund has higher 3-year and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.The expense ratio is on the lower endNoneHDFC Small Cap FundExpense Ratio: 0.95%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50094.91% (3 year = 5.88%)Rs 10,024.44 CrFund has higher 3-year and 5-year returns as compared to the category average.The expense ratio is on the lower end.Assets Under Management (AUM) of the fund are greater than Rs 5,000 Cr. When a fund crosses a certain AUM threshold, the returns from the fund tend to decrease or stagnate. Investors should monitor their performance. Mistakes to avoid while investing in SIP plans  Here are some SIP plan mistakes that you should avoid as a new investor:  1. Investing in the wrong fund The most basic mistake in picking SIP plans is to invest in the wrong fund. This usually occurs when an investor is new and invests based on a friend’s advice or hearsay. It's important to do your own research, find out the fund house's previous performance, and the companies listed in the fund, and study its overall progress before starting any SIP plans. It's best to consult a professional before starting on this journey.    2. Investing a huge amount Many investors start strong but end up regretting it. Entering the market can be exciting and thrilling but you have to be careful where you are investing your hard-earned money towards. When picking up SIP plans, it is important to choose an amount you are comfortable spending and can consistently pay over the next couple of years to get the best returns possible.  3. Only for small investors or new investors This is a huge mistake while investing in SIP plans. Anyone can invest in SIP plans. Whether you are a financial advisor or a risk-averse investor, you can start a SIP for any amount and invest regularly. That is the beauty of SIP, it allows you to stay invested for a long at your own terms.   4. It is considered a short-term Investment SIP is not a short-term investment or a purely long-term investment method. It acts as both, the investor can decide how long they wish to stay invested, increase or decrease their SIP amount and even aim for big financial goals like a child’s education or retirement via SIP plans.   5. Not using the step-up SIP option Many investors do not increase their SIP amount and continue to invest at the same pace for a long duration. This is a huge mistake when selecting SIP plans and investing in them. As your income increases, it is important to increase your investments and SIP plan amount so that your financial goals are met in time and smoothly.  Which mutual fund scheme should you choose? Selecting the funds that are tailored to your investment requirement time horizon, income, target corpus, and risk appetite is the first critical step that you should take as a parent investing in your child’s education. One could start by investing in one fund and then diversifying to 2 or 3 funds by proportionately investing across the schemes. You should ideally aim for a smaller proportion of investments in small and mid-cap funds which bring in high returns (along with high volatility) and balance them with large-cap funds that have stable returns (lower than small and mid-cap). SIP calculator online for child education plans SIP calculator allows users to calculate and plan for child education. Users can calculate SIP over a period of time even before they start the investment process. SIP interest is based on compound interest. Just enter the amount you wish to invest and calculate your SIP. How to choose a mutual fund scheme for child education?  Choosing SIP plans depends on your financial goals. Ask yourself certain questions:   What are your long-term goals?  What are your short-term goals?  How much money do you wish to save for your retirement?  How much money can you save monthly and invest?  You can also consult a financial advisor who can help you create a financial plan to save for multiple goals and that can help you meet your daily wants and needs.   How to invest in SIP plans for child education on the EduFund App?  Step 1: Download and Sign up with EduFund  Go online with SIP plans with EduFund. Download the application and sign up with personal details. The whole signup process takes just 3 seconds.   Step 2: Identify your financial goals   The application provides a gamut of options for your child’s education. Evaluate the goal. You can save for short-term or long-term goals such as saving for school fees and saving for higher education in India or overseas. You can save for both simultaneously as well!   Step 3: Calculate the total cost with a FREE calculator  After identifying the goals, calculate the total costs of higher education for undergraduate or postgraduate studies.  You could calculate basing National or International academic education expectations. Select the specialization and the country you are seeking higher education.  Step 4: Get your investment map and invest  Soon after filing the details, you will get how much you could get after investing for the respective number of years. You will get a number of SIP plan suggestions that you could compare with yours.  You could increase or decrease the sum to invest monthly as per financials.  We provide an overview of your savings transitioning into returns until you get the investment sum. You could go for a lump sum payment if you are an entrepreneur with unstable finances.  Place the order as a secured investment through UPI or other methods. You could start with just ₹100 in Edufund SIP investments.  Step 5: Track, revisit and reset goals anytime  Once you set up a SIP plan, you can edit goals according to the revised economic situation. Edufund captures the sensitivity that comes with finances.  Revisit the plan and modify it as per goals and finances. You will get a new investment plan with new goals. Plan your savings accordingly.  Conclusion A financial strategy for your child’s education is an absolute necessity, given the high educational inflation that is prevailing in the world today. The strategy should factor in your income, target corpus, investment horizon, and risk appetite. Starting early in terms of investments lowers the financial burden in the future and helps you pave the path for your child’s dream career. There is no appropriate or right time to start investing in your child’s education because the right time is now. Note - The past track record of a fund is no guarantee of its future performance. FAQs Is SIP good for child education?  A SIP is a great way to save for your child’s education. You have the flexibility to select the amount and invest regularly in your chosen funds. You can also redraw the money when you need it or pause the SIP if you wish to do so. SIP is a systematic and disciplined way to save for your child’s future education.  Which mutual fund is best for child education?  Here are the top mutual funds that offer SIP for your child’s education:  Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund  Axis Long-Term Equity Fund  Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund  SBI Equity Hybrid Fund  SBI Focused Equity Fund  Can I open a SIP for my child?  Yes, you can start a SIP for your child. Download the EduFund App and select the funds you like and start investing. How can invest in SIP for kids?  Explore several saving options on the EduFund app to save for your child’s future. Select the funds that suit your risk appetite and your goals. Invest an amount you are comfortable with and start saving!   Which SIP is best for kids?  Here are some mutual funds that offer SIP investments starting at Rs. 100 or Rs. 500:   Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund   Axis Long-Term Equity Fund   Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund   SBI Equity Hybrid Fund   SBI Focused Equity Fund  Is a long-term SIP risky? Investing in SIP for the long term is highly effective and has lesser risk compared to making a lumpsum investment in mutual funds.  What is the best age to start a SIP? There is no right age to start a SIP. A systematic investment plan is a great tool to save for your child’s education. As many experts suggest, it is always beneficial when you have a long investment horizon, as it reduces the SIP amount needed to reach your goal. You need to invest early to have a long investment tenure. Investing early also may increase your returns on investment. TALK TO AN EXPERT DisclaimerMutual fund investments are subject to market risks and EduFund does not endorse any fund over another in this blog.

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   Let us talk about the consumer product – DSP Global Allocation Fund.  About the DSP Global Allocation Fund  Investment objective The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to seek capital appreciation by investing predominantly in units of BlackRock Global Funds - Global Allocation Fund (BGF - GAF). The Scheme may also invest in the units of other similar overseas mutual fund schemes which may constitute a significant part of its corpus. The Scheme may also invest a certain portion of its corpus in money market securities and/ or money market/liquid schemes of DSP Mutual Fund, in order to meet liquidity requirements from time to time.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio that holds major exposure is Information Technology which accounts for roughly 10% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 33% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Top Ten Holdings of DSP Global Allocation Fund Name Weightage % Microsoft Corporation 1.70% Apple Inc 1.60% Alphabet Inc Class C 1.20% Amazon.Com Inc 1.10% ConocoPhillips 0.90% Humana Inc 0.80% UnitedHealth Group Inc 0.80% Marsh & McLennan Inc 0.70% Enbridge Inc 0.70% Sempra 0.70% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Performance Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 6% since its inception.  Fund manager  Mr. Laukik Bagwe is the fund manager and brings over 22 years of total professional experience. He has been managing the scheme since August 2014. He has previously worked with Derivium Capital & Securities Private Limited, and Birla Sunlife Securities Ltd. He holds a B.Com, and PGDBA (Finance).  Mr. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist has been managing the fund since August 2014. He is the dedicated Fund Manager for overseas investments and has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005, and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Jay joined the firm as a member of the Sales team (Banking) in May 2005. Prior to 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, followed by an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Mr. Kedar Karnik has been managing the fund since July 2016. He joined DSP Investment Managers from Axis Asset Management and has over 17 years of investment experience. He has done his Masters in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. He has over a decade of investment experience. He has previously worked with HSBC Asset Management and CRISIL Ltd.  Who should invest in DSP Global Allocation Fund?  Experienced Investors with a well-set core portfolio, looking to diversify no more than 10-15% of portfolio internationally.  Investors looking for international diversification, especially in US companies & wanting to hedge portfolios.  Investors have the patience and mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  Investors not looking to chase the highest returns.  Why invest in this Fund?  Offers the potential to grow your wealth by investing in a well-diversified portfolio all around the world.  Get access to well-known, large companies that are difficult to invest in directly for Indian investors, like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Comcast, Berkshire Hathaway, etc.  Reduce portfolio volatility by investing in a foreign market that has a low correlation to the Indian stock market & may thrive even when Indian stocks fluctuate.  Get the additional benefit of currency diversification.   Time horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 10 years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Global Allocation Fund was launched in August 2014, and in its track record of eight years, the fund has delivered ~6% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take international equity exposure in the portfolio and is looking to remain invested for a longer period.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

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   Let us talk about the consumer product – DSP US Flexible Equity Fund.  About the DSP US Flexible Equity Fund  Investment objective The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to seek capital appreciation by investing predominantly in units of Global Funds US Flexible Equity Fund (BGF - USFEF). The Scheme may, at the discretion of the Investment Manager, also invest in the units of other similar overseas mutual fund schemes, which may constitute a significant part of its corpus. The Scheme may also invest a certain portion of its corpus in money market securities and/ or money market/liquid schemes of DSP Mutual Fund, in order to meet liquidity requirements from time to time. It shall be noted 'similar overseas mutual fund schemes' shall have investment objectives, investment strategies, and risk profiles/considerations similar to those of BGF - USFEF.  The term "Flexible" in the name of the Scheme signifies that the Investment Manager of the Underlying Fund can invest either in growth or value investment characteristic securities placing an emphasis as the market outlook warrants.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds major exposure in Information Technology which accounts for roughly 21% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 75% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Top 10 holdings of DSP US Flexible Equity Fund Name Weightage % Microsoft Corporation 6.00% Amazon.Com Inc 4.80% Alphabet Inc 4.40% Apple Inc 4.00% Corveta Inc 3.10% United Health Group Inc 3.00% Comcast Corporation 2.60% Berkshire Hathaway Inc  2.60% Visa Inc 2.50% Ross Stores Inc 2.20% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Performance Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14% since its inception. Fund manager  Mr. Laukik Bagwe is the fund manager and brings over 22 years of total professional experience. He has been managing the scheme since August 2012. He has previously worked with Derivium Capital & Securities Private Limited, and Birla Sunlife Securities Ltd. He holds a B.Com, and PGDBA (Finance).  Mr. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist has been managing the fund since March 2013. He is the dedicated Fund Manager for overseas investments and has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005, and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Jay joined the firm as a member of the Sales team (Banking) in May 2005. Prior to 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, followed by an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Mr. Kedar Karnik has been managing the fund since July 2016. He joined DSP Investment Managers from Axis Asset Management and has over 17 years of investment experience. He has done his Masters in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. He has over a decade of investment experience. He has previously worked with HSBC Asset Management and CRISIL Ltd.  Who should invest in DSP US Flexible Equity Fund?  Experienced Investors with a well-set core portfolio, looking to diversify no more than 10% - 15% of portfolio internationally.  Investors looking for international diversification, especially in US companies & wanting to hedge portfolios.  Investors have the patience and mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  Investors not looking to chase the highest returns.  Why invest in this Fund?  Offers the potential to grow your wealth by investing in the world's largest & most developed equity market.  Get access to well-known, large companies that are difficult to invest in directly for Indian investors, like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Comcast, Berkshire Hathaway, etc.  Reduce portfolio volatility by investing in a foreign market that has a low correlation to the Indian stock market & may thrive even when Indian stocks fluctuate.  Get the additional benefit of currency diversification.   Time horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 10 years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP US Flexible Equity Fund was launched in August 2012, and in its track record of ten years, the fund has delivered ~14% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take international equity exposure in the portfolio and is looking to remain invested for a longer period.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.

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   Let us talk about the consumer product – DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund.  About the DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund  Investment objective The investment objective of the Scheme is to seek capital appreciation by managing the asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities. The Scheme will dynamically manage the asset allocation between equity and fixed income based on the relative valuation of equity and debt markets.  The Scheme intends to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity-related instruments and seeks to generate income through investments in fixed-income securities and by using arbitrage and other derivative strategies.  Investment process   Investment Strategy for Equity Investments - The stock selection process proposed to be adopted is generally a bottom-up approach seeking to identify companies with long-term sustainable competitive advantage (as this is one of the key factors responsible for withstanding competitive pressures and does not allow rivals to eat up any excess profits earned by a successful business). The fund would also use a top-down discipline for risk control by ensuring the representation of companies from select sectors.  Investment Strategy for Debt Investments - The Fund Manager will invest only in those debt securities that are rated investment grade by a domestic credit rating agency such as CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, FITCH, etc., or in unrated debt securities that the Fund Manager believes to be of equivalent quality. The securities mentioned above could be listed, unlisted, privately placed, secured, unsecured, rated, or unrated (subject to the rating or equivalency requirements discussed above) and of any maturity. The Fund may also invest in Securities of issuers supported by the Government of India or State Governments subject to such securities satisfying the criteria relating to rating etc.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 65% and sectoral major exposure is Banks which account for roughly 8% of the portfolio. The top 4 sectors hold nearly 18% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Top 5 holdings DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund  Name Weightage % HDFC Bank Limited 3.93 Bajaj Finance Limited 3.29 ICICI Bank Limited 2.22 Avenue Supermarts Limited 2.14 Maruti Suzuki India Limited 1.94 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Performance Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 8% since its inception.  Fund manager  Mr. Atul Bhole is the fund manager and brings over 16 years of experience. He joined DSP in May 2016 and is the Vice President. He is managing the fund since February 2018. He has previously worked with Tata Asset Management Ltd, JP Morgan Services (India) Private Limited, and State Bank of India (Treasury). He holds a B. Com, MMS (Finance from JBIMS), and Chartered Accountant (ICAI India).  Mr. Dhaval Gada is the fund manager and brings over 13 years of experience. He joined DSP in September 2018 and is managing the fund since September 2022. He has previously worked with Sundaram AMC Pvt. Ltd, Motilal Oswal Securities Ltd, Evalueserve.com Pvt. Ltd. He holds a PGDM – Finance from Welingkar Institute of Management.  Mr. Laukik Bagwe is the fund manager and brings over 22 years of total professional experience. He has been managing the scheme since July 2021. He has previously worked with Derivium Capital & Securities Private Limited, and Birla Sunlife Securities Ltd. He holds a B.Com, and PGDBA (Finance).  Who should invest in DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund?  Investors want to invest in the equity markets but don't know how to begin.  An investor who gets confused by the noise when markets fluctuate and also believes that an unemotional asset allocation strategy has a higher chance of success.  Investors not looking to chase the highest returns.  Why invest in this Fund?  Helps you invest unemotionally by 'doing what it needs to', instead of you having to react to changing markets.  It offers you 'built-in-advice' & actions on your behalf.  Offers the potential to grow your wealth by investing in equities but with a smoother long-term investment journey.  It tries to reduce the impact of market fluctuations in the portfolio.  Potential capital preservation during falling markets through debt allocation.   Time horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund was launched in February 2014 and in its track record of nearly nine years, the fund has delivered ~8% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take equity exposure but not knowing how to begin and where to begin. DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

ICICI is a leading Asset Management Company (AMC) in the country focused on bridging the gap between savings and investments and creating long-term for investors through a range of simple and relevant investment solutions.    Let us talk about the consumer product – ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/C3w_oegGkFY About the ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund  Investment objective To generate returns through a combination of dividend income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a well-diversified portfolio of value stocks.  Investment strategy   Diversification: The Scheme aims at maintaining a well-diversified portfolio with the flexibility to invest across sectors and market capitalizations.  Value investing: The Scheme, through its process of discovery, seeks to identify stocks whose prices are low relative to their historic performance, earnings, book value, cash flow potential, and dividend yield.  Special Situations: The fund manager may also capture special situations. Typically, these are large-cap stocks that the fund manager believes are beaten down due to non-fundamental reasons.  Bottom-Up Approach: The scheme shall adopt a bottom-up approach in identifying stocks that have strong fundamentals but are trading at prices lower than their intrinsic value.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 60% and sectoral major exposure is Banks which account for roughly 13% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 50% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: Morningstar, ICICI MF Top 5 holdings of ICICI Prudential value discovery fund Name Weightage % Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd 8.79% Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd 7.95% NTPC Ltd 6.42% Bharti Airtel Ltd 5.07% ICICI Bank Ltd 4.48% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI MF  Performance Fund name 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y 7Y 10Y ICICI Pru Value Discovery Dir 2.93 9.01 11.12 24.97 13.61 15.55 17.92 S&P BSE 100 TRI -1.44 2.52 4.36 15.23 10.75 14.39 12.89 Note: Data as of 30th January 2023; Data is for Direct Plan Growth Option Source: ICICI MF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 19.70% since its inception.  Fund manager at ICICI prudential discovery fund growth Mr. Sankaran Naren has been managing the fund since January 2021 and is associated with the AMC since October 2004. He oversees the entire investment function across the Mutual Fund and the International Advisory Business of the Company. Mr. Naren joined the AMC in 2004 as a fund manager and has worked in various capacities in the investment function culminating in his taking over as the Chief Investment Officer. He currently manages some of the flagship schemes of the ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund. Mr. Sankaran Naren has rich experience of around 30 years in almost all spectrums of the financial services industry ranging from investment banking, fund management, equity research, and stock broking operations. During his career, he has also worked with organizations such as Refco Sify Securities India Pvt. Ltd, HDFC Securities Ltd, and Yoha Securities in various capacities. He holds a B. Tech from IIT Madras and PGDM from IIM Calcutta.  Mr. Dharmesh Kakkad is also the fund manager since January 2021. He is associated with ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited since June 2010. Prior to working in the Dealing function, he was working in the Operations Department of ICICI Prudential AMC. He is a CFA Charter holder in USA, CA, and B.Com.  Who should invest in ICICI Prudential Discovery Fund?  Investors who are willing to participate in the process of discovering stocks that are undervalued but have the potential to do well due to strong fundamentals.  Investors who are willing to invest for a fairly long term with an aim to benefit over the full investment cycle and have over 5 years of the investment horizon.  Why invest in this Fund?  The scheme’s investments in undervalued stocks provide a reasonable margin of safety and help to minimize downside risk in a market fall.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5-7 years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund was launched in August 2004 and in its track record of nearly nineteen years, the fund has delivered ~20% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take equity exposure and are looking for long-term investment. DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.