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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 Tax Saver Fund. About the DSP Tax Saver Fund  Investment objective The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to seek to generate medium to long-term capital appreciation from a diversified portfolio that is substantially constituted of equity and equity-related securities of corporates and to enable investors to avail of a deduction from total income, as permitted under the Income Tax Act, 1961 from time to time.  Investment process   The fund follows the following investment strategy   The Investment Manager will select equity securities on a bottom-up, stock-by-stock basis, with consideration given to low price-to-earnings, price-to-book, and price-to-sales ratios, as well as improving margins, asset turns, and cash flows, amongst others.  The fund is sector-agnostic and also market-cap agnostic.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 70% and sectoral major exposure is Banks which account for roughly 32% of the portfolio. The top 4 sectors hold nearly 55% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: DSP MF  Top 5 Holdings DSP Tax Saver Fund Name Weightage % HDFC Bank Ltd 9.68 ICICI Bank Ltd 7.59 Infosys Ltd 6.31 State Bank of India Ltd 5.04 Axis Bank Ltd 4.63 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 14.25% since its inception.  Fund manager  Mr. Rohit Singhania is the fund manager and brings over 20 years of experience. He joined DSP in September 2005, as Portfolio Analyst in the firm’s PMS division. He was transferred to the Equities Investment team in June 2009 as Research Analyst. Previously, he was with HDFC Securities Limited as a part of its Institutional Equities Research Desk. He spent 13 months at HDFC Securities as Sr. Equity Analyst. Prior to HDFC securities, he was employed with IL&FS Investment Limited as Equity Analyst.  Mr. Charanjit Singh is fund-managed and brings over 17 years of total professional experience. He has been managing the scheme since January 2021. He has previously worked with B&K Securities India, Axis Capital Ltd, BNP Paribas India Securities, Thomas Weisel Partners, HSBC, IDC Corp., and Frost & Sullivan.  Who should invest in DSP Tax Saver Fund?  Investors looking to save tax by investing in equity-oriented funds with the lowest lock-in of three years. An individual can save up to Rs 46,800 by investing up to Rs 1.5 lakh in this fund.   Why invest in this Fund?  Helps you aim to grow your wealth by investing in a mix of large & mid-sized companies, offering growth at reasonable prices.  The lowest lock-in period of 3 years as compared to other tax saving options under Section 80C.  Can help you beat the impact of rising prices over the long-term   Time horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 3 years or more due to lock-in.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Tax Saver Fund is one of the oldest funds with a track record of more than 16 years and has delivered ~14% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors who are willing to take some additional risk for good returns over a long-term spectrum and also at the same time look for saving tax.  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 Multi-Cap Fund.  About the ICICI Prudential Multi Cap Fund  Investment objective To generate capital appreciation through investments in equity & equity-related instruments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks of various industries.  Investment strategy   The investment universe of the Scheme is a unique blend of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks. The Scheme will aim to hold optimum exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks depending on the fund manager's view on market valuations.  The portfolio construction involves investing in high-conviction quality stocks. The Scheme will remain sector agnostic and would use a combination of top-down and bottom-up research for stock selection.  A top-down approach will be based on macroeconomic conditions, and underlying trends while a bottom-up approach shall be followed for selecting stocks with growth prospects, low leverage levels, good corporate governance, robust financials, and good cash flow management.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 60% and sectoral major exposure is Banks that account for roughly 15% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold nearly 42% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: Morningstar, ICICI MF Top 5 holdings of ICICI Prudential Multi-cap Fund Name Weightage % ICICI Bank Ltd 6.45% Infosys Ltd 3.07% HDFC Bank Ltd 3.02% TVS Motor Company Ltd 2.60% Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd 2.50% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI MF  Performance Fund name 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y 7Y 10Y ICICI Pru Multicap Dir -1.26 3.4 4.37 15.81 10.73 14.47 15.01 S&P BSE 500 TRI -2.52 1.69 2.47 16.00 10.31 14.48 13.4 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. Invest Now Fund manager  Mr. Sankaran Naren has been 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. Anand Sharma has been appointed as the Senior Investment Analyst – MF Equity in the Investments Department of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited w.e.f. November 10, 2021. He joined ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company in April 2014. He has previously worked with Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd. He holds a B.E. (Computer Engineer), and a Master of Management Studies, from the University of Mumbai.  Who should invest in ICICI Prudential Multi Cap Fund?  Investors who aim to take advantage of India’s long-term growth potential with an investment horizon of 5 years and above.   Why invest in this Fund?  The scheme focuses on identifying stocks across sectors that are likely to transform into tomorrow’s market leaders resulting in potential capital appreciation over time.  The scheme’s exposure to mid and small-caps provides an opportunity for higher capital appreciation over the long term whereas the large-cap exposure aims to provide less volatile reasonable returns.  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 Multi-cap Fund was launched in October 1994 and in its track record of nearly twenty-eight years, the fund has delivered ~15% 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. 

ETFs are very similar to Mutual funds, but they are not mutual funds. It's just a matter of grasping the difference between ETF and mutual funds.  EduFund believes that understanding where each instrument makes the most sense, and the investor doesn't blindly follow the crowd and the trend. At the very outset, let's know why they are so similar before diving into their differences. Similarities between Exchange Traded Funds(ETF) and Mutual Funds (MF)  Both Exchange Traded Funds and Mutual Funds represent a basket of professionally-managed securities: stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, real estate, etc.  The placement of these securities is done either thematically or otherwise, depending upon the type of mutual fund or the ETF you chose. Both offer various investment options and professional portfolio managers oversee the investments. Thus, saving your time and energy for research. ETFs and Mutual funds are highly diversified because of the basket of securities. Thus, they are less risky than investing in individual securities like stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, etc. How does this help reduce risk? Imagine if you are holding a stock that is performing poorly, and thus your return will also be poor; perhaps you may lose money too. However, suppose you have an ETF or a mutual fund. In that case, this poor performance of that stock may be compensated for by the good or average performance of other stores and assets, which together will give you a better return than holding a single asset otherwise. Difference between ETF and mutual funds?  ETF trading happens on the stock exchange, just like a simple stock on the (NSE) or (BSE) in Indian markets, or it will be listed on the NYSE or the Nasdaq when trading in the USA. Mutual Funds are not listed on the stock markets; they must be purchased manually from the fund through your financial advisor or online brokers. Investing in ETFs is very simple, i.e., they can be sold or purchased at any point in time in the day, just like a stock. However, this happens only once during the day - after the market has closed for mutual funds.   The mutual fund company does this by buying or selling mutual funds based on the investor's instructions. This delay can be very costly if the market fluctuations are very dynamic. Straightforward and anytime trading of ETFs sounds cool, but not all ETFs are tradable, leading to illiquidity concerns. ETF purchases are made at the prevailing market price - typically near the NAV but not precisely the same. Generally, an investor purchases the mutual fund at the price of its NAV. Hence, most mutual funds allow automated transactions but ETFs do not due to price volatility.  ETFs have a lower expense ratio as compared the mutual funds.  The expense ratio is the fee you pay the manager for managing your securities. The reason is quite simple, ie: the trading of mutual funds, leaves a long paper trail, and thus the exchange of hands for this paperwork is more.   The paperwork translates to higher costs to the fund manager, and eventually to the investor.   On the contrary, ETFs are traded directly by the investor and thus naturally explain the lower charges.  Based on management, most of the ETFs are passively managed, whereas there are quite a few actively managed mutual funds, but there exist some mutual funds which are passively managed.  What is better?  Well, neither of the two is perfect! You can achieve diversity using any two options based on your goals.   Naturally, a portfolio balanced by combining both offers greater variety and lower risk. Notably, there is no reason this must be a tightrope walk situation.   Both, Mutual funds and ETFs can live together in a portfolio perfectly happily. FAQs What's riskier - ETFs or Mutual Funds? One thing that investors must understand is that the riskiness of a fund doesn't depend on the structure of the investment, but rather primarily on the underlying holdings. So, there is no reason to believe that one of these two investment options could inherently be riskier than the other. Why should one choose a mutual fund over an ETF? It's always great to have various options to choose from and that's what mutual funds provide to an investor. Mutual funds give an advantage of variety that ETFs can't. Are there any disadvantages of ETFs? Every coin has two sides. Although ETFs could be proved extremely fruitful in increasing your savings in the long run, they may also have a few drawbacks. Some of them include a higher trading fee, trading errors, potentially less diversification, etc. What is the main difference between ETF and a mutual fund?   ETFs are very similar to Mutual funds, but they are not mutual funds. ETF trading happens on the stock exchange, just like a simple stock on the (NSE) or (BSE) in Indian markets, or it will be listed on the NYSE or the Nasdaq when trading in the USA. Mutual Funds are not listed on the stock markets; they must be purchased manually from the fund through your financial advisor or online brokers.   Are ETFs safer than mutual funds?   Any investment has some element of risk attached to it. The risk of investing in an ETF or mutual fund varies based on the choice of the investor, no two mutual funds carry the same risk, and this applies to ETFs as well.  Which is better, an ETF or a mutual fund?   Well, neither of the two is perfect! You can achieve diversity using any two options based on your goals. Naturally, a portfolio balanced by combining both offers greater variety and lower risk. Notably, there is no reason this must be a tightrope walk situation.    What are the two key differences between ETFs and mutual funds?   ETF trading happens on the stock exchange, just like a simple stock on the (NSE) or (BSE) in Indian markets, or it will be listed on the NYSE or the Nasdaq when trading in the USA. Mutual Funds are not listed on the stock markets; they must be purchased manually from the fund through your financial advisor or online brokers.   Mutual funds are actively managed investment options, while ETFs are passively managed investment options.    Consult our expert advisor to get the right plan for you TAlk TO AN EXPERT

Investing in Big Tech companies is beneficial. These companies have a history of success and have gained thousands of loyal customers. But firstly, let us understand what Big Tech is. Big techs are major technology companies with unparalleled influence on technology and our lives indirectly. These are the most prolific and burgeoning companies of our times. Often big names like FAANG, i.e., Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google, are considered members of this elite club. These Big Tech companies are so vast in their operations that no other player is comparable. Most of us consume products of these FAANG companies in one way or another, like using a platform for ordering something from amazon or having a social media account, etc. If we look at the cumulative market cap of FAANG stocks is $7.07 trillion, which is double the size of India's market cap (which stood at $3.46 trillion). Furthermore, when we look at the following five players in the US, the market cap of (Microsoft, Tesla, Taiwan Semiconductor, NVIDIA, and Visa) stands at $4.83 trillion depicting tremendous difference and room for growth when compared to the top five players. While these numbers are enormous, these companies have been growing sustainably and are commanding their sweet share in the market. For example – Facebook is possibly the most prominent social networking platform (including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram). Similarly, Google is the undisputed leader when it comes to search engines. The following charts depict the growth story of these companies Source: EduFund Research TeamNote: Period understudy is between Mar’19-Sep’21 The revenues of these companies often surpass the value of the GDP of several countries. For example, the revenue of Amazon and Apple both surpassed the value of the GDP of Pakistan (296 $ billion) by almost 90 $ billion and 69 $ billion, respectively! Source: EduFund Research Team The GDP comparison shows the efficiency of these companies in their business operations and how well they'll augur in the future. The most significant plus point for these companies is that they run their business on the new oil of the industry – data What is the conclusion? - these companies are sure to grow more in the future. Imagine investing in these companies and how your wealth would have increased by now. But there's no need to worry because we live in a technology-driven world. In the words of Joseph Krutch, 'Technology made large populations possible; large populations now make technology indispensable.' As the name suggests, various firms are investing heavily in new-generation technologies like - Let's briefly go through these next-gen technologies. Internet, this is just unmissable! We all know how rapidly internet technology is progressing. 5G services are already up and running commercially in over 64 countries worldwide. Robotics and AI is the new talking point of the industry Automation and AI have helped solve several problems industries face and will grow even in the future. Self-driving cars as a field have tremendous scope and lot. The future of automobile manufacturing will get entirely automated. In 2020, the 3D printing industry was worth 13.7 $ billion with an expected growth of 63.46 $ billion by 2026, which means a CAGR of 25% approx. All these industry projections show how resilient the future is - various chipsets power today's world. Almost all devices have a semiconductor chip installed, from a simple LED bulb to a complex supercomputer. Thus, this industry is sure to flourish in the future. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is living proof of how strong the fintech industry can grow. Fintech unapologetically has to be a next-gen industry. We don't want to miss the bus this time. Several ETFs invest in such next tech. Here are a few theme-based US ETF recommendations from us: Ticker NameSegmentName1 Year Return3 Year Return5 Year ReturnDRIVEquity: Global MobilityGlobal X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF-0.02%113.23%N/APRNTEquity: Global Robotics & AI3D Printing ETF-29.95%31.60%25.64%SNSREquity: Global InternetGlobal X Internet of Things ETF1.54%87.85%102.81%ARKFEquity: Global FinTechARK Fintech Innovation ETF-44.17%N/AN/AFIVGEquity: Global 5GDefiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF2.11%N/AN/AIGFEquity: Global InfrastructureiShares Global Infrastructure ETF11.11%19.57%34.25%CIBREquity: Global CybersecurityFirst Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF0.67%80.84%122.84%Source: EduFund Research TeamNote: Period understudy is between Mar’19-Sep’21 Investing in all the themes under one roof Now since we have seen several theme-based ETFs, let's look at some ETFs that take care of all! The more diversity in the portfolio, the lower is the risk involved. Below are the five ETFs that invest majorly in tech companies; these are not theme-based. The portfolio diversification of these ETFs is oriented toward tech companies Ticker NameNameTotal Assets ($ B)1 Year Return3 Year Return5 Year Return3-Year Net Flows ($ B)QQQInvesco QQQ Trust180.367.30%110.74%182.08%36.55VUGVanguard Growth ETF77.387.43%93.76%145.59%7.84IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF67.238.43%91.87%152.41%-7.70IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF34.3612.54%87.50%142.75%-3.88TQQQProShares UltraPro QQQ19.178.46%361.00%721.84%18.02Source: EduFund Research TeamNote: Data as of 30th Jan’22. The above-listed funds have the highest Assets Under Management and provide investors with constant returns. Thus, these funds are ideal for investors seeking long-term capital growth. What's in it for Indian investors? There are two ways in which Indian investors can reap benefits from their investments in the US markets: From the returns that these ETFs have generated.  From the rupee depreciation, which has been depreciating at 4% approx. Annually for the past ten years. So, if the fund gives a 20% return and the rupee depreciates by 4%, the total gain will be 24% for the Indian investor. The below chart explains how the rupee is depreciating over the period. Source: EduFund Research Team.Note: The period under study is between Feb’14 to Feb’22 FAQs What is the best tech company to invest in? The best tech companies to invest in 2022 according to Forbes are: Apple Inc. ( AAPL)Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)Alphabet Inc. ( GOOGL)Meta Platforms Inc. ( FB)Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM)Tencent Holdings (TCEHY)Samsung Electronics Co. ( SSNHZ)Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta are also part of the FAANG companies that have shown tremendous growth in the past few years. They are leading technological advancements in the USA and the world. What are the Top 5 tech stocks called? The top 5 tech stocks are called Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Google. They are also known as FAAMG. An abbreviation coined by Goldman Sachs. Is tech a good investment? Yes, historically, tech has had a strong performance and has outperformed the market indices. What are some ways to invest in tech companies? You can invest in teaching companies directly by buying their listed stocks or you can purchase them indirectly by investing through mutual funds, ETFs or small cases. Before investing any money, it is advised to consult a financial expert. What is the best high-tech stock to buy now? Here are some high-tech stocks you can buy: 1. Apple inc. (AAPL)  Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)  Alphabet inc. Class A (GOOGL)  Tencent holdings  NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)  What are the top 5 stocks called? The acronym FAAMG, created by Goldman Sachs, stands for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Google, five of the best-performing tech stocks on the market. Is tech a good investment? In general, buying tech stocks during a recession can be a wise choice. Tech stocks have the potential to offer stability and profits over the long term, even if there are dangers associated with all investments. Which sector will boost in 2023? One of the finest industries to invest in going into 2023 is Internet and Information Services. With a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%, the market for IT services worldwide increased from $3,471.35 billion in 2021 to $3,938.75 billion in 2022. At a CAGR of 10.7%, the market is anticipated to reach $5,905.09 billion in 2026. Conclusion The big tech companies or tech-based ETFs have generated stable and healthy returns over the period. So, as an investor, you should consider adding US ETFs to your portfolio. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 lakh crore, the AMC is one of the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The AMF offers products across asset classes.   Let us talk about the consumer product – UTI India Consumer Fund.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2kO9_PCtunA About the UTI India Consumer Fund  Investment objective The objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in companies that are expected to benefit from the growth of consumption, changing demographics, consumer aspirants, and lifestyle. However, there can be no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the scheme would be achieved.  Investment process   The fund follows the following investment strategy –   Universe of companies with B2C focus across sectors.  Companies are likely to benefit from the growth of consumption through bottom-up stock picking.  Emphasis on companies with the longevity of growth while generating sustainable cash flows.  High active weights with a market cap agnostic approach Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 75% and sectoral major exposure is Fast Moving Consumer Goods which accounts for roughly one-fourth of the portfolio. The top 4 sectors hold nearly 75% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  Top 5 holdings for UTI India Consumer Fund  Name Weightage % Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. 7.79 Bharti Airtel Ltd. 7.44 Asian Paints Ltd. 5.46 Titan Company Ltd. 5.16 Nestle India Ltd. 4.55 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  Performance  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  The fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 9.16% since inception. Invest Now Fund manager  Mr. Vishal Chopda is a Vice President and Fund Manager in the domestic Equity Division of UTI Asset Management Company Ltd. Vishal joined UTI AMC in January 2011. In UTI he has worked for the past 7 years in the Department of Fund Management as Research Analyst.  Who should invest in UTI India Consumer Fund?  Investors looking to supplement their core equity portfolio with a differentiated portfolio strategy and invest in the theme of growing consumerism and changing the lifestyle of the Indian consumer.  Why invest in this fund?  The fund endeavors to invest in companies that are predominantly consumer-facing.  Invests in sectors that benefit directly or indirectly from rising consumption, changing demographics, consumer aspirations, and lifestyles.  In stock, picking funds emphasize earnings growth prospects, management, valuation, macro trends, etc.  The Fund would be agnostic to the market capitalization spectrum.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The UTI India Consumer Fund is one of the oldest funds with a track record of 15 years and has delivered ~10% CAGR consistently. 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. 

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 lakh crore, the AMC is one of the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The AMF offers products across asset classes.   Let us talk about the flagship product – UTI Mid Cap Fund UTI Mid Cap Fund  Investment objective The objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of mid-cap companies.  Investment strategy   The fund follows the following investment strategy –   Focus on companies with scalable business models and long growth runway  Open to investing in good companies whose business is going through a transitory phase of weakness OR undergoing a transformational change.  Bottom-up approach for stock picking with sector agnostic allocation approach.  65% of the corpus is invested in mid-cap companies, with the balance distributed in small caps.  Flexibility to stay invested in mid-caps that graduate to the large-cap status Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in mid-cap stocks at 68% and the sectoral major exposure is Financial Services which accounts for roughly 17.60% of the portfolio. The top 4 sectors hold nearly 55% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  Top 5 Holdings for UTI Mid Cap Fund  Name Weightage % Tube Investments of India Ltd 4.37% Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Ltd 3.14% Federal Bank Ltd. 3.05% Shriram Finance Ltd 2.42% PI Industries Ltd 2.38% Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF Performance  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  The fund has given healthy returns by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 17.55% since inception.  Fund manager at UTI Midcap fund growth  The fund manager, Mr. Ankit Agarwal, joined UTI in August 2019. Presently, he has been designated as Fund Manager for managing UTI Mid Cap Fund. He has more than 12 years of experience. Prior to joining UTI, he was working with Lehman Brothers, and Barclays Wealth and had been associated with Centrum Broking Ltd. also in the capacity of Sr. Vice President. He has done his graduation from the National Institute of Technology (B.Tech.) and holds a postgraduate degree in Management (PGDM) from IIM, Bangalore.  Who should invest in the UTI Mid Cap Fund?  Investors looking to invest in a portfolio that invests in the high growth potential of medium-sized companies.  Why invest in this UTI Mid Cap Direct Fund?  A true-to-label mid-cap fund with a focus on scalable business models and a long growth runway.  A portfolio of mid-caps tends to offer higher growth potential than large-cap stocks, however, this is accompanied by potentially higher volatility. The strategy endeavors to manage this through prudent diversification and risk management.  The Fund pursues a bottom-up process for stock selection and has a blended approach for both value and growth-style investing with a growth bias.  The Fund maintains a well-diversified portfolio and follows a patient approach toward companies in the portfolio.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or more.  Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The UTI Mid Cap Fund is one of the oldest funds with a track record of 18 years and has delivered ~17.5% CAGR consistently. 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.

Given the rising cost of education, giving your children the best education possible should be your top priority as parents. By creating early child investing plans, you may prevent your children from having to give up their dreams due to a lack of resources. In this blog, we will discuss investing in children's education plans and where you should invest.  Where should you invest in your child's education plans? Parents work hard to provide for their children because they are everything to them. When it comes to paying for their school and securing their financial future, prudent investments must come first. Investing in your child is critical because of the surge in educational prices. The best investment opportunities for funding your children's education are listed below. 1. Public provident fund (PPF) Parents still favor Public provident funds even after the government decreased interest rates on provident fund accounts. Public provident fund deposits encourage discipline since you can only withdraw the corpus at the end of the 15-year maturity period. Because the principal, interest, and total maturity amount are all tax-free, you can develop your corpus for educational reasons. Because the government backs the Public provident funds, you may rest easy knowing that your money is safe. However, depending solely on PPFs might present a cash flow issue because their official interest rates have already been reduced. Create a portfolio with higher returns to avoid this. Choose a well-balanced investment plan for your child's future, including public provident funds and Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPS). 2. Equity mutual funds Starting equity mutual fund investments when your child is still young, and you have at least 15 to 20 years left until retirement is a terrific option. You can withstand shocks like volatility and stock market collapses because of this. Equity investment is not for everyone since it requires specialized knowledge and the ability to stay up to date. The wiser choice is consequently to select equity mutual funds. These are run by experts who know how to pick the least risky stocks while still ensuring that your money increases over time. You might create a portfolio of equity mutual funds specifically for your child's education. \ You may do this when your child is 4 or 5 years old by opening a child-specific account and selecting Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in riskier products like equity mutual funds. Then, you may adopt a more cautious strategy when you and your child become older. 3. Investments in National Savings Certificate (NSC) The National Savings Certificate, or NSC, is the finest and most reliable way to save money aside for your child's education. National Savings Certificates with a maturity date of five years may be purchased and reinvested. At the current interest rate of 8.10%, one may acquire a certificate for as little as INR 100. Section 80C of the Income Tax Act allows for an IT refund on investments made up to INR 1 lakh annually. 4. Invest in debt funds Debt funds have less risk than equities mutual funds do. Lending money generates interest that is then invested in various bonds or deposits. Debt funds provide a consistent return on investment as a low-risk investment choice. Debt money can be utilized to cover the child's ongoing needs, such as school tuition, unexpected medical costs, etc. Debt fund investments are created for the short term and provide a 6-7% yearly return. Additionally, debt funds are adaptable and permit withdrawal anytime necessary. 5. Fixed deposits FDs are one kind of investment offered by banks and other financial institutions. After placing a deposit, you receive a fixed rate of interest for a defined period of time. Fixed deposits provide comprehensive capital protection and guaranteed returns when compared to mutual funds and stocks. When should you start investing in your children's education? Since there are several benefits to starting early, this is the greatest time to start investing. The more money you can eventually offer your children, the sooner you start investing. Since time is your greatest ally, even a small sum saved now will someday develop into a sizeable corpus. To maximize the profits that will be generated on whatever current investments you make, you should completely take advantage of compounding. It is smart to begin saving for your children as soon as possible.  By doing this, you may ensure that every financial aspect of their life is taken into account. But starting to save is never too late. Even if you begin saving when your children are still little (between 1 and 8 years old), you can save enough cash to sustain them as they become older and their expenses grow. You may prepare financially for increased education costs, unanticipated diseases, and unpleasant circumstances by putting money into children's investing plans. You should begin preparing for your child's future as soon as you can. The risks involved are spread out, and your assets have more time to grow as a result. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

A type of equity mutual fund, mid-cap funds invest in equity shares of companies with a market capitalization between Rs.5,000 crore and Rs.20,000 crore. These mid-cap companies are ranked from 101 to 250, depending on their market capitalization.  Features of Midcap Mutual Funds  Asset allocation: As per SEBI mandate, mid-cap funds are required to invest a minimum of 65% of total assets in mid-cap stocks.   Risk-return ratio: The mid-cap mutual funds have a moderate to high risk-return ratio. They are less risky than small-cap funds but have a higher risk than large-cap funds.   Taxability: Short-term Capital Gains Tax (STCG) applies 15% on capital gains if investors sell the units before 12 months. Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG) is applicable if the holding period is more than one year. LTCG tax will be applicable at 10% on the gains exceeding Rupees One Lakh. Note that any amount up to Rupees One lakh in a financial year is exempted from this tax.   Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) - A dividend from mid-cap funds exceeding Rs.5000 in a financial year attracts 10% TDS.  Who are these funds suited for?  Mid-cap funds are associated with greater risk than large-cap equity-based funds. An economic slowdown can adversely affect these funds, which may take longer to recover. While the risk is high, the returns are also very high. Investors having the patience to sit on such an investment for more than 7-10 years should reap maximum benefits. Following is the list of factors you should consider before investing -   Investment goal: Not all investors will have the same financial goal. Therefore, one must understand one's investment objective before allocating capital to mid-cap funds.  Risk tolerance: Before investing in mid-cap mutual funds, you should evaluate the risk of these funds and your tolerance level. Investors should assess if they can withstand the scale of losses without any significant dent in their financial standing.  Expense ratio: Funds with a low expense ratio and a decent track record can help investors maximize their returns.  Past performance: Individuals can gauge a fund's future returns from its historical performance. It can help investors understand the fund's volatility, consistency, strengths and weaknesses, and investment style and help them compare it with other funds.   Team experience: A fund manager's decisions directly affect the scheme's returns. Investors need to examine a manager's skill set that aids in their research and analysis of best mid-cap mutual funds.   Major advantages of investing in the best midcap mutual funds  Following is a list of notable advantages of the best mid-cap mutual funds:  Significant growth potential: Mid-cap companies are probable future large-cap companies. This gives them excellent expansion potential. During this journey, they can deliver huge returns and outperform large-cap mutual funds.   Diversification: The distribution of investment among stocks of different mid-cap companies cushions them against economic shocks. As a result, the best mid-cap mutual funds bear less risk than a direct investment in such stocks.   Low investment amount: Individuals can start investing as low as Rs.500 in mid-cap equity-based funds. It allows investors to diversify their investments across different schemes to minimize concentrated risk.   Transparency: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) closely mandates all mid-cap mutual funds to display their NAVs, expense ratios, and month-end portfolios on their websites. The apex body also closely regulates these data.  Investment mode: Individuals can invest in mid-cap mutual funds via lump sum or Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). The former allows investors to allocate all savings in one go. The minimum investment has to be Rs. 1,000. On the other hand, SIP allows individuals to invest at fixed intervals (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Here, the installment amount starts from Rs.500 in most cases.  Best Midcap Funds to Invest in 2023  Funds Rating Expense Ratio (%) Assets (Cr) 5 Yr Ret (%) 10 Yr Ret (%) Fund Risk Grade Fund Return Grade Std Deviation Axis Midcap Fund 5 0.53 19,144 14.89 18.22 Low Above Average 19.92 Kotak Emerging Equity Fund 4 0.49 23,335 13.42 19.72 Below Average Above Average 24.54 Nippon India Growth Fund 4 1.04 13,597 12.62 16.26 Average Above Average 24.85 PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund 5 0.44 7,558 17.27 -- Low High 24.63 Quant Mid Cap Fund 5 0.63 1,330 19.43 16.49 Average High 23.25 Note: Assets as on December 31, 2022; Returns as on January 27th, 2023 Source: Valueresearch Online Axis Midcap Fund  About the fund  The fund invests in mid-sized companies that have the potential to become big. It looks for durable businesses with strong financial metrics. The mid-sized tends to offer higher growth potential than larger companies and thus comes with relatively higher risk than large-cap but lower risk than smaller-sized companies.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for capital appreciation over the long term are ok to remain invested for a long-term period of 5-7 years.  Kotak Emerging Equity Fund  About the fund  The fund operates with the objective of generating long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio of equity and equity-related securities by investing predominantly in midcap companies of different sectors. These companies are either at their nascent or developing stage and are under-researched. Although relatively volatile in the short run, midcap companies have the potential to deliver higher growth in the long term.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for capital appreciation over the long term are ok to remain invested for a long-term period of 5-7 years.  Nippon India Growth Fund  About the fund  The fund invests with the objective to generate capital appreciation & provide long-term growth opportunities. The fund invests in a portfolio of Mid Cap companies across sectors.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for capital appreciation over the long term and are ok to remain invested for a long-term period of 5-7 years.  PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund  About the fund  The fund invests with the objective to generate capital appreciation & provide long-term growth opportunities. The fund invests in a portfolio of Mid Cap companies across sectors.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for capital appreciation over the long term are ok to remain invested for a long-term period of 5-7 years.  Quant Mid Cap Fund  About the fund  The fund invests with the objective to generate capital appreciation & provide long-term growth opportunities. The fund invests in a portfolio of mid-cap companies across sectors.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for capital appreciation over the long term are ok to remain invested for a long-term period of 5-7 years.  These are some of the best mid-cap funds to consider for your next investment. Need help choosing the right funds for your financial goals? Connect with our experts today and get help curating your investment plan!  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Set up in 1993 with ICICI Bank and Prudential Plc as partners, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is one of India's largest Asset Management Companies. It is one of the oldest and most profitable Mutual Funds. Most of AMC’s offerings are rated as "AAA mfs", indicating high confidence and reliability.  ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is headquartered in Mumbai and provides a wide array of funds designed to fit every socioeconomic bracket. As of 31 March 2022, it manages assets worth over Rs. 4.6 Lakh Crore. Funds Category Riskometer Rating Launch AUM  (Rs Cr) Expense Ratio (%) 1Y Return (%) ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund Corporate Bond Low to Moderate 4 2013-01-01 16440 0.30 5.40 ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund Dynamic Bond Moderate 5 2013-01-01 6264 0.62 6.19 ICICI Prudential Gilt Fund Gilt Low to Moderate 5 2013-01-01 2601 0.56 6.01 ICICI Prudential Savings Fund Low Duration Low to Moderate 2 2013-01-01 20658 0.40 4.72 ICICI Prudential Liquid Fund Liquid Moderate 2 2013-01-01 40973 0.20 5.08 ICICI Prudential Long-Term Bond Fund Long Duration Moderate -- 2013-01-01 588 1.48 3.98 ICICI Prudential Medium Term Bond Fund Medium Duration Moderately High 4 2013-01-01 6255 0.77 5.54 ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saving) ELSS Very High 4 2013-01-01 10241 1.18 1.72 ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund Flexi Cap Very High 4 2013-01-01 3956 0.59 6.60 ICICI Prudential Technology Fund Sectoral Very High -- 2013-01-01 8794 0.89 -9.82 ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Large Cap Very High 4 2013-01-01 35049 1.07 5.27 ICICI Prudential Nifty 50 Index Fund Large Cap Very High 3 2013-01-01 3927 0.17 3.90 ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund Mid Cap Very High 3 2013-01-01 3666 1.16 4.83 ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund Small Cap Very High 4 2013-01-01 4599 0.81 7.04 ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Value Very High 4 2013-01-01 27515 1.22 11.95 ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund Aggressive Hybrid Very High 5 2013-01-01 21282 1.20 8.56 ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund Conservative Hybrid Moderately High 5 2013-01-01 3291 0.99 5.28 ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund Dynamic Asset Allocation Moderately High 4 2013-01-01 44634 0.91 7.50 ICICI Prudential Multi-Asset Fund Multi-Asset Allocation Very High 4 2013-01-01 15770 1.15 13.34  1. ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in quality corporate bonds rated AA+ or above in order to achieve the objective of regular income and short-term savings.  Who should invest?  Investors who have moderate experience in the debt market understands that corporate bond comes with a risk.  2. ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in bonds and money market instruments of different ratings and maturity with an aim to generate income while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety, and liquidity.   Who should invest?  An investor who recognizes investing in longer-duration debt securities could generate higher returns but comes with higher interest rate risk.  3. ICICI Prudential Gilt Fund  About the Fund  The fund seeks to generate income primarily through investment in Gilts of various maturities.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to invest in government securities across maturity.  4. ICICI Prudential Savings Fund  About the Fund  The fund seeks to generate income through investments in a range of debt and money market instruments while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety, and liquidity.  Who should invest?  Investors with a low tolerance for risk and looking to park money as a short-term saving may need to withdraw anytime.  5. ICICI Prudential Liquid Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in quality corporate bonds & money market instruments with low to medium duration. The securities include AA+ rated ensuring high safety and liquidity.  Who should invest?  Investors who are new to the debt market are looking for stability in growth, the safety of funds, and high accessibility.  6. ICICI Prudential Long-Term Bond Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests to generate income through investments in a range of debt and money market instruments while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety, and liquidity.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to take exposure in debt funds and remain invested for the long term with the objective of wealth creation by capital protection.  7. ICICI Prudential Medium Term Bond Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in high-quality debt securities, primarily AAA-rated corporate bonds & sovereign (government) bonds. The instruments primarily have a 1–3-year duration.  Who should invest?  Investors with a very low tolerance for risk and looking to park money for a very short period of time & may need to withdraw suddenly.  8. ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saving)  About the Fund  The fund invests in equity and equity-related securities across sectors and market capitalization. The fund provides tax deductions up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually under Sec 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961.  Who should invest?  An investor with a relatively high-risk appetite and looking to get income tax benefits.  9. ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests over 95% in domestic equities of which more than 65% is in large-cap names with the remainder in mid and small-cap segments. The fund has a concentrated portfolio of not more than 30 stocks.  Who should invest?  Investors who have advanced knowledge of macro trends and prefer to take selective bets for higher returns compared to other Equity funds  10. ICICI Prudential Technology Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in equity and equity-related securities of the Information Technology sector and across market capitalization (company size).  Who should invest?  An investor who is looking to take sectoral bets and are looking to add companies of the IT sector to their portfolio. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  11. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in equity and equity-related securities of large companies which are undervalued and tend to offer healthy growth over the long term.  Who should invest?  An investor who is relatively new to the equity market and is happy with the market returns. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  12. ICICI Prudential Nifty 50 Index Fund  About the Fund  The fund is an index fund that replicates the Nifty 50 TR Index by investing in the same stocks and the same proportion. The portfolio is rebalanced semi-annually to adjust for any stock additions or subtractions to the Index.  Who should invest?  An investor who is relatively new to the equity market and is happy with the market returns. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  13. ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in mid-sized companies that have the potential to become really big. It looks for durable businesses with strong financial metrics. The mid-sized tends to offer higher growth potential than larger companies and thus comes with relatively higher risk than large-cap but lower risk than smaller-sized companies.  Who should invest?  An investor with a well-set core portfolio & looking to tactically allocate 10-15% of your overall portfolio to very high-risk opportunities. The investors should have patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  14. ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in some of the smallest, fastest growing & innovative Indian companies. It considers companies with strong business models in high-growth sectors and efficient management teams focused on utilizing resources wisely to unlock high-growth potential.  Who should invest?  An investor with a well-set core portfolio & looking to tactically allocate 10-15% of your overall portfolio to very high-risk opportunities. The investors should have patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  15. ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund  About the Fund  The fund seeks to generate returns through a combination of dividend income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a well-diversified portfolio of a value stock.  Who should invest?  An investor who is relatively new to the equity market and is happy with the market returns. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  16. ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund  About the Fund  The fund is an open-ended hybrid scheme investing predominantly in equity and equity-related instruments. The fund’s aim is to generate long-term capital appreciation and current income from a portfolio that is invested in equity and equity-related securities as well as in fixed-income securities.  Who should invest?  Suitable for investors who are seeking long-term wealth creation  17. ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in a mix of debt & equity instruments. The debt component accounts for 75% of allocation and aims to reduce the impact of market fluctuations. The balance is invested in equity which tends to provide higher returns. The debt portion is generally invested in highly rated debt instruments with different maturity profiles and the equity portion is well diversified across sectors and sizes.  Who should invest  Investors looking to generate a steady potential income & are not chasing high returns.  18. ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund  About the Fund  The fund is an open-ended dynamic asset allocation fund and aims to provide capital appreciation/income by investing in equity and equity-related instruments including derivatives and debt and money market instruments.   The fund responds to changing market conditions & adjusts the equity-debt balance dynamically. As the market starts rising & stock valuations turn frothy, it reduces equity exposure & when markets fall, it looks to increase equity exposure  Who should invest?  Suitable for investors who are seeking long-term capital appreciation and or regular income. The fund is ideal for investors looking to generate a steady potential income & are okay not chasing high returns.  19. ICICI Prudential Multi-Asset Fund  About the Fund  The fund invests in Equity, Debt and Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives/units of Gold ETFs/units of REITs & InvITs/Preference shares.  The fund seeks to generate capital appreciation for investors by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related instruments and income by investing across other asset classes.  Who should invest?  Suitable for investors who are seeking long-term wealth creation.  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Parents often need a well-defined and well-thought plan for their child's future. Everything should be well planned, from education to marriage and risk coverage. While every parent starts worrying early on, it is a good sign, worrying alone will not help. So, what will help? Acting on it will help.   Following are some rules that will help you secure your child's future considering your budget, risk, and other factors you want to secure for your child   1. Use the power of compounding in equity to reach your goal Should you wish you generate a corpus for your child's education 15 years from now, you should not rely on FD but switch to equity-dominated mutual funds which offer higher growth rates in the range of 12-15% (conservative rate). The table below shows how you can generate a corpus of Rs 1 crore by investing in different instruments.  Product Debt Fund Balanced Funds Equity Funds CAGR Yield (%) 8% 12% 15% Monthly SIP Rs 29,431 Rs 21,011 Rs 16,224  The key here is to focus on equities and adopt a systematic investment planning (SIP) approach.  2. Start early The most significant rule is to start as early as possible. In the ideal case, an individual should start saving right after the child is born so that time can work in their favor. See below how starting early helps you reach a Rs 1 crore corpus:  SIP Tenure 18 years 15 years 12 years 8 years Yield 15% 15% 15% 15% SIP required Rs 10,179 Rs 16,224 Rs 26,617 Rs 56,237  As we can see from the table above, the earlier you start better you earn, and the key is to make time work for investment.  3. Add insurance to the child's plan The SIP idea is good if you start early and invest through equity. By doing this, you are likely to accumulate enough corpus, but given life is unpredictable and you do not know what may happen tomorrow, it is good to add an insurance plan to your child's portfolio so that their education plan is not impacted.   4. Factor Inflation while planning National Sample Survey Office conducted research and stated that the cost of any professional degree/course nearly doubles in six years. An individual while planning should also take into account this inflation rate while planning for children's corpus. We believe the high inflation rate should never daunt an individual if time is on your side, as a higher time horizon provides a compounding benefit.  5. Protect goals When sacrosanct goals such as children's education, children's marriage, etc., are concerned, it makes sense to ensure you have these goals covered separately in addition to the term plan you may choose to purchase for your child. Ideally, it would be best if you took up a different term plan that safeguards essential goals in your child's life, such as education.  6. Opt for a premium waiver plan In the event of the unfortunate demise of the parent or guardian of the child, insurance providers tend to waive the premium. Thus, it makes sense to opt for a premium waiver plan while planning any insurance for children.   7. Save Aggressively If you start an early investment for your child, it makes sense to invest in high-risk, high-return funds that have the potential to outperform other asset classes handsomely, albeit at the cost of higher risk. We believe investors should avoid fixed-return savings schemes if their investment horizon exceeds ten years. The thumb rule says that for Child Education - Small & Midcap Funds Sahi Hai!   8. Always have a partial withdrawal plan in your portfolio An emergency can knock door anytime. It is better individuals are well prepared for the same. There should be a provision for partial withdrawal from the child plan, or some funds should be liquid enough for such situations. It helps to avoid any unwanted financial disturbance due to an emergency.  9. Always appoint a nominee Death comes uninvited and is the inevitable truth of life. Hence it is essential to choose a nominee on whom you can rely. This person shall get the claim amount until your child becomes an adult.  10. Review the plan at regular intervals Investors tend to start a plan and leave it on auto mode. However, you must track your investments and review the performance of your investments at regular intervals. Some of the questions you can ask while reviewing investment include – has education cost gone up? Is your investment accumulation on track to achieve the goal, etc.?  It is undoubtedly true that all parents wish the best for their children. Typically, as soon as a baby is born, they start planning for their future. At the center of these investments lies the thought of providing world-class education and benefits to children. Should you have any queries concerning planning for your children, feel free to write to us, and we shall be glad to assist.  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

DSP Mutual Fund is one of India's leading AMCs with over 20 years of investment excellence. Since its inception, this fund house has grown significantly to become one of India's premier Asset Management Companies.  The fund house offers various mutual fund schemes across equity, debt, and hybrid categories, along with the international fund of funds, exchange-traded funds, and close-ended funds. The commitment of the fund house is to cater to its clients in every possible way by putting their interests first and securing their wealth. History of DSP  DSP Group is a 152-year-old financial company. The firm started stockbroking businesses back in the 1860s. One of the family members that founded this group was behind the foundation of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE.)   Mr. Hemendra Kothari currently leads the DSP Group. He started his career with D.S. Purbhoodas & Co. before establishing DSP Financial Consultants, a financial services provider, in 1975. As of 31 March 2022, DSP Mutual Fund has 372 schemes and an AuM of Rs 1,07,911.34 Crore.   List of DSP Funds in India  Funds Category Launch Riskometer 1 Yr Ret (%) Expense Ratio (%) AUM (Cr) DSP Corporate Bond Fund Corporate Bond 2018-09-10 Moderate 2.63 0.25 2647 DSP Credit Risk Fund Credit Risk 2013-01-01 Moderately High 10.49 0.38 234 DSP Strategic Bond Fund Dynamic Bond 2013-01-01 Low to Moderate 2.66 0.48 497 DSP Low Duration Fund Low Duration 2015-03-10 Low to Moderate 4.64 0.32 3464 DSP Liquidity Fund Liquid 2013-01-01 Low to Moderate 5.12 0.15 11186 DSP Bond Fund Medium Duration 2013-01-01 Moderate 3.84 0.39 334 DSP Overnight Fund Overnight 2019-01-09 Low 4.90 0.07 3379 DSP Short Term Fund Short Duration 2013-01-01 Low to Moderate 3.93 0.30 2735 DSP Tax Saver Fund ELSS 2013-01-01 Very High 3.83 0.80 10445 DSP Flexi Cap Fund Flexicap 2013-01-01 Very High -2.92 0.81 7910 DSP Equity Opportunities Fund Large and Mid-cap 2013-01-01 Very High 4.50 0.95 7295 DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Large cap 2017-10-23 Very High 6.68 0.40 496 DSP Nifty 50 Index Fund Large cap 2019-02-21 Very High 4.61 0.20 257 DSP Midcap Fund Mid cap 2013-01-01 Very High -4.56 0.75 13699 DSP Small Cap Fund Small Cap 2013-01-01 Very High 0.63 0.94 9161 DSP Quant Fund Thematic 2019-06-10 Very High -3.28 0.56 1320 DSP Equity & Bond Fund Aggressive Hybrid 2013-01-01 Very High -1.34 0.83 7529 DSP Regular Savings Fund Conservative Hybrid 2013-01-02 Moderate 3.84 0.50 201 DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund Dynamic Asset Allocation 2014-02-06 Moderately High 1.58 0.67 4097 Note - Returns as on 25-Jan-2023; All the funds are direct plan, growth option. Not all funds are covered above and only a selected few are covered across categories. Source: Value Research Online  1. DSP Corporate Bond Fund  What?  The fund invests in high-quality corporate debt securities rated AAA with a 'roll down' strategy. Roll down means - fund maturity reduces with time.  Who should invest?  New investor in the debt market looking for stability & consistency of returns.  Don't want to take high credit or interest rate risk.  Investors looking to reduce the overall risk level of the portfolio.  2. DSP Credit Risk Fund  What?  It is one of the DSP's oldest debt funds with 18 years+ track record  Invests in low-rated debt securities with min. 65% in AA & below-rated securities.  Who should invest?  Investors with a well-set core portfolio prefer the stability of the debt market but are okay to expose themselves to credit risk.  Investors looking to remain invested for at least 3-5 years.  3. DSP Strategic Bond Fund  What?  The fund is one of DSP's oldest debt funds with a 14+ years track record. The fund invests in high-quality government & corporate debt securities (AAA rated)  The fund is managed actively and is highly liquid  Who should invest?  An investor who recognizes investing in longer-duration debt securities could generate higher returns but comes with higher interest rate risk.  4. DSP Low Duration Fund  What?  The fund invests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio duration of 6-12 months. The securities are sovereign (government) bonds, A1+ rated money market securities, and high-quality AA & above rated debt securities.  Who should invest?  Investors with short-term horizons and wanting high safety of funds and high liquidity.  5. DSP Liquidity Fund  What?  The Fund is DSP’s oldest debt fund with a 24+ year track record. It invests in quality corporate bonds & money market instruments with a portfolio duration of 3 - 4 years. The securities include AA+ rated & above corporate bonds to minimize credit risk and duration risk.  The portfolio uses a blended approach of active and passive investment. While 1/3rd of the portfolio utilizes a roll-down strategy (passively managed) and 2/3rd of the portfolio is actively managed.  Who should invest?  Investors who are new to the debt market are looking for stability in growth, the safety of funds, and high accessibility.  6. DSP Bond Fund  What?  The fund is one of DSP's oldest debt funds with 24+ years of track record. It invests in quality corporate bonds & money market instruments with a portfolio duration of 3 - 4 years.  The portfolio uses a blended approach of active and passive investment. While 1/3rd of the portfolio utilizes a roll-down strategy (passively managed) and 2/3rd of the portfolio is actively managed.  Who should invest?  Investors who are new to the debt market are not looking for high-risk.  7. DSP Overnight Fund  What?  The fund invests in high-quality debt & money market instruments. The instruments primarily have a 1-day maturity.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to park money for a very short period of time may need to withdraw at any time  8. DSP Short-Term Fund  What?  The fund is one of the oldest debt funds with a 19+ year track record. The fund invests in high-quality debt securities, primarily AAA-rated corporate bonds & sovereign (government) bonds & can invest up to 20% in AA+-rated instruments. The instruments primarily have a 1-3 year duration.  Who should invest?  Investors with a very low tolerance for risk and looking to park money for a very short period of time & may need to withdraw suddenly.  9. DSP Tax Saver Fund  What?  The fund invests in equity and equity-related securities across sectors and market capitalization. The fund provides tax deductions up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually under Sec 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961.  Who should invest?  An investor with a relatively high-risk appetite and looking to get an income tax benefit.  10. DSP Flexi Cap Fund  What?  The fund is DSP's oldest equity fund with a 24+ year track record. The fund invests flexibly across carefully selected companies of different sizes- large, mid, or small.  The fund tends to own quality businesses with strong business models, and growth potential & led by reliable management.  Who should invest?  Investors who are relatively new to the equity market and have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  11. DSP Equity Opportunities Fund  What?  The fund is among DSP's oldest equity funds with a 21-year+ track record and invests in a mix of established (large-sized) as well as emerging (mid-sized) companies. The fund tends to invest ~70% in companies with attractive valuations and ~30% or less in growth stocks.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to build wealth over the long term and has the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  12. DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund  What?  The fund is an index fund that replicates the Nifty 50 Equal Weight TR Index - same stocks, same weights. The fund allows you to invest in India's top 50 companies, each with the same weight in the portfolio.  The portfolio is re-aligned quarterly so every stock's weight is brought back to 2%. The portfolio is rebalanced semi-annually to adjust for any stock additions or subtractions to the Index.  Who should invest?  An investor who is relatively new to the equity market and is happy with the market returns. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  13. DSP Nifty 50 Index Fund  What?  The fund is an index fund that replicates the Nifty 50 TR Index by investing in the same stocks and the same proportion. The portfolio is rebalanced semi-annually to adjust for any stock additions or subtractions to the Index.   Who should invest?  An investor who is relatively new to the equity market and is happy with the market returns. The investor should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  14. DSP Midcap Fund  What?  The fund invests in mid-sized companies that have the potential to become really big. It looks for durable businesses with strong financial metrics. The mid-sized tends to offer higher growth potential than larger companies and thus comes with relatively higher risk than large-cap but lower risk than smaller-sized companies.  Who should invest?  An investor with a well-set core portfolio & looking to tactically allocate 10-15% of your overall portfolio to very high-risk opportunities. The investors should have patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  15. DSP Small Cap Fund  What?  The fund invests in some of the smallest, fastest growing & innovative Indian companies. It considers companies with strong business models in high-growth sectors and efficient management teams focused on utilizing resources wisely to unlock high-growth potential.  Who should invest?  An investor with a well-set core portfolio & looking to tactically allocate 10-15% of your overall portfolio to very high-risk opportunities. The investors should have patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  16. DSP Quant Fund  What?  The fund is a pure rule-based fund and forms its portfolio through a carefully constructed framework & a robust quantitative model. The fund considers the top 200 companies in India, eliminates those with value-diminishing components, selects those with durable sources of potential outperformance, and then optimizes weights across various companies.  Who should invest?  Investors who are relatively new to the equity market, and have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  17. DSP Equity & Bond Fund  What?  The fund is amongst DSP's oldest hybrid funds with a 22+ year track record and invests in a mix of equity & debt instruments, trying to deliver equity-like returns with a slightly lower risk profile.  The larger equity component (65%+) aims to help build wealth, while the debt allocation (<35%) aims to reduce the impact of market fluctuations. The equity portion is well diversified across multiple sectors & different-sized companies while the debt portion is mostly in highly rated debt instruments with shorter-term maturity profiles.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to invest in the equity markets but don't know how to begin. These investors should have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  18. DSP regular savings fund  What?  The fund is one of the oldest hybrid funds with a 17+ year track record. The fund invests in a mix of debt & equity instruments. The larger debt component (75%+) aims to lower the impact of market fluctuations, while the equity allocation (<25%) aims to boost returns. The debt portion is mostly in highly rated debt instruments with shorter-term maturity profiles while the equity portion is well-diversified across multiple sectors & different-sized companies.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to generate a steady potential income & are okay not chasing high returns. The investors are conservative and don't like to take too much risk.  19. DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund  What?  The Balanced Advantage Fund invests in a mix of equity & debt instruments and follows smart rules-based. The fund responds to changing market conditions & adjusts the equity-debt balance dynamically. As the market starts rising & stock valuations turn frothy, it reduces equity exposure & when markets fall, it looks to increase equity exposure to follow the basic investment principle of 'buy low, sell high'.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to generate a steady potential income & are okay not chasing high returns. The investors are conservative and don't like to take too much risk.  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

ABSLAMC is primarily the investment manager of Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, a registered trust under the Indian Trusts Act, of 1882. ABSLAMC is one of the leading asset managers in India, servicing around 8.1 million investor folios with a pan India presence across 280 plus locations and a total AUM of over Rs. 2,926 billion.  Let us talk about the flagship product – Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund  Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund  Investment objective The objective of the scheme is long-term growth of capital, through a portfolio with a target allocation of 100% equity by aiming at being as diversified across various industries and/ or sectors as its chosen benchmark index, NIFTY 100 TRI.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in Giant-cap stocks at 66%. The major sectoral exposure is to Finance which is at around 25%. The top 5 sectors hold around 67% of the overall portfolio. Note: The pie chart on the left shows the market cap composition of the equity portfolio and the bar graph on the left shows the sectoral composition of the overall equity portfolio. Top 5 holdings Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund Name Sector Weightage % ICICI Bank Ltd. Financial Services 9.40 Infosys Ltd. Information Technology 7.55 HDFC Bank Ltd. Financial Services 7.38 Reliance Industries Conglomerate 5.58 Axis Bank Ltd. Financial Services 4.45 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: Morningstar  Performance over 21 years  If you had invested Rs. 10,000 at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 3.52 lakhs Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception date - 30th Aug 2002. Source: Morningstar  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 21 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 19.12%.  Fund manager  Mahesh Patil: Mr. Patil is a B.E (Electrical), an MMS in Finance, and a Chartered Financial Accountant from ICFAI Hyderabad. Prior to joining Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, he worked with Reliance Infocom Ltd., Motilal Oswal Securities, and Parag Parikh Financial Advisory Services Ltd.  Who should invest?  Investors who are seeking: -  To generate long-term capital appreciation along with steady portfolio growth.  Investments in a mix of large-cap and mid-cap stocks.  Why Invest?  The fund offers exposure to mid-cap for good opportunities for wealth creation.  At the same time, it offers large caps as diversification and steady portfolio growth.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or more.  Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  This is the oldest fund with a proven track record of 21 years and has delivered 19.12% CAGR consistently which is better than most equity funds. Thus, it is best for investors looking for a diversified portfolio with exposure to large and mid-cap for wealth creation as well as steady growth.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

What are debt funds? What are the best debt funds to invest in? Debt Mutual funds invest in fixed-income securities such as Corporate Bonds, Government Securities, money market instruments, etc. These funds are also known as income funds or bond funds.   The difference between the purchase price and the selling price of the securities adds to the NAV of the fund. If the fund bought security for Rs 1000 and had to sell it in extreme market conditions at Rs 900 by making a loss, it would result in the depreciation of the NAV.  Debt funds earn through capital appreciation and Interest Income from the fixed income securities. Consider that a debt fund receives 10% annual interest divided by 365 and added to the NAV daily.   A debt fund's NAV depends on its portfolio's interest rate and credit rating. If the credit rating of one of the securities that a fund is invested into goes down (due to default), the NAV of the fund also depreciates.   The interest rate regime also affects the NAV of the fund. For example, if a fund ABC holds a security that offers 8% interest. If the RBI announces a decrease in the interest rates, then any new security would adhere to these new regulations and offer a lower interest rate.   This would drive up the demand for pre-existing securities, which were offering a higher rate (similar to our security which offered a rate of 8%). Consequently, the price of these bonds/securities would increase, hence leading to an increase in the NAV of the fund.  In the following, we aim to provide 2 top performing funds in each debt fund category and also provide insights on which category would be ideal for you. These are not recommendations and you are suggested to consult your investment advisor before investing. You can also book a free call on the EduFund app with one of our advisors.  1. Liquid and money market funds These funds invest in money market securities with a maturity lower than 91 days. They are considered an excellent alternative to savings accounts and fixed deposits as they offer higher returns and are tax-friendly (compared to traditional instruments). They have a reasonable level of safety of the invested principal coupled with liquidity. They typically do not have exit loads.  Investor: Suppose you have surplus cash or a sudden influx of money – sale of real estate property, bonus, etc., instead of parking it in a savings account and earning a meager 4% return. In that case, you could consider Liquid funds as an alternative. These are also suitable for risk-averse investors and investors looking for stable returns and liquidity.  Funds: Fund Category 1Y Returns AUM UTI Liquid Cash Fund Liquid 5.13% Rs 23,211.80 Cr Aditya Birla Sun Life Liquid Fund Liquid 5.16% Rs 39,952.77 Cr Tata Money Market Fund Money Market 5.25% Rs 8,617.75 Cr Nippon India Money Market Fund Money Market 5.28% Rs 10,238.33 Cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023. All are Direct Plan and Growth option  Source: EduFund Research 2. Gilt funds Gilt funds invest in Government securities of State and Central governments with different bond tenures (or varying maturities) such as 1-year, 3-year, ten-year, etc. Government bonds are considered risk-free and have a zero probability of default (Credit risk is zero). However, these funds are subject to interest rate risk, i.e., the portfolio's worth appreciates or depreciates depending on the interest rate regime in the economy.  Investor: These are suitable for a risk-averse investor. They are beneficial in a falling interest rate environment as these funds would have underlying securities carrying a high coupon.  Funds:  Fund Category 5Y Returns AUM DSP Government Securities Fund Gilt 8.41% Rs 416 Cr ICICI Prudential Gilt Fund Gilt 8.12% Rs 2,601 Cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023. All are Direct Plans and  Growth option  Source: EduFund Research  3. Short-term funds  Funds that invest in securities that have a maturity of 1-3 years with high liquidity. The fund invests in corporate bonds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and government securities with medium and long-term maturities. They are prone to a lower interest rate risk when compared to medium and long-term funds. This aids the funds to sail through adverse market conditions.  Investor: They are ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to receive higher post-tax interest or returns (when compared to FDs) when the investment horizon is more significant than one year.  Funds:  Fund Category 3Y Returns AUM UTI Short-term Income Fund Short-term 8.02% Rs 2,245.56 Cr ICICI Prudential Short-term Fund Short-term 7.05% Rs 15,527.68 Cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023. All are Direct Plans and Growth option  Source: EduFund Research  4. Medium-term funds  Funds that invest in securities that have a medium-term maturity of 3-4 years. SEBI mandates that these funds invest in securities with a Macaulay duration of 3-4 years. They earn higher post-tax returns when compared to a 5-year bank FD. One can also opt for Monthly income plans if they wish to receive a periodic income from their investments.  Investor: They are ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to receive higher post-tax interest or returns (when compared to FDs). They are also ideal for the diversification of risk. They are lesser volatile when compared to equity funds and are also lesser prone to interest rate risk when compared to long-term funds. Fund:  Fund Category 3Y Returns AUM ICICI Prudential Medium Term Bond Fund Medium Term 7.24% Rs 6255.30 Cr SBI Magnum Medium Duration Fund Medium Term 6.87% Rs 7145.68 Cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023; All are Direct Plans and Growth option  Source: EduFund Research 5. Dynamic bond funds Funds are actively managed or employ a dynamic investment/asset allocation strategy by reducing the average portfolio duration (or maturity) in increasing interest rate environments and increasing the duration in a falling interest rate regime. These funds allow the investor to earn from the interest rate fluctuations.  Investor: They are suitable for investors who want to stay invested longer without worrying about the interest rate movements affecting their wealth creation.   Fund: Fund Category 5Y Returns AUM ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund Dynamic Bond 8.14% Rs 6264.50 cr SBI Dynamic Bond Fund Dynamic Bond 6.24% Rs 2350.78 cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023 Source: EduFund Research 6. Credit risk funds  These funds allocate 65% of their total assets for purchasing lower-rated securities (lower than AA- credit rating) and offer higher returns to their investors. The credit risk is higher for these funds. The interest rate risk is comparatively lower as these funds invest in securities with low maturities. The funds also gain from capital appreciation if the underlying security is upgraded to a higher credit rating.  Investors: These are only suitable for investors willing to take a higher risk. This is due to the lower credit securities as a part of the portfolio which have a higher probability of default.  Fund: Fund Category 3Y Returns AUM ICICI Prudential Credit Risk Fund Credit Risk 7.60% Rs 7866.00 Cr DSP Credit Risk Fund Credit Risk 6.37% Rs 234.03 Cr Note: AUM as on December 31, 2022, Returns as on January 25, 2023 Source: EduFund Research  Debt funds add great value and diversification to your portfolio. Want to create a powerful financial plan to meet all your goals? Then connect with our experts today!   Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT