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Contrary to the usual belief that parents of the girl child are more worried about keeping their future safe, parents of boys are equally concerned about their boy’s future. They would also like to find the best investment plan for a boy child to make their future secure and rewarding.  Education inflation is high at 11% - 12%, and it is impossible to finance your children’s education without solid backing.  A strong financial corpus will come in handy when the boy child wants to pursue higher education either in India or an overseas university. The accrued amount can also be used for setting up a business if he is interested.  It is not easy to find the best investment plan for a boy child as there are too many options available in the market. This will create confusion and can also lead to indecision or wrong choices.  In this blog, we will list some of the best child investment plans for your boy child to give more clarity. Best investment plans for a boy child 1. Aditya Birla Sun Life Vision Star Child Plan Birla Sun Life Insurance has introduced the Aditya Birla Sun Life Vision Star Child Plan as a money-back plan with a terminal and reversionary bonus. It is a child education plan where you will start receiving predetermined payouts after the 5th premium-paying term is over. In case the life insured dies during the policy term, the nominee becomes eligible for the predetermined death benefit.   2. Bajaj Allianz Young Child Assurance Plan Bajaj Allianz Young Child Assurance Plan is one of the best investment plans for boy children as it has a clause of Accidental Permanent Total Disability Benefit.  It is a traditional child plan that offers insurance protection and savings to save for a boy child’s milestones in growing years.  The child plan from Bajaj Allianz has term options of 10, 15, and 20 years with a choice of quarterly, monthly, half-yearly, and yearly premium payments.  3. HDFC SL YoungStar Super Premium Child Plan As the name suggests, HDFC SL YoungStar Super Premium Child Plan is a child investment plan from HDFC with life insurance coverage and flexible twin benefit payment options, namely the Save-n-Gain Benefit Option and Save Benefit Option.  The unit-linked life insurance plan can be customized to suit the boy child’s future needs with four types of funds: Blue Chip Fund, Income Fund, Balanced Fund, and Opportunities Fund.  In case of the death of the policyholder, the future premiums are paid by the company, and the sum assured is paid on maturity to the beneficiary as per the terms of the plan.  4. ICICI Pru Smart Kid’s Regular Plan ICICI Pru Smart Kid’s Regular Plan is an endowment premium plan with education benefits from ICICI Bank and Prudential Private Limited Company. The additional twin benefits of choosing this plan are income benefit rider and disability benefit rider.  The traditional child plan offers two maturity benefit options. In the first option, the benefit is received at predefined educational milestones or installments of 2, 5, and 7 years, and in the second option, a part of the assured sum is paid every year in the last five years of the insurance policy.  5. Kotak HeadStart Child Assure Plan Kotak Head Start Child Assure Plan from Kotak Mahindra is one of the best investment plans for boy children with dual benefits of wealth creation and protection.  The unit-linked child education plan offers the policyholder the option of half-yearly and yearly premiums. It also allows you to partially withdraw a predetermined sum after every five years.  6. LIC New Children’s Money Back Plan LIC New Children’s Money Back Plan from LIC Corporation is both an insurance and investment plan that will secure the financial needs of the child when he turns 25 years old.  It is a participating non-linked money-back plan that makes it eligible for a bonus based on the performance of LIC. This plan can be bought by parents or grandparents of a child aged between 0 – 12 years only.  An interesting fact about the child plan is that the risk cover is on the life of the child during the policy term and not the policyholder.  Conclusion The world has become a challenging place where a high inflation rate has led to higher expenses and little savings. This is the time to be aware of your surroundings and put greater focus on savings. Find the best investment plan for a boy child so that, as parents, you can create a financial corpus that would be a blessing for the boy child in later years.  Take the help of the experts on the Edufund App to create a personalized financial plan for your boy that will secure his future to a great extent. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

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 flagship product – ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund About ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund   Investment objective To generate long-term capital appreciation through investments made primarily in equity & equity-related securities forming part of the FMCG sector. However, there is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the Scheme would be achieved.  Investment process   The ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund invests prominently in FMCG stocks as FMCG is purchased frequently and in regular intervals and the FMCG market in India is large given that it has the 2nd largest population in the world. It chooses stocks that have very high growth potential. The Scheme may invest in derivatives such as Futures & Options for the purpose of hedging and portfolio balancing.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 74% and sectorally major exposure is to Diversified FMCG which accounts for almost 38% of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold nearly 76% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Top 5 holdings for ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund   Name Sector Weightage % ITC Ltd. Indian Hotel Chain 20.29 Hindustan Unilever Ltd. Consumer Goods Company 18.17 Nestle India Ltd. Food & Beverage Company 6.69 Britannia Industries Ltd. Food Industry 5.65 Dabur India Ltd. Consumer goods company 5.41 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Performance over 23 years for ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund   If you would have invested Rs. 10000 lakhs at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 3.73 lakhs.  Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception Date – Jul 09, 1998, till Dec 09, 2022. Source: Morningstar.  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 23 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 16.59%.  INVEST NOW Fund manager  Priyanka Khandelwal – Comes with a total experience of 11 years. She has been with ICICI Prudential since October 2014. She joined ICICI Pru in Strategic Planning and Analysis.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for  Long-term wealth creation.  An equity fund that primarily invests in a select group of companies in the FMCG sector.  Why invest?  ICICI is a renowned name in the finance industry with a proven track record  FMCG is a booming sector in India and all over the world as the demand for the FMCG sector never goes down.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 7 years or more  A systematic investment Plan (SIP) is an ideal way to take exposure as it helps tackle market volatility  Conclusion  The ICICI Prudential FMCG Fund has delivered consistent returns over 23 years with a proven track record and has delivered 16.59% CAGR consistently. Thus, suitable for investors who want sectoral exposure in their portfolio and FMCG is a better-performing theme compared to others. 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 flagship product – ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund  ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund  Investment objective To generate capital appreciation and income distribution to unit holders by investing predominantly in equity/equity-related securities of the companies belonging to the infrastructure theme. However, there can be no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the Scheme will be achieved  Investment process   The scheme seeks to optimize the risk-adjusted return by a mix of top-down macro and bottom-up micro research to pick up stocks providing long-term potential. The fund manager would adopt a counter-cyclical approach to investing by remaining underweight in those sectors to which the larger market holds an elevated exposure.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 61% and sectorally major exposure is to construction which accounts for almost 19% of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold nearly 60% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Top 5 Holdings for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund Name Sector Weightage % NTPC Ltd. Energy Conglomerate 9.22 Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Indian Conglomerate 8.74 Bharti Airtel Ltd. Telecom Services 6.78 Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. Indian oil & Gas Company 5.57 HDFC Bank Ltd. Bank 5.21 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Performance over 17 years for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund  If you had invested Rs. 10,000 lakhs at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 1 lakh. Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception Date – August 31, 2005. Source: Morningstar  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 17 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14.24%.  Fund manager  Ihab Dalwai: Mr. Dalwai is a Chartered Accountant. He has been associated with ICICI Prudential AMC since April 2011.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for  Long-term wealth creation.  An open-ended equity scheme aims for growth by primarily investing in companies belonging to infrastructure and allied sectors.  Why invest?  ICICI is a renowned name in the finance industry with a proven track record  Diversified exposure across market cap thereby offers less concentration risk in terms of market capitalization.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or more  A systematic investment Plan (SIP) is an ideal way to take exposure as it helps tackle market volatility  Conclusion  The ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund has delivered consistent returns over 17 years with a proven track record and has delivered a 14.24% CAGR consistently. Thus, suitable for investors who want sectoral exposure in their portfolio with diversification across market caps to optimize the overall portfolio volatility.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

Inflation has been a buzzword globally since Covid19 pandemic was over. Almost every country has been witnessing high inflation, and some are seeing skyrocketing inflation in a few decades.   The rise in the price of cars, electronics, food, and fuel only reminds us how household goods and consumption items are becoming costlier. While discussing the fuel price has been all the rage, there are some items where inflation has been hovering around for quite some time and that too consistently.   This is nothing but Education. Unfortunately, this area needs to be spoken about more, as people are aloof about how it is not only making a hole in your pocket but also denting your aspiration.  Education inflation is the silent killer and is for real. But why is it so critical?  Because it can demolish the dreams of a brighter future when taken lightly. Here's an example that proves this powerful statement - Despite the pandemic, IITs increased their fees in 2021-22 from INR 90K to INR 200K. This is over 100%.   So, a financially unprepared parent will face the heat of the situation with their child for admission!   Why is education inflation scary?  Below is the list of different segments and inflation over the last ten years. Source: MOSPI, EduFund Research  The data highlights the reality that the rise in education costs has surpassed all other necessities and consumables in the last decade. This rise is partial because the government is looking to reduce funding grants. Additionally, there has been growth in living standards and services offered by the Educational Institutes and thus the premium.   In addition to headline educational expenses, many hidden costs hurt a parent. For instance, exam registration fees saw an approximate 6.7% hike last year. Additionally, transportation and student accommodation costs contribute significantly to the overall increase in education costs. And finally, food costs are another major contributor that needs to be highlighted while planning for higher Education.   Increasing tuition fees in India   College tuition fees in India have seen an enormous rise over the years. Here is some data on total course fees for specific courses that help paint a clearer picture of how fast the tuition fees have risen over the years.  Source: EduFund Research  The figures are staggering, and one of the main reasons students drop out of college midway. According to recent data, approximately 39% of students aged 20-24 drop out of college to help their family increase their household income. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is a need for proper education planning in India, as many parents need to be aware of the rising tuition fee and how to tackle it.   Education costs abroad on the rise  If you want to send your child abroad, the cost will be higher, and you must be prepared to shell out much more to pay.  But why?  Because, in addition to inflation or price hike, currency depreciation also hurts you.  So, even if the college abroad doesn't increase the fees, you will pay higher Indian Rupee terms because of the depreciating Rupee. And, if the colleges increase fees (which they have done every year), the cost increases further in Indian Rupees. Cost of Education in Indian Rupee when fees don't increase      Jan-22 Jan-23 Change (%) Fees USD 79,540 79,540 0% USD | INR Rs 74.51 82.74 11% Fees Rs Lakhs 59.3 65.8 11% Note: The Fees are considered for Princeton University (Undergraduate Admission). The Fees is for 2022-23 and include - Tuition: $57,410, Housing: $10,960, Food: $7,670, and Estimated Miscellaneous Expenses: $3,500.Source: https://admission.princeton.edu/   Fees in the United States increased to nearly 5x from what it was in 1985. The scenario is similar for destinations like the UK, Canada, and Australia.   Despite the pandemic, some universities abroad announced increasing the tuition fee for this academic year (2022-2023). The University of Pennsylvania announced a 2.9% increase in tuition fees, while Arizona State University announced that tuition fees would increase by 5% for international students. The international students at all three campuses of the University of Illinois are likely to see a 1.5 to 2.5% hike in their tuition fees.  How are you planning for your life's most considerable expense before retirement?  Unfortunately, the depth of the issue only hits you once you are close to paying for your child's college, which is one or two years before. And suddenly, you are left with only two choices- compromising on the quality of Education or opting for loans with a high-interest rate which eventually increases your overall cost of Education (after including the interest component on loan). Both decisions will have a significant impact on your child's future.   But you can avoid it. How?  You can avoid financial stress by saving early for your child's college. The sooner you begin investing in your child's education expenses, the more time you give your savings to grow. Here is an example of how you could create an education fund for your child by investing early:   Unit 5 yrs. 10 yrs. 15 yrs. SIP Rs/month 10,000 10,000 10,000 Annual Returns % Per Annum 15 15 15 Total Outflow Rs 6,00,000 12,00,000 18,00,000 Accumulated Amount Rs 8,96,817 27,86,573 67,68,631 Note: The returns here are hypothetical and do not guarantee performance. Source: EduFund Research Find the right investment tool that suits your educational goal and start investing to achieve the goal. If you are overwhelmed with the available options, seek a financial expert to help you with your education investments.  

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 flagship product – DSP Government Securities Fund.  DSP Government Securities Fund  Investment objective The primary objective of the Scheme is to generate income through investment in Central Government Securities of various maturities.  Investment process   DSP Government Securities Fund invests 100% in sovereign debt (the highest quality debt securities available in the Indian market, considered to be safe havens even during periods of economic turmoil as they carry little risk of default.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio's major exposure of more than 78% in Sovereign bonds which are supposed to be the safest debt instruments. The rest is maintained in cash.  Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. The pie chart shows the credit rating profile of the fund’s portfolio holdings. The bar graph shows the Instrument Break-up of the fund’s portfolio. Source: dspim.com Top 5 Holdings in DSP Government Securities Fund Name Weightage % 7.38% GOI 2027 48.52 TREPS / Reverse Repo Investments / Corporate Debt Repo 27.30 7.42% GOI FRB 2033 11.01 364 DAYS T-BILL 2023 6.01 Cash & cash equivalents 1.15 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: dspim.com Performance over 23 years  If you had invested 10,000 at the inception of the DSP Government Securities Fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 78,289. This fund has outperformed the benchmark in all time horizons.  Note: Performance of the fund since launch. Inception date – September 30th, 1999. Source: Morningstar  The DSP Government Securities Fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of more than 23 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 9.25%  Fund managers  Vikram Chopra - Total work experience of 14 years. He joined DSP Investment Managers from L&T Investment Management. He has also previously worked with Fidelity, IDBI Bank, and Axis Bank Ltd.  Laukik Bagwe - Total work experience of 11 years. He joined the firm in November 2007 as a Fixed Income Dealer.  Who should invest in the DSP Government Securities Fund?  Investors  Who prefer the stability of the debt market but are okay to expose themselves to interest rate risk.  Who wants to invest in debt funds but understands that the returns are stable and not as high as equity funds?  Why invest in the DSP Government Securities Fund?  This is a quality debt fund since the entire portfolio is made of government-backed securities.  Earn potentially better returns than bank FDs.  Time Horizon  One should look at investing and holding the investment for more than 3 years.  Investment through SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) or Lumpsum should both be okay as the NAV of the fund does not fluctuate much.  Conclusion  This scheme offers stabilized returns with lower risk and volatility. Best suitable for people with either a short investment horizon or with low-risk appetite. This scheme has generated returns that have beaten inflation and have performed much better than Fixed Deposits. DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

There are numerous options available for adults if they are looking for the best way to invest $1000 for a child. Every parent wishes to give a comfortable, secure, and stable life to his child, and what better way than investing on his behalf from an early age?  Investments are what drive your savings because of the compounding factor. $1000 is a good amount for investment hence you can take the help of endless opportunities to create a sizable nest egg from it. Identify your financial goals and how much time you have in hand before investing. As a rule, when the timeline is short the risk involved is also less and so are the returns. Conversely, longer timelines mean higher risk and greater growth.  Investing $1000 early will help the small amount to grow into a significant corpus. Assuming that the expected average long-term return is 10% then the $1000 will result in a nearly $490,370 portfolio by the time a child will need the money in his retirement age. Take the help of the investment calculator at the Edufund App to know how much amount you can expect for your child with a $1000 investment. Best opportunities to invest $1000 for a child Custodial account A custodial account can be opened by an adult on behalf of a child at an investment firm or a bank. The child is the beneficiary of the account which is handled by the legal adult who opens and operates the account until the child achieves maturity and comes of legal age.  The funds that grow through the custodial account can be used for any purpose by the child when he becomes the legal holder.  You can open a custodial account with Edufund App, an investment platform to secure your child’s financial future with a sum of $1000. Funds can then be invested in a diversified portfolio of assets to achieve the best returns. Different types of assets for a $1000 investment through a custodial account. 1. ETFs and index funds Index funds structured as ETFs and mutual funds help to invest in several companies at once. Index funds with low fees are the best options when the investment is through the custodial account.  For investors who are fond of taking risks to gain higher returns one of the best investment options available with $1000 is the direct equity fund. Growth stocks often yield very high profits than average equity but they have to be invested for a longer period hence choose growth equity funds for your child. 2. Individual stocks If you are not interested in the overall stock market invest $1000 in individual stock that has shown consistent returns over the years. 3. Savings bonds Saving bonds are traditional monetary gifts considered safe investments for a child. The volatility of the stock market does not have any impact on it so people looking for safe and secure investments find the savings bond lucrative options. Purchase savings bonds from private companies, utilities, and municipalities. Other investment opportunities 1. Bank fixed deposits Fixed Deposits can be a good investment opportunity for a child if you are looking for a low-risk safe and secured one-time option. Most banks offer special FD schemes for children without the option of premature withdrawal. 2. Insurance policies Choose children-specific insurance policies with life cover and death benefits. The adult who is the policyholder has to pay a sum, for instance, $1000 once and at maturity the total amount which has been compounded over the years is returned as a lump sum.  3. One-time child investment plans Invest $1000 in one-time child investment plans as early as possible so that you can get back a lump sum amount after a pre-decided period. One-time child investment plans are considered beneficial as they are safe and secured investments.  There are several options open for you that will offer better returns along with death benefits. If you are unable to decide on a specific investment plan then take the help of Edufund App and its partner banks to purchase a child investment plan that will give the best possible returns.  Conclusion A newborn child has several years before the need to access the funds will arise so it is prudent for parents to think about the best way to invest $1000 for a child and secure his future to some extent.  Take the help of the EduFund App and create a financial plan where as parents you can make investments for the child in your name. Just sign up for an account, select a portfolio from several options like US funds, mutual stocks, gold, ETFs, etc. and start your investment with $1000. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The expense of attending your dream university is already high due to the rising cost of education. Recent research found that the price of contemporary education is rising quickly, on average, by 12 – 18% annually. Given this, obtaining an education loan for your child's future is unquestionably the finest choice without sacrificing the caliber of their education. This blog will discuss the pros and cons of using education loans abroad to finance your studies. Pros of using education loans abroad to finance studies The following are the benefits of study abroad education loans:  1. Tax benefits on education loans  One of the most significant benefits of an education loan taken out for courses in India and abroad is the tax benefit. Spending less money and giving your kids a brighter future is a fantastic method. This is one factor that favors student loans over self-financing for educational expenses. Section 80E of the Income Tax Act of India allows applicants for education loans to deduct interest paid on loans, decreasing the interest rate. The deductions allowed by this section may be made for eight consecutive years, starting with the year the loan is taken out and continuing until the loan's interest is entirely returned, whichever comes first. It should be emphasized that these deductions only apply to loans obtained from financial institutions that have been gazetted. Any Indian citizen may deduct the interest paid on any school loans they have taken out for themselves, their spouses, their children, or any other children over whom they have legal custody. It should be emphasized that Section 80E tax deductions do not apply to student loans obtained from friends and family. 2. Upto 100% expense coverage During their higher education abroad, students frequently incur additional costs in addition to the tuition fee. One-time registration fees, library dues, lab and equipment fees, housing costs, and other personal expenses are a few of these costs. Most students have access to full education loans, which also give them money to live healthily while studying abroad. This frees parents and students from worrying about money, and fast tuition payment to the university or institution ensures that a student's study term will go without any problems. 3. Education loans will help you build your credit score Yes! Students and recent graduates may improve their credit ratings by wisely using student loans. Student loans may be the only opportunity to establish their credit history because many college students need other payments or debts attached to their identities. Throughout the remainder of your life, having a decent to an exceptional credit score will be helpful when you apply for jobs, credit cards, apartments, and even purchase a house. But to take advantage of these fantastic advantages, you must use student loans properly.  Cons of using education loans abroad to finance studies The following are the few disadvantages of study abroad education loans:  1. You have to start your career with debt You will begin your adult life in debt if you rely on student loans to pay for your education. Yes, having a college degree may enable you to earn more overall than someone with merely a high school graduation. However, depending on how much you borrow, it might be difficult for the first few years after college, particularly if, like millions of other college graduates, you need help finding a job that compensates enough to cover your expenditures.  2. Defaulting on your education loans can tank your credit score Missing payments, defaulting on student loans, and taking on more debt than you can afford to repay after graduation can all have a major negative effect on your credit score or co-borrower's credit score. The worst case scenario is defaulting since it indicates that you could not repay the loan you received from a lender. 3. Education loans might not cover all your expenses Most federal student loans have yearly borrowing caps, and some private lenders could also. You might still need to hunt for additional sources of income to finish your degree, depending on the cost of tuition, fees, materials, lodging and board, and other expenditures. How to choose the right education loan for higher education?  Research and thorough comparison are necessary while selecting the best education loan for higher education. Before choosing an education loan, compare several institutions' interest rates and repayment options. You may also get in touch with an expert. They can assist you in negotiating a lower interest rate and organizing your repayment plan to help you save money. Before taking out an education loan, ascertain how much money you require to fund your higher education. Our College Cost Calculator will help you determine how much additional money you'll need to live comfortably in your college city by providing information on the tuition and living costs there. And make sure you've done your research, decided which course of action is best for you or your child, and then finalized a sound education strategy to create a bright future! 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 flagship product – UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund.  About the UTI Banking & Financial services fund  The investment objective of UTI Banking & Financial services fund  The objective of UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of companies/institutions engaged in banking and financial services activities.  Investment Process of UTI Banking & Financial services fund  This fund has a bottom-up approach to stock picking. It looks for companies that are having sustainable growth models and are well-capitalized. It focuses on well-managed companies with a balance between compounders and turnaround opportunities.  Portfolio composition of UTI Banking & Financial services fund  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 89%. The major sectoral exposure is to financial services and banking companies, which comprise around 96% of the portfolio as this is a sectoral fund. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  Top 5 Holdings of UTI Banking & Financial services fund  Name Sector Weightage % HDFC Bank Ltd. Financial Services 19.25 ICICI Bank Ltd. Financial Services 17.7 Axis Bank Ltd. Financial Services 9.74 State Bank of India Financial Services 9.25 HDFC Ltd Financial Services 6.42 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: UTIMF  Performance over 19 years  If you would have invested Rs. 10,000 at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 1.28 lakhs. Note Performance of the fund since launch; Inception date - 07th April 2004. Source: Morningstar The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 19 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 14.59%.  Fund manager  Amit Premchandani: is Senior Vice President & Fund Manager - Equity. He holds PGDM from IIM Indore and CFA charter from CFA Institute, USA. He has completed CA from ICAI. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2001 from Heramba Chandra College, Kolkata. Amit joined UTI AMC in 2009 as Senior Research Analyst  Preethi R S: is an Associate Vice President and research analyst in the domestic Equity Division of UTI Asset Management Company Ltd. She tracks the non-banking finance and automobile-ancillary sectors.  Who should invest in UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund?  Investors looking for a portfolio investing in companies engaged in banking and financial services activities.  Investors are willing to have a tactical allocation to their overall equity portfolio.  Why Invest in UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund?  The Fund predominantly invests in stocks of companies engaged in the banking, insurance, and financial services-related activities of the Indian economy.  The Fund endeavors to invest across the existing and evolving sub-sectors in the space.  Time 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 Value Opportunities Fund is one of the oldest funds with a proven track record of 19 years and has delivered 14.59% CAGR consistently. Thus, it is best for investors looking for a tactical allocation with a sectoral concentration in banking and financial services. 

Investing for the unborn child is not a luxury but a necessity because you need to be prepared for the additional expenses that will occur as soon as your child is born. Investing for an unborn child is quite different from investing for newborn babies or minor kids because an unborn child does not legally exist before their birth; hence how can you invest something in their name? Although unborn children cannot own bank accounts or properties until they arrive in this world, there are provisions in place for parents interested in saving and investing in the child’s welfare. Why is it necessary to invest in the unborn child?  Children are a bundle of joy that spreads happiness around them even if they are in their mother’s womb and are yet to take their first breath. In these turbulent times, when inflation is at its peak, and the cost of living is also very high, it is normal for parents to be concerned about the future of their children.   Parents need to discuss beforehand how many children they want and also, most importantly, how many children they can afford to have in this expensive environment. Other important queries that need to be addressed before planning a family are the costs involved in raising their child, the contribution of each parent, and how they will deal with all the additional expenses successfully.  Children need care and pampering, and it is not only about the love you shower on the unborn child or the baby when it is born but the various related expenses that you have to incur on the materialistic things like food, clothes, and medicines, etc. and education when they join Montessori or play schools or a preschool and so on.  Thus, planning and investing for the unborn child from the word go will help to meet the related expenses and eventually result in a better future. Investment schemes for an unborn child 1. Opening a savings account Bank accounts cannot be opened for an unborn child as they are not legally present, but either/both mother and father can do so in their name. Several banks in India give parents the option to open an account in the name of the father or mother and add the name of the child after birth or later on when the child gets older.  This account acts as a joint account where the adult parent is the account holder who operates in the name of their minor child, who is the secondary account holder.  Parents can encourage their friends and relatives to provide cash gifts instead of typical gifts for the baby during special occasions like the baby shower or the baby registry. The total amount can be later deposited in the account of the child.  This way, all the cash gifts the baby receives in the later years can also be deposited in that account so that it grows and creates a good sum that can be used for either education or any other important buy.  2. Custodial accounts Parents can set up custodial accounts for the baby under the UTMA account. The funds are controlled by the parent or the operator of the custodial account, and all the related decisions are theirs. The funds in the UTMA custodial accounts are invested for growth purposes and are generally used for big expenditures like the child’s education. Initial gains in the UTMA account are tax-free, and the subsequent gains are taxable up to a certain limit.  The UGMA account is also a tax-efficient custodial investment account that enables adults to hold assets for their children until they are of age. As soon as a UGMA account is set up, the adult has to appoint a child beneficiary who becomes the legal owner of every asset invested from that time onwards. The financial decisions are made by the account’s custodian, who is responsible for managing the account on behalf of the child until they come of age and can handle the account themselves. 3. Trust Funds Trust funds can be opened for future generations and are considered an excellent investment for the coming babies. Trust funds prove beneficial while planning for future expenses like tuition fees for college or overseas higher education.  Conclusion Parents are often worried about the financial future of their kids because living life to the fullest is an expensive business. Planning and investing in the unborn child helps to create a nest egg that will keep on growing and bearing fruits year after year.  Take the help of investment experts on the Edufund App to know more about the investment opportunities for your unborn child so that once they are born, they can experience a better life. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The Aditya Birla Group is one of India's leading multinational corporations, with a diverse range of businesses including cement, metals, telecommunications, and financial services. As a part of their corporate social responsibility initiative, the Aditya Birla Group offers scholarships to deserving students who are in need of financial assistance to pursue higher education. Who can apply for the Aditya Birla Scholarship? The Aditya Birla Scholarship is available to students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in India. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and overall personal characteristics and achievements. The scholarship is awarded for a period of one academic year and is renewable for a second year based on the student's academic performance. What are the eligibility criteria for Aditya Birla Scholarship? To be eligible for the Aditya Birla Scholarship, students must be Indian citizens and should have secured admission to a recognized university or college in India.  They should also have a good academic record, with a minimum aggregate of 60% in their last examination. In addition, students should come from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and should have a demonstrated need for financial assistance to pursue their studies. What are the expenses covered by the Aditya Birla Scholarship? The scholarship provides financial assistance to cover expenses such as tuition fees, hostel fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the student's individual needs and the cost of their education. How to apply for the scholarship? To apply for the Aditya Birla Scholarship, students must fill out an application form, which is available on the Aditya Birla Group website. They must also submit relevant documents such as their academic transcripts, proof of admission to a recognized university or college, and proof of financial need. The application process for the Aditya Birla Scholarship is competitive and rigorous, with a panel of experts from the Aditya Birla Group reviewing each application. The panel considers factors such as the student's academic record, personal characteristics, and financial needs before making a decision. The Aditya Birla Scholarship is a valuable opportunity for students in India who are in need of financial assistance to pursue higher education. It provides financial assistance to cover the costs of education and enables students to focus on their studies without worrying about financial constraints. The scholarship also allows recipients to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen field and make a positive impact in their communities. The Aditya Birla Group is committed to promoting education and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Through the Aditya Birla Scholarship, the group is helping to create a brighter future for deserving students in India. Tips on how to apply for the scholarship! In addition to the basic eligibility criteria and application process, there are a few other key points to keep in mind about the Aditya Birla Scholarship: The scholarship is available to students pursuing a wide range of courses, including engineering, medicine, science, commerce, and arts. However, preference is given to students pursuing courses in science and technology. Students who are already receiving financial assistance from other sources are not eligible to apply for the Aditya Birla Scholarship. Along with the application form and required documents, students must also submit a personal statement outlining their academic and career goals, as well as their reasons for applying for the scholarship. The selection process for the Aditya Birla Scholarship is highly competitive, with only a limited number of scholarships awarded each year. Therefore, it is important for students to make sure that their application is as strong as possible. In addition to financial assistance, the Aditya Birla Scholarship also provides recipients with mentoring and career guidance to help them succeed in their studies and future careers. Recipients of the Aditya Birla Scholarship are also expected to participate in community service activities as part of the scholarship program. The scholarship is a great way for students to get support from the Aditya Birla Group, one of India's leading multinational corporations. This can open up opportunities for internships, networking, and future employment with the group. The Aditya Birla Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for deserving students in India who are in need of financial assistance to pursue higher education. The scholarship provides not only financial support but also mentoring and career guidance to help recipients succeed in their studies and future careers.  In summary, the Aditya Birla scholarship is a merit and need-based scholarship for Indian students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in India. The scholarship is awarded for a period of one academic year and is renewable for a second year based on academic performance. The applicants are selected based on their academic record, personal characteristics, and financial need through a competitive application process. The scholarship is an initiative of Aditya Birla Group as a part of their corporate social responsibility and it is a great opportunity for financially challenged students to pursue higher education. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The parents’ guide to education loans helps to make sense of the loan process and understand how they can mold the terms and conditions to suit their specific needs and requirements.  If you ask an Indian parent about his priority then the obvious answer will be providing a good education for his children. With education inflation at 11% - 12% and expenses escalating consistently, it is no longer a reality without the help of education loans.   Even after creating a sizable education corpus for their children, parents can fall short of the money. Taking out an education loan can bridge the shortfall, provide quality education, and offer tax benefits.  What is an Education loan? An education loan is a loan taken out for completing the studies. It can be either for studying in the home country or abroad at a foreign university.  The education loan includes tuition fees, caution deposit, travel expenses, cost of books, uniform if applicable, laptop if required, hostel fees, food expenses, and in some cases traveling and other miscellaneous expenses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gTQkdePOWM Guidelines for Parents Taking Education Loans Parents often worry about the burden of repaying the education loan at the beginning of their children’s careers but in reality, it is a good thing. Repaying the loan amount on time will create good credit scores and instill financial discipline in the students. Let us go through some of the important things that parents taking education loans need to look for beforehand.  1. Loan interest How much interest you have to pay on the education loan matters a lot and this is the first thing parents should find out. Private lenders, banks, and NBFCs are the perfect choices for an education loan hence parents should shortlist three to five lenders with the minimum loan interest. If the student has exceptional grades or has been admitted to a STEM course in a reputed and ranking university then parents can talk to the financial institution of their choice because banks often reduce 1% interest in such cases.  Choose from the multiple banks and NBFC partners at the Edufund App for higher loan amounts and lower interest rates.  2. Time or duration of the loan The lenders have extended the duration period from 7 years to 15 years. This means a minimum EMI which is easy to repay even if the initial salary of the applicant is low. Parents can choose the longest possible loan repayment duration as there is no penalty.  3. Collateral for the loan Defaults are very common in education loans hence financial institutions or lenders insist on the collateral if the loan amount exceeds INR 7.5 lakhs. The collateral can be fixed deposits or houses etc. Collateral often reduces interest costs. Take an education loan through the Edufund App as the hassle-free loan process does not require collateral for an amount up to INR 75 lakhs.  4. Co-applicant  Financial institutions insist on a co-applicant or guarantor so that the risk is divided in case of late payment or default. Parents, guardians, or elder siblings working in a reputed company should serve as guarantors or co-applicant as it will help in reducing the interest cost.  5. Margin money The margin money often depends upon the loan amount and the place where the university is located. It is better to know beforehand the contribution of the lender and how much margin money the parents will have to pay. Banks often charge 5% for loan amounts above INR 4 lakhs for studying in India and 15% for overseas studies.  Parents need not pay the margin money if they take out an education loan from the Edufund App.   6. Moratorium period The moratorium period lies between 6 – 12 months after the course study and it is important for parents to sort out beforehand that if the interest is paid in this period then the EMI will be based only on the principal amount and if not then it will be added up and EMI will be loan plus additional interest. 7. Documentation The parent’s guide to education loans emphasizes proper documentation. It is necessary to submit all the related papers and check the details with an expert to avoid any discrepancies.  8. Start the process as early as possible The loan application process takes time whereas the universities will give you little time to deposit the fees. Parents should start the process as early as possible to avoid any mishaps later on.  Conclusion Quality education ensures breaking the shackles of poverty with the help of a good job but it comes at a cost. The parent's guide to education loans refers to the guidelines that encourage parents to take the necessary steps and apply for the loan.  Parents can apply for education loans through the Edufund App. Use the education calculator on the site to know about the required loan amount and talk to the counselors to compare loan offers and get a clear picture of why taking the loan makes sense. The best thing is that parents will not have to pay any fees for the consultation. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

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 flagship product – DSP Strategic Bond Fund.  About DSP Strategic Bond Fund  The investment objective of the DSP Strategic Bond Fund  The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to seek to generate optimal returns with high liquidity through active management of the portfolio by investing in high-quality debt and money market securities.  The investment process  of the DSP Strategic Bond Fund DSP Strategic Bond Fund invests in high-quality government & corporate debt securities. It is a highly liquid portfolio with actively managed portfolio duration based on future interest rate movement predictions (lower duration in rising interest rates market and vice versa).  Portfolio composition of DSP Strategic Bond Fund The portfolio major exposure of more than 30% in IND A1+ to maintain liquidity. The major instrument exposure is to Money market instruments at around 53%. Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. The pie chart shows the credit rating profile of the fund’s portfolio holdings. The bar graph shows the Instrument Break-up of the fund’s portfolio. Source: dspim.com  Top 5 Holdings for DSP Strategic Bond Fund Name Category Weightage % TREPS / Reverse Repo Investments / Corporate Debt Repo TREPS 15.22 HDFC Bank Ltd. Money Market 9.88 Bank of Baroda Money Market 9.88 ICICI Bank Ltd. Money Market  9.72 State Bank of India Ltd. Money Market 9.58 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: dspim.com  Performance over 15 years  If you would have invested 10,000 at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 27,389. This fund has outperformed the benchmark in all time horizons.  Note: Performance of the fund since launch. Inception date – May 9th, 2007. Source: Morningstar The fund has given consistent returns and is in line with the benchmark over the period of more than 15 years generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 7.39 %.  Invest Now Fund managers  Vikram Chopra - Total work experience of 14 years. He joined DSP Investment Managers from L&T Investment Management. He has also previously worked with Fidelity, IDBI Bank, and Axis Bank Ltd.  Sandeep Yadav - Total work experience of almost 20 years. He joined DSP Investment Managers in September 2021 as Senior Vice President - Fixed Income Investments.  Who should Invest in DSP Strategic Bond Fund?  Investors who  Understand and trust the fund manager's ability to judge the direction of interest rates.  Recognize investing in longer-duration debt securities could generate higher returns but comes with higher interest rate risk.  Why invest?  Can help you navigate rising or falling interest rate scenarios.  Earn potentially better returns than bank FDs.  Horizon  One should look at investing and holding the investment for more than 3 years.  Investment through SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) or Lumpsum should both be okay as the NAV of the fund does not fluctuate much.  Conclusion  DSP Strategic Bond Fund invests in high-quality government and corporate debt securities. It is one of DSP's oldest debt funds with a 15+ years track record. Best suitable for people with either a short investment horizon. This scheme has generated returns that have beaten inflation and have performed much better than Fixed Deposits

HDFC AMC is the Investment Manager of HDFC Mutual Fund, the largest mutual fund in India, with over Rs 4 lakh crores as Assets under management. HDFC AMC has a diversified asset class mix across Equity and Fixed Income/Others.   Let us talk about the flagship product – HDFC Large and Mid-Cap Fund HDFC Large and Mid-Cap Fund  The investment objective for HDFC Large and Midcap Fund The Scheme aims to generate long-term capital appreciation/income from a portfolio of equity and equity-related securities of predominantly large-cap and mid-cap companies.  Investment process for HDFC Large and Mid-Cap Fund  This fund aims to invest in companies that are good at executing their operations effectively and are available at reasonable valuations at the entry point. The fund invests in the companies that operate in markets where the Total Addressable Markets (TAM) provide them the potential of being runways for growth.  Portfolio Composition of HDFC Large and Midcap Fund  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 56%. The major sectoral exposure is to Finance which is at around 25%. The top 5 sectors hold around 65% 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 instruments composition of the overall portfolio.  Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: Morningstar  Top 5 holdings in HDFC Large and Mid-Cap Fund  Name Sector Weightage % HDFC Bank Ltd. Financial Services 5.48 ICICI Bank Ltd. Financial Services 4.41 Infosys Ltd. Information Technology 3.46 State Bank of India Financial Services 3.20 Reliance Industries Conglomerate 3.15 Note: Data as of 31st Dec 2022. Source: Morningstar  Performance over 28 years  If you would have invested Rs. 10000 at the inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 2.70 lakhs.  Note Performance of the fund since launch; Inception date - 18th Feb 1994. Source: Morningstar  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 28 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 12.09%.  Invest Now Fund manager Gopal Agrawal: Collectively over 17 years of experience in Fund Management and 2 years in Equity Research.  Priya Ranjan: Collectively over 15 years of experience. Senior Equity Analyst and Fund Manager for Overseas Investments.  Who should invest in HDFC Large and Mid-Cap Funds?  Investors who are seeking:   to generate long-term capital appreciation/income.  investments in a mix of equity and debt instruments.  Why Invest?  The fund offers exposure to mid-cap for good opportunities for wealth creation.  At the same time, it offers large-cap diversification and steady portfolio growth.  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  This is the oldest fund with a proven track record of 28 years and has delivered 12.09% 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.