Zebu blog

Tag: mutual funds

  • The What, How and Why of SIPs

    SIPs are simply the way in which you plan your investments. You can start investing little sums, one instalment at a time, over a period of years with the help of a SIP investment and develop your wealth.

    Compounding is at work here, and if you keep investing for a long time, it will pay off handsomely. It is the amount of time you spend investing that matters, and not when you start investing.

    When it comes to starting investments today, the first two things that come to mind are mutual fund investments and systematic investment plans (SIPs). Mutual funds can help you not only build wealth but also save money and achieve financial independence. SIP investments, like mutual fund investments, are becoming increasingly popular.

    SIP allows you to buy mutual fund units at your convenience and within your budget. To minimise any last-minute payment inconsistencies, investors usually strive to maintain the SIP debit date close to the salary date. The money is automatically deducted from your bank account based on the bank’s standing instructions. It also helps in the formation of financial discipline in investors.

    However if you consider investing or trading in share market, we at Zebu a share trading company offer the lowest brokerage for intraday trading and are one of top brokers in share market.

    How Do You Begin SIP Investing?

    You can purchase mutual funds directly from direct fund companies, either online or offline, or both. Depending on your option, you can open a SIP account by visiting your nearest bank or by going online. The funds can be purchased in a flat sum or over time through a systematic investment plan (SIP). Agents can also assist you in purchasing mutual funds. To begin trading, all you need to do is open a trading account and complete the mandatory KYC. And we at Zebu are here to help you with that. Please get in touch with us to know more about investing in SIPs and how you can build your wealth.

    How Do You Pick the Best Mutual Fund?

    There are so many investment options available today that deciding which one is best for you can be incredibly challenging.

    The various mutual fund plans are further classified as equity, debt, or hybrid funds. The mutual fund you’ve chosen should be a good fit for your long-term objectives. If your objective is to retire early, for example, you should choose a fund that will help you increase your money in the shortest amount of time. Make it a point to look at the fund’s long-term record, the fund manager’s performance, and the expense ratio. All of this information can be found on the fund’s website.

    Which Option Should You Pick?

    Almost all of the funds available these days provide you with the option of choosing between two options: dividend or growth. If you choose the dividend fund option, you will be paid on a regular basis according to the fund’s due date.

    The growth option, on the other hand, allows you to reinvest your dividends, resulting in higher returns and a higher net asset value. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can select one of the two possibilities.

    Which should you choose: Direct or Regular?

    Almost every fund on the market today has two options: direct or regular. There are no intermediaries in the direct one because it is sold straight by the fund houses. The traditional one has agents and mediators in the middle, resulting in a greater expense ratio and lesser profits. Direct funds are a superior option if you’re seeking long-term investment options.

    What should the quantity of investment be?

    The biggest advantage of SIP investing is that you can invest any amount you like, even as little as INR500 every month. Minimum values vary depending on the scheme. You can use a SIP calculator to figure out how much to invest in order to get the desired end result.

    For example, if you require Rs 1 crore in the next 20 years, you should invest INR.10000 every month in a scheme that will provide you with 12% annual returns.

    Returns

    All of the funds’ returns are calculated according to the specified dates, and they are also available on the fund’s website. Take your time to learn about the fund’s short and long-term returns to gain a clear picture of its performance.

    Risks

    There’s an old adage that great risks lead to great rewards. SIP investments work in a similar way. You can easily earn some decent profits if you are ready to take chances. The returns are primarily determined by the market’s volatility and how it operates.

    The equity funds are invested in stocks, and the returns are entirely contingent on the stock’s market success. Debt funds are low-risk investments that often invest in government bonds and treasury bills, among other things. However, due to the microeconomics involved, even these cannot be considered risk-free.

    Tax

    When you try to redeem your investment after the fund’s duration has ended, the units you invested are redeemed on a first-in, first-out basis. The units you bought, in the beginning, will be redeemed first, followed by the units you bought afterwards.

    Long-term capital gains tax exemption is available for equity funds that are considered long-term investments. If you opt to redeem stock units before the one-year period is through, you will be subject to a 14.5 per cent short-term capital gain tax. For an amount up to Rs 10 lakh each year, equity returns are tax-free.

    Debt fund investments are only deemed long-term investments until they have been successfully completed for three years, at which point you will be eligible for tax benefits. This money is taxed at a 38.45 per cent rate.

    How do you keep track of your SIP?

    SIPs, like any other investment, must be tracked. You just cannot leave them unattended, despite the fact that they are considered safe and reliable. The performance of mutual funds can be tracked using their statements. If you notice any discrepancies and the fund’s performance falls short of your expectations, you can switch it at any time or redeem the units you deposited.

    As we mentioned earlier if you are planning to invest or trade, we at Zebu a share trading company offer the lowest brokerage for intraday trading and are one of top brokers in share market.

  • Do You Have What It Takes To Invest In Small-Cap Funds?

    Many small-cap mutual fund investors saw 100% gains in the previous year. It’s no surprise that we receive several inquiries each day from people who want to know if they can still make great returns by investing in small-cap funds. Some investors are also concerned about whether they should sell small-cap funds because the stocks have already appreciated significantly. So, what should your plan of action be?

    Is it possible to invest in small-cap mutual funds in a secure manner? What aspects should you consider before selecting mutual funds? Is it feasible to avoid losses in small-cap mutual funds by playing it safe?

    Investing in small-cap funds comes with its associated risk. However, if you do it with Zebu, one of India’s leading share market brokers, we will give you the best online trading platform and investment platform to perform a comprehensive analysis. With us, you will have access to the to trade and invest in small-cap stocks.

    Before you invest in small-cap mutual funds, keep the following tips in mind.

    Before you go any farther, you should clarify one point. If you invest in equities mutual funds, especially small-cap mutual funds, you simply cannot avoid risk and volatility. Small-cap funds, as you may know, invest in very small companies with a promising future. However, the majority of these businesses have governance flaws and fail to deliver on their promises. If these companies falter even slightly, the stock market will punish them harshly. In a short period of time, the share prices could be reduced to zero. When you invest in small-cap schemes, you are incurring this risk.

    What are your options for dealing with this threat? You can’t completely prevent it, but you can soften the blow with a few safeguards. To begin with, you should only invest in small size funds if you have a very long investment horizon, meaning, you can hold the fund for several years. If you don’t have at least seven to ten years, don’t invest in small-cap plans. This will allow you to recuperate your losses over time.

    Two, small-cap funds should never be the mainstay of your portfolio. Small-cap schemes are notorious for going through extreme swings in prices. As a result, they will not provide you with consistent returns. So, it is better to limit your exposure to them to a fraction of your portfolio.

    Three, choose fund houses and managers who are well-known for their expertise in managing small-cap funds. Always keep in mind that investing in small-cap schemes is really difficult; it requires recognising potential firms, taking significant interests in them ahead of time, and patiently holding on to them in order to profit. Only a few fund managers have been able to consistently give superior performances over time.

    Four, make sure that the fund isn’t too big. In the small-cap space, finding investment opportunities is quite challenging. It becomes exceedingly difficult when you have a vast corpus. This is why many fund houses are forced to stop their subscription programmes after a specific period of time. As a result, select a scheme with a limited corpus.

    Last but not least, do not begin investing in small-cap schemes when you see tremendous gains and then abandon them at the first hint of a downturn. This is a certain way to lose money. If you get concerned about your assets during a market downturn, it is apparent that you lack the essential risk appetite to participate in small-cap schemes. Invest in small-cap schemes frequently over a long period of time, regardless of market conditions, if you have the proper risk profile and a long-term investment plan.

    Finally, small-cap investments are only for the most daring investors. If every market slump gives you the jitters, it’s best to stay away from them.

    As we have mentioned before, small-cap stocks come with an immense amount of risk. But for those brave hearts who back up their investments with authentic research, we at Zebu have the best trading account for you. As one of the fastest-growing share market brokers in the country, we are proud to offer the best online trading platform for our clients. To know more about them and how you can invest in small-cap funds with us, please get in touch with us now.

  • The Quick Guide To Index Funds

    An index fund, also known as an index-tied or index-tracked fund, is a mutual fund that mimics an index’s portfolio.

    What is an Index Fund


    Investors think of index funds as an instrument to diversify their portfolio – they simply give the same returns that you might get if indices were purchasable. Since popular indices are not susceptible to rapid movements, index funds are a safe bet for risk-averse investors.They simply ensure a performance that is theoretically similar to the index movements.

    Because index funds are not actively managed, they are less expensive. They will not outperform an index but simply replicate its movements. They help investors diversify and balance the risk in their portfolio.

    How Do They Work?


    If you consider an index fund that mirror’s Nifty 50, it will contain the same stocks as the index and with the same weightage. Index funds are called as passive fund management because they simply monitor the movement of an index. Based on the composition of the underlying index, a fund manager divides your funds with the right weightage for certain stocks. Index funds, unlike actively managed funds, do not have their own team of research experts to find opportunities and pick stocks.

    While an actively managed fund aims to outperform its benchmark, an index fund’s goal is to mirror its index’s performance. Index funds usually produce returns that are similar to the benchmark. However, there will be a marginal difference between the returns of both. This is the tracking error and it is the fund manager’s job to reduce this error as much as possible.

    Who Should Put Their Money in Index Funds?


    As with any investment, you need to first understand your risk tolerance and investment objectives. Index funds are for those who do not want high risk but are also realistic about lower returns. If you do not have a lot of time to monitor the stock markets every year, then this one is for you. You can choose a highly liquid Sensex or Nifty index fund if you want to invest in stocks but don’t want to accept the risks associated with actively managed equity funds. While index funds will give you returns that are comparable to an index’s movements, you need to opt for more actively managed funds if you want to outperform the market.

    What to Consider as an Investor


    As with any investment, one of the first things to consider is the platform that you are going to buy these funds on. With Zebu’s lowest brokerage fees, and our credibility as one of India’s best share market brokers, we guarantee that you will have access to the best trading accounts in the country.

    Risk

    Index funds are less susceptible to equity-related volatility and dangers because they track an index. If you want to make a lot of money in a bull market, index funds are a great place to start. During a market downturn, though, you’ll have to switch to actively managed funds. Because during bear markets, index funds tend to lose value. As a result, having a mix of actively managed funds and index funds in your portfolio is recommended.

    Return

    As we have mentioned before, the returns from index funds will be very similar to index benchmarks as it simply replicates its moves. These funds aren’t trying to outperform the benchmark, but rather to copy it. However, due to tracking issues, the results generated may not be on par with the index. There may be differences in actual index returns. As a result, before investing in an index fund, it is recommended to select funds with the lowest tracking error. The smaller the errors, the better the fund’s performance.

    Investment cost

    Since index funds are passively managed, their expense ratios are much lower than that of actively managed mutual funds. This is because there is no investment strategy from a fund manager – they simply monitor the weightage of stocks in an index and manage that in an index fund. As a result, the expense ratio differs. Any two index funds that track the Nifty will produce similar returns. The expense ratio will be the only change. Because the fund has a reduced expense ratio, it will yield larger returns on investment.

    Time frame

    Individuals with a long-term investment horizon will generally benefit from index funds. Typically, the fund sees a lot of volatility in the short run, but over time, say more than seven years, it averages out to generate returns in the 10% -12% level. Those who invest in index funds must have the patience to wait at least that long. Only then will they be able to appreciate its returns.

    Goals

    Long-term financial goals, such as wealth accumulation or retirement planning, may be best achieved using equity funds. These funds are high-risk, high-return sanctuary and can help you build wealth and possibly retire early. Therefore, if your objective is to earn more than the index benchmark, then index funds might not be the one for you.

    Taxation


    Because index funds are a type of equity fund, they are taxed similarly to other equity fund plans. An index fund’s dividends are added to your overall income and taxed at your marginal tax rate. Index funds are taxed at different rates depending on how long they are held. Short-term capital gains are realised when you redeem your units during a one-year holding period. These profits are taxed at a 15 per cent flat rate. Long-term capital gains are gains realised when you sell your fund units after a one-year holding period. However, if your gains are under Rs 1,00,000 per year, they are tax-free. Any gains in excess of this amount are subject to a 10% tax rate, with no indexation.

    If you choose to go for an index fund, there are several options for you to choose from. A few of them include ICICI prudential NV20 ETF, UTI Sensex ETF and SBI ETF Nifty Next 50. You can explore these options and more with Zebu. Our lowest brokerage fees allow you to purchase the index fund of your choice effortlessly, making yours one of the best trading accounts. As one of India’s leading share market brokers, we will help you make the right decision when it comes to index funds.

  • Multiple Asset Classes That Can Form Your Financial Goals

    Since March 2020, when the stock markets plummeted, asset values have rebounded at a similar rate. What develops is a type of agreement that, regardless of short-term blips, equities do well in the long run. While the volatility persisted into 2021, it also demonstrated that the stock market is not just a home for the bulls and that prices do fall.

    So what moves up the prices of stocks? Corporate earnings and growth prospects in the years ahead are what ultimately drive equities asset prices. Current valuations appear to be on the high side, and many companies’ input costs are under pressure. However, truly valuable companies come with good promoters and a sound business fundamental and are always good investments in the long run.

    Here is how you can diversify your investment across multiple asset classes to build over wealth over a long period of time.

    Before we start…

    Before investing a lump sum in your portfolio, make sure to have an emergency fund that covers the basic health and life risks for your family. This way, your family can stay financially secure in any emergency. It is also important to apply and obtain enough health insurance for every member of your family. You can also choose a term insurance plan that covers at least 15 times your annual income and reassess it every five years or if new financial obligations arise.

    Another thing to keep in mind is to choose the right investment partner for your financial objectives. Zebu is one of the leading share market brokers for online share trading. Get started in a few minutes with us to own one of the best trading accounts in India.

    Fixed Incomes

    The fixed income asset class, which is the most popular among Indians, is one of the most trusted and oldest types of investments. Two examples are fixed deposits and public provident funds (PPF). Is this, however, a sound investment? You’re simply allowing the bank to borrow money from you under the terms of capital protection, pre-agreed returns, and liquidity.

    You will not lose money if you invest in fixed income asset types because they have no risks. Furthermore, you receive consistent profits as promised at the time of investment. Fixed income plans may offer yields of 7% to 8%, but they are hardly inflation-beating rates. Fixed income plans only provide security and are subject to STCG or LTCG depending on the term.

    SIPs

    Start SIPs (systematic investment plans) in a few equities mutual funds with a good mix of large, mid, and small-cap schemes. When you have a large sum of money to invest, put it into your current folios. Also, take advantage of market dips to add extra shares to your roster. Importantly, diversify among stock, debt, and gold to maintain asset allocation and avoid switching from one asset or scheme to another based on short-term performance.

    You can put funds in a liquid fund and migrate them to equity schemes at periodic intervals using the STP (systematic transfer plan) technique. These strategies assist in taking a managed approach and regularly subjecting your funds to the prospects of the equity market for a better risk-adjusted return. Depending on your risk profile and the general economic climate, a portion of your portfolio can also be invested in sector-specific funds such as pharma and IT funds.

    Mutual funds

    A mutual fund is managed by an analyst or fund manager who handles the money from multiple investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. The mutual fund comprises stocks from various market segments that the fund manager deems well-performing. And shares of the mutual funds are purchased by investors. With every share you own, it is a representation of the fund’s ownership and revenue. Mutual funds are seen as a relatively risk-free tool for investors to diversify their portfolios.

    Debt funds

    Debt funds are mutual fund schemes that are focused on fixed income instruments such as government and corporate bonds. In these finds, your capital is relatively safe and you also earn a small interest on it. Debt funds now include floating rate bond funds. These are debt instruments whose interest rates vary with the value of the underlying instruments. These can be chosen by investors for goals that are at least three years away.

    Gold

    Over the last year, gold has remained nearly unchanged. However, in light of growing inflation, one can consider a 5-10% exposure in their portfolio. You could invest in gold using sovereign gold bonds rather than physical gold.

    Depending on your risk appetite and capital, you can tap into a sea of investment options that are right for you. At Zebu, we complement your financial goals with the best trading account we can give you. We are one of the leading share market brokers in the country and come with a wide range of products and services to help you make the right financial and trading decisions.

    We give you the ideal platform for online share market trading as well for the risk-taking individuals. To know more about our products and services that will help you maximise your returns across all asset classes, please get in touch with us now.

  • Signs That You Need To Change Your Mutual Funds Scheme

    You conduct research, select a mutual fund plan that meets your aims, budget, perform all kinds of analysis, and then invest in a mutual fund scheme. Then, when the investment period comes to a close, you can reap the rewards of capital growth. It is as simple as that, right?

    Not always. Investing in a mutual fund entails more than just putting money into it and waiting for it to pay off at the end of the investment term. To truly enjoy its full benefits, more effort is required from your end to constantly monitor and analyse various parameters of your portfolio. To achieve optimal capital growth, you must keep a careful eye on it and manage it well during the investing period. Sometimes, switching between funds is necessary to avoid market risks, avoid fund underperformance, and avoid fund performance stagnation.

    Signs that you need to change your mutual find scheme

    Change in investment goals

    Before you begin investing in mutual funds, you must first devise a strategy that is tailored to your specific objectives, risk appetite, investment horizon, budget, and other objectives. The type of mutual fund schemes you should invest in is determined by these criteria. Mutual fund investments can be divided into three categories based on their investment horizon: short, long, and intermediate. Risk appetites are divided into three categories: aggressive, moderate, and conservative. It is important to keep your expectations in check in terms of the kind of profits do you hope to get from your mutual fund investment. In this instance, mutual fund schemes might be classified as income-oriented, balanced, or growth-oriented.

    When investing in a mutual fund scheme, you may have had a certain goal in mind. But what happens if your goal shifts in the middle of the project? You can switch between funds in this situation to suit your new investing goal, horizon, and risk tolerance.

    On a side note, one of the first things to keep in mind when it comes to investing in mutual funds is to identify the top brokers in share market . Zebu is a leading online share broker that offers one of the lowest brokerage fees when it comes to investing in mutual funds. Read on to know more about when to change your mutual fund plans.

    Your scheme is underperforming

    There’s no guarantee that the mutual fund scheme in which you invested will perform well over time. You may have analysed prior fund performance and tried every permutation and combination to find the right mutual fund investment for you. Despite your best efforts, you never know when your scheme will underperform or become vulnerable to hazards, even in favourable market conditions. To ensure that your portfolio does not become stagnant, you must switch to a different fund. To keep the portfolio balanced, over-weight mutual funds should be rotated.

    You simply feel like you made the wrong choice

    When it comes to even the safest investment options, mistakes are bound to occur (especially if you are doing the research by yourself). Fortunately, investing in mutual funds is not one of them. Worry not if you bought in a mutual fund without doing your homework or understanding key technical features, only to discover later that it isn’t a good fit for your goals or risk tolerance. Your current assets can easily be reallocated into a portfolio that matches your needs.

    In the world of mutual fund investing, erroneous predictions are more common than you would think. Sometimes, even seasoned fund managers can get their analysis proved wrong. For these reasons and more, it is crucial that you keep a close eye on your mutual funds and keep your options open and diverse. Apart from this, to maintain balance and enhance fund performance, an investor should rotate the assets in his or her portfolio on a regular basis.

    With Zebu’s seamless investment platform, which is one of the top brokers in share market, you can get started with direct mutual funds and make more than 1% of the returns you would otherwise make with managed mutual funds. And with our lowest brokerage fees, you can confidently make changes to your scheme as per your requirements. We are, in fact, one of India’s leading online sharebrokers.

    To know more, please get in touch with us now.