Each and every year there are some mutual funds that beat the overall market, and there are even years when the majority of mutual funds beat the market. But trying to pick a mutual fund ahead of time that will beat the market is extraordinarily difficult.
SELECTION PARAMETERS
Your objective: The first point to note before investing in a fund is to find out whether your objective matches with the scheme. It is necessary, as any conflict would directly affect your prospective returns. For example, a scheme that invests heavily in mid-cap stocks is not suited for a conservative equity investor. He should be better off in a scheme, which invests mainly in blue chips. Similarly, you should pick schemes that meet your specific needs. Examples: pension plans, children’s plans, sector-specific schemes, etc.
Your risk capacity and capability: This dictates the choice of schemes. Those with no risk tolerance should go for debt schemes, as they are relatively safer. Aggressive investors can go for equity investments. Investors that are even more aggressive can try schemes that invest in specific industry or sectors.
Fund Manager’s and scheme track record: Since you are giving your hard earned money to someone to manage it, it is imperative that he manages it well. It is also essential that the fund house you choose has excellent track record. It also should be professional and maintain high transparency in operations. Look at the performance of the scheme against relevant market benchmarks and its competitors. Look at the performance of a longer period, as it will give you how the scheme fared in different market conditions.
Cost factor: Though the AMC fee is regulated, you should look at the expense ratio of the fund before investing. This is because the money is deducted from your investments. A higher entry load or exit load also will eat into your returns. A higher expense ratio can be justified only by superlative returns. It is very crucial in a debt fund, as it will devour a few percentages from your modest returns.
PURCHASING MUTUAL FUNDS
Purchasing during IPO: Like companies, even mutual funds offer initial public offering. It is when they launch the scheme for the first time. You can buy units at par on this occasion. However, it is not always advantageous to buy a mutual fund during IPO. You can always wait and see the performance before investing in it.
Purchasing existing mutual fund units: You can buy units of an open-end scheme anytime at NAV-related price. Most mutual funds charge an entry load of up to 2%. That means you have to pay an additional 2% of the NAV to get into the scheme. You can buy the plan directly from the mutual fund or brokerage. You can even buy them online.
SELLING MUTUAL FUNDS
You can sell or redeem units very easily. As per SEBI guidelines, a mutual fund unit holder has the right to receive redemption or repurchase proceeds within 10 days of the redemption or repurchase. Most funds do not charge an exit load these days.
When should you sell a mutual fund unit is a crucial question. Ideally, you should sell it when you have met your target profit. The other reason is that you need the money or your profile has changed due to some changes in your life. Other than this, you should sell the units if you find that the fund has been taken over by another fund, which you do not approve of. Any major changes in the objective of the fund or a sharp rise in expenses could also be valid reasons to redeem units. Following a favourite fund manager is also a usual practice. However, it need not be always rewarding.
INCOME FROM MUTUAL FUNDS
Mutual funds distribute their income as dividend. An investor has the option of receiving the dividend or opting for the dividend reinvestment. If an investor needs the income, he can opt for dividend payout option. However, if you do not need the money, he can opt for dividend reinvestment. Another choice before him is the growth or cumulative option. Here the income generated from sale of securities or capital appreciation is automatically reinvested.
Investment in mutual funds is safer than stocks
SPEEDY INVESTMENT, REDEMPTION AND INCOME RECEIPTS
Thanks to the Electronic Clearing Services (ECS), mutual fund investor now has the option of automatic credit of dividends and redemptions into bank account. This will save a lot of paperwork, for both you and the fund. You can also instruct your bank to automatically withdraw a certain sum towards systematic investment plan. Alternatively, you can also directly receive systematic withdrawal proceeds in your bank account.
