Tips when investing on mutual funds

investing mutual funds 300x215 Tips when investing on mutual funds

Chintamani Dagade, Senior Research Analyst in India, giving an advice when you want investing on mutual funds. Here are some advices:

Q: I had invested almost Rs 1.5 lakh in tax-saving mutual funds using a lock-in of three years. Now, the maturity time period is nearly up and there has been no communication from the fund house. I also don’t remember the mutual funds I have invested in. What do I do now?

A: Given that equity-linked savings schemes are open-ended in nature, your investments would continue even after completion of the 3-year lock-in time period unless you opt for redemption. You can contact your financial advisor/broker who can assist you with acquiring the particulars of your investments. Once you trace the names of mutual funds you’ve invested in, then you’ll be able to call the respective fund houses for locating your investments.

Q: I’m 25 and have just started my career. My monthly take-home salary is Rs 35,000. I have been investing in 3 mutual funds — Birla Sunlife Mid Cap, HDFC Equity Growth and HDFC Prudence — with the SIP route. Apart from this, I am directing Rs 5,000 per month towards a life insurance endowment program. I am planning to invest in two much more mutual funds, one an ELSS fund as well as the other a non-tax-saving equity scheme. I’m seeking for long-term appreciation. Please guide me.

A: Your current mutual fund portfolio includes well-performing schemes. SIP is an ideal mode for expense in mutual funds. Even so, since ELSS has a 3-year lock-in period, each and every SIP installment will be locked in for the next 3 years from the date of investment. Insurance ought to be ideally applied for risk-cover purpose and not for expenditure and thus I would suggest opting for a term assurance policy. Considering that you are just 25, premium could be less costly and it is possible to invest the balance amount in mutual funds, which would optimize your investment returns, rather than sticking to an endowment strategy. For your further mutual fund investments, you’ll be able to take into account DSPBR Top 100 Equity and Fidelity Equity Fund.

Q: I’m an NRI from Saudi Arabia and would like to commence investing in mutual funds in India. Could you tell me if I can start off trading in mutual resources on the internet? Also, could you supply me using a list of fund houses or distributors which provide this facility to their investors?

A: Yes, investing in mutual funds through the on the web route is feasible now. Most from the fund houses in India deliver investments in their respective finances through the online route. Secondly, it is possible to also invest on-line via banks or on the web brokerages just like ICICI Direct, Kotak Securities, India Infoline, Sharekhan, etc. It is possible to visit the fund house or brokerage website to get far more details.