Bitcoin has fallen from its peak of $1,26,251.3 on October 6, 2025, to $65,405.5, a decline of 48.2 per cent. Investors must recognise that sharp volatility is inherent to Bitcoin and avoid kneejerk reactions.
Their assets under management (AUM) rose from Rs 1.04 trillion (January 31, 2025) to Rs 1.75 trillion (January 31, 2026), an increase of 68.3 per cent.
Investors with a 6 to 12 month horizon may consider them. They should align their holding period with the fund's maturity profile and prefer schemes with a lower expense ratio.
The recent correction suggests that while precious metals hedge geopolitical tension and inflation, they are not immune to sharp short-term corrections and profit-booking.
Most first-time investors may be better served by diversified options such as flexicap or multi-cap funds, which already hold pharma and healthcare stocks.
'New investors should enter gradually and stay cautious.' 'Silver is a structural multi-year story, but timing matters in a high-volatility metal.'
Investors seeking higher returns at relatively higher risk should consider allocation to smallcap equity funds.
Largecap equities are less volatile than mid- and smallcap stocks, making them suitable for risk-averse investors.
New investors or those with lower-than-planned exposure should add US-oriented funds through SIPs.
'First-time or conservative investors should avoid narrow sectoral funds.'
Young earners with high incomes and few responsibilities can save more than 30 per cent, while those with low salaries and high expenses may save less.
'Having a separate healthcare corpus is extremely important even for those already covered by health insurance.'
'They are a poor fit for anyone with near-term goals, low volatility tolerance, or a need for steady income or liquidity.' 'First-time investors should typically avoid them.'
New investors should not allow themselves to fall prey to FOMO and rush headlong into gold.
Investors having a moderate-risk profile can use these funds in their retirement portfolios.
'They are positioned as defensive products and can potentially give marginally higher returns than liquid funds.'
'A staggered investment approach (using SIP or STP) can help investors benefit from this opportunity while reducing timing risk.'
SOFs can be a diversification tool for investors seeking alternatives to conventional large, mid, or smallcap portfolios.
'Maintain a balanced approach with a preference for short-to medium-duration funds.'
Despite similar tax treatment, debt MFs enjoy certain advantages over FDs.