Balanced advantage funds (BAFs), which adjust between stocks and bonds depending on market conditions, have increased their equity holdings over the past year, with most schemes now predominantly invested in equities.
Balanced advantage funds have the potential to earn superior risk-adjusted returns for the investor and offer a smoother investment journey.
'.. if you do not want to take the asset allocation call.'' 'This category of funds can offer optimum risk-adjusted returns.'
Investors who cannot manage an asset-allocated portfolio or rebalance regularly, or do not have an advisor, may opt for these funds, but only after a detailed study of their strategy, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.
'Since the category has a limited track record, assess the fund manager's experience across equity and debt market cycles rather than relying only on past returns.'
BAFs seek to offer a smoother experience across market cycles, not the full upside of a bull market.
In reality, no single philosophy can dominate every market cycle. That's why we've explained how these approaches work to help investors make informed and realistic decisions.
rediffGURU Ulhas Joshi answers your mutual fund queries.
Hybrid mutual fund schemes attracted significant inflows of Rs 1.55 lakh crore in FY26, a 29 per cent increase, as investors increasingly opted for diversified investment strategies to navigate volatile market conditions and geopolitical tensions.
'Once you're wrestling with making a merger of that scale value-accretive, you're also under pressure to keep growing the balance sheet and chasing liabilities, and other things start to slip as a consequence.'
Understanding the most common mistakes during market downturns can help you protect your investments and stay focused on your long-term financial goals, says Ramalingam Kalirajan
'A favourable base, last year's policy measures, the carryover impact of a good monsoon and improving earnings should all help.'
For India, the guiding principle should remain clear: Engage Bangladesh as a sovereign nation and society rather than through the prism of any individual leader or political party, suggests Manoj Mohanka.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
'Long-term investors seeking sustainable gains from resilient, fundamentally strong companies may go for these funds.'
Of course, NOT! Here's why. And here's how you can increase your Rs 1 crore retirement corpus.
Largecap, flexicap, and balanced advantage funds together recorded a net inflow of Rs 9,363 crore in August, representing a 70% increase from the previous month's total.
Multi-asset allocation funds (MAAFs) have emerged as strong performers among mutual funds (MFs), rivalling medium-term returns from traditional equity categories while maintaining a lower risk profile. Over the past three years, average returns for this segment have surpassed those of flexicap and largecap funds, for both lump sum and systematic investment plan (SIP) investments.
A simple SIP-first approach can help reduce debt, avoid EMIs and build lasting financial freedom through disciplined spending, advises Ramalingam Kalirajan
'Having a separate healthcare corpus is extremely important even for those already covered by health insurance.'
Gwadar is viewed as a critical pearl in China's maritime strategy as it would give a permanent logistical footprint near an important choke point - the Strait of Hormuz and the oil rich Persian Gulf, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Investor folios exceed 2 million, assets more than double since FY14.
The recent evolution in the passive space has given rise to a new category of funds promising to deliver "active" returns through a structured passive approach. These are often referred to as smart beta or factor-based index funds, and they represent a compelling middle ground for investors.
'We are staying away from making forward-looking statements on when we will reach 1 trillion, etc. But growth will be rapid; it's only a matter of time.'
Nikunj Saraf, Vice President Choice Wealth, answers your queries.
Inflows into sector and thematic (S&T) funds fell sharply from around 5,711.6 crore in February 2025 to about 170.1 crore in March 2025 - a decline of 97 per cent. With many such funds underperforming, investors need to assess whether to remain invested or exit.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Global risks include a potential delay in the US-India trade agreement, the possibility of a sharp correction in US equity markets, and renewed geopolitical tensions.
The competitive intensity in the mutual fund (MF) industry is moving beyond scheme performance, cost structures, and distribution. In recent months, several fund houses have rationalised exit loads applicable on redemptions.
If TVK MLAs and ministers are perceived as clean, or demonstrably cleaner than their predecessors, the credibility dividend will be enormous. The voter will feel rewarded, points out Ramesh Menon.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Investors having a moderate-risk profile can use these funds in their retirement portfolios.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Do not exit in panic or buy falling stocks without reassessing fundamentals; instead, build a watchlist and invest gradually with a disciplined, long-term approach.
Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
A neutral monetary policy stance, heavy government borrowing, and issuers adjusting to a higher-for-longer yield environment have set the stage for a largely stable corporate bond market in 2026.
