Balanced advantage funds have the potential to earn superior risk-adjusted returns for the investor and offer a smoother investment journey.
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.
'.. 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.'
Active and passive funds offer different advantages across market-cap segments, making a mix of both a sensible portfolio strategy.
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.
BAFs seek to offer a smoother experience across market cycles, not the full upside of a bull market.
rediffGURU Ulhas Joshi answers your mutual fund queries.
India's GST Council has approved changes allowing small online sellers to register in states without physical premises by using an e-commerce operator's warehouse as their principal place of business, aiming to boost national sales for small businesses.
India's Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran stated that the country's balance of payments (BoP) pressure is expected to remain a continuous challenge due to rising imports, commodity dependence, high global interest rates, and intense competition for capital.
Dig into the prospectus. Use the prospectus to understand the business and its risks.
Urban Indian millennials are caught in an algorithmically amplified consumption spiral where social media normalises spending patterns that systematically undermine retirement security.
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.
It is important to understand that the rupee's appreciation, driven by the 2013 special swap scheme, reduced India's import costs for petroleum, oil, and gold, points out Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
'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.'
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.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.
'Long-term investors seeking sustainable gains from resilient, fundamentally strong companies may go for these funds.'
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.
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.
Of course, NOT! Here's why. And here's how you can increase your Rs 1 crore retirement corpus.
'Having a separate healthcare corpus is extremely important even for those already covered by health insurance.'
A simple SIP-first approach can help reduce debt, avoid EMIs and build lasting financial freedom through disciplined spending, advises Ramalingam Kalirajan
Investor folios exceed 2 million, assets more than double since FY14.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Nikunj Saraf, Vice President Choice Wealth, answers your queries.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
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).
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.
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.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
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.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
'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.'
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.
Investors having a moderate-risk profile can use these funds in their retirement portfolios.
