Instead of being guided only by returns, investors should also factor in the risks of lending on these platforms.
It is advisable to avoid a fund until it develops a track record.
Before you buy an apartment within a project meant for senior citizens, ensure that the services are of a high standard. Senior citizens should not sell their current home before they are completely sure about moving into a senior citizens' project.
Gripped with fear as an investor following a 12 per cent market fall? Here's Radhika Gupta's advice to investors.
At a time when investors are preferring higher-risk investment products like thematic and small-cap mutual fund (MF) schemes, some fund houses are exploring the possibility of going further down the market-capitalisation (m-cap) ladder to unearth newer investment opportunities. HDFC MF had filed papers with the capital markets regulator - the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) - earlier this year for an active micro-cap scheme. Some more fund houses are keen on launching such schemes, say industry observers.
Many retail investors, who are experiencing their first bear market, are shocked at the erosion in the value of their mutual fund (MF) portfolios. The pain is especially acute for those who had taken excessive exposure to sector/thematic and small-cap funds. Even international diversification has failed to stanch the bleed in this downturn.
These funds have lowered the entry barrier for investors who can now invest with just Rs 5,000, points out Sanjay Kumar Singh.
Since NPS is used for a long-term goal like retirement, allowing younger investors to have higher exposure to equities will give them a chance to earn higher returns.
'The long maturity of these funds makes them well-suited for long-term financial goals such as saving for retirement or children's education or marriage.'
Honest financial advice helps you make rational financial decisions
A good advisor can make or break your financial future
Stopping SIPs during a downturn undermines the benefit of rupee-cost averaging.
Avoid discontinuing your SIPs. Persist for at least 7-10 years.
Make sure buying a house won't lead to compromises on other crucial financial goals.
Don't let panic ruin your wealth. Avoiding these mistakes can save you from HUGE losses, says Ramalingam Kalirajan
Real estate developers are hoping that the slew of tax concessions announced in Union Budget 2025, set to take effect this financial year, will spur demand for affordable and mid-segment housing, even as the broader housing market shows signs of fatigue.
For Indian parents, sending a child abroad for a three-year degree could deplete 48% of their retirement savings, while a four-year degree may consume up to 64%.
Monitor how long the high cash position lasts. If it lasts for a month or two, it is fine. But if it continues for a couple of quarters, seek your advisor's opinion on whether to exit the fund.
Another major development is REITs coming closer to reality
More than 50 per cent of SIP accounts come from semi-urban and rural areas.
A new approach called life planning can help you prioritise the use of your time and money.
Avoid discontinuing your SIPs. Persist for at least 7-10 years.
Follow this 15 x 15 x 15 rule to become a crorepati without taking big risks. Ramalingam Kalirajan explains how
For women, it is important to build an emergency fund and a financial independence fund independent of the couple's joint goals and plans.
When selecting investments, pay attention to potential return, risk and how easily you can exit it.
If one compares returns, the two public-sector ETFs have done better over the past year, but the ELSS category has done better over the trailing three and five years.
Education inflation abroad is high and the depreciation of the rupee can also set you back, says Vishal Dhawan
Adopting overly aggressive strategies without considering risk could lead to significant losses during the next downturn.
When the subscriber reaches superannuation or the age of 60, 60 per cent of the total corpus accumulated in NPS can be withdrawn as a lump sum.
Anamika Pareek explains the advantages of investing in tax-saving options like the equity-linked savings schemes.
Rebalance your portfolio in case it has become overweight on equities vis-a-vis your strategic asset allocation.
'An equity-based index fund should be held for more than five years to average out market volatility and achieve financial goals.'
Do you find yourself wondering how good your financial advisor is? How trustworthy? Do you ever feel uncomfortable sharing information with him? Maybe it is time to ask some hard questions and get some peace of mind.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
'Investors don't have to worry about underperformance in passive funds, which earn market-equivalent returns.'
When looking at fund returns, avoid looking at just the past 12 months' performance, says Sanjay Kumar Singh
New retirement schemes from MFs offer Section 80C benefit but locks in your money for five years
What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.
Sending money to families in India will get more expensive
These ETFs will also carry interest-rate risk, especially the 10-year ETF. The investor can overcome this risk by holding them till maturity, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.
