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What is a Mutual Fund?

If you're new to mutual funds in India, you might feel overwhelmed by the vast array of information and investment options available. Simply put, a mutual fund is a collective investment scheme managed by a fund manager. When you invest in a mutual fund, your money is pooled with that of other investors and allocated to various assets like stocks, fixed income securities, money market instruments, and more, according to the fund's stated objectives. The profits generated by the fund are either distributed to investors or reinvested until redemption, based on the investor's preference, after deducting applicable fees and charges. These profits are reflected in the mutual fund's rate of return.

  • Professional Management
  • Diversification
  • Affordability
  • Liquidity
Mutual Fund Explanation

Types of Mutual Funds

Equity Funds

Equity mutual funds primarily invest in stocks and equity-related securities. These funds offer an attractive alternative to direct stock investment, as equities have the potential for long-term growth. Consequently, equity funds are ideal for long-term investors willing to take on higher risk for the opportunity to create wealth.

Debt Funds

Debt funds focus on fixed-income securities, generating returns mainly through the accrual of interest income. These funds can also benefit from capital appreciation due to favorable changes in interest rates or improvements in credit quality, potentially enhancing overall returns for investors.

Hybrid Funds

Many mutual fund companies provide solution-oriented schemes designed to meet specific financial goals, such as children's education or retirement planning. These schemes often come with a lock-in period of 5 years or until the child reaches a certain age or the investor retires, depending on the scheme's objective. This structure encourages investors to maintain their investments for the long term, reducing the likelihood of premature liquidation.

Mutual Fund Investment Plans

Plan Type Details
Direct Plan No intermediary involved. Lower total expense ratio, resulting in a higher Net Asset Value (NAV) and returns. DIY (do-it-yourself) investment.
Regular Plan Purchased through a mutual fund distributor. Higher total expense ratio due to distribution commissions, leading to lower NAV and returns. Financial advisor provides guidance on mutual fund options, assists with transactions, and monitors the portfolio.
Growth Plan If you choose the growth option when investing in a mutual fund, your earned profits will be reinvested back into the scheme, helping to compound your investment over time.
IDCW Plan If you select the Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal (IDCW) plan, your profits (dividends) will be distributed to you at predefined intervals.

How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online

1
Choose a Mutual Fund

Research and select a fund that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

2
Complete KYC

Fulfill the Know Your Customer requirements to verify your identity.

3
Make Payment

Transfer funds to purchase units of your chosen mutual fund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum investment amount varies by fund but can be as low as ₹500 for some funds. Many funds also offer Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) that allow you to invest small amounts regularly.
Taxation of mutual funds depends on the type of fund and holding period. Equity funds held for more than one year are subject to long-term capital gains tax of 10% on gains exceeding ₹1 lakh. Debt funds held for more than three years are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.
Active funds are managed by fund managers who make investment decisions to outperform the market. Passive funds, like index funds, aim to replicate the performance of a specific market index. Active funds typically have higher expense ratios but potential for higher returns, while passive funds offer lower costs and market-matching returns.
A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. Professional fund managers manage these funds, aiming to generate returns based on the fund's objectives.
Mutual funds are categorized into various types, such as equity funds (investing primarily in stocks), debt funds (investing in bonds and fixed-income securities), hybrid funds (a mix of equity and debt), and index funds (tracking a specific index like the S&P 500).
Mutual fund investments carry market risks, meaning the value of the investment can fluctuate based on market conditions. Other risks include interest rate risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, depending on the type of fund you choose.
Most mutual funds offer liquidity, allowing investors to redeem their units anytime. However, some funds, like ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme), may have a lock-in period, and withdrawing early may also incur exit loads or fees in certain cases.
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