Are you always at a loss while planning your finances? Are you aware of the investment options available in the market?
How best can you plan your finances? What are the crieria for evaluating an investment option?
Are mutual funds profitable investment options? When and how should one buy mutual funds?
In an hour-long chat on rediff.com on Friday, financial planning expert Vicky Mehta replied to many such queries. Here is the transcript:
vicky says, hi, good afternoon everyone. let's begin the chat session
suresh asked, sir, which are best mutual funds for retired person whithout any risk. thanks
vicky answers, at 2009-02-20 12:58:55hi, by virtue of being market-linked, mutual funds do expose investors to a certain degree of risk. if you wish to invest in a risk free manner, would recommend the senior citizens savings scheme, pomis. from the mutual funds segment, you can consider monthly income plans. but it should be noted that they do not offer assured income; also, the capital is not protected.
Gaurav asked, Hi Vicky, please suggest which ELSS funs is the best option at present to invest?
vicky answers, hi, there are several well-managed elss (tax-saving funds) that you can invest in. look for funds that have performed well across longer time frames and the risk & return parameters. franklin india tax shield and hdfc tax saver are among the better funds in the segment.
Gagandeep asked, Is it good time to invest in Gold ETF funds as they are given 25% returns.
vicky answers, hi, gold etfs are a convenient means to invest in gold. would recommend that you consider adding gold to your portfolio from an asset allocation perspective. to know more, please click at http://www.personalfn.com/detail.asp?date=1/22/2009&story=1
mANDAR asked, I HAVE DSP BR TOP 100,GOLD FUND AND FRANKLIN TAXSHEILD ARE THESE GOOD FUNDS
vicky answers, hi, dsp br top 100 is among the better managed large cap funds in the country and has a good track record. also, franklin taxshield is among the better tax saving funds.
shweta asked, hi vicky, just wanna know yoursuggestion to a newly wed couple to start planing for the future and buy various assets like home car etc. , how a layman know where to invest ??
vicky answers, hi, you need to decide on the various objectives that you wish to accomplish and the time frame over which the same will be accomplished. this will be followed by creating a dedicated investment plan for each objective. to know more, please write to me at info@personalfn.com
KAPIL asked, IT IS POSSIBLE TO GOLD JEWELLERY TRANSFERED IN GOLD ETF FUNDS?
vicky answers, hi, no that is not possible. to know more about gold etfs, please click at http://www.personalfn.com/detail.asp?date=2/11/2009&story=6
Sumit asked, Hi, I have HDFC top-200 fund. Is this a good fund in current scenario?
vicky answers, hi, yes. the fund pursues the index plus style of investing and is a well-managed fund.
krish asked, List any three best mutual funds now?
vicky answers, hi, there is no such thing as a best mutual fund. the key lies in selecting a mutual fund that is right for you. i.e. the fund should match your risk profile and be equipped to help you achieve your investment goals.
rajeshraj asked, HI Vicky. Good afternoon. I am caught in a very tricky situation. I applied for a SIP in tax saving mutual fund ( reliance tax saver 5000 very month from april 2006 to march 2007). I never opted for any option but my broker seems to have put dividend reinvstment option in the fund. i am told now that it is not possible for me take out full money as each time dividend is declared it gets locked for next three years, and fund dclares dividend almost very year. now my 3 years are getting over. is there any way to take my money out or to switch in to a non dividend option. please tell me if ther is any way out.
vicky answers, hi, believe your advisor has put you in a spot of bother. while the principal sum (each invested installment) can be liquidated after 3 years from the date of investment, a similar lock-in will be applicable for each dividend reinvested
pd asked, Dear Sir, In this turbulent times, do you suggest to invest in Mutual Fund or PPF would be a safer approch ? I am prepared stay invested for 5 Years.
vicky answers, hi, if you are a risk taking investor, then a well managed diversified equity fund wouldnt be a bad option. incidentally, the ppf runs over a 15 yr period and annual contributions are mandatory.
SHIVA asked, Is it a right time to buy GILT funds during falling interest rates? Suggest me some good GILT funds.
vicky answers, hi, undoubtedly, gilt funds can deliver attractive returns in a time when interest rates are falling. however, they are not risk free investments as they are erroneously made out to be. to know more about the investment proposition they offer, please click at http://www.personalfn.com/detail.asp?date=1/22/2009&story=1
msr asked, Hi I am looking for a investment in ELSS for tax saving which one is best of the current lot?
vicky answers, hi, have replied to a similar query earlier in the chat. request you to refer to the same.
rajeshraj asked, Is it compulsory for a fund to declare dividend? say if markets are down is there a possibility that fund does not declare a dividend at all for next 3 years.
vicky answers, hi, no. it is not compulsory for mutual funds to declare dividends.
ajaykohli asked, should we stop investing more in tax saver elss sips.
vicky answers, hi, this is a question that we commonly hear from investors nowadays. we have addressed the same in an article on www.personalfn.com. to know more, please click at http://www.personalfn.com/detail.asp?date=1/28/2009&story=5
antony asked, I want a mutual fund which can give dividend always on quartely basis if investment is made on monthly basis on long term say 20-25 years.Atleast the quartly dividend may be 12-15 % can you suggest any mutual fund on that line please
vicky answers, hi, as mentioned earlier, mutual funds do not offer assured returns or dividends for that matter. if you desire assured returns, then you should consider investing in the post office monthly income scheme, fixed deposits, small savings schemes.
suresh.devadiga@rediffmail.com asked, Are mutual funds profitable investment options? When and how should one buy mutual funds?
vicky answers, hi, mutual funds are market-linked investment avenues and their performance also depends on factors like the fund manager's skill sets. while buying equity funds, staying invested for the long haul and having the appetite to take on a high degree of risk are vital. in the debt funds segment, the investment tenure should help you determine which funds must be chosen. you can either buy mutual funds using a distributor's services or invest directly with the fund house and avoid paying an entry load.
indranil asked, is it the right time for investment in stock market for long term
vicky answers, hi, for risk-taking investors this is not a bad time to get invested for the long haul.
DP asked, How can we directly invest in the fund house to aviod paying the entry load ?
vicky answers, hi, you can either avail of the online investment facility offered by fund houses or submit an application form that does not bear a broker's code.
DP asked, How can we directly invest in the fund house to aviod paying the entry load ?
vicky answers, hi, you can either avail of the online investment facility offered by fund houses or submit an application form that does not bear a broker's code.
vicky says, looks like we have run out of time. thank you all for participating in the chat session. if you have any further queries, please feel free to write to me at info@personalfn.com
