Skip to main content

Arbitrage Funds - Risk Fee Earners

Of late, there has been an avalanche of bad news flowing out of the Indian stock markets. The Sensex tottering around the 14K mark, the Nifty around the 4K mark, the plummeting stock prices of most companies, mutual funds failing to garner any positive returns... the list seems to go on and on, and on. Amidst all of these sob stories, we have become almost desperate for some positive information. Well, look no further.



While the markets have been crashing around us, there has been one category of mutual funds that have actually generated returns in the green. They are the Arbitrage Funds. Quite often referred to as equity-and-derivative funds, arbitrage funds are an ideal way of earning a reasonable income from equities with the modest amount of risk, And here's how.



The objective of an arbitrage fund is to capitalise on a stock's price difference between the spot market (cash segment) and the derivatives market (futures & options segment).



These funds basically generate income by taking advantage of the arbitrage opportunities arising out of the mis-pricing between the two markets (spot and derivative).



Let's illustrate this concept with a hypothetical situation. Let's suppose that the stock of Company XYZ is trading at Rs. 500 in the spot market. Simultaneously, the stock is also being traded in the derivatives market where the stock future is priced at Rs. 510. Now, when an arbitrage fund manager sees such a mis-pricing, he sells a contract of the XYZ stock future at Rs. 510 and buys an equivalent number of shares at Rs. 500 from the cash segment. In this way, he earns a risk-free profit of Rs. 10 per share (minus relevant transaction costs). The best part about such profit earnings is that they can come irrespective of the overall market movement.Furthermore, on the settlement day of the derivatives segment, the stock prices in both the markets tend to coincide. So, the fund manager will reverse his transaction - buy a contract in the futures market and sell off his equity holdings in the spot markets - and earn more profits. An arbitrage fund carries out a number of such transactions to generate favourable returns.



Sounds highly appealing, doesn't it? Well, arbitrage funds have clearly outperformed debt funds and the returns of an arbitrage fund become tax-free after a year, but these funds have a few concerns as well. The main concern would be a bloating asset size. If the AUM of an arbitrage fund increases heavily, then a majority of the assets would remain parked in money market instruments simply because of the lack of enough arbitrage opportunities. However, it is not time to be overly concerned as yet because more and more stocks are being introduced in the derivative markets, hence broadening the investment universe for arbitrage funds.



So, should you opt for an investment in arbitrage fund? The facts and figures sure support the cause. Arbitrage funds offer better returns than debt or income funds and their earnings become tax-free after a year. But, increasing assets could be a cause of concern, albeit not yet. The category currently manages a moderate amount of assets and is made up of 10 funds. But the deciding factor could be that arbitrage funds generally thrive on volatility. The higher the volatility in the markets, the higher is the potential of mis-pricing between the spot and derivatives markets. Hence, at a time like now, when the markets are at their volatile best, arbitrage funds might just turn out to be the most favourable form of investment.

Popular posts from this blog

ICICI Pru Mutual Fund Dividend

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has announced dividend under the following schemes: Scheme Dividend ( Rs /unit) ICICI Pru Capital Protection Oriented Ser V Plan B-D 0.03611325 ICICI Pru Capital Protection Oriented Ser V Plan B Direct-D 0.03611325 ICICI Pru Balanced Advantage Direct-DM 0.06 The record date has been fixed as February 08, 2017. ------------------------------ ------ Invest Rs 1,50,000 and Save Tax upto Rs 46,350 under Section 80C. Get Great Returns by Investing in Best Performing ELSS Funds Top 4 Tax Saver Mutual Funds for 2017 - 2018 Best 4 ELSS Mutual Funds to invest in India for 2017 1. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund 2. Invesco India Tax Plan 3. Tata India Tax Savings Fund 4. BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund Invest in Best Performing 2017 Tax Saver Mutual Funds Online Invest Best Tax Saver Mutual Funds Online Download Top Tax Saver Mutual Funds  Application Forms For further information contact  SaveTaxGetRich on 94 8300 8300 ------------------------------ ------ Leave y...

What is Financial Freedom?

Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Buy Gold Mutual Funds Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)     There were many things common between our Freedom fighters. All had the Single vision (Free India), common goal (independence) and had a disciplined and focused approach. They were ready to do anything and everything and had made so many sacrifices to see India free . But the road to freedom was not easy .They had faced lot many hardships, went to jail so many times and even confronted physical and mental torture from the British. There was one more thing which proved to be an advantage to our fighters that most of them were professional lawyers. The knowledge of legal issues and its impact on our country at large has helped them counter various bills and proposed new laws by the then government. It is due to their continuous effort that we are able to achieve the goal of Independent Indi...

Hidden Bank Fees

  What Banks Hide From Customers Imagine after a peaceful and exciting holiday you receive your bank statement with steep charges. You then rush to your bank and start confronting staff members and to your dismay, you come to know that the high end debit card was charged very heavily. Wouldn't this cause damage to your finances? So remember, the world outside is full of deceptive and double cheating people. Unethical practices are always used by company sales person in order to meet the target. Credit card companies, mutual funds and bank institutions always play dirty tricks to lure customers and the practices are rampant. So here's how you should be careful while dealing with your banks: High End Debit Card Charges While opening an account with a bank you opt for a debit card with minimal charges. But later on when you upgrade your card and opt for high end debit card the annual charge rise by a good amount. Though such a card has slew of features but it all comes at a high ...

Updating a minor PAN card upon becoming adults

  Updating a minor's PAN card once they become adults A PAN card issued in the name of a minor does not contain the minor's photograph or signature, and therefore, cannot be used as a valid proof of identity. Once a minor PAN card holder turns 18, the relevant changes must be made in the PAN records. A new card is then issued bearing a photograph and signature. Application The applicant is required to fill up the "Request for new PAN card andor changes or correction in PAN data" form. The form can be filled up online by accessing NSDL's Tax Information Network website and clicking on the online PAN application tab. Information The applicant must mention the existing PAN number in the application and check the `photo mismatch' and `signature mismatch' boxes, and submit the online form. The form must also be printed out, signed by the applicant, and submitted along with two photographs. Documents Identity and address proof in the form of a copy of the app...

Partial withdrawal from PPF

  Public Provident Fund (PPF) account has a lock in period   If you opened a PPF account to meet your retirement needs,, think twice about withdrawing from this fund before retirement. But provided it's an emergency here are the rules. Public Provident Fund (PPF) account has a lock in period before which you cannot withdraw your money.   The partial withdrawal is allowed after the completion of 6 financial years . This means that you will be allowed a partial withdrawal from 1 April 2017. The maximum partial withdrawal allowed is the least of the following: 50 percent of the account balance at the end of fourth financial year, 31 March 15 50 percent of the account balance of the end of previous financial year, 31 March 17.   There's a loan option available on your PPF account between the fourth and the sixth financial year. You can obtain a loan of up to 25 per cent of the balance in your account. However, this will attract interest of 2 percent more than the prevailing ...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now