Skip to main content

Bonds are for risk averse investors


   The equity markets have gone up by almost 20 percent over the last six weeks, and are consolidating close to crucial levels. The markets are expecting a direction from the global markets for a decisive breakout from the current range. Since the markets are in a consolidation mode, investors are advised to review their portfolios and make the necessary changes in terms of profit booking, and cutting loss. Investors can also rebalance their overall investment portfolios with respect to investments in equity and debt instruments.

What is a bond?    

A bond is a debt instrument issued by the government or a corporate house to raise funds from the markets. A bond has a specific maturity date which can range from a few days to many years. Based on the maturity period, it can be a short-term bond or a long-term bond.


   A bond has a fixed maturity value. It is based on the type of bond. There may or may not be regular interest payments, known as coupon payments. Large institutions such as banks, mutual funds and foreign funds are some of the large investors in government and corporate bonds.


   Individual investors mainly invest in bonds taking the debt-based mutual funds route, or directly in corporate bonds or tax-saving bonds.

Who should invest in bonds?    

All investors should have some exposure to bonds. The percentage of allocation to bonds can vary based on the risk profile of the investor. Including debt-based instruments brings stability to the overall investment portfolio of an investor.
   Some bonds also qualify for tax rebate and hence their overall returns net of taxes become quite attractive.

Advantages of debt instruments    

Interest rates have reached their peak levels and expectations are the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will go for some monetary softening, going forward. Investments in debt based instruments seem quite attractive from many perspectives such as capital preservation and risk returns ratio. Capital appreciation is intact even if interest rates go down in the future.


   Investors with a low risk appetite can reduce exposure to equity and rebalance the portfolio by investing in debt based instruments.


   Here are some options in bonds:

Debt funds    

These instruments are good options for investors with a low risk appetite. These funds invest in debt based instruments and government bonds.


   Therefore provide safety of principal with decent returns. These funds come without any lock-in such as bank fixed deposits. They offer quick liquidation and hence come in handy for those wanting to invest with a short to mediumterm perspective without any investment risk.


   Since interest rates are up, debt-based instruments are attractive from many perspectives such as capital preservation, low risk, high returns and the possibility of capital appreciation if the interest rates go down in future.

Liquid funds    

Liquid funds are good for investors who want to park their funds for a short term. These funds invest the corpus mainly in money market instruments, short-term corporate deposits and treasury. Liquid funds can be liquidated on a very short notice. Therefore, they score over other short-term deposits.

 
   Returns from bank fixed deposits are taxable depending on the tax bracket of the investor, which pulls down the actual returns considerably. Dividends from liquid funds are tax-free in the hands of the investor. This increases their effective returns.

Tax-saving bonds    

There are various bonds available in the market that qualifies for income tax rebate. These tax-saving bonds come with a lock-in period of five years or more. The returns from these bonds, including the income tax savings, are attractive for investors in higher income tax brackets.

 
 
---------------------------------------------

Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds ( ELSS Mutual Funds ) to upto Rs 1 lakh and Save tax under Section 80C.

 

Invest Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

These links can be used to Purchase Mutual Funds Online that are regular also (Investment, non-tax saving)

 

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Applications

 

These Application Forms can be used for buying regular mutual funds also

 

Some of the best Tax Saving Mutual Funds available ( ELSS Mutual Funds )

  1. HDFC TaxSaver
  2. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan
  3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund
  4. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96
  5. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund
  6. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund
  7. SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993
  8. Sundaram Tax Saver

Popular posts from this blog

ULIP Review: ProGrowth Super II

  If you are interested in a death cover that's just big enough, HDFC SL ProGrowth Super II is something worth a try. The beauty is it has something for everybody — you name the risk profile, the category is right up there. But do a SWOT analysis of the basket, and the gloss fades     HDFC SL ProGrowth Super II is a type-II unit-linked insurance plan ( ULIP ). Launched in September 2010, this is a small ticket-size scheme with multiple rider options and adequate death cover. It offers five investment options (funds) — one in each category of large-cap equity, mid-cap equity, balanced, debt and money market fund. COST STRUCTURE: ProGrowth Super II is reasonably priced, with the premium allocation charge lower than most others in the category. However, the scheme's mortality charge is almost 60% that of LIC mortality table for those investing early in life. This charge reduces with age. BENEFITS: Investors can choose a sum assured between 10-40 times the annualised premium...

Am you Required to E-file Tax Return?

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Buy Gold Mutual Funds Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   Am I Required to 'E-file' My Return? Yes, under the law you are required to e-file your return if your income for the year is Rs. 500,000 or more. Even if you are not required to e-file your return, it is advisable to do so for the following benefits: i) E-filing is environment friendly. ii) E-filing ensures certain validations before the return is filed. Therefore, e-returns are more accurate than the paper returns. iii) E-returns are processed faster than the paper returns. iv) E-filing can be done from the comfort of home/office and you do not have to stand in queue to e-file. v) E-returns can be accessed anytime from the tax department's e-filing portal. For further information contact Prajna Capit...

Section 80CCD

Top SIP Funds Online   Income tax deduction under section 80CCD Under Income Tax, TaxPayers have the benefit of claiming several deductions. Out of the deduction avenues, Section 80CCD provides t axpayer deductions against investments made in specific sector s. Under Section 80CCD, an assessee is eligible to claim deductions against the contributions made to the National Pension Scheme or Atal Pension Yojana. Contributions made by an employer to National Pension Scheme are also eligible for deductions under the provisions of Section 80 CCD. In this article, we will take a look at the primary features of this section, the terms and conditions for claiming deductions, the eligibility to claim such deductions, and some of the commonly asked questions in this regard. There are two parts of Section 80CCD. Subsection 1 of this section refers to tax deductions for all assesses who are central government or state government employees, or self-employed or employed by any other employers. In...

Bharat Bond ETF

Top SIP Funds Online   The government of India has paved the way for the launch of India's first corporate bond ETF called as Bharat Bond ETF. Edelweiss Mutual Fund will be managing it. The fund is mandated to invest in AAA-rated bonds of select public sector companies (see the table 'List of constituents and their proportions in the portfolio'). The government has a threefold objective behind launching this product. One, to deepen the liquidity of the Indian debt markets and provide a gateway for easy retail participation. Two, to solve investors' dilemma of picking premium bonds. Lastly, to help the underlying government-owned companies raise funding for their operations. But does it make sense for you, the investor, to invest in it? Lets find out. What is the product? As the name suggests, it is an exchange-traded fund which will be listed on a stock exchange from where its units can be bought and sold post launch. It will have two variants - one maturing in 3 ye...

What is Electronic Clearing Service (ECS)?

  As the name suggests, it's an electronic process through which money can be transferred from one bank account to another. According to RBI, this mode is usually used for regular payments and receipts, like distribution of dividend, interest, salary, pension etc. This mode is also used for collection of bills for telephone, electricity, water, various types of taxes, payment of EMIs , investments in mutual funds , payment of insurance premium etc. There are two types of ECS , like most other banking transactions, ECS credit and ECS debit. An ECS credit is used by a bank account holder , usually a large company or an institution for services like payment of dividend, in terest, salary, pension etc. If your mutual fund pays you dividend to your bank account, of all probability it is being paid through ECS credit.ECS debit, on the other hand, is used when a company or an institution is getting money from a large number of people. For example if you are investing in a mutual fund sc...
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