Skip to main content

FMPs good bets during stock market downturns

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Current open Infra Bond Application form

 

WITH equity market performance turning from bad to worse in the present calendar year, the focus has definitely shifted to debt market instruments, which often provide steady and regular stream of income for investors. One such debt instrument that has been hogging the limelight in recent times is the growing popularity of fixed maturity plans (FMPs).

Popularity of FMPs is growing steadily, as more and more investors are becoming aware of the benefits of investing in these plans, particularly in comparison with other popular alternatives, especially, bank fixed deposits. Matter of interest: A growing number of investors from retail to companies and high net worth individuals (HNIs)) are parking their funds in FMPs to safeguard their returns at a time when the domestic equity markets are taking a pounding amid turbulent times in both global and domestic markets.

FMPs are 100 per cent debt-oriented plans, and, therefore, it is unfair to compare them with equity schemes, whose performance is primarily dependent on stock market movements. Also, FMPs are suitable for investors who are risk-averse and conservative, and whose time horizon is short term (six months to 24 months).

On the other hand, equity schemes are suitable for investors who have a time horizon of more than five years, and who are ready to take limited risk with high return potential and also have the patience to wait for at least three to five years.

It is very good to see retail investors pouring funds into FMP products, which traditionally are an investment hot-bed for companies and high net worth individuals. With interest rates set to fall by the second half of 2012, we have seen fund houses launching long-duration FMPs in recent months.

FMPs are like fixed deposit with better taxability.

FMPs are closed-ended funds but they do not have an easy exit option, which fixed deposits have. Therefore, investment in FMPs is similar to investing in fixed deposits.

Stable yields: Investors locking their funds in FMPs can hope to earn prevalent interest rates in the economy, which are broadly in the range of 7 to 9 per cent per annum. For FMPs, with duration longer than one year, the returns are taxed at 10 per cent or 20 per cent after indexation, whichever is beneficial for the investor.

Thus, returns from FMPs are very tax efficient, and, therefore, these instruments are comparatively much better options compared with bank fixed deposits for a similar period, said Chopra.

Investment in short-term FMPs tend to be good investments in a rising interest rate cycle because investors can avoid volatility of an active bond fund and at the same time, benefit by rolling over investments at subsequently higher rates. As the equity market gets volatile, investors seek more assured returns, and, thus, money flows into fixed deposits and debt funds, including FMPs.

Typically, the fund house fixes a `target amount' for a scheme, which it ties up in formally with borrowers be fore the scheme opens.

Since the fund house knows the interest rate that it will earn on its investments, it can provide `indicative re turns' to investors.

Investment instruments: FMPs usually invest in certificate of deposits (CDs), commercial papers (CPs), money market instruments, corporate bonds, and, sometimes, even in bank fixed deposits.

At the peak of the rate cycle, it is beneficial to invest in market fixed income instruments or active income funds to benefit from capital gains on bonds as yields/market interest rates fall and bond prices rise. So, FMPs though remain attractive, the total effective re turns on bonds/debt funds could be higher.

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

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

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

Application form for Tax Saving Infrastructure Bond and more information

Current open Infra Bond Application form

Submit filled up application Collection canter near you

Popular posts from this blog

ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan Invest Online

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   ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan             Invest Online This fund does remarkably well during falling markets, but fails to show the same prowess during a rising market. The fund sticks to its mandate to adapt to the dynamic nature of the market by shuttling between debt and equity. It takes aggressive asset calls in equity when the market surges by investing in quality mid-cap stocks. At the same time, it adopts a defensive strategy by investing in debt and cash when markets get overvalued, making it a good long-term choice.     For further information contact Prajna Capital on 94 8300 8300 by leaving a missed call     Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   Leave your comment with mail ID and we will ...
Read more

Understanding Your Cibil Credit Information Report

   WE ARE all familiar with the anxiety and uncertainty that we feel when applying for a loan. After all, it's the lender who decides whether we can own our dream home, our first car, or whether our children can pursue higher education. In a nutshell, a better life depends on the lender's decisions.    While other factors do play a part in the lender's decision, the Cibil Credit Information Report ( CIR ) plays a crucial role in a lender's decision to approve a loan application.    Previously, lenders would treat all loan seekers equally. Each applicant, if approved by the lender's internal credit policy, would be charged at the same interest rate for a particular loan size and purpose. The lenders would charge a higher interest rate to all the borrowers, in order to compensate for the possible default of a small portion of the loan disbursed. In other words, it's like a professor (the lender) punishing an entire class (borrowers) for the mischief played b...
Read more

Mutual Fund Review: ING Dividend Yield

  ING Dividend Yield's small assets enable the fund manager to churn in impressive returns… Strategy The aim of the fund is to invest in stocks which offer a high dividend yield. This fund deploys a value based strategy which aims to gain from investing in fundamentally strong and free cash flow generating businesses. The scheme focuses not only on growth but also on the cash generated by the business, which mostly leads to stable returns even in volatile markets. This fund has a low volatility because of its investment in high yielding stocks. The scheme tries to include stocks that yield dividend above the dividend yield of the Nifty and stocks with liquidity, which throws up a universe of 150 stocks.   Our View Launched in October 2005, this fund invests at least 65 per cent of its assets in high dividend yield stocks. The fund has consistently maintained a mix of stocks across varying market capitalisation, with a higher tilt to mid caps compared to small caps. Howev...
Read more

Financial Planner - Do Integrity & Dependability Check

How does one can find value proposition when it comes to financial planning, which is a new area? There is nothing to benchmark it with. So, how does one figure what is the right fee to pay? Look at what you want. You probably want to hire a financial planner to get a blueprint for your life ahead and want to know how to achieve your goals. For creating a tailor-made financial plan, our experience is that it takes 25-30 man-hours in all. Taking an average of Rs 500 per hour for hiring the services of a qualified financial planner like one who has a CFP(CM) certificate, the fee would come to Rs 12,500 to Rs 15,000. But the per-hour rate can be higher or lower depending on the process adopted, the experience and expertise of the planner, etc. That's how planners arrive at their fee. Now, is that value for money? For that you need to find out what benefits you would derive by engaging them. The financial plan will give you clarity, direction and pathway to achieve your goals. Th...
Read more

About CRISIL IPO Grading

CRISIL IPO (Initial Public Offering) Grading is an opinion on the fundamentals of the graded issue that reflects CRISIL's independence and expertise. This opinion is expressed as a relative assessment in relation to other listed equity securities in India. The assessment is based on a grading exercise carried out by industry specialists from CRISIL Research. A CRISIL IPO Grade 5/5 indicates strong fundamentals and a CRISIL IPO Grade 1/5 indicates poor fundamentals. CRISIL IPO Grading reflects its assessment of the graded company's equity fundamentals as distinct from an assessment of debt fundamentals. A CRISIL IPO Grade should not be construed to mean a comment on the price of the graded security nor is it a recommendation to invest or not to invest in the graded security. However, this grade is not an opinion on whether the issue price is appropriate in relation to the issue fundamentals. The grade is not a recommendation to buy / sell or hold the graded instrument, or a comm...
Read more
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