Skip to main content

Investing in company FDs

Choose an instrument that carries AA or higher rating

THE interest rates on bank fixed deposits (FDs) are falling. While most top banks are offering an interest rate between 7 and 8.75 per cent for deposits below Rs 15 lakh with one-year maturity, company deposits of various housing finance companies (HFCs) and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) on the other hand are offering more than 9 to 10 per cent.


For maturity period of two to five years, the company FDs are offering yields of 10.23-13.36 per cent.
 
Although the return may be high, company FDs are more risky and unsecured (not secured against a collateral), compared with bank FDs. In case a company goes kaput, you will not get your money back. Also, remember that fixed deposits of all banks (including foreign banks, regional rural banks and co-operative banks) are insured up to Rs 1 lakh by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) against default of banks due to liquidation, cancellation of banking licence or merger. There is no such guarantee on company FDs.
 
Here are a few factors you should consider before investing in a company FD:
 

Check the financials of the company: Since, economic slowdown is affecting several companies, it is advisable to invest in reputed and strong firms. Check the credentials and financials of the company in which you are investing. A strong company that regularly pays out dividends and has no losses, would be safer than a company that offers very high interest rate but is posting regular losses. The key factors to look into would be profits, growth, capital adequacy, non-performing assets and a low debt to equity ratio.


Check the ratings: The rating of such instruments can help you make an informed choice. Says Surya Bhatia, a certified financial planner, Choose a deposit that carries a AA or a higher rating. Those company FDs that do not carry a rating, are riskier and have a high chance of defaulting on interest and principal repayment. But the flip side is that the returns on higher-rated FDs are considerably lower than those for lower-rated FDs.


Invest for a shorter horizon: It is advisable to minimise your risk by investing in multiple corporate deposits. Also, choose a shorter tenure of say one or two years, to reduce your risk further.


Liquidity problem: Since most company FDs do not allow premature withdrawal of your principal, you will not be able to break the FD before maturity. Also, some companies may deduct the brokerage paid to distributors from the premature withdrawal amount.


Tax deducted at source (TDS): TDS will be deducted if the interest on a company FD exceeds Rs 5,000 in a financial year. Therefore, spread your investments in multiple FDs if your interest is going to be more than Rs 5,000 from one FD. Also, calculate the post-tax return before investing.
 
A pursuit of higher returns from company FDs comes with risks that are not commensurate with the extra post-tax return you will get from it, compared with the slightly-lower posttax returns from bank FDs and debt schemes of mutual funds. So, be a bit wary.
 

Happy Investing!!

We can help. Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them

OR

You can write back to us at PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com

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

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

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

Lump Sum or SIP?

Invest Mutual Fund Online     You have a lump sum in hand and you wish to invest in equity funds. However, you have heard a lot of talk about investing in equity funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) because they help average costs, ensure you do not ill-time the market, and help you invest in small sums, besides giving you many other advantages. So, should you invest the money you have in hand in one go, or let it remain in your bank account and then do an SIP? There is no harm in investing a lump sum amount. For all you know, compounding, over the long term, could work better with lump sum. However, make sure you fulfill all of these three criteria if you want to invest in one go. Else, SIP is the way to go. #1: You invest for the long term According to past data, ideally, if you have a time frame of 12 years or more, you can consider lump sum investing (provided you satisfy the other two conditions that follow). So, what is the sanctity behind 12 years? Is it because only...
Read more

Mutual Fund Review: Reliance Regular Savings Balanced

Reliance Regular Savings Balanced fund has shown great resilience during market crash After a shaky start, this fund has established itself as a strong contender in this space. In the past three years it has ridden the market well by not only delivering during the market run-ups but also displaying resilience during the crash. In 2008, it witnessed the second lowest fall among its category and last year it was amongst the top three performers with a return of 76 per cent (category average: 61%).   The poor underperformance in 2006 can well be credited to the low equity allocation of the fund, which stood at just over 10 per cent for only four months that year. Though the fund has the leeway to go up to 75 per cent in equity, it has never touched that limit. In fact, it has exceeded 70 per cent in just five months in its entire history. During the crash of 2008, the fund managers had no problem going right down to 54 per cent (equity exposure). Fund managers Omprakash Kukian and A...
Read more

Why credit history is critical?

Will you need a loan to buy a car or a house? Do you know why some people get their loans sanctioned quickly without any hassle, whereas others find that their approval is delayed or their application is rejected? If you want a loan, you will need to work to build a solid credit history because this can have a bearing on the ease with which you get loans. Read on to learn more about what is a credit history and how to build a good credit score. What is a credit history? Your credit history is a way of tracking your credit behaviour and habits — basically it shows how disciplined and regular you are when it comes to repaying your dues on loans that you have taken. It will show a complete record of your past borrowing and repayment record including details about any late payments or if you have defaulted on a loan. This track record is readily accessible to lenders and is used by them to when reviewing your loan application. Borrowers who have historically had a bad record of managing...
Read more

Feeder funds are the cheapest way to invest in gold

Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Mutual Funds Online Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)   There are four ways to put your money in gold — buying physical gold/jewellery , putting money in gold exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ), investing in a gold savings fund and going for the National Spot Exchange's e-gold. Now, some gold ETFs and e-gold even allow taking physical delivery of gold at the end of investment tenure. That might sound good if you wish to possess physical gold. But, given the firm price of gold today (almost ~31,000 per 10g), it is important that gold is bought through acost-effective avenue. Reason: Investing comes at a price. Add to that, India's gold buying is expected to decline in 2012 and 2013, according to the latest World Gold Council ( WGC )report. WGC Director Vipin Sharma feels gold imports may drop to 800 tonnes from 967 tonnes last year. And the mix between the jeweller...
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