Small savings rates are linked to the government bond yields in the secondary market. PPF rates have progressively come down in the past two years, mirroring the decline in bond yields. The PPF rate was cut recently by 20 basis points and could fall further in the coming months. Despite the rate cut, advisers say the PPF remains a good bet because the interest is tax free. The tax-free status of the PPF gives it a distinct advantage over fixed deposits. The interest from fixed deposits is fully taxable, which brings down the returns to barely 5% in the highest bracket.
PPF rates have steadily come down in past few years
On the other hand, since consumer inflation is below 4%, the PPF offers a healthy real return of more than 3%. "This is quite impressive for an option that offers assured returns. Investors should continue to take advantage of this long-term tax-free product
Besides the returns and taxability, the PPF scores high on safety, flexibility and ease of investment. An account can be opened in a Post Office branch or designated branches of PSU banks. Some private banks also offer the facility to invest in the PPF. Opt for a bank that allows online access to the PPF account. Deposits can be made throughout the year, but an investor must deposit at least Rs 500 in a year.
However, there is a better alternative available to salaried taxpayers covered by the Employees' Provident Fund. Although an individual's contribution to the EPF is linked to the salary, one can opt for the Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF). The VPF offers a higher rate (8.65% for 2016-17) compared to the PPF and contributions are eligible for the same tax benefits. But this option can be exercised only at the beginning of the financial year or in October.
Smart tip:Invest through a bank that allows online access and investment in the PPF account.
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Tax Plan is one of the better performing schemes from Religare Asset Management. Existing investors can redeem their investment after three years. But given the scheme's performance, they can continue to stay invested Given the mandated lock-in period of three years, tax saving schemes give the fund manager the leeway to invest in ideas that may take time to nurture. Religare Tax Plan's investment ideas revolve around 'High Growth', which the fund manager has aimed to achieve by digging out promising stories/businesses in the mid-cap segment. Within the space, consumer staples has been the centre of attention for the last couple of years and can be seen as one of the key reasons for the scheme's outperformance as compared to the broader market. It has, however, tweaked its focus and reduced exposure in midcaps as they were commanding a high premium. The strategy seems to have worked as it returned a 22% gain last year. Religare Tax Plan has outperformed BSE 100...
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 Good time to invest in infrastructure The Sensex has gained almost 10 per cent from May 15 till date, while the CNX Infrastructure Index has gained almost 17 per cent in the period. The price to earnings ( P/ E) ratio of the BSE Sensex is 18.96; for the CNX Infrastructure Index, it is 24.57. The estimated P/ E for next year is 14.04 for the Sensex. Of the 24 companies that make up the CNX Infrastructure Index, six have a P/ E higher than 20. Does this mean infrastructure is fairly valued? Or, has it run up quite a bit? According to experts, barring stray companies, the infra sector is fairly valued and it is a good time to invest. Even if some companies are facing debt restructuring problems, once interest rates come down and regulatory norms become flexible, they will start giving good re...
1. What is a straddle? A strategy using Nifty options usually before a major event or when one is uncertain of market direction. Comprises purchase of a Nifty call and put option of the same strike price. Usually strikes are purchased closer to the level of the underlying index. 2. What is better buying or selling a straddle? It depends.Implied volatili ty of options, or near-term expectations of price swings in an un derlier like Nifty , usually peaks before an event and falls when the outcome plays out like Infy re sults in past years. However, once the event plays out, a sharp rise or fall in Nifty could result in price of the straddle rising benefiting buy ers. But, normally , those who sell or write options charge hefty premiums from buyers in the hope that fall in volatility would ensure the options end out-of-the-money, hurting buyers. 3. So, do straddle sellers end up winning most of the time? Yes. That's invariably the case when market volatility is trending on the...
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 JP Morgan launches Emerging Markets Opportunities Equity Offshore Fund The new fund offer opens for subscription on 16 th June and closes on 30 th June. JP Morgan Mutual Fund today announced the launch of its open end fund of fund called Emerging Markets Opportunities Equity Offshore Fund. The fund will invest in an aggressively managed portfolio of emerging market companies in the underlying fund - JPMorgan Funds - Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, says a JP Morgan press release. Noriko Kuroki, Client Portfolio Manager, Global Emerging Markets Team (Singapore), JPMAM said, "Emerging markets have been out of favour for several years, as growth decelerated and earnings struggled. However, in a world of globalisation, we believe that EM will eventually re-couple with DM, leading to the long-aw...
Many a times your agent / distributor / relationship manager tries to push you some mutual fund schemes by enticing you with a typical sales pitch…"Sir, this scheme has generated 20% returns in the past one year." And this sales pitch often gets louder when the market conditions have been favourable. Some of the agents / distributors / relationship managers have another unique way of luring you. They say, "Sir / madam this scheme has been awarded the best scheme award in the past by a leading business channel"... And hearing all these sales talks you investors very often get attracted and sign a cheque in favour of the respective scheme. But please ask yourself do you hear these sales talks when the capital markets turn turbulent? Why is it so that your agent / distributor / relationship manager avoids talking to you during turbulent times of the capital markets and doesn't boast about returns generated by the respective funds or awards being conferred on t...
