Table of Contents
Introduction:
In the rapidly evolving financial world, people look for robust and high-yield investment opportunities that balance risk and return while aligning with their unique financial goals.
Mutual funds have become popular across multiple segments of investors due to their flexibility, ease of access, and wealth-creation potential. This article explores seven advantages of mutual funds with relevant investment examples. Read on to enhance your understanding of this excellent investment tool.
Seven Advantages of Mutual Funds:
Assuming that you have read my previous article on the subject, which explained how mutual funds work, let’s discuss the core advantages of mutual funds for investors. Mutual funds have become a preferred option for investors who want to achieve their financial goals be it wealth creation in general or any specific life stage goal.
So without further delay, let’s dive into the advantages of mutual funds and understand why they are a popular investment choice.
Easy and Effective Diversification
Mutual funds serve as a powerful tool for diversification, offering investors a straightforward and efficient way to spread their risk across many assets. One primary avenue through which mutual funds achieve diversification is by pooling money from numerous investors and then investing it prudently into a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities on their behalf.
This pooling of resources allows even small-scale investors to gain exposure to a much more comprehensive range of asset classes that would typically be challenging to access individually. By investing in a single mutual fund, investors instantly benefit from owning a diversified basket of securities. This method mitigates the impact of any security’s poor performance on the overall investment, reducing the risk.
Moreover, mutual funds enable diversification on a secondary level by offering a range of fund options within their portfolios. Investors can further diversify by choosing multiple mutual fund schemes that cover various asset classes, sectors, or geographic regions.
For instance, investors can allocate their funds across schemes based on distinct asset classes such as equity, fixed income, index funds, Gold ETFs, or even specific sectors like technology or healthcare. Each fund brings its unique holdings, risk profiles, and potential returns.
For the uninitiated readers, ETFs or Exchange-traded funds are closely related to mutual funds but with a distinct difference. So interested readers can check my article on the comprehensive comparison of mutual funds vs. ETFs.
By strategically allocating investments across a mix of these funds, investors can spread their risk even wider and potentially enhance their portfolio’s overall performance. This secondary layer of diversification minimizes the impact of volatility in any one sector or market, ensuring a more balanced yet productive investment strategy.
The beauty of diversification through mutual funds lies in its simplicity and accessibility for investors of varying expertise levels. Whether a novice investor seeking exposure to a diverse mix of assets or an experienced investor aiming to fine-tune their portfolio, mutual funds offer a streamlined approach to diversification.
By harnessing the power of both the fund’s inherent diversification across multiple securities and the ability to diversify across various mutual fund schemes, investors can effectively manage risk while potentially maximizing their investment returns in line with their risk tolerance and financial goals.
To understand the safety element of mutual fund Investments read my article titled – Is Mutual Fund Safe Avenue for Investment?
Investor Example:
Sarah is a young professional who wishes to invest her money but finds the stock market intimidating. However, she has found a solution in mutual funds. By investing in mutual funds, Sarah can benefit from diversified portfolios that spread risk across assets like stocks, bonds, and commodities, thus helping her shield investments from market volatility.
Professional Management:
Mutual funds stand out for their professional management, a critical advantage that sets them apart as a premier investment avenue. Seasoned and knowledgeable fund managers manage these funds, bringing expertise. These professionals diligently research market trends, scrutinize financial data, and assess various investment opportunities. Their in-depth analysis and strategic decision-making aim to optimize returns while managing risks effectively.
Mutual fund asset management companies possess a legally sound ownership structure and government regulatory bodies bind them with legal contracts to follow transparent procedures.
For investors like Jack, a busy entrepreneur focused on his business, the professional management of mutual funds is invaluable. Entrusting their investments to these seasoned experts allows individuals like Jack to leverage the expertise of professionals who dedicate their careers to navigating the complexities of financial markets.
The core responsibility of these fund managers lies in constructing and maintaining diversified portfolios that align with the fund’s objectives. They select a mix of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and commodities, to balance risk and potential returns. Their astute management skills extend to adapting swiftly to market changes, reallocating assets as needed, and identifying emerging opportunities or threats to investments.
This proactive approach ensures that investors’ funds are continuously monitored and optimized for performance.
Moreover, these fund managers operate within the framework of regulatory guidelines and the fund’s defined investment objectives. They have a contractual obligation to act in the best interest of the investors in the fund, which guides their actions. Fund Managers prioritize prudent investment strategies, ensuring the fund’s holdings align with its stated goals.
This level of professionalism and accountability reassures investors who seek guidance and trust in the expertise of financial professionals. For them, the professional management of mutual funds represents a shield against the uncertainties of the market and a pathway toward potential growth within a structured and monitored investment framework.
Investor Example:
As a busy entrepreneur, Jack highly values his time and expertise. He prefers mutual funds because seasoned professionals who conduct thorough research, track market trends, and make informed investment decisions on his behalf manage them. Thus, professional supervision not only saves Jack from the hassle of daily monitoring but also ensures that he gets the best possible returns on his investments while minimizing associated risks.
Accessibility and Affordability:
Mutual funds present a gateway to the investing world by offering unparalleled accessibility and affordability. Unlike many traditional investment avenues that demand substantial capital to initiate, mutual funds break down barriers to entry.
They welcome investors with varying financial capacities, enabling individuals to start the investment process with minimal amounts. This accessibility aspect empowers young professionals, college students, and those with limited initial capital to participate in the market, fostering a culture of financial inclusivity.
Mutual funds eliminate the daunting requirement of significant upfront funds, making them an attractive option for individuals with varying degrees of available funds. Moreover, the affordability factor of mutual funds plays a pivotal role in democratizing investment opportunities.
These funds pool resources from numerous investors, allowing them to benefit from economies of scale. Through shared expenses, such as administrative costs and trading fees, investors can access professional portfolio management at a fraction of the price they might incur if they manage individual investments independently.
The reduction in expenses, typically in the form of lower expense ratios compared to other investment avenues, ensures that a more significant portion of an investor’s money gets directed toward actual investments, enhancing the potential for growth over time.
Furthermore, the ease of investing in mutual funds adds to their accessibility. Online platforms and mobile applications provide seamless access, allowing investors to research, compare, and invest in funds conveniently from just about anywhere.
This accessibility extends to comprehensive information and resources that aid investors in making informed decisions.
With user-friendly interfaces and educational materials, mutual funds strive to bridge the knowledge gap, empowering investors with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial market, regardless of their background or experience level.
Overall, the combination of accessibility and affordability positions mutual funds as an accessible and inclusive investment avenue for individuals seeking to embark on their investment journey or diversify their portfolios.
Investor Example:
Emily, a collegue studend, who wants to invest her small savings earned in the best possible investment avenue. Mutual funds allow her and small investors like her to invest with minimal amounts, as and when they want, without any binding commitment for compulsory periodic tranches of investment, thus making investment affordable, more accessible, and doable.
Liquidity & Flexibility
Mutual funds offer high liquidity and flexibility, making them an attractive investment avenue for investors with varying financial goals. One of the key aspects contributing to this is the ease of buying and selling mutual fund shares at their prevailing net asset value (NAV). Unlike many other investments, mutual funds allow investors to redeem their units on any business day, providing quick access to cash when needed. This liquidity aspect is especially beneficial for individuals who require flexibility in managing their funds according to changing financial needs or unexpected expenses.
However, it’s essential to understand the concept of exit load in mutual fund investments, which can influence liquidity. Exit load refers to a fee mutual funds charge when investors sell their units before a specified period, typically known as the exit load period. Depending on the mutual fund scheme, this period can range from a few days to a year. The logic behind applying exit load is to discourage early withdrawals of investments and promote long-term commitment from investors.
For instance, if an investor decides to redeem their mutual fund units within the exit load period, they may incur a percentage-based fee on the withdrawn amount.
Typically, the AMC limits the percentage of exit load to one percent of the redemption value. This fee is deducted from the redemption proceeds, affecting the overall returns for the investor.
Despite the potential impact of exit loads, the liquidity offered by mutual funds remains relatively high. Investors can usually access their funds quickly, but they should be mindful of potential exit loads if they intend to redeem their units within the specified period.
Investor Example:
Tom and Laura, a young couple planning for their future, appreciate the flexibility of mutual funds. They can easily buy or sell mutual fund units at the current market price, which offers them a high degree of liquidity on their investment and the ability to address any financial contingencies. Investors like them benefit from the easy entry and exit of mutual funds as it helps them manage any financial emergency or park surplus funds in their existing mutual fund portfolio.
Tax Saving Instrument
In India, equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) in mutual fund investments serve as a potent tool for tax saving. ELSS funds refer to Equity Linked Saving Scheme funds, a particular category of mutual funds that offer tax exemption for investments up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum per individual taxpayer under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
In other words, the investors can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year on the amount invested in ELSS funds, effectively reducing their taxable income. What sets ELSS apart is its lock-in period of three years, the shortest among tax-saving investment options under Section 80C. For instance, tax-saving bank Fixed Deposits often have a minimum lock-in period of five years. This feature gives investors flexibility and liquidity compared to tax-saving instruments like Bank FDs, Public Provident Funds (PPF), or National Savings Certificates (NSC).
Investing in ELSS funds not only aids in tax savings but also offers the potential for wealth creation through equity exposure. ELSS mainly invests in equity and equity-related instruments. The access to ELSS schemes allows the investor to actively participate in the potential growth of Stock markets and simultaneously allow tax savings. While ELSS carries market risks associated with equity investments, the potential for higher returns over the long term makes it an attractive tax-saving avenue for individuals willing to invest with a medium to long-term horizon.
One of the critical advantages of ELSS is the potential to generate inflation-beating returns. With the flexibility of choosing between dividend and growth options, investors can align their investment strategy with their financial goals. Moreover, ELSS funds offer the benefit of compounding returns, where reinvested dividends and capital gains can further boost the overall returns. This feature makes ELSS a tax-saving and wealth-building tool, encouraging investors to harness the power of equity markets while enjoying tax benefits.
Investor Example:
Anna, a high-income individual seeking equity investments for tax savings, can benefit from the tax advantages of mutual funds. Anna and other Indian investors like him can take advantage of 80(c) of the Income Tax Act of India while benefitting from equity investments and can invest up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year in ELSS schemes with an investment lock-in period of three years.
Range of Investment Options:
In India, the spectrum of mutual fund investment options is broad and accommodating, allowing investors to tailor portfolios to match their specific financial objectives.
Investors can create a custom portfolio by selecting schemes from various categories of mutual funds such as equity, debt, hybrid, index, and sector-specific funds. Even within equity, the investor may pick large cap, mid cap, small cap, multi-cap, or flexicap funds to meet their investment goals in line with their risk appetite.
To learn more about the different varieties of mutual funds, especially the types of equity funds, you can check my article on this website titled How do mutual fund works – A Beginner’s guide!
For instance, investors seeking long-term capital appreciation often lean towards equity funds, while those desiring stable income might opt for debt funds. This diversity allows for a balanced portfolio that aligns with an investor’s risk appetite and investment horizon.
Choosing the proper Asset Management Companies (AMCs) is pivotal in crafting a robust mutual fund portfolio. Investors typically evaluate AMCs based on past performance, historical returns of funds, and the reputation of the fund managers.
Assessing a fund’s track record across different market cycles provides insights into its consistency and resilience, aiding investors in making informed decisions.
Additionally, understanding the risk profile of each fund and matching it with the investor’s risk tolerance is crucial. Conservative investors might favor funds with lower volatility, while aggressive investors might opt for funds with higher growth potential, considering their risk appetite.
The timeframe of investment serves as a crucial factor in fund selection. Investors prefer debt or liquid funds for short-term goals because of their stability and liquidity. Whereas for long-term goals like retirement planning or wealth creation, equity funds offer the potential for higher returns, albeit with higher volatility.
Investors often diversify across fund categories and AMCs to spread risk and optimize returns based on their investment horizon. Overall, the flexibility and variety in mutual fund categories in India empower investors to craft tailored portfolios, aligning with their risk preferences, investment timelines, and financial objectives.
Investor Example:
David is an investor who wants to diversify his investment portfolio. Mutual funds offer various options, including equity, debt, index, and sector-specific funds. David and other investors like him can have a custom portfolio of funds catering to different risk appetites, investment timeframes, choice of fund, and AMC preferences, enabling them to align their mutual fund investments with the desired financial goals.
Transparency and Information Accessibility:
Transparency and information accessibility are the cornerstone of mutual funds, instilling trust and confidence among investors. One key aspect is the daily Net Asset Value (NAV) update. Mutual funds disclose their NAVs daily, reflecting the fund’s per-share market value.
This transparency ensures that investors have real-time visibility into the fund’s performance, aiding informed decision-making regarding buying or selling shares. This daily update cultivates a sense of transparency and keeps investors updated on the fund’s current value.
Moreover, mutual funds maintain transparency regarding fund management charges, exit loads, and capital gain taxes. Clear disclosure of these charges helps investors comprehend the costs associated with their investments. Fund management charges, including expense ratios, are openly stated, enabling investors to assess the impact of these fees on their returns. The provided information transparently shows investors any exit loads they may incur upon redeeming their investments within a specific period, thus allowing investors to plan their exits strategically. Understanding capital gain taxes related to mutual fund investments aids investors in making tax-efficient decisions aligned with their financial goals.
The culmination of these transparency features makes mutual funds a preferred investment avenue. The accessibility to daily NAV updates empowers investors with timely information; the easy redemption process ensures liquidity, and the transparent disclosure of charges and taxes facilitates informed decision-making. Transparent disclosures build trust and confidence among investors, making mutual funds attractive for those seeking clarity, accessibility, and comprehensive information in their investment journey.
Investor Example:
John is a meticulous investor who values transparency. For this type of investor, mutual funds are an excellent investment option as they provide regular updates on holdings, performance, and costs and offer diversification benefits that can help reduce risk in his investment portfolio. John appreciates that he can quickly encash his investments and know his tax liabilities before redemption.
Conclusion:
Investing in mutual funds can bring various benefits that will improve your financial journey and help you meet your future monetary goals. They provide effective risk mitigation in multiple ways and offer optimized returns through multi-layered diversification.
The professional management and tax-efficient investment strategies add to the appeal of Mutual funds. Moreover, these financial instruments are accessible and affordable and offer liquidity and flexibility to adapt to changing financial needs.
With a vast range of investment options, transparency, and control mechanisms, mutual funds instill trust and confidence, making them a potent investment avenue for investors seeking financial prosperity and wealth creation without compromising risk management and stability.
Finally, it must be highlighted that vesting in mutual funds for an extended period of time can help you build considerable wealth. However, it’s important to prioritize disciplined mutual fund investments and select the appropriate term insurance cover, atleast upto your investment phase, to safeguard your family’s financial security.
Kartikay Ungrish is the Founder-director of Worthy Education Academy & Worthy Financial Services. He is a UGC NET-qualified Assistant Professor of Management, A MBA, a licenced mutual fund distributor, and a financial advisor. He helps people build wealth through prudent investments in mutual funds and other financial products. Start by creating your free wealth management account with him as your financial advisor. Contact for more details.
