If invested carefully by keeping your objective simple and clear, Debt Funds can be a good portfolio diversification tool which can give returns, with lower volatility than equities and with some tax benefits over fixed deposits.
Investors should keep in mind the following tenets while investing in Debt funds
Debt funds can be classified under 4 broad categories – Liquid and Money Market, Short term, Dynamic/Long Term, Credit Risk Funds.
Liquid Funds –Liquid Funds/Money Market Funds are meant to invest your short term cash surplus. We see no reason whatsoever in taking credit risks and trying to earn higher returns in this segment of your allocation. Choose Liquid Funds which avoid credit risks.
Short Term Bond Funds - Has higher market risks than Liquid And Money Market funds. This segment generally considered as an alternate option to 1-3 year fixed deposits. So, evaluate between them depending on the pointers mentioned above, especially on the extent of credit risks the fund carries in its portfolio.
Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) also tend to be in the 1-3 year category. But FMPs are close ended and investors at most time have to remain fully invested till maturity. FMP portfolios tend to be concentrated and hence should also be closely evaluated on the credit risks, as the recent event has outlined.
Long Term/ Dynamic Bond Fund - Can have very high market risks and is the segment where investors tend to grapple most on the distinction between the aspect of fixed income and volatility in the NAV and returns. Bond Funds often have periods of low and/or negative returns which investors are not prepared for and hence we mention that investors may need to hold it for a longer period for the interest rate cycle to play out. Investing in a Dynamic Bond Fund, which allows the fund manager flexibility to manage the interest rate risk is a better option. We would also recommend to choose Dynamic Bond Funds which take lower credit risks and have a liquid portfolio.
Credit Risk Funds – We genuinely believe that retail investors should stay away or if at all allocate a very small portion of their investment in this category. The Indian bond market at the current state of its development in this category still remains illiquid and mispriced. This product is only for sophisticated and High Net worth investors. So, if while investing in bond funds for generating fixed income, you are not prepared to absorb any of these risks, then you are better off investing in safe bank deposits.
Quantum Liquid Fund prioritizes safety and liquidity over returns as its investment objective. Quantum Liquid Fund does not invest in any Private Corporate Debt instruments thus minimizing the credit risk. The Returns of the Quantum Liquid Fund may be lower than peers but it also takes lesser risks. Quantum Dynamic Bond Fund takes market risks but runs a liquid portfolio by investing only in government securities, state government securities and AAA/A1+ PSU instruments. We disclose our portfolios of Quantum Liquid Fund and Quantum Dynamic Bond Fund on a monthly basis enhancing transparency. Investors are encouraged to visit the page and peruse the portfolios.
Disclaimer, Statutory Details & Risk Factors:
The views expressed here in this article / video are for general information and reading purpose only and do not constitute any guidelines and recommendations on any course of action to be followed by the reader. Quantum AMC / Quantum Mutual Fund is not guaranteeing / offering / communicating any indicative yield on investments made in the scheme(s). The views are not meant to serve as a professional guide / investment advice / intended to be an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial product or instrument or mutual fund units for the reader. The article has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. Whilst no action has been solicited based upon the information provided herein, due care has been taken to ensure that the facts are accurate and views given are fair and reasonable as on date. Readers of this article should rely on information/data arising out of their own investigations and advised to seek independent professional advice and arrive at an informed decision before making any investments.
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks read all scheme related documents carefully.
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