Investment | August 04, 2020
Investing
decisions can be complicated sometimes. After all, there are so many options
available in the market, from stocks and bonds to real estate and money market
instruments. It becomes difficult to choose the right investment instrument
especially when you have many choices all around. For layman investors, one of
the best options could be a mutual fund that allows investment into equity,
debt, hybrid funds, etc., depending on their needs. Investing in mutual funds
is much safer than the direct investment in stocks; they offer high liquidity
and managed by highly skilled fund managers. However, there are some myths that
sometimes confuses investors due to which they fail to take full advantage of
mutual fund investments. Let`s find out 5 common mutual fund myths and
understand the fact behind it.
5 myths of investing in mutual funds
- Myth: It requires a huge
amount for an effective investment
Fact:
Mutual Funds do not require a large investment. You can start an investment
with as low as Rs. 500. You can even invest in installments through Systematic
Investment Plan (SIP).
- Myth: Buying only
top-rated mutual funds guarantee better returns
Fact-
Has Virat Kohli performed in every match he has ever played? No! Just like that
having top rated mutual funds in your portfolio does not guarantee a better
return. Sometimes they underperform too. A fund becomes top-rated when it
performs better than other funds. So, it`s crucial to assess a fund`s
performance potential before investing rather than rely solely on its rating.
- Myth: One needs to invest
in too many mutual fund products to diversify.
Fact-
Investing in too many mutual fund products can result in over-diversification,
and you may end up killing your portfolio`s return. You should ensure an
adequate level of diversification, i.e., neither more nor less. So, you don`t
need to invest in every other mutual fund product; just select the few good
ones that can help you achieve your financial goals.
- Myth: Mutual funds are
for long term investment only
Fact-
Mutual Funds are not meant only for long term investment. You can invest in an
appropriate mutual fund scheme for the short term as well. For example,
short-term debt funds, liquid fund, etc., are some of the options with high
liquidity, carries low risk, and offers a decent return.
- Myth: Mutual funds are
unsuitable for beginners.
Fact-
Mutual Funds are one of the easiest ways to invest. They are much safer compared
to stocks and allows greater flexibility than direct investments into debt
instruments. Highly skilled fund managers manage mutual fund`s corpus;
therefore, they can ensure a better return at lower risk on your investment.
A mutual fund offers many investment choices, but
you can get their full benefit when you understand them before putting your
money into it. Myths can prevent you from earning a good return on your mutual
fund investment. If you have any confusion or doubt, don`t hesitate to get
advice from a registered investment advisor.