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Investments are a crucial part of any financial portfolio. It is the best way to grow your savings and earn returns over time. There are various types of investment options available, and one of them is funds. Funds offer an ideal way to invest in the market without too much risk. By diversifying investments across different stocks, bonds, and other assets, funds can offer a high degree of safety and a potential for good returns, making them a popular investment choice.
Funds are mainly categorized into three types – equity funds, debt funds, and hybrid funds. ELSS funds are too good to invest because these are tax saving mutual funds. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at equity funds and explore their various types.
Equity Funds
Equity funds are mutual funds that invest primarily in stocks of companies listed on exchanges. Equity funds are high-risk high-return investments as they are subject to fluctuations in the stock market. However, over the long term, equity funds have the potential to deliver higher returns than other investment avenues. The variations in equity funds can suit a broad range of investors, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Types of Equity Funds
1. Large-Cap Equity Funds
Large-cap equity funds are mutual funds that invest in large companies with large market capitalization, typically those ranked in the top 100 companies in terms of market capitalization. The primary objective of investing in large-cap equity funds is to earn higher returns through long-term investments in blue-chip companies.
2. Mid-Cap Equity Funds
Mid-cap equity funds are mutual funds that invest in mid-sized companies with medium market capitalization, typically ranked between 101 – 250 companies by market capitalization. The objective of investing in mid-cap funds is to gain higher returns through long-term investments in growing companies.
3. Small-Cap Equity Funds
Small-cap equity funds are mutual funds that invest in smaller companies with smaller market capitalization, typically those outside the top 250 companies by market capitalization. The objective of investing in small-cap funds is to gain higher returns through long-term investments in companies with high growth potential, as the smaller nature of these companies means there is more room for growth.
4. Multi-Cap Equity Funds
Multi-cap equity funds invest in companies of all sizes, large, mid and small in any proportion they want to in the portfolio. Multi-cap funds are suitable for investors who are looking for a balanced portfolio across companies of different capitalizations.
5. Sectoral or Thematic Equity Funds
Sectoral or thematic equity funds invest in stocks of companies of a particular sector or theme like banking, IT, healthcare, energy, or real estate. Performance of these funds often sensitive to events happening around those sectors these funds deal with.
6. Dividend Yield Funds
Dividend yield funds invest in stocks of companies with a history of distributing dividends. The objective of investing in dividend yield funds is to earn returns not only by capital appreciation but also by dividend payouts from the mutual fund investment.
Also Read: Maximizing Tax Benefits with Property Loans
Choosing the Right Equity Funds
Choosing the right equity fund can be crucial to your investment strategy because every investor’s financial goals and risk appetites are different. One should assess their own risk appetite before investing in any fund. Consistency in the fund performance is another factor to consider. A mutual fund with a long history of consistent performance through different market cycles is an obvious choice. You can check the SIP return through online SIP calculator. It helps to choose best mutual fund.
Investors should also study the portfolio and look for factors such as the diversification of stocks in the portfolio, stability in the fund management team, expense ratio, and exit load to gauge probable returns. Funds charge an expense ratio for management fees, and investors must take this cost into consideration while evaluating a fund.
Moreover, monitoring these funds’ performance is crucial to keep track of possible returns. An investor should not be swayed by short-term performance changes but should focus on long-term gains. It is also advisable to take professional investment advice and do ample research before making an investment.
Conclusion: Mutual Funds
Equity funds can be an excellent option for investors in India. They offer opportunities for high returns, diversification, and exposure to the stock market. By spreading investments across different types of equity funds, investors can reduce their risks and tap into different areas of the market. As with any investment, research, and diligence are necessary to make informed decisions, and investors must weigh the pros and cons before jumping into the market.
Equity funds, a popular investment option in India, invest mainly in stocks of companies listed on exchanges. Equity funds are risky high-return investments as they are subject to fluctuation in the stock market. Equity funds are mainly categorized as large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, multi-cap, sectoral or thematic, and dividend yield funds. Before investing, it is crucial to assess the risk appetite, portfolio, expense ratio, exit load, and fund management team and take professional investment advice. Equity funds provide good returns but come with equal risk, and it is essential to have a long-term view while investing in them.